Build Big Red Toy

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Just wanted to clarify about the previous picture.
One of the gallon cans only had one quart in it from a previous oil change. Don't want y'all to think I over poured.

In other news the oil catch pan had the air vent clogged, so this happened.
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Busted out the purple stuff.
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I think I'm safe from the dog house. I'm just gonna have to distract her with my sexiness until nightfall :grinpimp:.
 
I took my first long distance drive since my differentials swap. It was 90% highway, however, there were thunderstorms all night and flash floods all morning. So as a result the highway was a parking lot, not ideal to get an accurate mpg reading.

First I took the kayak off to lower drag, but kept the roof rack on. 2nd to 4th gear are good, it's faster and EGT is definitely lower. However getting to 5th gear is kinda like having sex in college. You're not sure where the sweet spot is, but you know it's there, at least in theory. So going from 4th to 5th I'm usually at 2200 rpm and just under 70 mph, EGT is anywhere from 800 to 1000* F. If I go into 5th too early EGT can jump as high as 1200 in a few seconds. Once I learned where the sweet spot is I can keep it between 900 to 1100*F doing 70 depending. When the needle is pointing at 50 on my dash, my gps shows 70mph, which is 40% over.
At 70 mph I'm turning 1800 rpm (i think, it's hard to read the tach), which is great and after a while I managed to lower EGT to 800. I still got passed by duellies and tractor trailers, but then again it's not a racing machine. It helps when there's a tractor trailer ahead of you, the lack of drag lowers your EGT up to 100*. Today I averaged 20mpg. Hopefully on Sunday the way back will be open roads and no traffic.
 
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However getting to 5th gear is kinda like having sex in college. You're not sure where the sweet spot is said:
I don't care where it is, AS LONG AS I GET THERE!! BUT I'M A STINGY SOB...

HA!

1900 is a good number. I'm at 1800ish/800-1000 EGT with 4.56s with the double OD and 37s.. still around 23.5 MPG :grinpimp:

J
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I wouldn't change a thing if you're getting 23.5 MPG. Seems like it's not worth the effort to possibly get one extra mpg, but I'm a lazy SOB nowadays.
 
ok just returned home. Did 172 miles each way in mostly highway driving. There were some standstill traffic spots, but it eventually cleared up. I won't have final mpg numbers until I refill, but I'm really happy with the swap . Finally figured out the sweet spot and I can go between 70-75 at around 1900rpm. I know i'll gain more MPG if i lose the roof rack, but it's doing well with it on. What I noticed is if I'm in 5th gear and doing 70 or above I gain 10 degrees in water heat, raising it to 200*(without AC). That only happened today on the return where the temperature was around 90. On the way up the temperature was way cooler and the water temp stayed at 190*.
 
so it's been a couple of weeks since the 3rd member swaps.
Here's my impression:
It takes a few days to get used to the new "sweet spots" of shifting and if you gingerly accelerate your EGTs are very manageable (anywhere from 800 - 1000) on highways speeds.The highway speeds are higher 70-75 at around 1900 RPMs, great place for good mpg. The drawback is it's not as peppy accelerating, especially in 2nd gear. I occasionally have to put it in 1st if there's a hill I'm starting off on. My preliminary MPG is around 20, but that's with a roof rack and not knowing the best times to shift. I think it will rise slightly from that. I don't have any input on 4wd since I haven't taken it off road yet. More to come as I get more to add.
 
I usually start off in first now that I've got 3.73s. Starting in second smokes too much.
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
I usually start off in first now that I've got 3.73s. Starting in second smokes too much.
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yeah it does, but first to second is way too short, people behind me hate it. What's the highest rpm you are comfortable taking it to for a prolonged period?
 
On my old 4BT powered 62, I remember first gear being almost non-existent with the H55. I would typically stay in for a second or two when taking off. Now, I'm trying to remember what gearing I was running back then with my 35" BFG AT's.
 
So yesterday Davegonz asked me how my rig is doing. I told him I'm sure if I looked hard enough I can find something to gripe about. Here it is Dave, this one's for you.

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The transmission has a slow leak. So does the front diff, not enough to worry about, just enough to leave its mark.
 
Drove Big Red down to Ladybird lake in Austin. Did 70 most of the way with EGT between 800* & 900ish*, that's with the kayak on :bounce2::bounce:.

Parked it to unload and a bunch of dudes came over to talk to me about the truck. Was kinda disappointed that only guys chat me up.
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The skyline had really changed over the last decade.
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Some sexy legs for you guys, don't even pretend you don't like it.
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The tree in the middle of no where
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Barton springs
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As we were leaving, we stopped at a light and a young attractive woman with a white 60 pulled up to chat about the truck. I had a decent 45 second conversation until the light changed and I looked at :princess: sitting to my passenger side :bang:.
 
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Damn fine gams, Mike! And those are some great EGTs as well for 70 mph (i have no idea).
 
robustbambi said:
Damn fine gams, Mike! And those are some great EGTs as well for 70 mph (i have no idea).
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Thanks, you probably cant tell but I work out :smokin:. As far as the EGTs, I'll take those numbers any day compared to ones I was getting before. I'm more excited that that I can get up to 70 easily.
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
Those really are good EGTs.
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Are you getting similar numbers? I'm noticing ambient temperature also is a major factor.

TRAIL TAILOR said:
X2 ^ Have you got to run through rolling hills yet. (I know there are no mountains close to you.. curious as to the EGTs though)

J
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J the numbers rise quickly to 1100* or more on inclines but then level and drop back down once it's back on flat land. The set up I have now is good for Texas, but I can see it being a problem in a state like Colorado.

In other news, the engine oil is still a golden color after doing over 500 miles on it. I seem to remember it blackening up very quickly the last oil change.
 
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