Speaking of Torqueflights. My truck for many years was a 1975 Dodge W20 w/ a 71 steel crank 440, a 727, 4.10 gears and the ubiquitous full time 4x4.
Many a time I came off the mountain running about 16000 GVW with the pickup and trailer loaded with firewood. First gear was too low, and second was way too high. But since the transfer case had a differential in it, you could run it it in low range on gravel, dirt or pavement.
I could run 3'rd and low on the flat parts, and down shift to second and low for descents. Even without a lockup converter, there was plenty of compression braking.
The old girl had 36 in dual glass packs dumped out in front of the rear axle. You could hear it coming off the mountain for miles.
When we hit the level pavement, we would stop and throw her back up into high range and come home. I remember using low range to come down Midvale Hill on Highway 95 once when my Mom sent me that way for a big load of fire wood.
Oh yes, good times, good company, hard work, great memories.
