Clipper modifications

[Adrian]

I know I'm going to get some flack from this statement, but here goes. I want to modify my clipper so that it can comfortably cruse at 75 mph. Living here in New Mexico it is downright dangerous to do 60 mph on the interstate.
Has anyone successfully made modifications to the following:
-Suspension
-Tire and Rim size
-Transmission or added a gear-vendors
-Changed gear ratio in the rear end
-Upgraded the breaks
-Engine modification beyond the typical new carb,intake and exhaust (new cam, pistons, etc.)
Thanks
Adrian Miura

[junebob]

Adrian- FASTER CLIPPER.
THese old coaches are to heavy to be driven safely at the speeds you are talking about.Meaning they are topped out weight wize for their suspension and brakes. UNLESS- You have the 24 foot modelDodge [or chev??]     chassis.I am reasonably sure the 24 ft Dodge is a 11/2 ton truck chassis. rough ride and all.As such ,it SHOULD HAVE bigger brakes.Bob Chaney

[Horst]

Hate to be the old-stick-in-the-mud, but I totally 100% agree with JuneBob.

You COULD, MAYBE, modify a Clipper to go 75mph in reasonable saftey, but it would cost more than selling the Clipper and getting a mid 90s fuel injected Class C with a Ford V-10 or a big Chevy 8.

You're talkling about extensive modifications to braking systems, shocks, rims, tires, rear-end, probably a gear Vendors or US Gear splitter system, fuel injection, helper springs, sway bars, beefed up/modified cooling, steering stabilizers, and on and on.

Personally, I would not drive ANY motorhome 75mph, except maybe a large Class A diesel pusher, on a straight road, 3 lanes, no traffic.

Just imagine a front left blow-out at 75mph in a Clipper - not a pretty sight.

Horst - stepping off his soapbox........

[cat]

Must add two cents.  Going 75 mph is no problem.  Being able to safely stop and/or recover from a blowout is the problem.  If you've ever gone through this "experience", you'll never forget it.  60 mph is my Max. and sometimes that can get hairy.

[Cookiecruncher]

Hey Dude when you travel I want to know so that I can be on the other side of the earth when you take that thing at 70mph, this way I might catch you comming by when a tire goes. what do you think maybe you got a space shutle there? no matter what you do it will not fly.

         I'm done
geting outa your way              

[EKS]

If you are going to put that much work/$ into the engine why not find a newer engine with an overdrive transmission that has a lockup torque converter. that would help with the power, RPM, cruise speed, and mileage. Didn't I see something in an old newsletter about someone putting a dodge diesel in a clipper. How about finding a wrecked 1 ton or larger dodge with the new hemi, OD Trans, and brakes (hows that for a fantasy). For an heavy duty overdrive transmission see http://smrtrans.tripod.com/smrtransmissionsintro/id5.html. Anyway, if you are determined to drive like that do the brakes first. There might be larger disks that could go on the front. Getting the slotted or drilled rotors (see http://www.nationalfleetparts.com/rotors.asp for an example) would help but larger diameter would be much better. Then see what could be done on the back. At times with some research you find something that could bolt on with little or no modification. Let us know if you find something as we tow with our clipper and have considered seeing what could be done (I'm sure all clipper owners would like to know what options there are for better brakes). There is probably something in larger/newer truck brakes that would work. It would take finding the right parts man (or truck wrecking yard) to research it for you. Try and do it without having to change master cylinder if possible. There is also the Brake-Guard (see http://www.4x44u.com/pub/k2/am4x44u/truck_stop/parts/bguard.htm) that supposedly helps (someone had put them on our clipper). I would check out their claims. Probably super duty shocks of some sort and maybe something for sway control. Whatever you do BRAKES FIRST, these things weigh a LOT.

[Plante]

My daughter, son-in-law, and 2 year old grandson borrowed our Clipper over the week-end to play in the dunes on the Southern Oregon coast.  About 500 mile round trip pulling a trailer with two 4-wheelers on it.  They usually travel with a large group.  The Clipper performed flawlessly.  Power was not a problem - even on hills - but he was uncomfortable going over 60MPH because of the brakes.  Lots of weight for the size of brakes.  Note:  with the engine modifications I made we are getting between 9 and 9.5 mpg.

[Larry C]

Gerry what kind of engine modifications have you made to get that kind of mileage? Is it a 440? The best I can get is 6.5 mpg.

[Plante]

Edlebrock 750cfm carb; Edlebrock aluminum manifold; Thorley Headers.  I don't know if this helped but I also replaced the distributor, plugs, wires, EGR, and because of the higher manifold I had to replace the air cleaner with an aftermarket chrome job that may let in more air.

[Plante]

I forgot - it is a 440 and it had a valve job less than 5,000 miles ago.

[LarryAlida]

Wear your seat belt.when the body flys off you can still drive.

[Conrad]

Maybe you should consider moving to the Puget Sound Metro area or wherever grid lock is the norm.  Most times you  wouldn't have to worry about being slower than others!    YOu could even carry on a conversation with driver in the next lane.

[Guinnessecco]

I had a 1969 surplus California Highway Patrol Car that had the 440.  It was a full size Polara and would top 180 mph true, I was told by a CHP officer.  It was good for 375 horses with a cam that had a little more overlap than a normal 440, and 10:1 compression. This was with a 600 cfm carb.  I do not believe the engine is the problem getting the speed you want.  I think the wheel base is just not long enough for good stability, too much of an overhang.  You get some winds there in New Mexico that can blow you around.  Most RVs have the same problem, too much body on a small frame.  Get a surplus interstate bus that's been converted, then you have a commercial rig that is heavy duty, designed for speed and safety.