1973 1210 Travelall

[RobertC]

Not a build -- basically stock

Original owner, original paint, original interior

1210, 2wd, 392, T-34, 3.73 w stock Trac-Lok

Approx 186,000 miles

[ihochad]

Was that originally a 5 speed or did you put that in there. Very nice clean T-All.

[RobertC]

Thanks.

The T-34 was ordered when the vehicle was purchased. It was ordered in March, I took delivery in June 1973 -- thought the delay was for the 5 speed, but I have since learned there was also a "shortage" of 392s.

I "picked" the rear axle ratio based on the rpm I wanted to run in od on the freeway -- I figured out the formula and ran the "numbers" for the 3 axle ratios (3.54, 3.73, 4.10). 3.73 equaled 75 mph @ 2800 rpm in od.

The current tires - Michelin 245/75x16 LTX M/S - are a little taller (approx 1 1/2") @ 30.7 than the original Goodyear nylon 9.50x16.5.

The IH salesman would let you "walk thru" the option book when you special ordered a vehicle, so I also got (ordered) the 12x3 front brake shoes (probably part of the Towing / Camper Special packages).

[ihochad]

That is super sweet, I just wish I had a time machine. I would love to walk through the dealership and build the truck I wanted. Glad to see this one is still in the original hands. Welcome to the site!!

[Drew Merrick]

Originally Posted by RobertC

Thanks.

The T-34 was ordered when the vehicle was purchased. It was ordered in March, I took delivery in June 1973 -- thought the delay was for the 5 speed, but I have since learned there was also a "shortage" of 392s.

I "picked" the rear axle ratio based on the rpm I wanted to run in od on the freeway -- I figured out the formula and ran the "numbers" for the 3 axle ratios (3.54, 3.73, 4.10). 3.73 equaled 75 mph @ 2800 rpm in od.

The current tires - Michelin 245/75x16 LTX M/S - are a little taller (approx 1 1/2") @ 30.7 than the original Goodyear nylon 9.50x16.5.

The IH salesman would let you "walk thru" the option book when you special ordered a vehicle, so I also got (ordered) the 12x3 front brake shoes (probably part of the Towing / Camper Special packages).

I have heard that in 1973 there was some kind of strike that effected all truck manufacturers. Because of that IH had some shortages of 392's. I have seen a 1973 Travelall that had a Rambler 401 installed in it from the factory probably due to this 392 shortage.

You have had that rig a long time !

[RobertC]

Yep, you are correct.

When I ordered the T/A, the IH salesman offered me the choice of the AMC / Rambler 401.

But, I was buying an IH

[RobertC]

I guess I will add a couple "thoughts" on the AMC 401 in 73 T/A and pickups.

This cannot have been a "casual" change.

I think all combinations (GVW) of T/As / pickups with a 401 had to be "smog certified" with the various transmissions -- for both the Fed and CA regs. Not a small task.

I believe IH was already planning this for 74 and up vintage -- which included some "changes": side motor mounts instead of front; engine "set back"; "rear dump" exhaust manifolds.

My memory is not that good, but IIRC in the 70's, you could not get certain engine / trans combos in CA because the big 3 did not run the combos thru the CA smog certification.

[Michael Mayben]

Your perception of "the deal" is the same as mine, I've seen a small bit of substantiation regarding the same!

The Rambler motor was definitely a stopgap...after ALL the years of humpin' and pumpin' the "legendary" durability of the SV product, why did they even consider puttin' a passenger car motor in the hole???? Because...COST!

It's an OK motor for a car, definitely much livelier in performance and nearly 200lbs. less dead weight, but it don't come close to bein' a truck motor on the magnitude that IH built a rep!

The M/Y '73 inclusion of the Rambler motor "option" is a REAL bastard! The '74/'75 (and into '76 if ya believe the parts lists) vehicle is nearly completely different under the skin, from the cowl forward! And the motor (no matter which one installed) was shoved down and back to more "balance" the traditional IH nose-heavy attitude. The side mounts made a SINGLE motor series that had to go down the transfer line in the engine plant that could be used in both SII and fullsize/medium duty apps. No longer had to have all the various engine mount configs used over the years in fullsize stuff, horse shoe mount, dog bone mount, etc.

The WORST part is that scruuball autotrans "kickdown" POS linkage they came up with for both the SV and the Rambler motors, TOTAL monkee rig, almost as bad as a Scout 80 throttle control! No....WORSE!

I've never seen any PROOF of that urban legend that the squarebody stuff was gonna see a "light" oilburner motor. Only talk! And that was during the "first" bloom of oilburnin'...during that time when the world was gifted that marvelous POS "small block chevee" diesel/350 gas motor with no carburetor, distributor, or spark plugs! Can we spel "Oldsmobile"??

But given that the IH light duty rigs were way behind the power curve engineering/development-wise as compared to Chryfordrolet pickups and 'Burbans, then the hand writing was on the wall. The unit sales numbers from M/Y '73 on were not even on the planet as compared to the Big 3!

The emissions deal just drilled abuncha more screws into the lid of the IH "consumer vehicle" coffin. Took the SII several more years to die of lack of interest!