Re: [ihc] More Postal 800 talk

[Tom Mandera <tsm1@xxxxxxxxx>]

David Bongo wrote:

> My analysis: The Scout II is great, the Cherokee is a bit too wide.  How
> big of an improvement will smaller tires and a Scout II axle provide? 
> And what problems (if any) will the differing wheel tracks cause?
I think the SII axle will solve the "problem" entirely.

> Power Steering - John says he can handle it, and a preliminary estimate
> doesn't seem too bad.  (I won't make him sit down a figure out a firm
> number until I KNOW I'm going to buy the truck.)
With a big enough steering wheel, non-p/s isn't *that* bad. :D

> Power Brakes - John thinks the non-powered brakes will be fine.  (The
> 800 is, apparently, about 1000 lbs lighter than the Scout II)  Even
> though I was talking about paying him to do the work, he felt it was
> unneccessary.  Nice to deal with an honest guy.
It's also a chore to cleanly adapter p/b to the 800, since the typical 
vacuum assist booster puts the m/c right in the fender..


> As for the defroster (my main concern.  In this part of Florida we do
> need heat ocassionally, me a little more so since the window is open. 
Once we figured out the "air door" needed to be opened, we haven't any 
defroster or heat problems with Michelle's 800.  The "heat" problems we 
have are mostly due to the poor fit of the hardtop (it's coming apart at 
the RF corner a bit) and the drafts that are about even with the top of 
my head, but she doesn't notice them.


> Lastly, Ed Sohm makes some good recommendations.  First, why do you
> think I should swap the 152 for a 196?  (General question for the group,
> which I've asked before, can a 196 even be swapped in?  I mean, easily. 
A 196 will BOLT IN.

> good.  I'm delivering mail.  If it can't move a fully loaded truck
> (truck, me [~175lbs], up to 1000lbs of mail and parcels) then there's a
> problem.
I have no concerns about a 152 or 196 with 4.27/4.88 gears and 29" tires 
to move a Scout - loaded or not - around just fine.

It's when you start putting taller tires, and/or taller gears in that it 
gets ugly.

I really liked my SII 196 4.09 235/75-15s setup.  I really hated my 
196/4.09/33x12.50 setup.


> I like the idea of heat-proofing the floor.  Or, should I say, making it
> heat-resistant.  I'll be asking for recommendations for materials should
> I buy this rig.  (Although I love the herculined bed in the Scout II. 
> Is there a heat-reflective herculiner/rhinoliner available?)
On my Travelette last summer, with a 392 under the hood and "no" 
interior, I was taking readings with my infrared thermometer.. 140-degF 
on the floor.

I was melting.

I bought three windshield sunscreens made from "Reflectix" - it looks 
like foil backed bubble wrap.

I threw it down on the floor, tranny hump, and part of the firewall.

Cut the interior temps to 100degF, or ambient.  OH-SO-MUCH-NICER.

Eventually I'll put the Reflectix on the floor permanently and cover 
with carpet or mats, and hopefull line the firewall while I'm at it, too.