Hi guys,
This Chev V8 was N/A in a 1998 Patrol that was carrying a bit more weight in it than the trayback ute that I drove down at Brunswick Diesels. It was good look at how a normal Patrol Wagon would peform. I was again impressed. Many thanks to David Barker and his wife, Margaret for giving me the opportunity.
David's Patrol has had a body lift and had mud bogger tyres on. It was carrying an LR tank, 2 spare wheels and a hi-lift jack, plus a heap of stuff in the dawer systems in the back.
That V8 is something else. The torque is unbeivelable! I took it down to 30 kmh in 5th gear and acclerated - it never bothered it one iota. It just took off back to 60kmh (and past that) as if nothing happened. So I took it down to 23 kmh and it still pulled away with very little protest and we were back at 60 kmh in no time at all. Amazing!
David is almost certain that his truck has 3.9 ratio diffs in it Apparently there's a choice of 3.7, 3.9, 4.1 and 4.3. But I can't see any problem towing my van with such a diff ratio. I've asked for 3.9s in
mine as
well. With a 4.3 diff in it, this truck would be dangerous I reckon and you wouldn't need first gear even for towing!
It was good to have a spin in a full weight vehicle rather than the lighter tray back ute. It doesn't seem to matter what you load you put on it, it loves work! I don't why they keep 1st gear. Seems a waste of time, I set off in second gear a couple of times and it seemed normal. The 1st gear to 2nd gear change just adds a second or two to your acceleration time. It just delays things. I won't be using first gear often. Mind you, trolling through the bush in 1st gear looking for "gold ground" would be ideal. The 'Cruiser was never really happy doing that.
The 1HDT- FE engine in the GXL Turbo 'Cruiser does nothing under 1700 rpm, after that it's a racehorse. But the V8 Chev does it from tickover. However, the Turbo Cruiser would leave the Chev after about 2500 rpm. The "Cruiser just keeps on keeping on due to the turbo. But the Chev, with it's constant suppply of torque from tickover, is more suited to 4WD work. Less gear changes and better torque down the low revs.
The truck as whole felt "solid" and less car-like than the "Cruiser. It was quieter than I expected. However, that exhaust note is gonna take some getting used to - it roars like an angry lion! Deep thoated "I'm gonna rip your head off!" type roar. The exhaust does reverberate ("booming" sound) when cruising around 70 to 80 kmh but Davids's straight through exhaust has lot to contribute to that. I'll fix that with "a more muffled muffler".
The usual diesel rattle of an indirect injection engine is also quite loud. But I reckon more underbonnet sound proofing would cure a lot of that, 'cos I reckon the bulk of the diesel noise is coming through the bonnet. That's why it goes a lot quieter when you get moving. You leave it behind you. Bit like going supersonic I suppose ;)
The economy figures that I've had from various sources indicate that the Chev V8 will be a little thirstier than the 4.2 turbo diesel "Cruiser. But I'll to see what I can do with a "lighter right foot". As I'm now retired this truck won't get used much around town as the shops are within walking distance. But it will be doing long runs to the bush and then crawling around out there. But after experiencing the 'Cruisers range, I'll be looking at extra fuel capacity from somewhere. It'll be jerry cans at first. We've spent enough money already.
I'm currently building my own drawer and fridge slide system, I'm not paying for another set of "Outback Drawers". At $2,500.00 a pop I just gotta stop misplacing 'em like this ;)
All in all, I'm really looking forward to this conversion. It should be one hell of a bush truck.
Bilbo