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Thread: new old victim
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted July 30, 2002 12:07 PM |
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new old victim
Hey there, I have never posted here but been a rotor head my whole life (currently 35). Had too many to list but currently own an rx3 of the 73 flavor, and two REPU 74 and 75. I'm glad I found a group of wierdo's that like this rare little hauler. My question is, I have read some of the topics on frontend swaps, and was wondering if any of those newer B series trucks disk brakes fit the REPU. Specifically if there are any stock vented disks that fit. I don't really think the stockers on the REPU are crappy but can't have enough brakes. I have always had the best conversions for my rx's but the truck is kinda hard to locate people that have experimented with swapping parts.
Other question is, what is the max load you've all carried in the bed...just curious. Mine was 2 pontiac 400cid complete blocks from a Grand Prix and one auto trans from that car with the cherry picker, tools and three guys crammed in the front. I know that was over 1000lbs at least in the bed. Thanks for any response and keep up the addiction...
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ROTARY POWER!!! V8 is a great juice for consumption.
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Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
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posted July 30, 2002 02:05 PM |
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well, howdy...& welcome !
Max. weight: dunno..how much do LP records weigh? I once filled the bed with crates of 'em...and added two passengers. How about 5 rotary engine cores and a transmission or two...? Hell, they're rated for 3/4 ton!
That sure is an odd logo you got there...are you dead, or just got run over? Weirdos: Takes one to know one, they say.
(Ha hahahahahahahahahahaha!) Keep having fun! --K.
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted July 30, 2002 03:37 PM |
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That logo is my expression when I start thinking too much about the rotary projects. Seems like you were haulin' a bunch of stuff...good stuff. I did not know that they were 3/4 ton rated! that's great. i don't know a whole lot about the trucks since I have left them pretty stock over the years. Very reliable generally and only had to do electrical probs like all my mazdaz. i guess you can modify anything with anything if you really want to. I sure hope someone has figured out a brake upgrade. I will be hanging around in this forum for a while since all my buddies went V8 or new import and have left the rotary scene. I guess rotorheads are stubborn.
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ROTARY POWER!!! V8 is a great juice for consumption.
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jfaplanet
Redlining
Posts: 356
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posted July 30, 2002 07:47 PM |
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Front-end Swap
Don't know about vented brakes from a 86 or newer B series but I do know for a fact that the 84 and back is a bolt on swap. I adapted my 84 B-2000 with a rotary frame and the complete front end bolted up to the old frame. A frames, steering, sway bar, etc... I would be interested in knowing if the later ones would bolt on if you find out. Keep us posted. Good luck and glad to have ya here.
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74 REPU "Red"
74 REPU "Jethro" "TII"
74 RE-Courier vert
79 SA-SE(aka deathtrap)
79 SA-SE-FC (project
turbo)
http://home.bellsouth.net
/p/PWP-crgj
TN Forum:
http://tnrotary.10.forume
r.com/
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repujeff
Revvin Up
Posts: 71
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posted July 30, 2002 07:49 PM |
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disc brakes
Welcome to the repu group. The following trucks use the same front disc's as your repu: B1800 77-78 and B2000 79-84 Part number is 1854-33-251 Good luck
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted July 30, 2002 09:02 PM |
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JFAplanet and REPUjeff: Other than swappability and availability of the later parts from the B series, what are the advantages of the newer stuff? Are the brakes a bit bigger or anything else updated in any way that you can tell. Maybe the spindle uses bigger bearings? I noticed today that the idler arm and bracket assembly were just floppin around. The bushings are missing completely. I just got the 74 a week ago and noticed it was squirley. And I was blaming the wide rims and tires. Will the idler assembly swap out too? Thanks...Appreciate the input...If I find anything, I will surely forward the news.
Quest for big brakes.
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repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
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posted August 03, 2002 09:17 PM |
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I have seen a truck with Turbo II brakes installed. I think that the spindles could be matched to the disc with the right bearings. The calpiers are also T2. I need to see if this guy still has this truck?
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77' REPU plus a few spare parts
for it.
85' GSL-SE
83' GSL
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted August 05, 2002 10:31 AM |
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guru:
I remember some article or something from long ago now that you jogged my memory. I thought that was a great conversion but for the life of me, I cannot remember where I saw it or heard of it. Would be nice to have since I do have a pair of calipers but no disks to try it out. I wonder if the guy had to use an adapter plate for the calipers? Post it if you find it, I'll start to dig as well...
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ROTARY POWER!!! V8 is a great juice for consumption.
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repuguru
Redlining
Posts: 319
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posted August 05, 2002 09:18 PM |
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This truck was set up as a SCCA Rally truck back in 89 or 90. A tech named Mike Harris at Mazda Comp built it when Mazda made their brief stop in Charlotte before killing the race program.
The frame is shorted and the hung the rearend from the same TurboII they robbed the rest of the parts from.
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77' REPU plus a few spare parts
for it.
85' GSL-SE
83' GSL
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Rotor
Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
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posted August 23, 2002 10:21 AM |
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I had a buddy that did put later model B series vented rotors on his REPU. He swapped the entire spindle/brake assembly to his REPU. He did have to mount the right sppindle on the left side, and vice-versa. He said it stopped great, and drove fine, but I wonder about the steering geometry of such a swap. I'd think it might do funny things to bump steer, roll steer and Ackerman.
I suppose you might be able to modify some vented brake rotors to the stock REPU hubs, but haven't really pursued this avenue. I've found the brakes to be adequate for the truck, being able to stop the REPU loaded to the gills with tool boxes, spare tranny, floor jacks and other equipment, and pulling the race car trailer with 10 tires/wheels, and a GT-3 RX-3 roadrace car.
BTW, the REPU is not a 3/4 ton rated truck, but rather a 5/8 ton truck, if I'm not mistaken.
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ROTOR
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Rotor
Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
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posted August 23, 2002 10:25 AM |
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Idler arm
No problem replacing the idler arm bushings on a REPU. They are a MOOG part that is better than the originals, and should be available from most any Carquest, NAPA or other good auto parts store.
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ROTOR
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mazilla
1st Gear
Posts: 44
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posted September 04, 2002 07:58 AM |
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Rotor:
What you are pulling is a load alright. Funny,I have the same goals for my truck but I am not a racer and GT-3 would be nice for my 73 rx3. At least that is what i am aiming for with my 3...fast as f! It would be a nice matched set...the truck pulling my hot rod around to shows and stuff. I have an old rd350 that I will put back together someday and plop that in the bed for the 70's screamer set. Man, I can't get over the fact that your truck was haulin all that. I don't think my dad's good old toyota(75)pickup would have been able to haul all of that.
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ROTARY POWER!!! V8 is a great juice for consumption.
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Rotor
Revvin Up
certifiable rotorhead
Posts: 70
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posted September 04, 2002 08:15 AM |
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The ole REPU does just fine with all that! I did borrow a B2000 one time to tow the race car to Charlotte from Atlanta. It just didn't cut it! Going up the hills I had to turn off the A/C, and downshift twice to 3rd gear just to maintain 35-40 mph! And that was after getting as big a run down the previous hill as possible!!!
I've got some pics of the thing loaded to the gills. I'll have to see if the Guru can scan them for me.
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ROTOR
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Brad
Rotorhead
Posts: 1672
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posted January 05, 2003 08:35 PM |
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towing with REPU
Rotor, can you tell us what if anything was modified on the REPU for it to tow this much load? Shocks, leaf helpers, air springs? Any upgrades to intake or exhaust? Is the stock bumper good enough to tow all this or did you get a hitch hooked up? Does it overheat? Does it really brake alright? Can it tow up a 4000foot mountain like 'the grapevine' just north of los angeles?
I got a 74 REPU and am thinking about using it to tow the 81 Rx7 racecar which is essentially a GT-3 car but is built to touring car club 2.2L challenge specs. My 99 Amigo V6 tows it alright but doesn't have enough storage room and is 7" shorter wheelbase than the REPU.
Thanks,
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-brad-
74 REPU Lawn Green
81 Rx-7 racecar. 12a J-
Bridge
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