Tow vehicle???

Parry Wrote:
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> Vortec motors seem to perhaps do a bit better on
> fuel economy then the old TBI motors, but not all
> that much.

My 2005 4.3L Vortec is STILL TBI.

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Scott Manley
Spokane, WA
86' XR4Ti
37

NoCoast Wrote:
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> "Brian, just tell me that you removed the axles
> before you dollied the Galant."
>
> But Brian had said,
> "I did not have the driveshaft installed in that
> picture."
>
> Which I guess is different, but the same end
> result. I would think you'd rather remove the
> prop shaft than the half shafts as the stub holds
> the wheel bearing together somewhat doesn't it?

Haha. He said that you said and that I said. (If you want to know what you said.) So now you know that I know that he knows that you did not know. Ya know?

I had a post on GVR4.org discussing which method would be the best idea. Turns out dropping the main like that is much easier than the rears. I've got plans to replace all the fluids in this thing anyways. It was in piss poor mechanical condition. Anyone interested can see plenty of pics at az2gnt.net/DR1665/E39AX68

Back on topic, I would not suggest using a 'Migo like the one I used for long distances. If memory serves, I got about 150miles on a tank with 3400lbs out the back door. I don't know about you guys, but stopping for gas every two hours gets really old, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

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Brian Driggs | KG7KCA | PHX, AZ | 89 Pajero
alterius non sit qui suus esse potest

Scott Manley Wrote:
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>
> My 2005 4.3L Vortec is STILL TBI.


Not really. From the outside, it looks it. When your intake manifold gaskets go you can perhaps get a good look at the differnet intake and injector setup in the Vortec as opposed to a TBI motor hahaha.

I think Ford sucks.

The dodge/cummings with 5 speeds avoid most of the transmission issues.



I tow saab 96's inexpensively...TO THE RALLYX

Well I couldn't find the injectors anywhere on the intake manifold. And with the fuel line going into the TB, one would assume it's TBI. "Vortec" is like "Zetec", doesn't mean shit. Or my favorite, VTEC = it's like waiting for bad sex.

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Scott Manley
Spokane, WA
86' XR4Ti
37

Vortec has an injector for each cylinder, but the nozzles are at the end of the intake runners whereas the body of the injectors are in a clump in the center of the manifold. There's a bunch of short fuel lines inside there connecting the injector bodies with their nozzles in the runners. Those were not very technical terms for whatever those parts are called, but you get the idea.

That amigo is a little small to be towing that much with, but I guess it works. With a car dolly you can tow just about anything with anything. That doesn't mean it will stop though.

In your case Mr. Turk #2, I think you are basically forced into a full size truck, as you want a full trailer + lots of stuff. Like I said above, a chevy 1500 is common and inexpensive and I suggest it. If you want to spend some money, nice v8 Tundras can be had for 12-15k. If I could afford it, I would absolutely own one right now. Ford, Nissan, and Dodge are all pretty much for the birds.

The Tundra I had considered but I hear the tow mpg sucks.
My goal was killing two birds with one stone (Daily Driver not too expensive but capable of towing thats not a full size van or truck) but I guess there aren't too many options out there without spending the $$$$
For the time being I am better off renting a SUV from Enterprize (have friends that are capable of giving very low rates with unlimited milage)

Thank you all
Oscar

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rally gods would turn in their graves if they ever knew Lada's were now part of EU rallying!!!

These guys don't like them, but who cares. I've exceeded those ratings before many times without much trouble.


2006 dodge dakota SLT, CLUB CAB, 2WD, 6.25 Ft Bed, 5-Speed Automatic 545RFE Transmission, 4.7-Liter High-Output V8 MPI Engine:

With 3.92 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio You Can Tow 7150 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6010 lbs
Payload = 1629 lbs
Curb Weight = 4381 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2566 lbs/2566 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3100 lbs/3600 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 11700 lbs

2006 dodge dakota SLT, QUAD CAB, 2WD, 5.25 Ft Bed, 6-Speed Manual Transmission, 4.7-Liter Magnum(R) V8 Engine:

With 3.21 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio You Can Tow 4900 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6010 lbs
Payload = 1560 lbs
Curb Weight = 4450 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2542 lbs/2542 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3100 lbs/3600 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 9500 lbs

With 3.55 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio You Can Tow 5400 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) = 6010 lbs
Payload = 1560 lbs
Curb Weight = 4450 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 2542 lbs/2542 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear = 3100 lbs/3600 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) = 10000 lbs

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Andrew M
Onterrible
30ish

Parry Wrote:
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> That amigo is a little small to be towing that
> much with, but I guess it works. With a car dolly
> you can tow just about anything with anything.
> That doesn't mean it will stop though.

This is correct. If one was shopping for a tow vehicle for frequent use, I would not recommend it. Only posted to mention it can make due when the good ol' domestic workhorse leaves you stranded (as they tend to do).

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Brian Driggs | KG7KCA | PHX, AZ | 89 Pajero
alterius non sit qui suus esse potest

i have a friend who does steaple chase racing (horses) and uses a Nissan Titan (used a suburban for a long time) and does about 20Kmi of towing a year. loves it, no problems whatsoever and is fast as well as solid.

i was thinking about the tow-vehicle question for about 3 months now. i was thinking, since i would go with more than one car anyway, i could tow the rally car with a jetta tdi wagon with some spares and get parts/tools/crew in another car. and runing a jetta tdi daily aint bad. my 307 station wagon in europe can tow 800/900Kgs easy, so why not a jetta wagon tdi? the 307 has a 2.2 diesel, ok, i know the common rail is better, but the vw can't be that bad. anyone have any experience with 'em?

JB Wrote:
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> i have a friend who does steaple chase racing
> (horses) and uses a Nissan Titan (used a suburban
> for a long time) and does about 20Kmi of towing a
> year. loves it, no problems whatsoever and is fast
> as well as solid.

I love the new Titan. Fabulous machines. The only complaints I have heard about them are that the brakes (the front brakes in particular) tend to wear out prematurely. The fleet manager where I work has one and has already had to have the brakes replaced (rotors and pads) twice in the first year of ownership. He said the service manager told him it was a common problem and Nissan is working on it. Otherwise, he claims it's much nicer than his old Chevy.

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Brian Driggs | KG7KCA | PHX, AZ | 89 Pajero
alterius non sit qui suus esse potest

JB Wrote:
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> i have a friend who does steaple chase racing
> (horses) and uses a Nissan Titan (used a suburban
> for a long time) and does about 20Kmi of towing a
> year. loves it, no problems whatsoever and is fast
> as well as solid.

I don't think nissan has been on the same level as Honda and Toyota in terms of quality, and probably never will be. The trucks are all too new to really tell though, for the most part.


> i was thinking about the tow-vehicle question for
> about 3 months now. i was thinking, since i would
> go with more than one car anyway, i could tow the
> rally car with a jetta tdi wagon with some spares
> and get parts/tools/crew in another car.

Having driven many TDI's, I think this idea is a bad one. There's several problems.

1. new Volkswagen (SEAFOOD SPECIALS)
2. Gutless
3. initial cost

For the cost of the Jetta you can buy a good used truck AND a good used accord to drive every day and spend no money on while doing so, a trailer, and still have like 5k to buy crack cocaine or parts with.

Scott Manley Wrote:
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> Parry Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > Vortec motors seem to perhaps do a bit better
> on
> > fuel economy then the old TBI motors, but not
> all
> > that much.
>
> My 2005 4.3L Vortec is STILL TBI.
>

No it isn't. TBI injects the fuel above the throttle plate, the Vortec has one or two fuel injectors but they inject the fuel (via a manifold) directly to the ports. It's port EFI.

Next time you have to change the intake manifold gaskets, take the upper plenum off of the manifold and have a look-see.

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Pete Remner
Cleveland, Ohio

1984 RX-7 (rallycross thing)
1978
Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.

Pete Wrote:
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> Scott Manley Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Parry Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > Vortec motors seem to perhaps do a bit
> better
> > on
> > > fuel economy then the old TBI motors,
> but not
> > all
> > > that much.
> >
> > My 2005 4.3L Vortec is STILL TBI.
> >
>
> No it isn't. TBI injects the fuel above the
> throttle plate, the Vortec has one or two fuel
> injectors but they inject the fuel (via a
> manifold) directly to the ports. It's port EFI.
>
> Next time you have to change the intake manifold
> gaskets, take the upper plenum off of the manifold
> and have a look-see.
>
>
>
> Pete Remner
> Cleveland, Ohio
> Converse All-Star (zero intention of rallying in
> the current US situation)
> 1978
You realize that's not much different then TBI, bid deal where the two injectors are placed.

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Scott Manley
Spokane, WA
86' XR4Ti
37

Vortec is much more a member of the TPI family.

It makes a big difference, in TBI the manifold is all wet-flow just like a carb, with port injection the manifold is dry flow.

Most port fuel injection schemes on the road are batchfire, including the majority of the aftermarket ECUs in use. *Where* the fuel is injected is much more important than *when*, until you're looking for that last umpteenth percent efficiency at idle.

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Pete Remner
Cleveland, Ohio

1984 RX-7 (rallycross thing)
1978
Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver.