1997 Class A Bounder questions
researching 97 36ft Bounder Ford gasser would like some info regarding the slide outs and the tag axles only one slide , it contains dinette booth and sofa on drivers side type of mechanism, ...
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17,000lb chassis + 3000lb for the tag. 4 wheel power disc brakes (hydro boost) + drum brakes on the tag, with separate master cylinder and power booster (vacuum i think). 245 HP @ 3600 rpm, 400 ft lbs torque @ 2000 RPM. That ol 460 will suffer at 20,000 lbs. Add a 3500 lb toad (max) and it will be a slow day. Average 6.5-7 MPG. Add a set of headers and the ol 460 will wake up a lot! No catalytic converter 94-97 F53 chassis. E4OD 4 speed OD transmission, is a soft shifter and will wear out the torque converter locking clutch. Add a banks trans commander for about $250.00 or I can show you how to build a voltage divider, to increase the line pressure, for $5.00. My E4OD was working great at 130,000 miles when I pulled it to beef it up for my 528 stroker engine.
Don't go cheap on those 16" tires. Ford installed Michelin XPS 235/85R16 all steel cord tires as OEM for a reason. Bridgestone also makes an all steel cord in that size. Duravis R250.
Make sure the front end has a touch of tow-in and a pan hard bar and it will drive well.
Rear sway bar bushings are prone to failure. $50.00 on ebay. (skuterdude)
Ford says you need to remove the disc brake calipers every 2 years and clean and lube the slide pins. I find it good maintenance.
Don't go cheap on those 16" tires. Ford installed Michelin XPS 235/85R16 all steel cord tires as OEM for a reason. Bridgestone also makes an all steel cord in that size. Duravis R250.
Make sure the front end has a touch of tow-in and a pan hard bar and it will drive well.
Rear sway bar bushings are prone to failure. $50.00 on ebay. (skuterdude)
Ford says you need to remove the disc brake calipers every 2 years and clean and lube the slide pins. I find it good maintenance.
