Tearing down my HJ47 troopy (16 Viewers)

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Oh yeah, the 5 speed will happen eventually. I've looked at the 5 speedw/ transfercase packages CCOT has and just had to put the 4-5 grand into other areas. I know I can get one cheaper and rebuild it and thats probably what I'll do after I get it back on the road. Yes, it would have been much easier when the tranny was already off the motor and the body was off the frame. I've been told a few times the 5 speed is the best mod you can do to these trucks. But, the turbo was very worthwhile as well.
Meanwhile, I got the brake lines cleaned up and painted as well as the hangers.
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Get a new one from cruiser Dan, a transfer case from an 86-87 60 series with the bolts to attach it to the new h55, then build your handbrake onto it. That's what I did with my troopy and was cheaper than ccot wants for theirs. That way you also get the benefit of the larger idler shaft for the transfer.

The other option is to put 60 series backing plates and hand brake on your axle.
 
When I get ready to upgrade the tranny, I'll be on here looking for help. But, for now, I'm just looking forward to it moving under it's own power, even if it's only going 50 MPH. There will always be something to improve and money to be spent.
 
gswest said:
When I get ready to upgrade the tranny, I'll be on here looking for help. But, for now, I'm just looking forward to it moving under it's own power, even if it's only going 50 MPH. There will always be something to improve and money to be spent.
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I agree with you. As much as I want a 5-speed.... I ask myself if I really want to be driving faster then 50 mph in these beasts. If you have a blow out at 75 it will not be pretty
 
You know, these trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick and driving at 70 mph is not going to return the best fuel economy. Putting in a 5 speed so you can cruise the interstate at lower rpm and decreased engine roar is desirable, but if doing a lot of interstate cruising is what you are intending upon, then there is a long list of vehicles that would be a better choice for that. The 40 series drive train is set up for plodding along on dirt roads, not ripping down the highway.

I occasionally have ideas of putting a 5 speed in, however the most pleasant driving in my truck is found cruising along the secondary routes at 45~50mph. Engine revs are fine with the H41 at that speed, the truck is not so noisy, and fuel economy is optimal. It's the sweet spot. And for the occasional zip along the freeway, it will do 65mph, revving at 2900, but I try to keep those zips on the shorter side. I've decided that the 5-speed conversion isn't necessary for the driving I do in this truck.
 
Exactly, It would be a nice upgrade, but I don't anticipate too much highway driving either. If I find a nice 5 speed deal, I'll consider picking one up and having it as a future project.
 
gswest said:
Exactly, It would be a nice upgrade, but I don't anticipate too much highway driving either. If I find a nice 5 speed deal, I'll consider picking one up and having it as a future project.
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I recall reading a thread on the Aussie forums a while ago when I pondered the 5 speed for mine. The upshot of that advice was that increasing the size of your tires was a much cheaper alternative in order to decrease RPMs at speed. But I agree with Henry James' comments. If 75 on the Interstate is where most of your driving is, the Troopy just might not be the right vehicle!
 
Agreed as well, though cruising at 60-65 for me was the sweet spot and returned close to 20.
 
Henry James the 47th said:
You know, these trucks have the aerodynamics of a brick and driving at 70 mph is not going to return the best fuel economy. Putting in a 5 speed so you can cruise the interstate at lower rpm and decreased engine roar is desirable, but if doing a lot of interstate cruising is what you are intending upon, then there is a long list of vehicles that would be a better choice for that. The 40 series drive train is set up for plodding along on dirt roads, not ripping down the highway.

I occasionally have ideas of putting a 5 speed in, however the most pleasant driving in my truck is found cruising along the secondary routes at 45~50mph. Engine revs are fine with the H41 at that speed, the truck is not so noisy, and fuel economy is optimal. It's the sweet spot. And for the occasional zip along the freeway, it will do 65mph, revving at 2900, but I try to keep those zips on the shorter side. I've decided that the 5-speed conversion isn't necessary for the driving I do in this truck.
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Henry James... very well said! You described what I have felt but could not put into words. My most pleasant trips are cruising the back roads at 45-50 mph.
I will enjoy my Troopy much more now for what it is good for, then trying to make it be good at everything.
 
As I've gone along with this project, things have changed a few times and I've had to decide whether to go further than I initially planned or not. If you keep deciding to go further, you will have to increase your budget. If increasing your budget is not possible, then you make concessions. I always hope that the improvements I've learned about during the process (but can't afford at the time) I will be able to incorporate later as money comes in. The 5 speed tranny and power steering upgrade are examples of those future and wishfull projects. I chose to put the body (tub) on a rotisserie for full restoration. That was not something I considered when I began. That decision cost almost as much as the original purchase ($12,000). I don't think I'll get that money back, but I'm OK with it, because now that it's done, I'm happy every time I look at it. That decision has affected every decision I've made later. It is about the journey, and I'm enjoying making this truck nice.
 
gswest said:
As I've gone along with this project, things have changed a few times and I've had to decide whether to go further than I initially planned or not. If you keep deciding to go further, you will have to increase your budget. If increasing your budget is not possible, then you make concessions. I always hope that the improvements I've learned about during the process (but can't afford at the time) I will be able to incorporate later as money comes in. The 5 speed tranny and power steering upgrade are examples of those future and wishfull projects. I chose to put the body (tub) on a rotisserie for full restoration. That was not something I considered when I began. That decision cost almost as much as the original purchase ($12,000). I don't think I'll get that money back, but I'm OK with it, because now that it's done, I'm happy every time I look at it. That decision has affected every decision I've made later. It is about the journey, and I'm enjoying making this truck nice.
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Protecting the body with the rotisserie paint work was the most important improvement you could have made as it is the most susceptible to deterioration.

I wouldn't worry about the non-stock upgrades. I've changed my mind and no longer want a 5-speed or power steering. I'm happy with the vehicle for what it does best.... Looks awesome and makes me happy tooling the back roads at low speeds
 
I completely agree. I am envious and I'd swap my h55 and power steering in a minute to have a rotisserie tub...
 
Thanks guys. Moving forward, I'm adding some stainless braided brake lines on the truck since the original soft lines are dry rotted and I also realize I'm missing two sections of the brake line. One piece is the rear short section of soft line, and the other is the front connection piece that was a hard piece. I probably can get the front hard piece from S.O.R., the other rear section I replaced with a stainless braided hose from Spector. The front piece is a male to male section, so I'll see where and if it's available.
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gswest said:
Thanks guys. Moving forward, I'm adding some stainless braided brake lines on the truck since the original soft lines are dry rotted and I also realize I'm missing two sections of the brake line. One piece is the rear short section of soft line, and the other is the front connection piece that was a hard piece. I probably can get the front hard piece from S.O.R., the other rear section I replaced with a stainless braided hose from Spector. The front piece is a male to male section, so I'll see where and if it's available.
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Stainless brake lines.... Grrrrr. Be still my heart.
 
I couldn't find the last piece of hard brake line that connected the front proportioning valve to the front section, so I got a section of brake line from the auto parts store and made this piece by hand.
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gswest said:
Thanks guys. Moving forward, I'm adding some stainless braided brake lines on the truck since the original soft lines are dry rotted and I also realize I'm missing two sections of the brake line. One piece is the rear short section of soft line, and the other is the front connection piece that was a hard piece. I probably can get the front hard piece from S.O.R., the other rear section I replaced with a stainless braided hose from Spector. The front piece is a male to male section, so I'll see where and if it's available.
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Good call on the stainless lines. It made a huge difference on my rig. Much less brake pedal travel, a more positive feel and faster brake reaction. I took the old rubber ones off and gave them to a line shop and they made me new stainless lines in a few hours. Make sure to bleed them again after driving as you will likely get a few more air bubbles out and that just makes the brakes awesome.
 
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