Jeff tries to make a hot rod out of a farm truck. '92 Mighty Max

[Hans_GZP]

How much of a turd is it with the taller tires?

[Jeff V.]

It didn't feel bad. Of course I barely got it around the block because it was wobbling so bad. Worst case, I can swap some shorter gears in. There are plenty available.

[BillyC]

are you actually planning on going on offroad adventures? Is there issues with the current drivetrain?

[Jeff V.]

I'm not really planning on it, but I'd like the option. To be perfectly honest, going with 31s is mostly to get the truck to sit a little higher.

Aside from the wrecked 2nd gear syncro and blown out suspension, the driveline is ok. The engine runs good for what it is. I'd pick up a spare and rebuild it, but I'm really trying to hold out for a dirt cheap 3.8 swap.

[ChargerX3]

[quote=""Jeff V.""] I'm really trying to hold out for a dirt cheap 3.8 swap.[/quote]

[Jeff V.]

So this just went on my long term wish list



It'd be nice if they made one with a modular mast so you could tuck out of sight for storage, but have the extra height when you need it.

[Hans_GZP]

You'll install it and use it twice at most

[ChargerX3]

I might be ab bit worried your frame would buckle under the load.

[Jeff V.]

[Monochrome]

Electric hoist and ramps are better. Everything can be put on a cart.

[Jeff V.]

Saturday was pretty good. Went and got new tires.



Then I ran over to the junkyard to grab a hitch off an 88 Toyota pickup. It needs some mods to fit my truck, but for $26, I'm not complaining.



The width is spot on. It's just the bolt holes that don't match up. Not that I expected them to. Also, the bracket is too long. Here's how it was, mounted to the Toyota. The bracket extends past the exhaust hanger on the left. There's also a vertical bolt you can't see on the inboard side of the bracket.



That leading edge of the bracket runs into the rear bed mount on my truck. I may just cut it off and run without it. The hitch is rated for 5000 lbs, and my truck is only rated for 3500. I can't imagine towing even 1000 with the engine it currently has. The hitch is also pretty rusty, so it may just end up being a fancy template for something nicer. Who knows? For $26, I don't care. Before I do any of that, I have to cut the old bumper off the truck. Whoever put it on there cut two jagged holes in the body below the tailgate, jammed some angle iron in place, and welded it directly to the frame.

I'd have already gotten rid of it, but I don't want to run the truck with no bumper.

This is how it should look:



In other news, I've got new shocks sitting on the shelf. I'm going to order the rest of the suspension stuff shortly. I don't think the Montero Sport upper arms will fit. It looks like the Max arms sit a little closer to the body, and are swept back a little. So I'll probably just go with the correct parts rather than trying to fit more Montero stuff.



I've also got a lead on a 3.5L hybrid LSD. Now if only I could find a goddamn sunroof...

[ChargerX3]

Looking great. Hope the hitch goes in without a... hitch. Can't wait to see that bumper go. It's an eye sore.

Was hoping you would try out those upper a arms. I didn't want to take the leap on them.

[DCIV]

If I ever went on junk yard wars.....I would take jeff.


Coop

[J-Groove]

[quote=""DCIV""]If I ever went on junk yard wars.....I would take jeff.


Coop[/quote]




... I miss that show.

-John

[Jeff V.]

Soo...does this look useful?



Blue cells are labels, yellow cells are variables you can edit. White cells (other than the reference info at the bottom) are results. This isn't specific to the truck. This should be applicable to any car or truck.

My goal with creating this was primarily to learn the math. I also wanted to see what gearing adjustments I'd need to make to compensate for the torque loss with my new, bigger tires, as well as the speed differences. The wheel speed differences are extremely close to what I saw on the GPS on my phone, before and after the new tires.

I'm also curious to see what gears I need to start chasing down for when I eventually go with the Montero engine and the bigger rear axle. It's nice to be able to immediately see the torque differences between the 4.64 and 4.90 rear ends (not shown here)

I'll post up the final sheet and some explanations of the formulae once I'm sure it's somewhat accurate. I'm open to input in the meantime.

[ChargerX3]

I like this. It's a great start. Are the Redline speeds with the stock 4.22 diff? If so 156 mph sounds crazy on my 30's. Then again our tachs are crap but that is approaching 3s gear ratios.

Also interested what the 4.90's yield.

[Jeff V.]

Are the Redline speeds with the stock 4.22 diff?

That's the kind of feedback I need. The speed per gear is calculated off the stock "stock read diff' field. I can add columns for the 'test rear diff'.

[ChargerX3]

Might as well. Might help to highlight the cells for stock and test as different colors. Found myself hunting around.

[BATMAN]

https://youtu.be/Bmq3ZlL3peE

Jeff if you want you can experiment with mine. It's in a few pieces.

[Jeff V.]

Damn. Good thing you weren't under it when it let go.