December 27th, 2009.
Trudge:
IMHO I would suggest staying within the design limits of the engine, as the stock LD465 NA ran about 130 and the Turbo'd versions 180 HP, and it is pretty doubtfull that the engine could stand 200HP for long. Besides which, the defining limits are what the tranny, transfer and axles could stand. These were designed as slow speed off road trucks, and when they were designed, turnpike speeds were 45 MPH, so the original top speed without overdrive was.....45MPH.
If you want a fast truck, buy a 900 series or better yet a civillian truck, as they are better suited to modern road speeds, about all a deuce can outrun would be a three legged turtle and only if the turtle were really tired.... My Unimog (S404.114 Swiss- 1963 MB) has a slightly higher short term top end of ....60MPH, but if I want to keep the tranny in it happy 40-42 (60KM/PH) is about it. These machines will sometimes climb trees, they just won't do it very fast. It's the nature of the beasts, but they'll pull over just about anything you need to move...s-l-o-w-l-y.
Enjoy the truck, if the engine's maintained, the rig might just out last you.
Cheers,
Kyle F. McGrogan
NB: I'd love to see a stock deuce with a stock LD-465 and 9:00 X 20's (all 10 on the road- not singled, do 65 MPH all day long. I've heard the claims many times, just never have seen it actually be done without throwing a rod or worse. These trucks will operate in deep mud, but I think it's something more then mud we run into now and then.....
Cheers,
Kyle F. McGrogan