Re: [AMC-List] AMBASSADORS (now trucks)

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm one of those "I drive a truck cuz I haul stuff around and like to 
offroad" kind of guys. Between hauling spare parts and building materials 
plus other stuff, my trucks are rarely empty! I looked in the back of my '73 
J4000 and currently there is a towbar, several different sized spare tires, 
an oxy/acet torch cart, several sheets of plywood for a makeshift repair 
shelter along with a tarp and tent poles, various pieces of scrap metal I'm 
getting rid of or moving from A to B. Plus an XJ D35 axle.
   In the back of my '87 Comanche (with canopy) is a large TV set I got free 
and as soon as I get to S Seattle in time, it'll be hopefully fixed for 
reasonable. Some chunks of firewood, 2 spare tires to keep the TV in place 
(and one under the truck) and small getcha back tool box and the TH400 
nailhead to AMC 327 adapter ring and starter spacer. Plus all the tools, 
jumper cables, wind up lights, tow rope and light chain as well as other 
sundry auto accessories locked in my cab.
   Oh, and an emergency blanket and sleeping bag in a suitcase. Just in case 
(I drive hwy 2 in winter time to get to my cabin near Index)
   I tow with fair frequency (mostly with the J4000 to haul the '82 Spirit 
last night and my parts rigs I have stashed here and there) but can't tow 
anymore with my Comanche. (the clutch started to shudder on takeoff a month 
ago, so I know it's just a matter of time before it lets go. AW4 conversion 
will be done as soon as I get time to get the rest of the wiring harness and 
computer from the '87 Cherokee I'm parting out, IF they are plug and play 
because I want to change the dash wiring too so I can have a factory clock 
and radio as well as AC next summer)
   I figure I need a small truck for the lighter stuff and getting in and 
out of my cabin (20 mpg isn't too bad) and as soon as my '84 J10 is done, 
I'll be able to sell the modded '73 J4000 or turn it into a flatdeck tow 
truck (wish I could find an M715 frame with the 12' bed option! I won't be 
as happy with a GM 2 ton conversion and FSJ cab)

Jim Blair, Seattle, WA '84 J10 Black Jack (getting lifted and stroked!), '73 
J4000 304/TH400/QT tow truck http://www.virtualjeep.com

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From: "Swygert, Francis G MSgt 436 CES/CECM"
	<Francis.Swygert3@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [AMC-List] AMBASSADORS (now trucks)
To: <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:

<092D8CF6635129428E9B66DC582C3B3D019DC3C8@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

As Tom pointed out, I think if you look in cities and over the
country
in general you'll find 74-80% of light trucks and SUVs rarely,
if ever,
used to haul anything. I don't mean the occasional trip to pick
up a new
piece of furniture or something like that, but what they were
meant for.
In some parts of the country, like VA hills, people are a bit
more
sensible about using a truck and a car. Some places (like
mountainous
regions) actually have a good reason for a small to medium sized
4x4 SUV
due to weather conditions -- and impracticality of owning two
(summer/winter) vehicles. Then there are the people who tow
often enough
that they need the capacity, then drive the vehicle at other
times to
avoid the cost of owning two vehicles. With reasonable gas
prices ($2.05
a gallon is cheaper than I thought it would be now, I was
praying for
$2.50!!) that's not an unreasonable idea -- especially if
parking is at
a premium. Insurance and maintenance on another vehicle, unless
it's an
older beater, would be more than gas costs. I'm not
unreasonable, there
are plenty situations that justify a big vehicle, just not
nearly as
many as are out there. It's simple -- the US makers can't
compete with
others so make a new category they can still excel in -- for a
time. Now
the others are hitting them there. So what's next? Better
engineering
finally? I think it will come, like it finally id in the late
70s/early
80s, but will it be to late? Mahoney is in the best position to
comment
on that, but I think the answer is "it might be".

My cousin stated he didn't know what he was gonna do when the
gas prices
went up so much over the summer. He "needed" his Expedition to
cart his
wife and two (small) kids around!! When they traveled the wife
and kids
take a lot of luggage... THAT MUCH!!!???  I laughed. Told him to
go buy
something like a Liberty and one of those small streamlined
trailers
painted to match. Then when he needed the room he'd have it, but
wouldn't have to drag it around all the time. I think he was
considering
it. I was joking around, but it's not a bad idea...

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