'72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Took the Jimmy onto it's first true road test.

California to Colorado for our annual Elk Hunt!

The Jimmy did great! The gear vendors unit allowed me to easily cruise at 80 mph across Nevada. Even had a few 85-90 mph spikes along the way.

But......we definitely didn't miss too many fuel stations along the way. Averaged about 10 miles per gallon. Did have a few 12 mpg along the way.

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Nice, congratulations on a successful "test drive". You failed to mention how the hunt went. Is the freezer full?

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Nice JIMMY, thats cool that you took it on your hunting trip!

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Darn it...we didn't come home with Elk. Most always come home with Elk, but it just wasn't in the cards for us this year.

Hiked in and watched more than a few herds of Elk. Unfortunately, most were all Cows, and the few Bulls that we seen were spikes.

Pat

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

That sucks, but at least you got out and had fun. :metal:

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Looks great all muddy! FWIW, I get just over 21 MPG with a 5.3 and 4L60E.

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

I’d love to see that blazing along the highway at 80 mph. Awesome.

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

WOW! That's great mileage!

Pat

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

I would like to see your gear vendors set up, as I didn't think it was possible in a 4 wd, but obviously it is, great way to use your truck, just what it was meant for

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Hey Jim,

Yea, I had several people tell me that the GV wouldn't work as the wheel-base is just too short. Plus I have a 2"-2.5" lift on it as well.

Then, I had others who thought that it "possibly" could work. Gear Vendors themselves offered statements that they wouldn't sell it with confidence that it would work. But one guy at GV did say, if it was my truck, I would ty it and make it work.

Bottom line is that it does work, and it works very good! I did have to shim up the pinion angle a bit. After speaking with a representative from Tom Woods Drivelines, I ended up ordering a driveline through them. They used a CV joint in the portion that goes into the GV unit.

If you're contemplating one, go for it!

Pat

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Thanks for the quick response, and help. So did you use a shim under the leaf spring mount, and do you know the degree. I have a 4 inch lift. I always felt that the highway rpms would let me down, but it looks like you came up with solutions.

Sorry you didn't get an elk, but he will be that much bigger next year

Re: '72 Jimmy Road Test
 

Yep, the shim was placed under the leaf spring mount. Pretty sure it was a 4 degree wedge.

I agree, the Elk will be growing another year!

Pat