I'm considering installing a msd system, I don't have much more than stock (351w) But do spend sometime in the mud. Does anybody know anything about the "MSD OFFROAD box" I think the part # is 6470. From what i have been able read about it, I think it may be water proof. Is it the same as the 6200 msd6a? I don't think I should need a rev-limiter. Which do you think would be better the off-road,or the 6a? WHY? I know nothing about either. Thanks for any advice and info.

 

MSD Sucks!! I had the standard box. Returned it after about 6 months after it crapped the bed. My msd plug wires fell apart after pulling them from the plugs. My msd blaster 2 coil blew up on me and leaked oil out of it. No warranty on that one. My bro just ordered a mallory distributor and box. Id go that route.
Worried about water getting in it. Mount it in your cab and extend wires if needed.

 

There is a reason more people use MSD ignition parts in racing applications than anything else, so think about that! The key on the MSD ignition box it mounting the box in a place away from heat and moisture, even with the offroad version. The only thing different in that is the box is potted to keep water out and help with vibration issues. Get the regular 6a box, mount it INSIDE the cab and all will be good in the world. My an old original 7AL box is mounted inside the cab on the and has been subjected to mud and bumps, not to mention water when washing the truck down, with no problems.

 

Im not impressed

 

That's your opinion. I've seen many Mallory Unilites quit working offroad because the optical sensor gets bumped and no longer sends a signal. AND I've seen a couple of times where trailside weld jobs fried the Mallory electronics in that same Unilite dizzy. Read Mallory's instructions and it tells you right out to remove the dizzy if welding is to be done on the vehicle. All MSD says is to remove the grounds. If he was going to be in an asphault only ride, I would suggest the Mallory, but for ease of getting parts (Every speed shop I've ever stepped foot in had MSD parts in stock, where they have to usually order the Mallory components) and the more reliable/stability of the MSD, it is the better choice for off road.

The 2 times I have EVER seen an MSD box or distributor go bad was due to poor intallation. 1 was becasue it was mounted right next to the radiator where it was subjected to heat and water. The other was a bad wiring job that shorted the box out.

You mention that you had problems with the plug wires. Did you crimp and put the boots on yourself or by an assembled kit? I've made all my own wires with the CORRECT crimp tools and have had no problems. As for your box and coil issues, what did your wiring look like? Not trying to start a pissing contest, but I'm willing to bet 90% of electrical problems with MSD parts are due to installation issues and not the product itself. If it were, you wouldn't see that brand being as popular as it is.

 

it really depends bud..what are you working with?
i'd almost forgot
http://www.painlessperformance.com/kb.php
check it out

 

Dont waste your money buying the "offroad" box and the stand alone "offroad rev limiter." The 6AL will do everything you need.

Ill second mounting it in the cab or at minimum away from heat. I cooked one by mounting it on the radiator support. I cant say one single negative thing about them though...I called up Jegs the next day and they sent me a new one no questions asked and its been beat on pretty hard for the past 2yrs.

 

Thank you all for your thoughts and insight, I really apperacite it and will give you all rep points after writeing this post. It sounds like the mounting of the box is the key. I was thinking that mounting the box on the fender well where the old stock ingition box was (It is my understanding that it will be removed) Would be a good place to mount it, Am I wrong? why is that a bad idea? If I mount it in the cab, where is a good place? Thanks again.

 

I've had my 6al mounted where the original ign. box was for 4 yrs now. no problems so far. My brother has had his 6a mounted same location but on the opposite side of the engine bay for about 6 or 7 yrs now no problems. Generally speaking it is a fairly dry location.

 

As long as you inner fenders are in good shape, and you don"t go in a bonch of deep water, then the stock location would be ok.

 

HEI for stock-ish applications is hard to beat. One wire and you're done. No coils, and igitinio boxes, and blah blah blah. Hot wire switched with key on or "ignition" toggle switch, simple, reliable, and great performance in my application so far.

 

msd just came out with a cheaper version of the 6al. it has a rev limiter but the rest is basically the same as a stock box. and we run msd in all our race trucks, never let us down yet. some are almost 10 years old and still work fine.

 

For a wheeling rig that does see deep water and mud, put the box in the cab, if it's mostly a DD and doesn't get wheeled hard, under the hood will be fine.
I have my digital 6 mounted to the bottom of my glovebox in the 460 pig. I have all MSD except the distributor, but, the MSD dizzys use a Duraspark II pickup anyhow... I aa probably eventually going to switch to a mechanical only distributor just to eliminate a place for water to get in though...

 

Heres where I have my junk mounted

 

if you look in Kris's pic you can see the rubber feet that are used as mounts MAKE SURE AND USE THOSE. They take out the vibrations and will help with the longevity in the 10+yr range.

As Karl stated almost all MSD failures are from people that don't know how to wire electronics. Me personally I put my box inside even on my street/strip car that will never see mud.


here is how I had mine mounted before I switched to the 7al-2 box