Figured I would hit up you all at once instead of sending a bunch of PMs.

I got the $$$ to get new tires, the 33s on my SOA 40 served admirably on the con but of course I want to go bigger. For those of you who have seen my truck wheel what would you recommend? I think I'm going with the 35 or 37x12.5 R15 MTRs. How significant will the extra size affect other aspects like gearing (Stock cruiser case and TH350 trans)?? Breakage issues of 35s vs 37s (am I going to need to get longs? (of course....but how soon). Clearence and tire rub (I think I should be fine regardless).

:confused: Kinda feel stupid asking this questions but some of you know my truck well and how it is set up so I value the input. Having just moved I know nobody locally whoes brain I can pick.

See you at SNT....with yet to be determined new tires. BTW, the 33s will be available:grinpimp:

Dan

I haven't seen you truck but I would get the 37" MTR's. Just carry a spare birf and don't worry about it.

Doc I think you will be ok with 37" with a auto and a 350sbc. I have 36" on my 40 but they are like 37"to38" with a F and stock gears and it does ok on the road. For off road on the trail I had to go with an Orion to slow it down some.

I forget what you have for lockers, but I'd put the $$$ towards gears (Orion?)
the bigger tires will give you a bit more clearance, but stupid low gearing is amazing :smokin:

Just my two cents...

See you at Pismo :D

if you're gonna pit tires on it, run the 37" MTRs. but rick has a point....

Thanks for the input. Since I'm getting new tires regardless, the extra $30/tire to go from 35 to 37 is worth it. Stupid low gearing will happen within the next 2 years:grinpimp:

Any tips on from who and how to buy these things??

Any tips on from who and how to buy these things??
America's tire store (Folsom) has always taken care of us... I think the manager is a wheeler :D
Folsom is a little far for you to travel to tire shop though...

I've heard walmart has descent prices, but they may be difficult to get at this time. (military using lots of mtr's)

but they may be difficult to get at this time. (military using lots of mtr's)


Sweet, I'll got visit the motorpool on base and pick a pair out:D

Sweet, I'll got visit the motorpool on base and pick a pair out:D

Found this post during a search on orion. The next step
IS Orion! Saving my pennies as we speak.

I've read all the tech articles on these and am wondering if all the querks have been work out at this time. Is the HD version available yet (george says no) and would it be worth buying the complete set up vs building the case as before?

I'm stoked to get new gears!

I really like the idea of no driveline modification. Planning on having it before next rubithon...11 months:D

My only reservation on the HD Orion would be the loss of you parking brake. If I do anymore work on my '70 it'll be an Orion swap and probably a 465 to replace the 420.

i got the info straight from AA. the HD orion is in it's infancy stage right now. they do have a handful of them in rigs undergoing testing. a lot of the comonents were hand built parts and untill they finish up the testing and then set up the tooling to do production runs on these parts, you're gonna have to wait. i think it'll be well worth it. i already like the hd outputs and the shifter location for the front output engagement.

they're also trying to work out any possible clearance issues with them right now for the guys running them behind automatics (front driveshaft interferrance issues....)

hope that helps.

that was close........ i almost responded for you to get 37's:laughing: i just noticed the date........and i could have sworn i saw 37's on your rig at rubithon



anyway , the orion will be a nice change:smokin:

My only reservation on the HD Orion would be the loss of you parking brake. If I do anymore work on my '70 it'll be an Orion swap and probably a 465 to replace the 420.

like your ever gonna pay any attention to that cruiser again, or work on a cruiser again........you should name the '70 Cinderella:laughing:

I spoke with the guys from AA today and they said they are shipping the Orion HD now, there is a 3 week wait. Twin Sticks included on all HD cases. $2085 if I go pick it up in Paso Robles!

So you can't run a parking break? What are the other options? E-brake on rear calipers or Line-lock system?

I'm 6 months out from getting one anyway but its what is planned and I just need to save up the sheckles and launder the money so the wife doesn't know it (It'll cost me a couple huny extra cuase I'll need to send her to the spa, get a babysitter and get it installed before she is home:) :D Just kidding, she said I could have it as long as I give her 2K for clothes. $4,000 transfer case!

We can make some type of E brake for it doc. I like the front out put of the new Orion, 32 front and 32 rear is the:nuke:

I have read a few very weak parking brake setups with Cadillac Eldorado calipers...

Can anyone post up a pic/or why you loose the Ebrake w/orion HD...or is that Top Secret :D

The rear flange come strait out the back with no drum on it.

The TSM website has some kind of disk parking brake for cruiser t-cases. Might check that out and see if you can get any ideas from it.


here it is http://www.tsmmfg.com/4065.htm

Read Ryan's response above.

Wow dan, I didnt even really look at your tires all that much but I dont recall them being less than 37's. I didnt even know they were 33's.

For a young gguy, you don't read so well!

Wow dan, I didnt even really look at your tires all that much but I dont recall them being less than 37's. I didnt even know they were 33's.

Sorry man...I really should have started a new thread. I guess I just tagged on a new post to an old thread cause it showed the progression of thought.

Here is the question (and one which my wife posed last night); "can you ever be satisfied with where your cruiser is at?" At what point can you just put gas in the thing and drive it as is? :D We all know the answer, its a sickness I don't have the will to fightl, I have been consumed by the dark side:vader2:

I spoke with the guys from AA today and they said they are shipping the Orion HD now, there is a 3 week wait. Twin Sticks included on all HD cases. $2085 if I go pick it up in Paso Robles!



who did you talk to?! :confused:

who did you talk to?! :confused:

Greg? Glen? Maybe it was mike...don't really remember. Saw they have them reviewed in the CRAWL mag as well. He said a 3 week wait at this time. I started begging last night. Wife want's new carpet and 2K for clothes first:D Looks like its going to be $8K t-case:D

Greg? Glen? Maybe it was mike...don't really remember. Saw they have them reviewed in the CRAWL mag as well. He said a 3 week wait at this time. I started begging last night. Wife want's new carpet and 2K for clothes first:D Looks like its going to be $8K t-case:D

heh. Sounds like quite a deal Dan! :D

What t-case are you running now? A stock three speed? With an orion against your auto- does the adapter then become a weak point?

I am stoked for you. It seems like the right thing to do if youre keeping stock axles.

cheers!
Dustin

TH350 to 4:1 Orion-HD is the plan. Currently I have a vacuum actuated 3spd case (brittle I'm told....but it has a case saver:flipoff2:). Plan on running stock cruiser axles...with longs already in the front, chomo rears eventually. Truss it up a bit and keep the tire size below 38, mini knuckle upgrade with ARP studs should hold me for awhile. I'm really in it for the gears. This truck will never be trailored.

If I really and going to go balls to the wall I'll build a buggy (that is years down the road).

Thats the plan...oh yea, after using ryans hot shower that will be done too!

Nice. Your rig is pretty sweet. That sounds like a good plan to me.

LOL! Ryan needed a shower! I think that was my rigs shower you used. I need to get that thing dialed in. The water is always too hot or too cold...:shaking: Look for a herringbone / plate style exchanger. They are compact and very efficient. Thats whats in my rig.

cheers!
Dustin

I'll get the hot shower put in over the winter...just a cool feature to have:grinpimp: I'll check the 80s tech section on mud...I bet those guys figured out how to run a thermastat to control temp...those fellas know how to set up the comfort-factor.:grinpimp:

neil at fao has an orion hd in his shop right now......one of the first to be shipped:eek:

What do you mean I have a nice shower set up for the 80. I didn't want to bring my new shower on the con the springs do just fine for me:flipoff2:

doh! cool Ryan! I didnt know you had one in that 80. I want to put one in the four runner.

cheers!
Dustin

What do you mean I have a nice shower set up for the 80. I didn't want to bring my new shower on the con the springs do just fine for me:flipoff2:

Griz--You need to make sure you got a high pressure hook up on your shower head...you'll need it to clean out your crack after a few days on the trail:D

I am considering an Orion for my JF40. I have a T18 with 35s. Have you been happy with the Orion. Is there any other transfer you would consider if you were doing it over? Thanks. Ross

Don't have it yet. I just talk big:grinpimp: I like it, good case for a direct bolt in from stock. Just saving my nickles and dimes right now. I need to get deployed and get some combat hazard pay to get it any quicker!!!