squatch : new old truck??

new old truck??
Post by squatch on Nov 21, 2006, 9:48pm

newbies 1st post! lot's of questions. I'm looking at an m715 locally no major rust. bbc 396 fresh rebuild novak adapter instal, custom wheels(steel 16.5) 38" swampers,12 volt, power steering. Otherwise stock. I like it. Heres the deal. I'm looking for a truck to tow my 17' alum bass boat and haul firewood, and other basic chores. Is this realistic with gearing change(4.56?), radial swampers, turn signals, comfy seats, rollcage, heater defrost(no heater now), some sound deadening, and disc brake conversion. Will it drive ok at 70 mph on east coast highways(dummys in traffic!!). I haven't driven it yet! I also have '80 Dodge pw stepside"like lil red express". 383b, np435,208, d60 disc fr, d70 rr, 35"mt's. It has rust issues but drives like a dream. I'm not a body man and think m715 would be less work. ie:all mechanical. Pw could be parts doner.Tthanks in advance.

Re: new old truck??
Post by tacomainoh on Nov 21, 2006, 11:33pm

The gearing is still not really high enough, unless you like revving yer engine. I'd choose something else...

Re: new old truck??
Post by brute4c on Nov 22, 2006, 10:11am

With tires that are a true 38 inches tall and 4.56 axle gears, not counting any overdrive gearboxes, you would be turning 2420 RPM at 60 and 2820 RPM at 70 on the highway...if that helps...any tire taller than 38 inches and you need some lift...

Re: new old truck??
Post by tacomainoh on Nov 22, 2006, 10:30am

Radial Swampers are still really squirmy and aren't that good in a braking situation in the rain either....

Re: new old truck??
Post by elwenil on Nov 22, 2006, 10:53am

Not to mention the rarity and cost of a gear swap and there is no real solution for a disc brake conversion since it seems to cost more then the trucks themselves. The transfer case would have to be swapped out also for a lot of highway driving. A 715 is a good truck to have as a toy or a resto project but not a general work truck without a lot of mods. Michelin XLs or XZLs would be a better tire choice than anything from Interco.

I'd go with the Dodge. Better axles, better engine, and better parts availability. I'd toss the 208 in favor of a 205 though.

Re: new old truck??
Post by tacomainoh on Nov 22, 2006, 11:09am

Stepside=sh*tty tow rig.

XL's don't bring the stick to the rock MOOAHAHAH

208 has a better low, I'd keep it.

Re: new old truck??
Post by teking on Nov 22, 2006, 11:15am


Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">the Dodge. Better axles, better engine, and better parts availability. I'd toss the 208 in favor of a 205 though.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Here's a friggin work horse Dodge baby! My Dodge hates me.

http://www.tomnlisa.com/files/M715/Truck_w_rocks.JPG

Re: new old truck??
Post by elwenil on Nov 22, 2006, 11:20am


Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Stepside=sh*tty tow rig.

XL's don't bring the stick to the rock MOOAHAHAH

208 has a better low, I'd keep it. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Ok, Tac. You are probably just messing with me, but I'm curious as to why a step side isn't desirable for towing? It's not any worse than any other shortbed truck. Granted I do prefer a longbed for towing but he's only towing a boat.

And yeah, XLs are hard as a rock themselves, lol.

Re: new old truck??
Post by tacomainoh on Nov 22, 2006, 11:53am

You answered your own question! I would never tow with a shortbed.

Re: new old truck??
Post by squatch on Nov 22, 2006, 6:55pm

Thanks folks. Looks like I started some fun. M715 i thought the offset tc might be noisy at best. As for the stepaside. it has 4" skyjacker soft ride all steering correction stuff and factory swaybars with drop brackets. it spins about 2600rpm @ 60 with 35x12:50s. the 208 is a dodge version not chevy no slip yoke. it's in driveshaft where it belongs. 208 has over 300k never been opened and i have a spare. It tows the boat fine(only about 2000lbs. maybe i'll do both. l

Re: new old truck??
Post by squatch on Nov 22, 2006, 7:00pm

Teking i like to see a real truck work!!! Dang but an 8ft bed full of gravel is heavy! What started all this is I have a new NISSAN TITAN. 3rd new truck with major out of box probs. Brakes= been in shop since labor day. 2 dealers and factory. they finally fixed it. But I've had it with vidio game trucks. Want something Like my ol' PW that can be fixed on side of road with junkyard parts at night in the rain!!!!!!!!! Not something the factory can't even figure out.

Re: new old truck??
Post by squatch on Nov 22, 2006, 7:01pm

sorry about spelling bad old fingers

Re: new old truck??
Post by compexp on Nov 23, 2006, 9:45am


Quote: <TABLE class=bordercolor cellSpacing=1 width="90%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%"><TABLE class=quote cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="100%">Thanks folks. Looks like I started some fun. M715 i thought the offset tc might be noisy at best. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

the TC noise can be greatly alleviated by moving the rear shaft to the primary output where the parking brake is. VPW has a kit for that, and I think Bob Cowan does too. Cuts the noise by 90%+

Re: new old truck??
Post by squatch on Nov 23, 2006, 10:25pm

I saw a couple of posts about that. I presume you also do axle swap to centered diff? How about fuel tank clearance with drive shaft? Does anyone know (without running outside with tape measure) c to c for spring pads f+r. Flange to Flange on axles? I have a few choice spare parts stored. Will a NV4500 fit in front of 201 in stock loc? See you guys are getting me into mod bug mode already and I haven't even bought it yet. Gotta blame somebody I married!!!! Thanks.

Re: new old truck??
Post by tacomainoh on Nov 23, 2006, 11:46pm

No need, the shaft is long enough. With a centered diff, you do get pretty close to the tank.....