Author Topic: Trucks (Read 1799 times)

WLB · « **on:** February 04, 2003, 05:29:49 PM »

Any one here building up their own truck or do most of you drive factory stock equipment?
Bill

Dogshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2003, 06:02:53 PM »

I am driving a 90 Bronco that started as a factory truck but I have replaced just about every part in it over the years. Does that count as a "custom" truck? Gee, didn't realize I was so cool! :grin:

WLB · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2003, 04:09:39 PM »

Dogshooter
Did you replace the parts with stock parts or high performance stuff.
Bill

Dogshooter · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2003, 02:58:43 PM »

It's mostly stock but I am just on the verge of doing a little "tweaking" here and there.

turfman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2003, 03:54:10 PM »

Got two of what you might call other than stock trucks.

1st is a 67 series IIa land rover 109. I have turned every nut and bolt on this truck to restore it.

2nd is a 54 m37 dodge truck. Very cool with the canvas roof and snorkel air intake. also turned every nut and bolt except for the engine. I don't think it was ever redone. Can't kill that flat six.

I just can't bring myself to spend $35,000 on something that will be worth $3,500 in ten yrs.. Just my opinion of course.

turfman.

WLB · « **Reply #5 on:** February 07, 2003, 03:07:09 AM »

Dogshooter
I've had good luck with improved exhaust and an aftermarket computer chip on EFI vehicles but don't usually get any deeper than that on late model stuff. Most of them run so good--as long as all the electronic stuff is working--that I haven't had the need for more horsepower on a street vehicle. :-) Excess hp equals excess tickets.
I don't have any personal experience with the Land Rover, turfman, but I have friends that swear by them. Do you have the 215 aluminum V8? I agree with you about the cost of new trucks. You can buy a small farm for the cost of one. And besides, tinkering with vehicles is fun--most of the time. Those old Dodge military trucks are cool. I like about anything automotive and mostly build V8s but the inline motors are special. I like the simplicity.
Bill

turfman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2003, 02:10:09 AM »

Dogshooter.

I'd love to find a 215; but they are becoming scarce. My rover has the origonal 2.6 straight 6 in it. Very interesting motor; its what they call an f head. The intake valves are located on the alum. head and the exhaust valves are on the cast block. When this engine goes; (which aint gonna be for a while), I'll put a (don't laugh) GM v4 in it. These are easily obtained from both cars and boats. The torque that this type of engine gives is about a perfect match for the older series transmissions.

I have now had 6 land rovers; look cool, easy to work on, parts are somewhat available, the bodys don't rust, and they go darn near anywhere.

But when the millitary starts releasing the hummers they have been collecting for 20 years now; I might change my tune.

turfman

WLB · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2003, 03:06:05 AM »

turfman
I'm not familiar with the GM V4 engine other than the old SCAT midget race car engine ($15,000 without injectors). It is basically a small block V8 with the center four cylinders removed. I have a straight 4 GM marine engine (181 cubic inches) that is similiar to the old GM 153 and Iron Duke 151. What cars did the V4 come in?
The Hummers are nice. I have an old Suburban with rusty body and excellent drive train that I have thought about getting a Hummer kit car body for. The only drawback for me is that it increases the width by 1 foot so it would be a nuisance to drive in town. I have too many projects or I would just build my own.
Bill

turfman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2003, 04:49:51 AM »

WLB.

I'm not really sure about the particulars on wich cars they were for. My parts house has about 5 of them sitting though; I'll ask him when I talk to him. The Iron duke engine is another good engine for the series rigs. There is a guy that sells them with a cross flow radiator and his adapter for around 4k. The marine mercs are the engines I'm talking about; the torque delivered by the engine is almost a perfect match for the old series rover trans.

I'm fortunate enough to have a mechanic on my payroll. The guys a cross between Cliff Clavin and Mcgyver. He insists when the engine goes; we put in a mercedes diesel; I however would prefer a 6.5 gm diesel instead. If I wanted to go the diesel route. ( saw some at a gov't auction that went for $800; rebuilt long block with a dayna trans.)

I think the whole thing about the rovers is the ability to put so many different power plants in them; or rebuild the original.

I like the old suburbans also. As I said before; I'd rather spend 10k on a vehicle with "soul" to bring it back to life, than spend $33,000 on a new suburban. And hell; just spend another 10 and you'll have the hummer.

as for the hummers; I saw a rescue vehicle from a local ems unit that was a hummer and it wasn't civillian. Or maybe my eyes refused to believe it was.

turfman