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

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: If the rig in question is a pickup and not a Wagoneer, the front axle is 
a D44 that is spring over with closed knuckles and drums. Mine has taken 
quite a beating and still handles quite well. (and takes 40 acres to turn 
around in a parking lot unless I'm rolling while steering) I do plan an 
upgrade to a J20 open knuckle with disc brakes front axle (have the axle but 
need to give it a freshen up, new brake hoses and calipers and replace/lube 
the joints after welding new spring pads on)
  If I didn't already have a good 304 in my '73, the 327 I just got would 
be going in! I do need to fix my powervalve (been too busy just moving stuff 
around from the '90 E350 cube van to my storage locker. FINALLY got the Ford 
95% unloaded today so I can put it up for sale next week!)
  D53 (that's funny! Came up D%# when my caps lock didn't release) has 
tough to find wheel bearings, but the rest is very similar to D60. I already 
have a D60 full float (from a J20) in the rear (it bolted right in and I did 
a rear shackle flip with my engine hoist and a crow bar after undoing the 
shocks) so I can haul loads. The "road" to my cabin (I should say the "class 
2 in nice weather" trail) is 4.2 miles long gets travelled several times a 
week heavily loaded. 6500lbs of concrete slabs (one load), two IH 7.3L 
diesels with auto while towing the cube van body (almost the same as mine), 
a 12' x 25' metal garage (with extra pieces to close it in and a metal roll 
up door), 12' cab over camper that was waterlogged and rotting (the camper 
jacks tore out while trying to lift it from the weight), so I had to use my 
engine hoist to tip up one end and get it on my truck, then switch and lift 
the other end while using a winch to pull it onto the truck.
  I scrapped it out (1,000 lbs of aluminum from the shell and I don't know 
how much glass. Two 45 gallon barrels after I busted them when no-one wanted 
them) and got enough good plywood to build 3 4'x8' shelves in my storage 
plus enough kindling to get through winter. The old insulation is being used 
to line the outhouse (which will become a shed after indoor plumbing is 
allowed). and I STILL had 2,000lbs of garbage and rot to take to the dump! 
(the appliances are going to be used in the cabin)


From: BaadAss73Gremlin@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] Brought home a Vigilante over the
weekend...
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID:


-------------- Original message --------------
From: msproviero@xxxxxxxxxxx

> Disclaimer: I am not trying to be a jerk with this reply.
>
> You are completely thinking in the wrong decade. It has a D27
front and what
> looks like a D53 rear and its really not suitable for
wheeling, as the entire
> drivetrain would have to be replaced for me to have any
confidence in it doing
> anything off the pavement and returning home under its own
power. I'd rather
> break newer, common parts than the older unobtanium. I
wouldn't feel comfotable
> wheeling a heavy rig like that on D44's, even.
>
> I don't know what "35's" you're referring to. Dana 35's? FSJ's
never used
> D35's. They used a D30 front from 71-73.
>
> -Spro
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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