Hello,

I've been 'lurking' for some time now and have posted a few questions but never seem to find any replies. The truck is now in a bad state (see sig.) and it is time for me to ponder a number of ideas that I had been considering prior to her demise...

If this post is not in the correct forum, please advise and/or move it since this seemed the most logical place to post so far as I could tell.

So the motor is shot. There is an option on the table to replace it with a Jasper unit. Not my initial preference but it may be my only choice. They are telling me that it is not worth rebuilding although there is a core on the whole arrangement which makes one wonder... I am depending on those of you out there who have more experience than me to provide some feedback.

I know that a number of these ideas are costly but with the truck paid for and these investments seem to add up to less than a new vehicle and I can get what I want rather than ending up with what the automaker thinks I want...

1 - Change over to a dual-speed rear. I am looking to improve significantly on the cruising economy for this truck. In my mind I'd like to get the mileage up to the 50's or 60's. Perhaps a dream, but I am thinking that a dual speed rear would get me well on my way. Has anyone done this mod to this vintage of vehicle? Pro's or Con's to share?

2 - Rear disks for duals. Has anyone successfully put rear disk brakes on this vintage vehicle? If so care to share your experiences? This seems like an improvement that will both lighten the vehicle as well as improve stopping power. Anybody out there have any pro/con feelings on the swap?

3 - Looking for a diesel shop with a very good reputation and possibly in house machining facilities in the Allentown, PA area.

Wow, I didn't intend for this to become such a long thread, but I am hoping someone out there has some feedback on these topics so I can make some decisions and start towards getting the truck back on the road.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Also thank you to many of you who have posted your experiences that I have been reading with interest for some time now. This board is a great wealth of information.

Best Regards,

Wow, thats alot of Q's. There are many aftermarket parts for your 6.5, if you keep it a 6.5. Heath is a good one just to name one. You many want to post in the 6.5 section. I dont think you will got 50 or 60 mpgs though no matter what you do... Maybe I misunderstood what you meant though...

Since most of your questions all deal with the engine, you would be better off to ask them in the engine forum instead of the 3500 forum, and make a seperate post for the dual rear wheel questions.

Okay, as suggested I reposted the engine stuff to the 6.5 forum. Can I edit my original post? If so can someone point me in the right direction?

Thank you,

Im not sure about the edit, might want to PM a moderator...

i can answer your question on the dual speed rear, not from this vintage vehicle but on an 80's era my friend installed one in his rig powered by a 383 stroker. the key is to have enough torque at the rpm range your aiming for to get any fuel economy improvement. axle gear ratios, tranny ratio will both affect this alot. his fuel economy went from 16mpg highway up to 19mpg down in Texas when he installed the rear axle, but he also built his motor to make torque from idle-2500rpm's.