What to do with my D500?

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Posted by John on October 20, 2006 at 09:50:26 from (63.99.132.194):

The truck:
1975 Dodge D500 flatbed. 318 v8, 4 speed (np435 I think), 6.2 Rockwell rear.

The problem:
5 mpg loaded, 10 empty. Any kind of significant hill means I'll soon be in 2nd gear annoying every other driver around. Towing trailers is out. Last year I was towing a small trailer loaded with straw (about 5000# total weight) in a strong headwind. Got about 2 mpg and had to cruise in 3rd (about 35 mph).

Options? New motor maybe, kind of a lot of trouble to convert, and mileage might not improve.
2-speed rear end? Never messed about with these so I'm in the dark as to whether this would really help or just be a bandaid. Different tranny? Any 6-speeds that would bolt in?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Follow Ups:

Re: What to do with my D500? bob townsend 06:17:47 10/26/06 (0)
Re: What to do with my D500? the tractor vet 17:30:59 10/22/06 (0)
Re: What to do with my D500? JoeK(WI) 09:41:53 10/21/06 (0)
Re: What to do with my D500? Hal/WA 20:09:59 10/20/06 (0)
Re: What to do with my D500? Kent of SW MO 17:26:00 10/20/06 (1)
- Re: Re: What to do with my D500? John 07:07:45 10/21/06 (0)

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