The 1500 mile report!
So it has been 1500 miles put on chipper since I brought chipper home. 1 trip over to see Bax, and 2 trips to Smokeater11's and all is manageable.
The good.
NO Fluid Leaks at all! Had a p/s leak but 2 O-rings took care of that.
The 300 six! What an awesome motor, My only issue with the motor at this point is the dist will not budge! so until I get a new Dist. i will deal with the timing issue as is, seems a little to far advanced. Looking at 16-18 MPG right now, not bad, But cannot wait to buy the Clifford package put it on to liven it up even more.
NP425- No issues at all, no whine, no grinding, no shifting issues, and love the granny gear!
D-20, D-44, 9"- All were rebuilt with all new bearings and seals. No leaks, no drips, no strange noises.
4 Wheel Disc. Not Power disc, but is not needed, stops straight and true every time!
Steering- This is my main complaint right now, darting on uneven pavement, and what I originally thought to be play in the P/S gear, it is not, seems the tie rod is flexing when the wheel is turned, may be fixed with a drop pitman arm or a tie rod over, it is manageable and not what I would consider dangerous. I do have plans for the heim steering at some point and will do the tie rod over then. should take care of the issue. I did have a death wobble issue that happened only when I would hit a pot hole, toe was wrong, got it set back within tolerances and it is all good, and I am not running a steering stabilizer, which i feel would mask some issues.
The Body- with all the stainless DO NOT TOUCH the floors if she has been sitting outside you will get burnt. the paint is holding up great as is the bedliner, none of either has chipped or fell off, i know there was a concern with the bedliner being sprayed right over Etch primer, but it is holding strong.
The front seats I have are from a Ford Probe- had to do some fabrication to get them to work, but as for comfort they are great, hit the pick and pull today and found a matching set to put in the back, saving to get them all re-covered.
ordered an ExtremeCustomFab 6 point roll cage Friday, should ship middle of the week, I already have plans to add to it ones we get it welded together. Adding for a shoulder belt, Going to pull the factory belts from the Probes and they will be perfect. Then I can get my Family bikini made, Having it made local, and may even go wit Silver material to match.
Still need to cut down a driveshaft for the front, I have a rear one (Thanks Bax) and just need to shorten it to 26 1/2" to work. Exause is another issue but I am doing all I can to hold off till I get the headers.
Am I happy with it, as a whole you betcha Skippy! My Uncle James did an awesome job with all the mods we made. As soon as I get the cage in I am planning a trip to Lake City, will be the longest trip at one time, But at this point I would load up and drive it to Tito's in Bakersfield Ca.! That is how happy I am with it!
