Posted by Charlie on September 03, 1999 at 22:41:10:
In Reply to: I just purchased a 42 WC-53 Carryall what do I do know? posted by Rod on September 03, 1999 at 10:07:29:
You could install:
4 cylinder turbo diesel, either Cummins 4BTA or Perkins 1004AT
overdrive 5 speed like Spicer 3053A, NV4500; or Gear Vendors overdrive on rear output of transfer case
4.89 gears
2 speed transfer case for better offroad performance, from M37
Lockright locking diff(s), rear, plus front if power steering installed
power steering, using hydraulic ram assist and original box and linkage
front disk brakes
radial tires, like Michelin 9.00R16 XZL (36.9")
new set of springs with a bit more arch and about 2/3 as many leaves
None of this would affect the appearance of the vehicle, but you'd have a truck that would drive 65-70 easily and get ~18 mpg at that speed, while offroad performance would be much improved.
If you used nostly new parts you'd be out $12-14,000, just for parts; or, if you have connections, friends, and patience maybe half that or less. But you'd have a fairly economical daily driver that could take you 10-20 miles each way to work and several hundred miles to off-road destinations without a trailer.
The purists hate this sort of ideation but end up saying "it makes mine worth more". In reality, a stock WC53 is beautiful to behold, fun to drive once a week a few miles, but pretty useless for normal daily driving. I drove my M37 with a similar arrangement for a year while my Landcruiser BJ40 usual daily-driver was body-less.
Charlie