1964 J-200 Pondering Axles, drivetrain Daddy/Daughter Proj

[suttonlive]

Here is what I am doing. I have two 1964 j-200 thriftside trucks. They are being combined to make one good truck. This truck will be for my daughter when she can drive. ~2 years from now.

Since this truck is for her it won't see hard core trails, and needs to be a good street able setup. It is currently a 230/4speed setup with a d53 rear, 4 drum brakes.

I do have available in the garage some parts that I am considering using. I have a 79 wt cherk q-trac parts truck that has the axles available. I also have a Chevy 305 HO EFI and 700r4 transmission.




A bunch of more pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1131092201 ... directlink

I have only really started doing work on the bed and rear frame. I would love to leave this as stock as possible, but my concern is having something setup that can safely do highway speeds. I know that I want to make it an automatic transmission and have at least front disk brakes. So... what do you think would be the best setup.

[FSJunkie]

Sounds like you need it to be reliable, simple, easy to get parts for, moderate power, and good gas mileage. Safety and ease of driving are also considerations.

The 230 gets good mileage, but runs out of go around 65 MPH and parts are expensive and hard to find. The V8 option for those years, the AMC 327, is very powerful but has the same parts problems. Even the fuel pump is special order from AMC-Rambler only suppliers.

I'd look at an AMC 258. If alot of highway driving is in the future, go for a 360. They have ample power and get decent mileage for a big V8.

The transmission is probably a T-98. Good trans, but unsynchronized. She'd learn to double-clutch. A T-18 is more civilized. Unless you find a way to mate a modern auto tranny to it, you'd probably be looking at an old Hydra-matic of Torque-flite. They each suck power and gas mileage. Manual trannies deliver the best mileage, power, and reliability.

Right now it has a Dana 20 transfercase. They're bulletproof and efficient, unlike a Quadra-trac. I'd stick with it.

Stock axles are plenty strong for what she needs, but the closed knuckles do require maintenence and don't turn very tight. If you swap out the 230, you'll have to gear down. With stock size tires, 3.37 or 4.09 would work well with the engines I listed. It's probably 4.09 or 4.88 now. Locking front hubs will save power and mileage.

I leared to drive in my Wagoneer with 4-wheel manual drums. Keep in mind it weighs more and has smaller brakes than your J-200. It stops like a modern car below 55 MPH. Above that, I have to give it more time or else suffer minor fade. I also can't be on and off the brakes on twisty turny roads unless I want fried linings. I learned to downshift to control speed. It taught me how to actually drive unlike all the idiots in their modern cars who ride their brakes all the time. I very seldom hit my brakes. I actually like manual brakes, as the force you push on the pedal is roughly the same force that throws you foreward as you slow down, so you don't get the lurching effect. Your daughter won't have a problem pushing the pedal hard enough without a power booster. My 100-pound, 80-year-old Grandmother used to drive my Jeep.

I'd can the worm and lever steering for a Saginaw power box. She'll definetely want power steering, and the worm and rolller steering is known for being very loose.

[suttonlive]

Thanks for feedback. I do plan to keep the Dana 20. Good feedback on the drum brakes. I've not been able to drive this truck so my only experience of 4-drum brakes was a Volkswagon Bug (65). My '68 j-3000 has the 327 so I am familiar with issues sourcing parts.

Do you know when the j trucks moved to the Saginaw steering box? I will look into how big a deal it would be to change that over.