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

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Where to start on this one? LOL! First, a 4 speed would cure the ratio ills, 
or you could mod the D20 with Early Bronco stuff to 3.15 low range.
   Chev military rigs used HPD60 front axles that are RH drop '84 till '87. 
Jeep M715 used D60 front and D70 rear (and they are already SOA with high 
steer stock)



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



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.

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