Re: [AMC-List] Brought home a Vigilante over the weekend...

[msproviero@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Every wheeler has a different philosophy.

Its not the motor that I would question - I bought it because I knew it was stout and has a very nice factory torque rating for its displacement.  The D20 is fine also.  The issues with wheeling the Waggie I bought would be the crappy 1st gear ratio of the 3-speed, not being worth it to regear the weak axles to compensate for the trans ratios, no front discs, weak knuckles, weak u-joints everywhere, its difficult-to-work-with suspension that really ends up requiring SOA and extra axle work in the form of high-steer, and the unfriendly-to-wheeling interior (benches).  The ratio of time/effort/money to results/enjoyment is skewed the wrong way for me on this one.

Making the assumption that the motor would be pumped up and a suitable trans installed, I still wouldn't want to wheel such a large rig on modern 44's either due to the torque multiplication of say, an adapted T-18a/D300 (or something stronger), and the significant weight of the vehicle going through small joints and rather thin, 30-spline shafts.  I might feel better with a C20HD rear than I would with a D44 rear.  A HP D44 or D60 front would require a transfer case other than what you suggested due to the driver's side drop and I have never seen a HP passenger-drop D60 that hadn't been re-tubed.  I wouldn't bother building up a passenger-drop LPD60 unless the vehicle came with it or it was nearly free, but only becuase of the axle resources I have at my disposal with the number of junkyards, message boards, and email lists in Michigan...

I've also got 3 other vehicles to wheel, so its not really a priority.  If it was my only vehicle and I wanted a FSJ to wheel, a newer one would have been a better choice.



-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: BaadAss73Gremlin@xxxxxxxxxxx 

> Spro,4x4's i have limited knolage of compared to 2wd cars.and yes i meant Dana 
> 35's .i thought the early FSJ's used em i stand corected knwoing that they used 
> Dana'30's and if your uncomfortable with the 44's i mentioned ok how bout a 3/4 
> ton running gear Dana 60 front and rear with the flipped shackles and a Dana 
> 300 or NP 205 transfer case?Also while I agree about using a more reliable 
> engine/trans combo whats so bad about the AMC 327? i thought in 4v form they 
> were tough motors.I see traditional hot rodders revamping flatties and Ford guys 
> running tried and true Y block V8's myself included with my 60 Effie. 
> Bart 
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