Question: What would be a good choice for a divorced transfer case for a '76 Ford High-Boy 250 4x4 with a 428 Police Interceptor engine? I would prefer a geardriven case.
Mr. Dalton
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: You can find a divorced NP205 transfer case in many '76-'77 Ford F-250 4x4 trucks.
Question: I want to buy an Isuzu VehiCross for my next daily driver, as it is basically my dream SUV. My problem is, as far as I can tell, they never made one with a manual transmission, and I'm sick to death of driving an automatic. Are there any options for a manual tranny swap? Perhaps a five-speed out of a Trooper or Amigo? Has this even been done before? I'd love to hear any information or ideas you have on this swap.
Gene B.
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: The Isuzu Vehicross is for all intents and purposes, a two-door Isuzu Trooper like those sold in the U.S. in 1993. It comes with a 3.5L V-6 that has dual bolt-pattern bellhousing mounts-one is the standard GM 60-degree pattern and the other is the standard Isuzu pattern. If you can find a five-speed manual out of an Isuzu Trooper it should bolt right to the engine and you should be able to use the factory clutch assembly. The factory five-speed manual is known as the MUA5 and it has an integral geardriven transfer case. Additionally, Independent 4x4 (804.550.0480, www.independent4x.com) out of Virginia offers upgrades for Isuzus including low-range gearsets, locking differentials, and suspensions and solid axle swap kits. As for the manual transmission swap, you'll probably need to custom mount the pedals from the Isuzu Trooper, and also need to get new driveshafts made as the lengths are different from the factory unit and the Trooper manual trans.
Question: I will soon be owning an '83 F-100 pickup. I have a slight snag; the engine is a Jasper. Do you know where I can find parts for such an engine? I'm not sure if I can readily get them from a local NAPA or Autozone, or if they must be ordered online. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.
Jordan
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: Jasper is a company that remanufactures stock engines for almost any make and model vehicle. Though it is a quality-rebuilt engine, it isn't a specialty race or performance engine and any off-the-shelf parts from Napa or Autozone should work just fine on it. The Jasper engine simply indicates that a previous owner had engine problems and purchased a rebuilt engine from Jasper (812.482.1041 www.jasperengines.com), a well respected national engine rebuilder.
Question: I was wondering if they still made Gumbo Mudders. I have tried to search the Internet for them but no luck. If they do, could you tell me where I can find them?
Scott C.
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: The Gumbo Mudder is a interesting old tire, and so I dug around to find out the latest on this mud chucker. As it turns out the classic Gumbo Mudder is slowly being discontinued and is no longer in production. As with many tire designs, the Gumbo Mudder has fallen out of favor recently and been retired. However, the molds are still available and if an order of approximately 250 to 300 tires was made you could probably get them to make some more. Now I like big tires more than your average gearhead, but even I would have a hard time storing 300-plus tires, though I do like the idea of putting one new tire on my truck every day for 10 months straight.
Question: I have a '78 Chevy 3/4-ton with the 350/400/203 drivetrain. I want to install lockout hubs but I am getting two different answers. Some people tell me to switch the hubs and that's that, but I'm also hearing that I need to change something in the case itself. I remember reading an article Rick Pewe wrote way back when about this exact mod but I can't locate the magazine anymore. Any help would be great. Even the magazine Rick's article ran in.
Jim
via 4wheeloffroad.com
Answer: If you put selectable hubs in your truck, the NP203 full-time transfer case should be converted to a part-time case so that when on the street you will be in two-wheel drive from the rear axle only, and the front won't turn. With hubs alone you'd need to drive in Hi-Loc, which negates any fuel economy improvements. MileMarker (800.886.8647, www.milemarker.com) sells everything you need, including a part-time conversion and selectable hubs for your truck.