I recall driving a VW bus back home from Yosemite in the mid 80's with electrical wire attached to my carb. One hand pulling the throttle open the other steering and shifting. Not suggesting you do this but sometimes a little McGuiver action is needed. Good luck! Hope it is a simple fix.
Do it! Live life to it's fullest. I drove mine home from Southern California this fall. Would have been more fun if a buddy or my gal was with me but I don't regret it one bit. Bring or buy some basic tools and have at it. Killer looking rig by the way.
I finally got a chance to pull the gauge cluster so I could replace my choke cable and add some new bulbs to the cluster. This morning I added a new synthetic winch line to the 8274. Next on my list is to deal with the crummy suspension currently on my rig. Thinking 2.5" OME, currently lifted 4"...
If these compression numbers are your only worry then you should not be to concerned. I drove 1500 miles on very similar compression numbers with no issue at all. Live a little!
I scored a good one today. This 8274 works as advertised but I ll probably give it a once over anyways and more than likely change out the line to a synthetic winch line.