Observations
Post by barrman on Jul 11, 2006, 9:06am
I don't get to daily drive the M715 anymore like I did for years because of fuel cost. So, now when I do get to drive it, I notice more stuff. I know a lot of people are upgraded their trucks for daily use and thought I would add some of my observations.
Rear Locker: Great add on. Really fun in the rain with the 230 and NDT's. Can you say powerslides? The big block makes the locker almost dangerous in the rain. I also eat up tires if I don't keep them really high psi. 35 + for front NDT's and 80 for XZL's.
NP200 straight through conversion: Didn't help the over heating at all. But, no noise sure is nice. I would save your money for a NP205 if your choice is straight through or a swap. I decided to gamble on the heat and lost. They are about the same price. I will now have a really really expensive NP205 since I have done both. ($175 VPW straight through conversion kit 12/03, $100 NP205 11/05, flanges and yokes for NP205 $50-$100.)
Big Block V8: Amazing. Being able to pull a trailer loaded down and a bed full of stuff and still pass people is great. Plus, the sound is just music to my ears. Side exhaust sounds good, but heat dictates that you should run it out the back with the mufflers under the bed.
NV4500. Being able to do all the stuff above, plus get 12-13 mpg on the highway is really cool. The only complaint I have about the NV is the long shift throw. I grew up driving sports cars and racing SCCA stuff. Trying to do a heel/toe downshift with the NV4500 doesn't work all that good. I doubt anybody else will notice this though.
Corvette MC: My old mc was bad and I had to replace it anyway. This dual line mc stops the truck great. I would recommend that you lengthen the push rod though. I had a lot of trouble at the FE because of it. My engine didn't like the hills and stalled some. My foot was so far down on the brakes, that I couldn't get any part of it on the gas to restart. Again, probably just something I would notice. But, since I didn't lengthen mine in anticipaction of a Hydroboost in the future. I can only blame myself.
Michelin XZL tires. Looks alone should sell you on these tires. Road manners are great, they don't rub and once you air them down to around 10-15 psi, they do great in the dirt. (I tried at 80 and got stuck a lot.)
Roadster doors: I really like these things when I am in shorts and playing around on dry days. Driving to work in nice clothes and it is raining, drizzle, run off from a sprinkler, gets picked up by the front tire, I wear it. I can slide in and out of the gap when in shorts, but not in jeans. They fit great until yesterday when Colton decided to use the passenger door as a swing. I have to refit the hinge/latch now.
Roll bar/ bikinni top rack: I love having the top off my truck. I hate having to bend down my head to get in under the stock top bows or a hard top. Making a seperate bikinni top rack makes this a true topless truck and so much more fun to drive. Especially at night.
On Board Air: I love it. Kind of a hassle to get it right. But, it sure is usefull. I couldn't have done what I did with my trailer tires/wheels at the FE without it. I then blew up a hose and had to use DP's oba to finish airing up my tires the last night. Thanks again DP! I would recommend oba or some kind of air tank.