Oh we have the same gears -- 2.73 was stock. If I were towing anything very heavy (like a horse and trailer!) I'd have to use low range. I don't plan on doing a lot of towing, or at least not long distance. I did want something capable of towing though, that's what low range is for! Don't know if I want to put the extra EFI system (Renix) I have on it or look for a small 4V carb. Won't do anything until the house is about done, so that leave me a couple years to decide. If the rust doesn't get any/much worse by then I won't mind fixing the rust spots and doing a bit of work to it. I'm going to wait that bit of time to see if it gets much worse before putting much money into it though. If I only drive it 3-4 years then junk or part it it'll be worth what I have in it. -- Frank Swygert Publisher, "American Motors Cars" Magazine (AMC) For all AMC enthusiasts http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html (free download available!) -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: Mark Price <markprice242@xxxxxxxxxxxx> > Sounds like you got a good deal on a fairly decent truck all things considered! > On the exhaust, if at all possible I'd recomend taking a few days to think over > what you would really want to end up with in the long term. > No need to redo things over again later if you can avoid it just causes extra > work. > I'd do a new generic high flow cat and 2 1/4" exhaust and be done with it! > That cat is likely 20+ years old, unlikely it is functioning properly or flowing > well anymore. Generic cats are cheap if you shop around. > At least you got the 2.79 gears! My cousin got like 22? gears! It wouldn't > backup out of his drivweway in high range. When he towed his horses up the hill > he had to stop and do the lowrange thing then too. If you plan on using it for a > tow rig you will probably be wanting to eventually go a little steeper in the > gear ratio. > Have fun with your new truck! > Mark Price > markprice242ATadelphia.net > Morgantown, WV > > > ---- farna@xxxxxxx wrote: > > Well, I got it home from NYC with no problems at all! The exhaust is kind of > lud due to some leaks, but it drove fine. Vacuum seems to be a little low, so I > may have a vacuum leak in the manifold. It has power brakes, but sure doesn't > feel like it! The previous owner (PO) stated that he put metallic pads on and > that it stopped much better with standard pads. That's a cheap swap, might have > to find out! He also told me that only one of the front calipers was bled > recently due to a broke off bleeder screw. A rear tire is out of balance or has > a slipped belt, but the PO told me about that. Gets a vibration in it around 55 > but not bad now. It started a little unsettling, but as I drove (couldn't go > over 55 while near the city anyway) it got a bit better. I ended up driving at > 65 or so most of the way home with just a bit of vibration -- not enough to be > anooying or uncomfortable. The exhaust system is BADLY rusted -- could be > original! It's definitely leaking some, sounds about ! > > like an > > old tractor! Planning on replacing it soon -- will look on-line and see if I > can buy a head pipe so I don't have to replace the cat. > > > > He'd been using it to snow plow with, and boy does it show! Lots of flakey > surface rust on the front frame, and bolts that were difficult to get off. > Nothing you northerners aren't accustomed to, but I'm sure not!! One main bolt > holding the plow frame on must be bent -- couldn't drive it out with a 2# shop > hammer! It's a 1/2" bolt. I'll get a local shop to blow the head off with a > torch. I found some braces welded on the front crossmember that will need to be > cut off anyway. Now I know why the PO didn't take the frame off, just the pump, > hydraulics, and blade! I let him keep the plow in exchange for an aluminum cap. > Probably won't use that much either, but can use it more than a snow plow in > S.C.! I'm driving the truck down in a couple weeks then parking it until I move > there. Wanted a Jeep, and this one looked pretty good. It has some rust here and > there over the body, but seems to be typical J-truck stuff. I'll use it a year > or two then start patching here and there as lon! > > g as ev > > erything seems to be okay. Should -- the trans (nice "snap" in every gear!) > and transfer case were rebuilt over the last 3-4 years. > > > > The four speed (T-176) acts more like a three speed with OD with the stock > 2.73 gears. No point in using fourth unless you're traveling over 45-50. With a > load there will be lots of 3-4-3 shifting. Not a problem though, first seems to > be low enough for a light load, and there's low range in the transfer case if > not. IIRC it can be shifted from low to high on the fly with no problems. Anyone > know for sure (Jim B?) > > > > -- > > Frank Swygert > > Publisher, "American Motors Cars" > > Magazine (AMC) > > For all AMC enthusiasts > > http://farna.home.att.net/AIM.html > > (free download available!) > > _______________________________________________ > > AMC-List mailing list > > AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx > > http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list > > > > or go to http://www.amc-list.com > _______________________________________________ AMC-List mailing list AMC-List@xxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.amc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/amc-list or go to http://www.amc-list.com