Jim - Glad to have you reading the mail.

Dave - It is a really nice truck the way it sits, and I'm ecstatic with that. And if it'll run then I'm over the moon.

As for the skid plates, one approach would be to buy a plastic tank for Big Blue and use the new metal one on Dad's. But, I'd have to think through the fuel sending unit/pump issue. And, I can powder coat or POR15 the skid plates so there'd be little rotting of them.

 

I have never had that type of locker in the front, my 1980 had the factory limited slip in the front, and it was tight and worked, and I redid the rear limited slip and it did ok but still slipped some.

As I have posted before, in the snow it was different. Going straight you were fine and pretty much unstoppable. Turning was a different story. You could not turn into a driveway off a snow covered road without getting off the throttle and almost coming to a complete stop. If you didn't, you would just go right by the entry to the drive or side road completely.

But what it would do if you were on the throttle in fairly deep snow, and turned the steering wheel, the rearend would steer instead of the front. As long as you kept your foot in the gas, you could swish the steering wheel back and forth and watch the bed of the truck swing back and forth with the steering wheel.

The locker up front may give similar results.

 

What might help that is if the front end had a different ratio than the rear so it was pulling all the time.
I know easier said then done with ratios you can get but something like this 3.54/3.55 or 4.10/4.11


Guess that is why an air locker up front is the way to go but I think over kill for the street.
Dave ----

 

At lower speeds the locker did stuff like that. Annoying, but livable. At higher speed it was the sudden lane changes where only one front tire pulling would jerk the steering wheel almost out of your hands. That's not livable (perhaps literally)

I can't imagine that little difference matters. The difference in tire rolling radius due to the weight of the engine is likely more significant.


That's somewhere on my project list for both my Bronco (for rock crawling) and pickup (for muddy and snowy 2-tracks when I'm hunting). But there are a LOT of things higher on the budgetary priority list.

 

With 3.54/3.55 combo you are always pulling a little bit.

Not sure how a true-trac handles in the front but in my experience any type of *locking* front diff is more likely to kill you than save you unless you are buried in mud.
Forget about trying to drive one on the street.


ETA: (I see I was a little late in replying)
​​​​​​​Yes, the steering wheel wants to break your wrists.
​​​​​​​

 

I hope the Tru Trac isn't a locker. And, I hope it isn't that bad. Guess we will find out. (Edited as I was on the phone with someone talking about "life" and missed a bunch of posts.)

But, I did find this in Vernon's notes - the #'s off the tag on the front diff:

 

The True Trac is not a locker, and from what I've heard it has quite good manners in a front axle (should be better than anything other than an open diff). But I'd like to hear as many reports on that as I can get, especially in 4WD highway driving.

 

Yes, I've read several tests by independent parties in the last two days that say it has good manners up front in all conditions. I'm going to assume the best.

 

Nice truck!

 

Ha!!!!!!

I think I see what you're trying to refer to - ADHD being Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

To me, ADD = Accidental Death or Dismemberment, quite a different thing

 

I'm sure I have FADHAD - Ford Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Automotive Disorder.

Proof: I'm currently sorting a huge pile of new parts, which reside under a partially restored '81, so I can get said '81 off the lift so I can get the other '81 in the shop to get it running/stripped so's I can sell it in order to get the '85 in the shop so I can figure out what is wrong with the engine.

 

As long as it keeps you off the streets Gary. 😀

 

As you think to yourself: All this 'cause I have this Super Bee over there, also wanting my attention?

Another thread I've just skimmed but get the gist of, will have to go look through the whole thing....

 

Don't forget the '50 Chevy pickup.

 

Nothing like playing musical vehicles, I always say.....


Good luck with 'er, Gary she's in good hands!