just picked up a 76 Chev 5/4

[maple_leaf_eh]

Before the roadtrip, practise getting your backside numb. The seat is not adjustable, and I remember being very uncomfortable on roadmoves. Make sure your mirrors are well aimed. Make sure you've got a big orange marker panel on the spare tire, because someone much faster than you will crawl up your back bumper as you make your way at 45mph and him at 70 mph. I found a 24v to 12v alligator clip transformer gadget at Harbour Freight. Can't want to try it out for GPS navigators, phone chargers and portable sound systems. The lure of the open road will get boring fast.

[rob love]

Terry: You know this thread is about the 5/4 ton, don't you? You have mostly described the traits of the LSVW with it's sewing machine engine and fork lift seating,

What would the 12/24v adapter be for? The 5/4 is 95% 12 volt, with a secondary 24volt system that on many of the trucks did absolutely nothing.

The 24volt system was for the radios (if equipped) and the cargo area heater (an old stewart warner Southwind 978M). There were 3 different systems used over the years to allow you to use the 24volt system as an aid to starting, but only one of the three systems absolutely required the 24v to start.

The Archilles heel on the 5/4 ton was the small Dana 44 front axle. Everything else could hold it's own for the first ten or 12 years anyway, after which fatigue and old age really made them a challenge to maintain.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Was responding to Mark's post immediately above mine about his M38A1 CDN2 being ready for a roadtrip. The 5/4 is the main topic of conversation in this thread. The LS and its limitations is somewhere else.

[rob love]

Ah, I got you, you were talking about the Jeep, of which I will concur on all your observations. I thought you were talking about the 5/4 ton, which for a commercial vehicle (and a Chev at that) held up rather well to the abuse of service life.