Re: Hot Rods

[TERNOV@domain.elided]

Oh contrair, I've been thinking on building up my Scout for superior trail
performance and street performance. Usually, one has to be compromised for
the other, with one exception, that being when one has enough money to pay
for something that works in both situations. Of course, I really don't have a
red cent yet, but I have a summer job lined up which pays $3000 after taxes.
Subtract $800 for insurance, and $200 for sundry other things, and I basicly
have $2000 to get my Scout roadworthy and as trailworthy as possible at the
same time. I may have to do some of these mods the summer after next, as I
think my plans are over my $2000 budget, but... I'm going to modify my
driveline, by installing a t-18/existing Spicer 18 t-case/Warn Overdrive,
with pto adapter bolted to the back of it (and a Ramsey pto winch hopefully),
running to a flanged 44 rear and closed 30 front, both 4.88 (and Lock-right),
off of a late model 800 (A & B series only I think. Can anyone verify?) via
lengthened driveshafts. Then, I'll run 33" Swamper Radials on a 4" lift (3"
springs and 1" shackles). With overdrive engaged, my Scout will have near
stock gear ratios in high range (t-90/4.27's), spread out a little bit nicer
for street driving. The turbo model 152 80/800 did 0-60 in 13.2 seconds: not
bad. I think with minor work, I could get that down to 10.5 (custom
intercooler, machined out manifolds, etc.) pretty easy. That 'aint bad at all
for a 4,000 pounder with a 2.5 litre! Anyway, the beauty of my plan is that
when the going get rough, I will simply disengage my overdrive and pop her in
low range, and wind up with about a 50:1 low range! Much better than my stock
31:1 low range. Also, with the 152, sometimes it starts to struggle when
under load. Other Scout owners with larger engines may not understand my
woes, but I can't even take my Scout on the dirt in high-range... to much
strain. That sucks. It makes me feel like my Scout isn't capable, despite the
fact that I know it is. A 25% lower gearing (effectively using an overdrive
as an underdrive) is just what the doctor ordered for that. Also should be
good for passing and hill climbing, where the next gear down is too low, and
you don't want to rev it, and the gear your in just doesn't give you any
torque at all. I'm sure you can all relate to this. Anyway, that's what I
plan on doing. Don't ask me where I'll get the turbo stuff from, because I
don't know yet, but I figure my Scout, done up as I explained will be able to
do 0-60 in around 10 seconds and will have a top speed of 107 mph at redline.
That's not bad. As a matter of fact, that's as quick as a Triumph TR-6!
Anyway, just thought I'd comment. Anybody else have a mastermind plan like
this?
Devin Smith
'65 Scout 80