45LV: 3B+5 speed vs Chevy v8+5 speed

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woytovich

woytovich

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66 45LV has a sorta/kinda/maybe running Chevy straight 6 in it now with the stock 3 speed. I COULD put in some time to bring that combo back to functional order - maybe - condition is unknown.

Have an opportunity to maybe pick up a good complete 12v 3B with 5 speed & TC for $3500

Was considering a Chevy v8 + NV4500 + split TC (have the TC already)

Could pick up a 2F, have a (FJ60) 4 speed & split TC (have the TC already)

Soliciting thoughts on these 3 options: cost, work involved... I kinda know the virtues of the v8 and the 2F... not so much the 3B.

mark
 
Mark,
I have a 3B in my FJ45LPB and love it! I love the 5speed on road and the toruque of the 3B offroad, it just chugs along like a tractor. Also I have been getting around 23-25mpg on the highway out of the old girl so not to shabby for a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick :beer: I just love the simplicity of the diesel and that was one of my major reasons for choosing it especially since I wanted to gear my 45 more towards expedtion type adventures.

Biggest isssues with install is going to be motor mounts, tranny cross member, drive shafts, and the tranny tunnel will need to be modified as well. The only real negative I can say would be it is a diesel so it is a little noiser than a gasser. However once you are up to speed on the road the wind noise drowns it out. Also if you do much driving in the mountains the ole 3B could really benifit from a turbo in that sort of terrian.

Here is my truck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B3pmFQasj8
 
No real wheeling (rock crawling) for this LV... it will be built to be a (relatively) comfortable street/expedition rig.
 
Hard to beat a 5.3L. Cheap, easy, great mileage for the power and gobs of power.

4.5 is tough to do, but looks right and should be a great motor. Limited drivetrain choices, but the A343/AWD case is not too bad for the only real choice.

2FE would be a nice motor for it too.

I'm not a big diesel fan and don't really know much about the drivability of a 3B.
 
woytovich said:
No real wheeling (rock crawling) for this LV... it will be built to be a (relatively) comfortable street/expedition rig.
Click to expand...

Given diesels are a great choice for expedition vehicles, but if street and comfort are your major concerns I am with Gumby go with the V8. It would likely be the best "driver" engine.
 
and I would hope I could do the Chevy/tranny/adapter/split TC for less than $3500.

The plan WAS to source a good running complete truck with accident or rust issues (not too hard here in the northeast) and harvest all I need to get it installed then scrap/part the rest....
 
Hey Mark, I love my 3B/H55 in my little 70. However, at 84 hp it doesn't like highways and is an absolute dog on hills! I cant imagine it would be happy in the LV, and imagine trying to climb those hills on 501/645 heading to Rausch. I have had 3 pigs with 350s and liked the power, parts availability, and was happy with the mileage. For expeditions towing something like a M416 or carrying a ton of gear, I would probably choose the V8. No thought about 2F-H55?
 
All good points... I have thought about a 2F/H55 (what I have in my 60) and I like it. I sold a great 2F (from my old 60) JUST before I found the LV... wish now I had kept it. The (local) buyer is selling it but is has been unceremoniously pulled partially apart and stored in unknown conditions since... I guess if I could get it for a good enough price it would be worth the risk of what I might need to do to get it going again.

That all said a v8 sounds like a nice solution for the intended use...

mark
 
Poser said:
You are not going to build a museum piece from that 45. Build it so you can enjoy it.
Click to expand...
I suppose I COULD but that is not my intent... drivability while keeping as much of the character of the LV as possible is my goal.
 
Mark:

I'll throw a wrench in the opinions here:

3B, 5 Speed--and a turbo.

Very driveable. The turbo really wakes up the 3B and makes it a very streetable powerplant. Still has the torque for wheeling, and has some power to get around at moderate speeds with modern traffic.

I seriously think that our 40 with the 3b/Turbo is the most driveable vehicle I've ever driven. It just works so incredibly nicely.

Dan
 
DanS HJ-45 said:
Mark:

I'll throw a wrench in the opinions here:

3B, 5 Speed--and a turbo.
Click to expand...

Too much $$$... the payoff is just not there for me. ($6000 BEFORE install for the parts FS here on mud at the moment)
 
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