Steering upgrades on an F head 5??

Thanks Glenn, yes the conditions are very similar. The 5.38s show 3100 rpm to go 60 mph and 3400 rpm to go 65 mph (with 35" tires)

Will the F head turn those rpms on the highway without issue? Seems like a bunch of sustained revs for a long stroke, low rpm 4 cyl that was designed 60 years ago. I know the components in the F head are pretty tough if they are in good condition. That little guy would be screaming down the highway.

The jeep's current D44-2 rear may have the 5.38s? I have not checked. I assume the ring & pinion would work in the waggy D44? Carrier series should be the same (3.90 & up)...so the spool should work with the cj's D44-2 gear set. If that would work I could find a 5.38 for the front waggy D44?

BTW...I am a complete gear head, and my buddy the "master ubber gear head" is telling me to rebuild the F and run it, according to our research this is a really tough little engine? We have numerous mods we are thinking about to up the HP of the F.

So can the little F chunk push 35" tires down the road at 65 mph with 5.38s...and not explode?

 

oh yea
more if you balance one
:hurrican:

 

231 and 225 are lighter than the 134.

 

A manual converions fits pretty well, find a postal CJ5 column that helps.

Like others, I think the 4.10 gears are too high. I'd look at minimum 4.88s. I have 4.56's in mine and I only plan on running 31" tires. And I'm skeptical about my performance goals. I will probably run a set of Tera Lo gears in the D20.

Engine wise, converting to a Chevy 4.3 with either an SM420 or SM465 is probably the best ticket out there.

But I like the simplicity of the F-head, and want to run a simple mechanical unit.

I don't like the idea of a rear spool, lunch box lockers are inexpensive, and will be better for you in the long and short run.

These vehicles exemplified the KISS principle, may as long stick with that line, it works.

 

Thanks guys, good feedback.

Question for Long & Low..

What MC are you using with the 4 wheel disc brakes? I have the same set up going into my 57 cj5. Are they manual or did you add power brakes?

Also...why are you guys not liking the spool for the rear axle? I know they can be dangerous in ice, but normal hwy driving? Is it about sharp curves & wet roads? Please explain. BTW I do know all about the around-town bad manners..lol, chirp-chirp-chirp. I do like the simplicity of a spool, nothing to slip, malfunction or break..100% off road traction.