Plan A or B ?

[Lone Wolf_54]

Hello to all,
I have a 54 1/2ton w/4 speed,50th B-Day present from the wife.I drove it around awhile after some front end and brake work.Now it's torn down and getting ready to go back together. Problem is I keep Flip-Floping on what to do! I would like to use as a daily driver and sometimes tow a 10'enclosed trailer.I have about 4 miles of dirt road just to hit pavement, then 25 miles to anywhere. Currently is a stock 235 runs but a little tired.I have a 350w/400turbo and 12 bolt handy. Plan A: rebuild the 6 add 12 bolt upgrade brakes to disc and add p/steering
Plan B: 350w/400 12 bolt mustang II style front end.
Questions:
Plan A: I have been told the 6 may not have enough vacuum for the brakes.If so what are some options? What would be a good starting point for rearend gearing? Is there a power steering set up from another vehicle that swaps fairly easy?
Plan B: I understand that the mustang II style front end lowers the truck quit a bit,is it enough to be a problem on dirt roads? Does this involve a firewall mod.?
Any pro's and con's input from someone who has been there done that would be helpful.

Thanks ahead of time
Johnny

 

[GregH]

I am not a lot of help on either plan A or plan B but if you decide to go to open driveshaft rearend, They tell me you will want to go to 55 1st series rear springs to locate the rear end in the correct postion. I don't have any idea where you are located, but I have a set of 55 1st springs needing a home. They were under the spare frame of my 54 when I switched to HydraMatic driveline and rear end was too far back with the torque tube rear end by a couple of inches and I had to find the correct 54s for it.

 

[coilover]

Johnny, let me add to your menu by offering plan C. Since you've had the front end rebuilt I guess it tracks good going down the road and if you add power steering as planned you can put some caster shims in the front axle and it will really go straight, and with the planned discs should stop good. Now the other thought, if your going to overhaul the 235 why not do a 261 since you do tow a trailer some. About the same cost and came in dump trucks, school busses, etc where a load was being pulled and will fit in where the 235 was. It would also handle gears offered in the 3.70 or 3.50 range that would make highway cruising way more pleasant and still pull the trailer. The 350/400 is good but is WAY more work. Motor mounts, trans mts, cooling, wiring, shifter, exhaust, driveshaft, rear spring perches, springs reversed to center the rear end, brakeline plumbing, park brake fab, rear shock mts, fuel line, trans cooler, just to name some that come to mind. You also have to remover the crossmember that the bellhousing mounts to to give room for the 400. If you have the place and tools go for it but it gets pricey to have it done and done right.

 

[vwnate1]

RE: PLENTY Of Vacuum !

Whomever told you a 235 won;t make sufficient vacuum to operate a power brake should _NOT_ be allowed to give you tech advice nor
-touch- your truch since he clearly has no idea what he's talking about ! .

21" of vacuum is plenty and is way more than you'd ever need , if you're worried about it , add a vacuum resivoir.....

Although a 261 is good , a 235 with a 261 cam and solid lifters will be prefectly good too .

Do you want it to be in pieces for two years or just overhaul it so you can enjoy driving & working it ? your call .

-Nate