‘82 GMC “Junkyard JIMMY” {Build bash Rebuild}

[andyblack]

I've been thinking. Since this is phase two of your build, I think you should change the look by doing the desert camo paint job. That way there will be a definite distinction between the two builds that way. Just think about it.

Oh and I recommend getting greasable bolts for the shackle and spring eye bushings if you don't already have them. I can't remember.

 

[pblaze725]

Nice Paul. Looks mean.

Thanks bud, looks to me like I need bigger tires.

I've been thinking. Since this is phase two of your build, I think you should change the look by doing the desert camo paint job. That way there will be a definite distinction between the two builds that way. Just think about it.

Oh and I recommend getting greasable bolts for the shackle and spring eye bushings if you don't already have them. I can't remember.

Your describing phase 3. It's in the plans.

 

[pblaze725]

Steering is all dialed in...

 

[pblaze725]

Toe in set at 1/8". Steering arms, pitman arm, and Ram all set to center with each other. Drives straight down the road And the steering wheel is centered.

The hard part was finding clearance between the ram mount and bottom of oil pan. After a few minutes of scratching my head, drinking about it a few times and checking in on the great ones threads I finally found a spot pretty close to my original location, just a few inches towards the driver side.
At full stuff the ram mount is between the oil pan and frame rail just behind the engine mount.

I have about 3" clearance above.

To increase the clearance and level the front to the rear I ordered some 4" Superlift Softride springs. This will give me the space I need between my pitman arm and the tie rod below.

That's it for today.

I can still drive it.

 

[andyblack]

I'm jealous bro. Pretty soon people are going to be referencing your thread and you'll take your place amongst the "great ones" of ck5. Thumbs up!

 

[pblaze725]

Aw shucks! Thanks Andy.



The new to me cross tied shackles are getting installed this morning.

 

[andyblack]

They look cool. They were actually a couple of weeks from getting sandblasted and sent back to Kert for a refund.

 

[pblaze725]

I don't like where this build is heading. It just seems too high up, I did all that work to make the 35's fit with a 2 1/2" lift and now it just looks goofy with all that extra space in the wheel well.

My 4" Superlift Softride springs should be here today. When I get them on the front I am going to step back and rethink about the rear.

Maybe I'm just used to seeing it too low.

Anyone have an opinion?

 

[82355]

Bigger tires.

Martin

 

[Deuling]

See, trimming bad

 

[78SWB]

Bigger tires.

Martin

I agree with this.

 

[pblaze725]

Bigger tires.

Martin

Not in the budget. I want to keep these tires, that's why I got some cheap 15" 8 lug steelies.

...and took the time to make them fit on the Dana 44.

See, trimming bad

Not always. Just when there is a slight change of plan that effects ride height.



My Springs came in today but now I need to correct myself again. They are actually Skyjacker brand, not Superlift but they are still Softride springs.
Sum beaches didn't come with bushing so meow I need to wait a few more days for the bushing to come.



Another concern with getting bigger tires is the fact that I kept breaking my front axle shaft U joints. The Dana 44 outers are the same as the 10 bolts so I see that as a weak point for me.

Maybe it had something to do with my locker + missing steering stops...?

 

[andyblack]

I thought my truck looked too high when I first put my 4" springs on a few years back, but then I got used to it. You'll get used to it too. Plus with all the added flex/travel in the front springs, you're going to be glad to have all that extra room because the tires are going to want to get friendly with the sheet metal still.

Oh wait a minute... you said Skyjacker springs? Nevermind - they aren't going to move at all. Why didn't you get Tuff Country EZ Rides man? With all the wheeling you do you, you need some front springs that will perform, not just hold the truck up. Send them back before you get disappointed, and trade them in for Tuff Country EZ Rides or BDS springs!

But I could be wrong. They may have changed, but they used to be just one step above Rough Country and Super Lift in terms of flex and travel and ride quality, which is to say that you could actually stand to drive down the road with them, but they weren't the best off road. This may be different now. I guess you'll find out soon enough.

Ironically, there was a set of spring bushings in that box I sent you. I took them out though when I went to ship it. Maybe I should have just left them in there for you.

 

[pblaze725]

I heard good things about these springs. This is the first negative review I've read.

They should soften up after a few jumps.

As for the rear, I think I'm going to refurbish my old stock springs. That should make it sit lower and improve my shackle angle.

If that don't work I'll go down to the junkyard and pull some 54's.

I knew this would be a trial and error thing.

 

[andyblack]

Pblaze '82 K1500 JunkYard JIMMY {K2500}

I do admit that I'm basing my opinion on my experiences in the '90s I'm embarrassed to say. Back then, this was the ranking of aftermarket lift springs from worst to best: Rough Country, Superlift, Skyjacker, Tuff Country. In the 2000s, Pro Comp came out between skyjacker and TC and BDS took the top spot.

Of course then you have custom spring packs from National and Al-Can and places like that. They're in a class by themselves.

I'm sure they've all improved by now through R&D and better manufacturing, etc.

Also most of what I say is pure BS so take it all with a grain of salt.

 

[pblaze725]

Got it. You had me second guessing myself.

From what I hear the standard Superlift springs are really stiff but the Soft rides are way better.

We will see soon enough. I have no problem coming back and saying you we're right and I was wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

 

[andyblack]

Well I hope I am. They've probably done some product development sometime during this millennium. Otherwise they would have gone out of business. I'm sure the springs will do fine. What kind of shocks are you going to run?

 

[pblaze725]

Spring trials



I went through my scrap pile and found all my original springs.

At one point I put blue tape on one of my overloads. I wonder what I was thinking...??
I know I had talked about shaping it into a machete but SQUIRREL!!...

My bushings came in today for the softrides. I'm just going to call em softrides it sounds so much more comfortable.

Shocks? I'm planning on some Bilsteins 5100 series. Unless something better falls in my lap.

I have some junk shocks I can throw on there in case I need to make a emergency mid-build trail run.

 

[pblaze725]

20 minutes later....



1 down, 3 to go...

 

[K85 Octane]

I think the sleeve has to do also.