okay I have all the bugs worked out now and I'm ready for a locker/lsd. but, I have the 7.25 axle.....so, are there any options for me? I can't seem to find one online anywhere. I'm tempted to weld it but I know that's a horrible idea for when it rains.

 

ITS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER So as far as the truck almost dieing when a little gas is given..... this is almost a guarantee exhaust issue. It could only be 2 things, gas or exhaust. if you give it alot of gas and she runs then its exhaust. i'm sure youll see a large amount of smoke blast out once you give it some gas. I had the exact same issue and after reading a number of forums i tried all of these items in this order. 1.) Tune Up (hoping it was a spark plug or coil) $90 2.) Throttle Body Sensor $40 3.) EGR Valve $50 4.) Catalytic Converter. $100 part + $100 Labor It was obvious a new caty and she was in tip top shape. However keep in mind something else usually causes a caty to break. I'm guessing my Smog Pump needs changed because it was allowing to much oil/heat so the caty eventually broke. So now i'm waiting for autozone to send it to me. More about my specific issues. > Almost die and shake when a little gas was given > Struggled more and more going up hills > Would lose power occasionally and i'd have to downshift > Would only run smooth if alot of gas was given > could smell oil/gas in and out of truck more > would almost die when approaching top or bottom of a hill

 

got all the problems solved, runs like a top, other than having no air filter because I ran it over by accident...long story....

and got an 8.25 rear axle after breaking my 7.25 3 times within a week. has the higher gears I think.

really need a different transmission, this one's makin weird sounds at idle, and it leaks from every possible orifice. pretty sure it's not the trans that's supposed to be in there in the first place...


Never added pictures so I went ahead and updated my first post with pictures of my hunk of junk.

 

and ur gas gauge is working? u lucky devil you..

 

gas gauge works but it's really weird, I can drive it somewhere, and I will notice it drop a little. But, then the next day when I go out and start it up it will drop a lot more, I don't smell any fuel, and there's no dead grass under it where I park in the yard, so I don't think it's leaking. it's really weird, but I'll live with it I guess.

Got an AMC 327 backed by a 3 speed auto sitting in a rusted out 65' Rambler Marlin in the back yard, probably going in my truck soon. Yeah, it's not gonna bolt in, Yeah, I could get a 318 or 360 and stick it in there and be on my way, but the 327 is in my back yard already, rebuilt with under 5000 miles on the rebuild. And there is articles on them getting 18mpg in those heavy old boats back in the day. although no where near as upgrade-able, but what do I care, it's a truck, not a race car.

Should have more on that sooner or later. lol