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1989 Crew Cab Tow Rig Build

Overview Gallery Discussion
Unwrapped it tonight...looks in real good shape. Also took the harness out and hooked it all up. The harness was not labeled, but luckily I had my old one on and off so many times, I knew exactly which plug was which, haha. The harness is in pretty good shape. It looks like they left the allison auto tranny connections in the harness even though I told them it was going in front of a manual, that doesnt bother me too much, I’ll just zip tie those out of the way once its in the truck. They did include wires for e-fans if I want to add later (running mech fan). Nice to know I can add later if I want. They also broke out and labeled the wires for cruise control (as now I’m running the DBW throttle setup). Might have to get fancy on how to control that in the cab, but after its running I will probably work on getting that hooked up, so thats nice. Tilden called me today and said they goofed and forgot to include my gas pedal assembly in my shipment, so they just mailed that seperate today, not a big deal. The wires that need spliced are labeled nicely, such as fuel pump, 12v, 12v switched, tach, etc.

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And of course, the most important on this stupid thing...make sure to hook up these two grounds on the back of the head, haha

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This weekend (or if I can get a night where the wife is home during the week), i’ll start working on removing the stuff I’m not using off it, such as stock exhaust manifolds, flexplate (as I have a flywheel for the NV4500...the flexplate will be used on my brothers 8.1 for the buggy as that will have a TH400 behind it), and other things like that. Then work on stabbing it into the truck this weekend and work on putting the front clip back together
 
Killer setup, Goong to be amazing. Did you add a new cam or anything to that 8.1 or is it all stock?
 
LNielson said:
Sounds like a great plan. I’m jealous.
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I may add a cam to it way down the road after I've had enough time to actually enjoy driving the truck. But I want this to be a very dependable tow rig. May not have the most hp/tq out there, but will still tow what I need it to and be dependable doing it. I'm sure I'll be happy with it the way it is for a while though
 
How is the torque setting procedure for the flywheel bolts on a 8.1? On a duramax it is Are you F**k`n kidding me tight. And I`m sure almost imposable with out the engine installed and the truck on a lift.

I helped my mechanic buddy with one last month...New torque to yield bolts torque to 25 lbs then 60degrees, then repeat 60degrees. What a workout!
 
max 02 said:
How is the torque setting procedure for the flywheel bolts on a 8.1? On a duramax it is Are you F**k`n kidding me tight. And I`m sure almost imposable with out the engine installed and the truck on a lift.

I helped my mechanic buddy with one last month...New torque to yield bolts torque to 25 lbs then 60degrees, then repeat 60degrees. What a workout!
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Found this on pirate4x4...it's for a 2003, but can't imagine they changed from 2003 to 2005 much:

Flywheel Bolt

First Pass
40 N·m
30 lb ft

Second Pass
80 N·m
59 lb ft

Final Pass
100 N·m
74 lb ft
 
max 02 said:
How is the torque setting procedure for the flywheel bolts on a 8.1? On a duramax it is Are you F**k`n kidding me tight. And I`m sure almost imposable with out the engine installed and the truck on a lift.

I helped my mechanic buddy with one last month...New torque to yield bolts torque to 25 lbs then 60degrees, then repeat 60degrees. What a workout!
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@max 02 You think that's bad. I used to build engines in semis all the time. Here's torque specs on them.
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I just got done torquing some 12 flywheel bolts and 6 balancer bolts to 850ft-lbs a few weeks ago. It really puts things into perspective


max 02 said:
Oh wow! :doah::haha: Do you use one of those degree finder devices that magnetically attach to a breaker bar for all that!
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Digital torque wrenches nowadays do angle. And they’re amazing, CAT 3500 series rod bolts are about impossible to do without one
 
mrk5 said:
Is this truck on the road yet?
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Truckman4life said:
Yeah what he said
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All in due time sir, all in due time

Just last night I removed the stock exhaust manifolds (as I have my headers I'll be running on it), removed the flexplate (as I have my flywheel for the 4500), removed the factory oil cooler lines and plugged them (as I'm not planning on running an oil cooler...and FYI, even with the motor out, getting those oil cooler lines off freaking blows), installed my new pilot bearing on the back of the motor, and installed the block side of my DIY4x motor mounts (dumb pic below just to prove it, haha).

Also, my DBW pedal setup showed up in the mail yesterday too...Tilden must have overnighted it to me, so that is nice to have now. Literally, this thing is ready to bolt in the truck now. Possibility tonight that could happen, but we will see. I need to change the oil in some daily drivers and change the fuel filter on my dodge too....buuutttt knowing how I work I'll probably ignore those vehicles so I can work on the crew cab, haha

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