Toy4x4 Digest          Sun, 12 Jan 97 00:30:02 (HST)  Volume 1 : Issue  38
 Today's Topics:
 [toy4x4-request@tlca.org: Bio]
 bio
 Cross-over steering
 Foreign-market diesel
 Leaf Spring Sag
 Low fuel light (3 msgs)
 obd-2 computer
 Smog pump
 Smog Pump/Crossover Steering
 Solid-axle front springs
 Sounds like stuck pig in engine compartment
 SR5 Gage Pack Conversion
 Tacomas (2 msgs)
 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 97 20:14:30 PST
 From: hollen@vigra.com
 Subject: [toy4x4-request@tlca.org: Bio]
 To: toy4x4@tlca.org
 - ------- Start of forwarded message -------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 18:14:32 -1000
 To: hollen@axel.vigra.com
 From: Toy4x4-Request Reply-To: Toy4x4  Subject: Bio
 Personal Bio Info
 POST TO THE LIST ONLY>> toy4x4@tlca.org
 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Name:	Dion Hollenbeck
 City & State:	San Diego, CA
 Country:	USA
 E-mail address:	hollen@vigra.com
 Toyota (s) year & model:	1985 ForeRunner SR-5
 1986 4x4 Pickup SR-5
 Are you a TLCA Member (Y/N/Number?):	No
 Age:	49
 Occupation:	Software Engineer
 Marital Status:	Married
 Hobbies:	Home brewing of beer, gunsmithing
 How did you find out about the Toyota 4x4 Mailing List:
 Posting on Offroad Digest
 General info about your vehicle, self, etc.:
 Both vehicles are stock with the exception of rebuilt engines,
 both microbalanced in the process of rebuild and the ForeRunner has a
 cam upgrade to a "RV" grind that boosts the midrange power a bit.
 We go camping up unimproved roads and do some *very mild*
 boulder crawling.  Will be moving to the mountains where winters have
 snow and will be in a very rural area in the next couple of years and
 these vehicles are mostly for that time.
 - ------- End of forwarded message -------
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 11:31:23 -0800 (PST)
 From: fosters@OctoNet.com (nadine foster)
 Subject: bio
 To: Toy4x4 POST TO THE LIST ONLY>> toy4x4@tlca.org
 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 Name :  Wayne  Foster
 City & State: Victoria  B.C.
 Country: Canada
 E-mail address: fosters@ OctoNet.com
 Toyota (s) year & model: 82 Toyota long box
 Are you a TLCA Member (Y/N/Number?): no
 Age: 26
 Occupation: mechanic
 Marital Status: married
 Hobbies: almost everything outdoors and I live for wheeling
 How did you find out about the Toyota 4x4 Mailing List: off road.com  and a
 friend
 General info about your vehicle, self, etc.: My truck has duel Detroit
 lockers 5.29 gears , 33 / 12.5 / 15 super
 swampers , an  on board air compressor , it used to have my own version of a
 double transfercase and it will
 again soon. The box has been shortened by 18 inches for a better departure
 angle. I have rebuilt the engine, it
 had 250,000 km on the engine when I tore it down. The main and rod bearings
 were still in like new shape.It
 has a Center force clutch.I have also rebuilt the trans and transfer case ,
 being a mechanic I just cant leave
 things alone. Future plans are for a new body.
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 10:37:31 -0600
 From: Steven Benson  Subject: Cross-over steering
 To: Jack Alford  Ok, I finally dug through my closet in search of the magazine with the
 Toyota
 that used the IFS Box for a cross-over steering setup.
 The magazine was the January 1995 issue "Off-Road". The Toyota is on
 page 70 and belongs to Chris Moauro of Longmont, Colorado. The feature
 said he belongs to the High Society Truck Club and that Fort Collins 4x4
 Performance did the conversion.
 C J Moauro
 1528 Hilltop Dr.
 Longmont CO 80501-3013
 Phone : 303-651-2443
 Can't believe it was that easy to find this guy. Did a search on the
 following site.
 http://www.whowhere.com/wwphone/phone.html
 Fort Collins 4x4 will have the specifics but they are not listed? Let me
 know if you have any luck.
 Jack Alford wrote:>> Hi Steve,>>>I have seen the conversion you are refering to on a Toyota in a magazine>>a few years ago. It was the first IFS to Solid Axle conversion I had>>seen and it retained the stock IFS steering box to accomodate the new>>arm/link>>to the passenger side steering arm. None of the photos were close enough>>to see what he had done to the passenger side steering arm to accomodate>>this conversion. Some Off-Road shop set up the steering conversion for>>him. I'll scavange through my old mags and see what I find.>> It would be great if you could find this article ! Any idea what mag.> it was in ?? I've never seen a write-up of a solid-axle swap in any> of the mags, must have missed that one ...>> The swap could have used a Land Cruiser spring-over arm which would bolts> to the mini-truck knuckles also, it's really pricy (about $300) ... it's> a nice piece though ... my biggest concern about using the IFS box, that's> the route I'm working on right now is the draglink being pinched between> the frame and spring ...>> Any other info you could provide would be great !> ______________________________________________
 Steven Benson
 '85 Toy X-Cab | MNTOYX4 | MN4WDA | TLCA #4835
 http://www.off-road.com/~MNTOYX4
 mailto:toyx4@winternet.com
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 09:21:15 -0800 (PST)
 From: Michael L Martin  Subject: Foreign-market diesel
 To: Toys  When I was in Thailand last year, I took a trip up into the
 mountanous region north of Chiang Mai (Golden Triangle) and went with
 a group. We went in a little diesel Toy 4x4 ('94-'95). There were 3
 people up front and about 12 or so of us in the back on little bench
 jobbers. The extra weight didn't seem to hold the truck back at all on
 the highway.
 Once we got into the mountains, we tackled some steep, muddy,
 rutted roads and had no problems whatsoever. I was very impressed. If
 I had tried the same place, I could never had done it with the same
 load. The Thai Toy never sputtered or acted like anything was out of the
 norm. I even wrote to one of my friends back in the US that I was thinking
 diesel when I got home (nothing's come of that so far).
 As for buying a F.M. Diesel, I'd suggest talking to the State
 Patrol in your area (at least here in WA, these are the guys who decide
 what passes and what doesn't) and then go talk to an area dealer. He
 may have some info himself and might know who to contact about shipping
 a non-US version over. I'm sure it's been done before by somebody- the
 problem I foresee will probably just be a nice expediture of cash. But,
 who said life was cheap? Good luck :)
 M.
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 09:34:34 -0700
 From: nickkrest@batnet.com (Nick Krest)
 Subject: Leaf Spring Sag
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 Duke  wrote:>I have an 84' 4x4 pu...the leafs on the front are actually slightly inverse of>>what I would think they should be. The rear leafs look normal to me and the>>truck sits level, but the fronts are now bent slightly the other way. What I>do>not understand is why the truck sits level if this is abnormal, since the>rears>do not appear to have this sag.  It also appears to me that the front>>suspension has only 1 1/2" - 2" of compression travel before it hits rubber.
 Completely normal for a set of 13-year old stock springs. They start out
 fairly flat, then fatigue and arch backward. Remember, springs are a
 disposable commodity. They go a few years and you replace 'em. You wouldn't
 keep the same set of shocks on for 13 years would you? Springs do a lot
 more. 2" of travel to the bump stop is normal.
 I would replace 'em; if you're not in the market for a lift, there are
 aftermarket stock-height replacements out there. But you're still in the 2"
 travel zone.
 Good luck,
 - Nick
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 09:13:08 -0800 (PST)
 From: Michael L Martin  Subject: Low fuel light
 To: Toys  I've an '84 w/ a guage package from an '86 (tach, bells,
 whistles, etc.) and I can't remember ever seeing the light come on
 with the '84 setup or the '86- and I've done more than my fair share
 of running *really* low :)   I don't know what to think about what the
 dealer told you. Kinda silly to have it there, but not hooked up.
 By the way, if any of you are sick and tired of the original
 speedo-only dash, go to the wrecking yard and find you a dash w/ tach.
 It's easy to swap out. Not a problem. It should be fairly cheap, too.
 I forget how much I paid in Spokane, WA for mine, but I don't recall
 wincing and running away with a bleeding pocketbook.
 Just my .02 cents worth,
 M.
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 21:59:40 -0600
 From: Jack Alford  Subject: low fuel light
 To: toy4x4@tlca.org>>i bought my 93 v6 used, and the low fuel light doesn't appear to work (i>>once filled up w/ 19.1 gal in a 19.3 gal tank!). I was wondering when>>this stupid thing is supposed to come on-at 1/4 tank or much less. I>>wouldn't mind it if it lit up to tell me it was about to run on>>fumes...but if it comes on to tell me i've only got 75 or 100 miles left,>>i can tell that myself. so is this worth looking into, or should i just>>be glad the 'stupidity idicator' doesn't work?>>The fuel light in my 94 truck comes on with about 3 gallons left.> The fuel light in my 86 22R Xcab comes on just as it starts to sputter
 and then runs out of gas (i've done it twice sitting in the gas
 station parking lot just to prove the point that the bulb in fact
 DID work ...)
 If you have a factory Toyota service manual there is a chart in the
 back that indicates the resistance between two of the wires coming out
 of the sending unit and how much fuel you should have
 My sending unit somehow got bent (yeah it's inside the tank ... go figure)
 I took it out and played with it a bit, inquired of the cost of a new
 one (~$100 for a 22R and ~$300 for a 22RE), I just bent the thing back
 the way I thought it was supposed to be and it works, before even with a full
 tank it never got over 1/2 tank, it works again now, though the
 gas light still comes on just as it starts to sputter out of gas...
 - -----------------------------------------------------------------
 Jack Alford              Off-Road.com - The best dirt on the net!
 jalford@off-road.com              http://www.off-road.com/
 Decatur, AL
 '86 Xcab Toyota Pickup -  33x12.50 BFG MT
 Solid Front Axle - Marlin Crawler - ARB
 SFWDA  -  TLCA #3415  -  Rocket City Rock Crawlers
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 97 10:25:00 -0800
 From: jim.poston@megasystem.com (JIM POSTON)
 Subject: Low fuel light
 To: toy4x4@tlca.org
 Scott Wilson  wrote:
 M-3 I'd like to see more people write in and say whether or not this
 M-3 light work only on certain models.
 I have a '90 Xtracab SR5 4WD.
 The light works, usually when the needle is touching the "E" line or
 just before.  I ran it really low last fillup and I think I got 17.2
 gals in.  The light came on maybe 50 miles before that.
 - -- Jim
 jim.poston@megasystem.com
 - ---
 M-~ SLMR 2.1a M-~ Cats are roommates.  Dogs are kids.
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 14:02:42 -0600
 From: Steve Capuano  Subject: obd-2 computer
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 "Also, if your truck is a '96 or '97 USA model, it has the OBD-2 computer,
 "which prevents you from changing tire size (except within about 5%), or
 "axle ratio, except with whatever the vehicle came with stock. It prevents
 "you by not running after you change the part - and registering the change
 "as smog equipment tampering when you have your truck smogged. The lesson?
 "Choose your original equipment carefully - it's what you're stuck with for
 "the long haul.
 " - Nick
 Nick, Please tell me more about this heresy.  How does it know about tire
 size, and why would that be smog tampering.  I understand vaguely that if
 you increase tire size say from 31 to 33 or so and you change axle ratio
 from say 4.10 to 5.29 you retain stock performance.  If my statement is
 valid then how does the computer know??
 Where is this obd-2 located and can it be replaced or remapped to ignore mods?
 I suddenly feel like a big floppy eared donkey for buying a 4x4 that I can't
 lift put, big tires on, etc.!!!!!
 Steve C.
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 12:00:20 -0800
 From: rmurray@gvn.net (Rick Murray)
 Subject: Smog pump
 To: TOY4X4@TLCA.ORG
 My 1984 SR5 4Runner has a smog pumb on the passenger side, under the A/C
 pump. I also have PS, a very tight engine compartment.  Can't add a
 belt-driven air pump, thats why I had to go to a home-made under-hood
 12-volt sytem to air up tires.
 ##################################################################
 Rick Murray                 84 Toyota 4Runner SR5
 ( rmurray@gvn.net )        stock 22R motor ; 3" ProComp Lift
 Rancho Cordova, Ca.         8" steel rims; 33" BFG M/Ts
 www.gvn.net/~rmurray/       4.88 gears; Marlin TCase #67 ; TRD LSD
 ##################################################################
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 23:05:14 -0600
 From: Jack Alford  Subject: Smog Pump/Crossover Steering
 To: toy4x4@tlca.org
 "Mike Williams"  wrote:>I have an '81 Toyota 4x4 with the 22R engine, but it does not have a>smog pump either. From my information the California models had the>smog pump and the pumps were located on the lower passenger side of>the engine.  If one looks at the 22R block (without airconditioning) ->there are four open bolt holes on the passenger side of the block.>The bottom two holes are used to mount the smog pump and the top two>holes are used to mount the airconditioner compressor.  The smog pump>appears to be smaller in size than the air conditioner compressor.>But overall this area of the engine compartment is fairly open and>accessable.  Now I don't know if the block in my '81 is similar to>the year that you have.
 I would assume the bolt holes in the engine are the same, though
 I do have A/C and am quite fond of it, since I live in the
 humidity zone of the US ...>I also noticed that some time ago the question was posted about>converting to crossover steering.  I know this answer is vague but it>may help some.  I met a guy who had converted his '84 Toy to>crossover steering.  He claimed that he used a combination of stock>parts from both his pickup and a newer 4runner.  The key to the>conversion he claimed was in finding the right steering box.  He used>one off of a newer 4runner (this changed the direction that the>pitman arm moved - from front to back ---to side to side).  Now my>memory fails me as to what he used for steering knuckle arms and tie>rods.  I do remember that he claimed all the parts were stock Toyota>parts.  Overall the setup was clean looking and not a cobbled up>mess.  He was also running 40"tires and claimed that this really>helped eliminate alot of the bumpsteer.
 That was me that asked that question too:  I'm with him on the IFS
 steering box, since I swapped from IFS to a solid axle I had one
 laying around, along with alot of other IFS parts if anyone needs
 some spares CHEAP !!
 I have the IFS box mounted back up but am wondering what do about a
 pitman arm, I dislike the IFS pitman arm having the rod end built
 into it. I sure wish you could remember some particulars about that
 setup, like if the draglink went to the tie rod or to the steering
 arm, but I greatly appreciate this info none the less, every little
 bit helps. A cruiser friend tells me I need an FJ60 pitman arm,
 but I'm a tight wad and FJ60's are rare in junk yards ... even with
 the TLCA 25% disc. on Toyota parts from those Toyota parts dept.,
 the pitman is still quite high.
 - -----------------------------------------------------------------
 Jack Alford              Off-Road.com - The best dirt on the net!
 jalford@off-road.com              http://www.off-road.com/
 Decatur, AL
 '86 Xcab Toyota Pickup -  33x12.50 BFG MT
 Solid Front Axle - Marlin Crawler - ARB
 SFWDA  -  TLCA #3415  -  Rocket City Rock Crawlers
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 12:03:42 -0800
 From: rmurray@gvn.net (Rick Murray)
 Subject: Solid-axle front springs
 To: TOY4X4@TLCA.ORG
 My 84 4Runner has 3" lift springs in front, so they have what I call
 a positive arch, as one would expect.  However, my 85 4wd pickup, before
 I lifted it, had front springs that  were flat while the vehicle was
 just sitting.  I think this is normal for most stock solid axle front
 ends.  Check out any stock CJ7, or Samurai in the next parking lot
 you walk thru.
 ##################################################################
 Rick Murray                 84 Toyota 4Runner SR5
 ( rmurray@gvn.net )        stock 22R motor ; 3" ProComp Lift
 Rancho Cordova, Ca.         8" steel rims; 33" BFG M/Ts
 www.gvn.net/~rmurray/       4.88 gears; Marlin TCase #67 ; TRD LSD
 ##################################################################
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 18:01:09 -0800
 From: Scott Muir  Subject: Sounds like stuck pig in engine compartment
 To: "'Toy List'"  It would seem the cold weather has not been kind to my 85 Xtra cab, or
 perhaps rather the cold has brought uncovered an existing problem.
 On colder mornings (didn't quite freeze overnight) the engine makes sort
 of a whistling kettle sound (lower in pitch though) starting around 2200rpm
 and gets louder and higher pitched until around 3500rpm and then muffles
 itself if the revs go higher.
 This sound seems to go away after driving for a while.  I'm assuming it has
 to do with the engine warming up enough that it goes away.
 Here are some details:
 - - running 10w40 or 20w40 oil in attempt to reduce the amount that gets burned
 when running with 10w30.  Last change was in sept.
 - - truck has 260,000 km's.
 - - I put in a new water pump in july
 - - it's a 22RE
 - - oil pressure gauge says it's got normal pressure
 Haynes is my reference manual, and the only thing it lists as the possiblities are
 con-rod bearings or abnormal wear on the piston/cyl.  Neither of the sound
 descriptions seem to match well with what I hear, so I'm hoping it is something like
 my power steering pump.
 Have any of you encountered something like this yourselves?  Anyone know of some
 diagnostics I can try to narrow down the possibilites?
 Thanks.
 Scott.  (wsmuir@islandnet.com)
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 15:39:44 -0600
 From: Steven Benson  Subject: SR5 Gage Pack Conversion
 To: toy4x4@tlca.org
 A friend and I were talking (Jay K) about the potentials of converting a
 non-SR5 gage cluster to a SR5 gage cluster without having to use the SR5
 wiring harness.
 Has anyone on the list done this swap and what would it take to do it.
 I'm assuming a few added wires, a sender or two, maybe a few required
 harness plugs and a brain.
 ______________________________________________
 Steven Benson
 '85 Toy X-Cab | MNTOYX4 | MN4WDA | TLCA #4835
 http://www.off-road.com/~MNTOYX4
 mailto:toyx4@winternet.com
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 09:34:38 -0700
 From: nickkrest@batnet.com (Nick Krest)
 Subject: Tacomas
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org
 In response to my rant against Toyota USA's slim pickin's, Eric P. Madsen
 (madsener@etca1.den.mmc.com) wrote:>How is it possible to import a foreign-market Toyota?  It would be nice to>have a new solid axle Toyota, and maybe a diesel.
 To which Bruce Burden  replied:>Unless the diesel has been qualified under EPA rules, lots 'o luck on that>one.>You can do it, but it will also have to meet all applicable Federal>standards>as well. Some of those you may have to have added. In short, I>think it will>cost a whole lot more than it is worth.
 Having actually checked into this, here's what I have gotten from officials
 at various sources:
 If you want a foreign-market (non-USA, non-Canadian) Toyota pickup, Toyota
 Gibraltar Stockings, Ltd., of - you guessed it - Gibraltar, keeps
 approximately 40 of each model in stock at any given time. They have Land
 Cruiser pickups, Land Cruiser Wagons, and Land Cruiser Hardtops (all 70
 series - all diesel), standard-cab pickups, and double-cab pickups. Your
 choice of left- or right-hand drive. Pickups come with the 4-cylinder
 2779cc Diesel, 5-speed, vinyl bench seats, manual hubs, any color you want
 as long as it's white, front and rear leaf springs (solid axles), halogen
 headlights, 112.2" wheelbase, and a cool roll-bar/cab protector affair
 welded to the bed. Options include Anti-theft package; Bull Bar; Electric
 winch; Pintle Hook; Roll Cage; Communications Equipment; "Mul-T-Lock" Car
 Transmission Lock; Anti Personnel Mine Protection; Anti-Vehicle Mine
 Protection;. Full Ballistic Protection; Ambulance Conversions. Body style
 is like the '89-95 cabs, with what looks like a '79-83 bed. These can be
 delivered anywhere in the world EXCEPT for the US and Canada, so Mexico is
 kosher (not really, but in a manner of speaking).
 If you were to have one delivered in Mexico, for instance, you could leave
 it unregistered and apply directly to a state such as California, which has
 exempted its smog laws from Diesel motors, for license and registration. By
 bypassing the feds, you leave the crash-testing and EPA testing behind. Not
 that motorcycles have anything to do with car laws, but I recently licensed
 for the street a full-blown Dakar Rally race bike (not an imposter BMW).
 All that was required by the DMV was a "statement of fact," certifying that
 this vehicle met all state and CHP standards for brakes, lights, safety
 equipment, etc. They didn't even need to see the vehicle. Paid my money,
 and voila'! License plate.
 I know that the government, DMV, etc., is far harsher on cars/trucks than
 on motorcycles. However, the EPA allow (or did allow, as of 1996) each US
 citizen a one-time vehicle importation. This is how you buy your
 German-market BMW, Porsche, etc., take European delivery, and bring it back
 to the States without having to have it smogged. The EPA requires you to
 own the car before you bring it over, so you must take delivery overseas
 (or in Mexico). They will issue you a one-vehicle smog exemption, which is
 legal in all states. The vehicle (unless it is a Diesel) must pass a
 certain (low) emissions level, based on model year and displacement.
 Diesels, by nature of their emissions (more dirt than gases), do not have
 to pass an emissions test. If you are in the military and stationed
 overseas, there is, I believe, a one-a-year limit on vehicles imported this
 way.
 Also, I have heard that buying a Canadian-spec vehicle was incredibly easy
 for people living in the Northern climes of the US (N. Dakota, etc.). I
 know that our Canuck friends get the 70 series Cruisers, though I haven't
 seen any strange pickups up there that stand out in my mind.
 Regarding the OBD-II computer: I have heard from friends that work for CARB
 (California Air Resource Board) and for Toyota at NUMMI (all Tacoma
 production), that the OBD-II will react to tampering of factory settings by
 shutting down, and storing and reporting the tampering. This includes
 engine rpm to vehicle speed settings. I suppose any change in tire size
 would mandate a ring-and-pinion change to VERY closely approximate stock
 settings, although that's an expensive proposition to simply suppose.
 - Nick
 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
 \ 1981 Toyota 4WD SR5 Pickup      4.88 gears /
 / Bone-stock 22R motor         5-speed trans \
 \ Detroit TrueTrac front Detroit Locker rear /
 / 3" Downey front springs with 9" travel kit \
 \ 3" Rancho rear springs with 10" travel kit /
 / 2  9" Doetsch-Tech MV-12's per front wheel \
 \ 2  10" Doetsch-Tech MV-12's per rear wheel /
 / 33x12.50-15 Dueler AT's 15x8.5 CenterLines \
 \ Hella 500 front  and  Hella FF rear lights /
 / Smittybilt front and rear bumpers, & nerfs \
 \ 14 gallon auxiliary gas tank   in-cab cage /
 / Cerullo seats         No chrome whatsoever \
 \ Brahma shell      TRW/Sabelt 4-point belts /
 / Momo wheel   Sony CD player/Infinity spkrs \
 \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
 TLCA ID #5301
 also...
 1993 Mazda Miata             1993 Honda XR150R
 1995 KTM 550 MX/C    1995 KTM 660 Dakar Rallye
 1997 KTM 300 EX/C          1997 KTM 620ES Duke
 ------------------------------
 Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 23:40:23 -0800 (PST)
 From: Kemasa  Subject: Tacomas
 To: Toy4x4@tlca.org, nickkrest@batnet.com>From: nickkrest@batnet.com (Nick Krest)>...>Regarding the OBD-II computer: I have heard from friends that work for CARB>(California Air Resource Board) and for Toyota at NUMMI (all Tacoma>production), that the OBD-II will react to tampering of factory settings by>shutting down, and storing and reporting the tampering. This includes>engine rpm to vehicle speed settings. I suppose any change in tire size>would mandate a ring-and-pinion change to VERY closely approximate stock>settings, although that's an expensive proposition to simply suppose.>From: Steve Capuano >>"Also, if your truck is a '96 or '97 USA model, it has the OBD-2 computer,>"which prevents you from changing tire size (except within about 5%), or>"axle ratio, except with whatever the vehicle came with stock. It prevents>"you by not running after you change the part - and registering the change>"as smog equipment tampering when you have your truck smogged. The lesson?>"Choose your original equipment carefully - it's what you're stuck with for>"the long haul.>>" - Nick>>Nick, Please tell me more about this heresy.  How does it know about tire>size, and why would that be smog tampering.  I understand vaguely that if>you increase tire size say from 31 to 33 or so and you change axle ratio>from say 4.10 to 5.29 you retain stock performance.  If my statement is>valid then how does the computer know??
 How does the vehicle know the speed? Is there a separate wheel to
 determine the speed? No. Is there a sensor which detects the ground
 speed? No. The answer? It doesn't really.  It know what it thinks is
 the speed is based on the output of the transmission. It knows nothing
 of the tire size or the front and rear diff. gears.  If what was said
 was true then if you got in a slippery condition you would be flagged
 for smog tampering.
 It sounds to me that someone is trying to scare people or they don't
 have a clue of how things work.
 Kemasa.
 ------------------------------
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