LUVTruck.com

My 79 4x4 with 4 speed man trans is really slow. I can only get about 45mph maybe 50 but rpms are way too high. The engine has enough power it doesn't sputter. I was thinking if i get a new clutch it might fix it anyone got any suggestions to find out why. I know there not supposted to be fast but not this slow!!!Please help

_________________
79' 4x4 soon to be camoed
"Now the circle is complete"

sounds like maybe your clutch is shot. Does it engadge real slow with a high rpm when you let out the clutch??

How long have you had your LUV? And how much free pedal does the clutch pedal have?

Dumb question here from a 2wd guy, Are you sure the transfer case is not in low?

_________________
OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

I have had it for about 6 months, the pedal is pretty loose, and also when i go in reverse it makes a weird creaking noise as if it's not fully in gear

_________________
79' 4x4 soon to be camoed
"Now the circle is complete"

Not a dumb question at all. Wouldn't that be a bitch if it were the case

Damn good question, rondog. I've been driving 4X4's for over 30 years and I didn't think of it. The cable hookup versus rod connection for clutch free pedal are 180 degrees opposite of each other. The more a clutch wears, the less free pedal you have with a cable hook up. If your LUV has no free pedal, then it may not be fully engaged and hence slipping. That's the reason for my questions.

Well you never know. It could have messed up linkage or somthing.?.?

_________________
OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

any suggestions on troubleshooting to find out what it is, I don't want to get a new clutch if that's not the problem.

_________________
79' 4x4 soon to be camoed
"Now the circle is complete"

If the clutch was slipping that bad I would expect you'd know by the smell. It should be burning to the point of foul smell and smoke. You could adjust it though, just loosen the nuts on the cable up on the firewall some to tighten up the clutch. Just be sure to tighten them against each other again once you've backed them off a bit. If you can't get it into gear with the clutch in then you know you've adjusted too far.

Oil on the clutch might be making it slip even if it is tight enough. Still though, you should smell that.

In general, slippage of the clutch should show up in more places than just low top speed. Right at take off you should notice it as winding out without acceleration and/or chattering as you let off the petal. Listen for changes in RPM without changing MPH. If you hit 45 and the motor continues to climb in speed then it would have to be slipping.

I have to say it does sound a lot like the T-Case is in low range. 45MPH is the most I can imagine getting out of the truck in low so it fits your description well. Just to eliminate that idea from all our heads, please try the truck in low range and see if anything changes. If you get the same top speed, same rpm/sound, then perhaps the t-case is your problem. A broken shift fork could keep it from going in/out of low while still disengaging the front output.

I will try that let you know what happens

_________________
79' 4x4 soon to be camoed
"Now the circle is complete"

nope, not stuck in low gear only get about 30 or so in low. But i need to get a new alternator my gen light is coming on!

_________________
79' 4x4 soon to be camoed
"Now the circle is complete"

If you could put a tachometer on it (just a temporary one) and find out how high it is revving at a said speed. It does sound like a clutch but I want to be sure.
If it has a lot (normal ) power then I won't suggest the cat, if it even has one.

O.k. try this. Just get idling along in first gear on flat ground or up hill, then floor it and see if the truck goes or if the eng revs and the truck just barely goes. That will tell us if the clutch is slipping or not.

_________________
OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

i've had a simular problem w/ mine in 1st gear, it'll get up to 10-15mph then it'll rev up and slowly get up to 20mph (which is the owner's manual's recomended top speed)

Btw are those top speed's that are in the owner's manual the True top speed (IE. speed at red-line) or just there so you don't hit the power curve then send the motor over red-line???

_________________
-Old ride-82 Luv diesel 5spd with some upgrades
-Past rides-82 Sierra, 78 Coupe De'Ville, 91 2dr Blazer, 86 RX7, 86 Porsche 944T (rear-ended and totaled)
-Curr. rides- 1970 Ford LTD 4dr, 390 4Bbl, 2nd owner! With a few Extras 00' Civic beater...