Re: '60's 1500 Series Truck Questions/VIN listed

["SEC" <secaldwell@domain.elided>]

> >I am assuming that it is not geared too highly, as it was probably made
> >with much more grunt than speed in mind, but could it be made into a
> >good tow rig?
> 
> I'll bet it's geared very low and would get *horrible* gas milage.  Just
ask
> Steve Caldwell about that with the old fire tanker truck he recently
bought.
> He's going to have to mount a 1000 gallon tanker back on it just so he
can
> make it to the next gas station.

	Michael, the range of 1ton+ axle ratios are:  4.30, 4.87, 5.29, 5.57,
6.17, 6.17, 6.67 & 7.17.  Two speed rearends came in 5.14-7.15, 5.83-8.11 &
6.33-8.81.  I feel lucky that mine is a 4.87 (4.88 per line set ticket). 
I've got 16" wheels (8 lug) w/ 7.50X16 bias ply tube type tires (about
32"OD).  My gas mileage (unloaded) ranges from 6.5-7.5 mpg (ugh)!  Grunt
it's got!
	My rear axle is IHC built (14015) so I'm guessing that after-market R&P
sets don't exist.  I want to go to modern rims and tires for usability,
availability, and MILAGE INCREASE.  A set (7) of high-end rims (Alcoa) and
tires (BFG?) was ~ $2.5K from one of the mail order houses (w/o shipping). 
Twice what I paid for the truck!  That's alot of gasoline.  Buckshot offers
a 33" & 36" narrow radial mudder, anybody have any experience with these? 
Suggestions on where to get a cheaper set of rims?
Thanks
SEC	'79 SSII & '70 1300D