Project Big Orange (70 to 67 ~ long to short)

[Mike Bradbury]

Hey Vex even though we are doing similar projects, I think that you will be done long before me on this one. I am going to cut my bed in half as in the low buck build but I need to spend time and money on making it worth driving first. It's got a Th400 and 4:11 gears right now and the 8 mpg is making it not fun to drive. I plan on putting a 700R4 in and converting the 8 lug to a 5 lug and dropping to a 3:55 gear ratio. I should be cruzing on the freeway at 1900 rpm instead of over 3000, should make a huge improvement. Also want to convert to disc brakes as well, all that will cost a bunch and it will still look pretty close to the same as it does now. I do plan on buying drop spindles so that will help the look, and will probably convert to trailing arms around that time also.
Looks like you had a rough time figuring out the rules, but I think that your build is worth more than a few roadblocks, good to see you took it all in stride and are still posting. Excited to see the progress.
Mike