Not The First Time

[boozehero]

Funny, the truck has the original speedometer - the only change in the drive line that I've made (so far) is installing taller (slightly) tires and 16" wheels.
I've passed by several school zones with radar activated speed sensors to alert drivers of their speed in the school zone.
Result? The speedometer is 2 MPH faster at most speed points (?). It should be slower.

The 5 speed 5th gear is only .78 to 1 overdrive. Maybe reduce by 500 RPMs ? Better than nothing, but 1000 would be better. Still in the torque zone to not lug the engine.

I usually rent vehicles when I'm on assignment. Most of the new vehicles run about 2000 RPM at 80 MPH!!!
I know they are a totally different banana, but I do a sht ton of highway driving and need lower revs.
I'm not as concerned with acceleration, although I don't want a total slug either.

Anyway, one step at a time.

[boozehero]

More research...
Last night I was looking on the interwebz.
Discovered that 87 - 88 MMs may have come with a 3.55 to 1 rear differential. There were 2 different gear sets: 3.91 (I have) and 3.55.
This would be the perfect ratio for what I am looking for. With a KM 132 5 speed and this ratio, maybe I can drop 1000 RPM at 75 MPH. Yes?

From what I can see, if I drop the center section (carrier) out of a MM with this ratio, it looks like it will bolt into my 79 axle housing.
Anyone know different?

[tortron]

You can just swap the whole diff in, I did on my 81 to get a 4.22 lsd. The brake parts are more available and cheaper, your existing cables will fit, all I changed was the rear hose to the 2nd gen type

[boozehero]

Thanks Tortron.
Didn't want to change the entire axle assembly, but I guess that's not a super big issue.
I just don't feel like groveling on the asphalt, but I guess I've done worse. Like on gravel and dirt.
I bought a battery zip gun and impact sockets, so, if I find a 3.55 guess I'll be getting dirty.

[tortron]

Oh yeah, then you can change the diff head between the two, it wasnt till later that the bigger crownwheels came in

[dash]

somewhere on this site it covered diff options
what year starion 3.54 gears or lsd fit what Mmax
simple math will tell you what rpm @ mph.... or use online calculator

[boozehero]

^^^ Thanks Dash.
I think I will simply change the center section of this axle assembly. I am pretty sure it is a direct swap.
I'll do the calculations and see what it comes out to.
Going from 3.91 to 3.55 isn't a big drop, but with the 5 speed, slightly taller tires and gear, it should show a noticeable difference.

[boozehero]

I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge this weekend. Surprised to see the engine has 60 lbs of pressure almost all the time.
After the engine warms to operating temps, the oil pressure drops to 40 lbs at idle. I guess that's normal.
I also installed a CB radio since I will be doing doing a considerable mount of traveling.
Pix soon.

[boozehero]

Early pic. I have hidden the wires since this was taken.

[boozehero]

Next - Front end alignment.
It has way too much positive camber, and it's erasing the outer front tires.
Hopefully, it will also improve handling. It also looks like there might be too much toe in...
We'll see

[geezer101]

Lowering the truck will dial in negative camber. 2.5" lower = 1.5 degrees camber which is about optimal. This is how they were set up for competition (yes, there were small truck classes of racing...) There isn't any other way to adjust camber without fabricating parts. Toe in/alignment is easy but only if your bushes and joints are in good condition or it'll be 'iffy'.

[pennyman1]

The 87 up extended cab trucks with an automatic and 2.6 have the 3.55 gears, and will fit into the 79 housing. only the 3.55 gears and center section from an 88-89 starquest tsi 6 bolt axle will swap into the truck rear axle - the rest are 7.5 inch carriers and 2 small to fit the truck rear housing. The starquest does also have lsd.

[boozehero]

^^^ Thanks for the info Gents. I see 3.55 rear gear axle assemblies on Ebay, but they want WAY TOO MUCH $$. $500 plus $250 shipping is a major joke. Guess that's why they don't sell.
I could buy a Ford Exploder 8.8 rear with disc brakes and LSD and narrow it to fit for less $$.
I would install an Isuzu Rodeo rear, but they all have 4.00+ gear ratios.
My objective is to lower the final drive ratio enough to knock off 1000 RPM at 75 MPH. The engine has enough bag to pull that off since I have done enough mods to change the power and torque band to pull that reduction.
I think that a KM 132 and 3.55 rear gear will accomplish this.

I have another project under way also...
I am going to install an Acura Integra K24 and BMW ZF6 speed into an 86 S10 drag truck...

[dash]

seen alot of explorer read ends dumped, tons of em. Grabbed a free one only because it was mid 3s ratio & LSD
Corolla guys take the shorter side axle, from another junked rear end, and shorten the housing by that amount
= cheapest narrowing job. Final width may work out for you

[boozehero]

^^^ Yeah, I did that to one of my S10s. Same process as the Corolla guys. I used a super large tubing cutter from Cardboard Freight. Worked like a charm.
I am looking for the simple swap at the moment. I don't have a shop, so I'm a parking lot hero. I'll probably end up paying someone to install the
KM 132 also. No plans to lie on my back for several hours. Done that enough in the past.

It all works out in the end...

[dash]

I have another project under way also...
I am going to install an Acura Integra K24 and BMW ZF6 speed into an 86 S10 drag truck...

unusual drivetrain for a "drag" S10
going for something like this perhaps ? ....stock 5spd here tho https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAljrQaLErw

this member considering K24 his Mmax http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...into-my-86-2-0

[boozehero]

I just had the front end aligned. The alignment guy said the toe was off by INCHES!
Guess I know why the front tires were erasing.
It actually feels better.
I though the camber was off, he said the toe in was making it look way off.
As long as it's good now...

[boozehero]

Next - made an appointment to install the 5 speed. $400
Better than groveling on the ground (?)

[boozehero]

Wellll... Change of plans.
Seems that Unkl Sam has a different idea of where my life is going next.
Cancel everything and go to Tuba City.
FTW???
Arizona folks.
It should be fun towing a Chevy S10 behind this rig for over 13 hours. Blah.

[geezer101]

Well, that is a curve ball. Hope the heat doesn't bug you - heard summer out there is not awesome.

[xboxrox]

Wellll... Change of plans.
Seems that Unkl Sam has a different idea of where my life is going next.
Cancel everything and go to Tuba City.
FTW???
Arizona folks.
It should be fun towing a Chevy S10 behind this rig for over 13 hours. Blah.

THANK YOU BOOZEHERO for sending me the interior trim pieces ~ does this mean I need a new address to send you a thank you card..? Or, send my thank yous to the New York addy..?
Respects ~ George

[xboxrox]

I installed a mechanical oil pressure gauge this weekend. Surprised to see the engine has 60 lbs of pressure almost all the time.
After the engine warms to operating temps, the oil pressure drops to 40 lbs at idle. I guess that's normal.
I also installed a CB radio since I will be doing doing a considerable mount of traveling.
Pix soon.

Your truck looks almost new inside, WOW NICE..!

[boozehero]

^^^ My address changes way too frequently. I don't know where I'll be next. Don't worry, this is a gift to you.

Anyway, the D50 "hero truck" towed my S10 race truck 900 miles.
No engine or transmission, but loaded with all of my crap.
It was NOT fun.
10.6 MPG
If there was a hill, I found it.
Head winds? Yep. Plenty of those.
Second and third gear was a common occurrence.

So now I'm in Tuba City, AZ., (Where the hell is that?) It's the center of Navajo Nation
IN the South of the Grand Canyon. Amazing scenery.
Don't know what's next.
Some pix coming

[xboxrox]

wow boozehere ~ your life sounds exciting ~ maybe you will have a chance to see monument valley where a lotta John Wayne western movies were made ~ hope you learn a lot from the locals especially Navajo people ~ I remember eating a Navajo Taco at an Indian Festival in San Diego 'n it was so yummy with bean filling ~ good luck in your new location & thank you for the free trim parts ~ you're a real gentleman

[boozehero]

^^^ Like everything in life, excitement fades.
Living in hotels does get old.
I am ready to do something different having been away from home for over 6 years.

I am currently in Tuba City - at the end of NOWHERE

Holidays? What are those?
I will be working Thanksgiving day and maybe Xmas.

At least the truck is doing its job and runs very well.

And yes, I am actually learning some Navajo language. Ha.