Posted by Jim Chance on Monday, December 27, 2004 at 8:45PM :
In Reply to: How much can I upgrade my 48B1.. posted by Rick on Monday, December 27, 2004 at 9:12AM :
The easiest way to get more speed is bigger tires, such as 38" x 11" x 16" super swampers, which lots of people run on original rims w/o any known trouble.
I doubt if a higher axle ratio would hurt value. Lots of people make this change so it might even make the truck more desirable.
A/C would be more difficult - I have never heard of anyone doing it on a PW. I intend to try someday and have looked into it. Vintage air sells components that look like they will work if you convert to 12 V negative ground. It does not look like it requires any butcher work. Maybe a few holes in the firewall.
I wouldn't wory about anything that did not destroy a hard-to-get part such as: any sheet metal, brake drums, windshield, gas tank, seat, gauges, ignition switch, switches, pto parts.
I wouldn't cut or weld on the frame or any original riveting on the frame.
You should probably consider documenting the changes and saving the parts in case you want to go back original.
Jim Chance