The Dacuda is resurrected! Got in a test drive today and still have to
shorten the drive shaft by 1 inch. Darn 9.25" rear out of a Durango is
the cause. Should be back Thursday. Otherwise, got everything in,
gotta tighten some bolts again to verify later. Now just the next 500
miles to break in the clutch gently. The new hurst shifter is great!
The shaft doesn't like to go in the stock boot very much, but too bad!
I did decide to get a new shifter ball made for the shifter. After
trying out the baby ball from Hurst that came with the kit, I decided it
was too small. So we put together a 2.5" billet shifter ball with a
tapered base. Very sweet!! One tidbit of interest. The older shifter
arms have a larger shaft than the latest ones. This makes the threads
and bore of the shifter ball different. Need to see one that comes out
soon to verify which size it is. Otherwise, the shifter is now powder
coated black with this HUGE ball on the end. Very nice.
The new brakes are even better. now with the four wheel discs working,
it really stops fast! Jerked me forward in the seat quick before I
realized it.
The monster is up and running again though. Should put it through a
shake down in the next few weeks to get an idea of what it can do. Man
what a project! Glad that part is over. For those that don't know, the
DACUDA is my project for the last few years. We are road racing (when
it is running!) and autocrossing it. Wanted to put a 5 speed in it for
on track. So removed the automatic and swapped. Real long and fun
project. here is the list of the work done.
New NV3500 trans
New drive shaft
New 9.25" rear end from a Durango with 3.90 gears
New MagHytec diff cover
New engine wiring harness
New MPP computer
New flywheel
New heavy duty clutch pack/pressure plate from Blumenthals
New shifter
New steering column
Transplant Viper disc brake system onto truck
Replace pedals
Clear and install Master Cylinder and Slave Cylinder
New brake master cylinder and brake lines
Tweak Hotchkis Suspension system
New MPP Headers for Manual trans
Modify Exhaust system to accept Y-Pipe and attach
Spacers for wheels to accommodate new brake calipers (and use only 19"
diam wheels now!)
Clear and ream out hole for pilot bearing in crank (real pain!!!)
Just a few small items LOL!! I am glad it is over.
Just wanted you to know.
Jim Harmon
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:02:15 EDT