Re: [A/S] increasing gear ratio in tow vehicle

[AirstrmCamper@xxxxxxx]

Hi Susan

I have a 1985 Ford E-350 club wagon. It is heavier than say an F 350 Pickup 
but not by a great amount. 
I redid the Trany two weeks ago and installed a 7 clutch, locking Torque 
converter...this is the same C-6 trany used by most school buses. It is 
practically industructable. I also, as I told you before, redid the rear end 
to 4:11's. The cost for the rear end change was $500.00.
I had already changed the ignition to an MSD High energy one with the ability 
to control spark advance right on my dash. This is a great option especially 
on hills. The motor I have right now is a stock 351. It does have a 4 core 
heavy duty radiator, a flex fan, and an extra electric fan. I am in the very 
near future going to rebuild the motor with an RV cam and double roller gears 
and port the exhaust on the heads, and add fluel injection. Now I know that 
is a lot to do to a 1985 Van. How ever with all these changes I will have a 
vehicle that will out pull just about any diesel out there and will have all 
the benefits of a van that can set up to 12 people or become empty and 
provide me with a remote area camper!
The total cost for me to do all of these things is about $4650.00.
Now compared to a new F-350 power stroke at about $43,000.00 I am very 
pleased with my choice. If you love your Van and wish to keep it, the changes 
can be done to easily pull any trailer out there. 
One friend did the same changes I did on his 1987 Chevy pickup with a 350 and 
he pulls a 36' triple slide, triple axel and walks right past the Ford power 
strokes on the I-70 grade up from Denver. The diesel wil last longer, and you 
would get better mileage on cheper fuel. 

Now a converion Van is heavier so you GCVW rating will not allow as heavy a 
trailer as my E-350 Van.However with the changes you could make that I did 
that rating goes up considerably.I guess its all going to come down to what 
you want and like Susan. 
Jon