Ideal Drivetrain

[BBowski82]

Heres a question for all to pnder. Situation is as follows. I have a buddy looking to build his 73 Commando on a budget (like that really exists) what is everyones ideal drivetrain. Now nothing extravegant here.

Hes planning on doing alot of trail running, wants a rig that can handle a 35-38 inch tall tire but it will see street driving. All suggestions are welcome, even those not listed.

 

[BBowski82]

I didn't list Axle options but I am thinking probably a 14bolt or 60 rear and a 44 front. I also think the SBC, TH400, NP205 would be a sweet combo.

 

[Hickey]

Watch for a wrecked late model(90 or newer) GM 4x. Get the trans t-case and motor in one package. 5.7, 700r4,241. then get a waggy 44 and pick whatever rear you want.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Atlas II.... oh wait on a budget... nevermind...

 

[Andy]

You already know what I think :cough:60:cough:

 

[Shawn]

Let's see,,,
I'm trying to build a budget crawler..
14 bolt Freebie
Corp 10 Freebie
350 chevy Freebie (sort of)
TH350 Freebie (needs rebuild $175.00)
203 Freebie (thanks super)
Dana 300 $150.00
CJ 5 Frame and Tub Freebie (Trade for labor)

Now the cost:
Dana 300 4:1 $700.00
203/Dana 300 Doubler $750.00
Tubing bender $500.00
Drive Lines $400.00 (Andy?)
Miss B.S $2,000.00 (this and that)

Rock Crawler $4,000.00+-

 

[Bones]

I like my Toyota tcases thank you

 

[ace]

here's your ideal drivetrain. 350/465/205/d60/14bff

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by ace
here's your ideal drivetrain. 350/465/205/d60/14bff

Bingo!

Just one change, 205 for a Dana 300

 

[Caleb]

I voted for V6 and an auto...like what I am doing...personally I feel an auto is a great choice because it allows other people to try offroading (namely my wife) but it also allow you to fudge on the axle and t-case gearing if you have to...I have always felt that the power of a V-8 isn't an absolute necesity(sp?) offroad for MOST people (I know for some it is a requirement) and either a 205 or D300 are a great choice since they are both strong cases...I, personally, am going with a 203/205 doubler...I will run 4.10s in my diffs for now but if I feel I need it I may go 5.13s in the future...I am running a 14 bolt and RC D60 front...another cool thing about the doubler is its my adapter too...I am running a Gm drive train (4.3L TH350) but then I am running a GM 203 that mates to a Ford 205 thus allowing me to run a RC60 up front...of course this is JMO

 

[mbryson]

Originally posted by ace
here's your ideal drivetrain. 350/465/205/d60/14bff

Wow....what's the deal on that potential tow rig (hows the floor and rockers)....

and I'm with Jeremy on this one......Injected small block, 700R-4 {assuming we've got a little wheelbase to work with here}, 241 {works} and D60/D60 combo

 

[ace]

(hows the floor and rockers)....

The floors are clean, the rockers are not. I picked it up for $2000 a while back. I've since added alum rims and 305/75/16's. Thinking about putting a bed on it. A shortbed would be cool, but more work, and not overly abundant.

 

[troutbum]

light seems to be the trend, and if that is what you are looking for can't beat a 4.3L.

If you don't care about weight and you like a V8 rumble I would say 440/727/203/D300. I have seen several 440/727/203 combos for 300.00. Get in cheap and then if you want FI adapt a GM TBI later.. The 440 makes GOBS of torque and can be built to make 500 ft lbs from 800-5000 RPMS . They have a pretty good aftermarket following as well.... heavy as sin, but weighs less than an international SV

 

[chadbuckner]

Originally posted by Bones
I like my Toyota tcases thank you

AMEN BROHTA, HALLELUJA!!! chevy efi 4.3L V6, toy turbo tranny and dual toy cases, No problems here!!

 

[Bones]

Originally posted by chadbuckner


AMEN BROHTA, HALLELUJA!!! chevy efi 4.3L V6, toy turbo tranny and dual toy cases, No problems here!!

Wish they had D300 twinstick capabilities though. Oh well, they are overbuilt for my 22RE and take quite the beating.

 

[xjc]

I like it light,

Real wheel drive corrola engine and trany with twin divorced yota cases. Have your local rice burner enthusiest pump up the corola powerplant to 250 - 300 hp and do all appropriate tranny upgrades. Sell the commando, buy allot of DOM and a good bender and welder. Throw in a couple of waggy 44's and yer ready for ARCA.

Oh yea, your gona complain that all the horsepower is at 9000 rpm's but with dual tcases with 4:1 that will only get you going 5mph in 1st double low.

Gross weight, 800 to 1000lb

probably 30 to 35 mpg too

J/K

or am I

 

[Hickey]

Originally posted by xjc

gross weight 800 to 1000

I don't think you're , I think you're smokin Skychrome's stash, ain't no way under 2000 pounds. IMHO

 

[chadbuckner]

Originally posted by Bones

Wish they had D300 twinstick capabilities though. Oh well, they are overbuilt for my 22RE and take quite the beating.

I thought I read somewhere that with some case mods you could actually have twin stick capabilities, do a search on pirate4x4.com or wildyoats.com and you might find some info on it.

 

[chadbuckner]

"AMEN BROHTA, HALLELUJA!!! chevy efi 4.3L V6, toy turbo tranny and dual toy cases, No problems here!!"


Not that this is what I have just what my Ideal drive train would be