"The little black truck"...

[Backtobasics]

Originally Posted by Smurf

That's a nice stance for that truck.

If I remember correctly, the 2.0 DOHC that came in the Avengers, Eclipses, etc is one of very few engines that can be 90* turned. Those engines aren't too costly, and your D50 trans should bolt up. That should give you a good FE improvement.


After some searching:
"The Chrysler 904 tranny from an early 80's Ram D50 will bolt right up to a 4G63 motor. This is the same 904 tranny that many Hemi guys run in the NHRA Super Stock class."
I think you'd be looking for the 4G63 motor more than the 420A motor, but it's still a relatively simple swap. Forget carbs, step up to fuel injection!

That is a long term goal. They tend to swap pretty easily as I have read. I will work on carb tuning, for now....

Originally Posted by freebeard

Here's to the power of flattering lighting. But seriously, it looks good.

Thanks. She ain't a beauty queen, but we are getting there.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Smurf

If I remember correctly, the 2.0 DOHC that came in the Avengers, Eclipses, etc is one of very few engines that can be 90* turned. Those engines aren't too costly, and your D50 trans should bolt up. That should give you a good FE improvement.

Tilting an inline engine doesn't sound so right, altough it has been done in a lot of heavy-duty vehicles (mainly fire engines, trucks and buses). I'd rather adapt a Subaru EJ20 engine instead.

[Slow_s10]

I don't think that he meant turning it that way. I think he was more refering to switching it from a FWD application to a RWD one.

But yeah the truck looks really good man. It is in pretty decent shape for it's age. That drop is just about perfect. It looks like you haven't lost any apreciable amount of utility or ground clearence.

[Backtobasics]

I was looking for a square body S10 at the time, and couldn't find any worth the money. This little box appeared. While it may not have the support that the S10 would, it seems to be coming along nicely. Tank last night was 19.55 MPG and that was a lot of 65 - 75 mph driving to keep with a tow truck. Next tank should be into the 20's and I will keep tuning and tweaking from there.

[justme1969]

Man if your thinking diesel power I will point ya at a 3 cyl. Perkins.
I had a hybrid drive Idea that ran the perkins @idle driving 2 150 watt alternators during hiway speed crusing. My Idea seemed good till I looked at gearing and continuous rpm v/s torque loads. The Idea was to run the Electric motor through a transfer case front output shaft. and input shaft side attached to engine. I found that I had it backwards because the electric motor needed higher rpms so, even with a 4:11/1 rear gear still too tall.
An underdrive b4 transfer case would have helped but all this stuff costs more and more so better to keep it simple. No mad scientist engineering just common sense and reliabillity. Good driver, 3 cylinder perkins diesel, manual trans, aero mods, and geared rite = 40mpg

[slowmover]

I'd say this truck needs the 1/2 bed tonneau.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Slow_s10

I don't think that he meant turning it that way. I think he was more refering to switching it from a FWD application to a RWD one.

Indeed. Well, the 4G63 was even a factory option for some versions of the Mitsubishi L200 in overseas markets...

[justme1969]

I seen the 1/2 tonneau pik but ill bet ya there is no bed in that truck, and it was done to suck the truck to the ground at 200mph.
I gotta figure out how to make smoke gun to test these kinda things better.
I got a fair amount of flack about the air dam v/s front spoiler choice but tested and proved is front spoiler creates more aero so car cuts through the air. The dam forces compression of even more air at front of vehicle. Then creates vacuume under the car at hiway speeds and even more turbulence than none of the above without side skirts.
I dont want a vacuume under my car or more downward pressure. both of which are usefull for other stuff, but for mpg less is always more! Lawn dart v/s. frisbee effects.

[Backtobasics]

Well, I am back. Job change forces me back to the old reliable little truck. I am going to be in her a while, so I am going to work on getting her smoothed out.

Since last consistent use, it has gotten aligned, oil leak resolved, transmission output seal replaced, and transmission shift points adjusted down, and tomorrow, two tires will be replaced, and tires will be filled will all be balanced, and filled with nitrogen.

I already filled her up, so I will start to track and tune for more MPG.

[oil pan 4]

Don't waste money paying extra for the nitrogen fill.