Great idea on the assist handle. Keep up the good work!
CK5
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1991 Chevy Crew Cab "R" / "V" Conversion
- Thread starter mckustomfab
- Start date
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Small update
Have not gotten anything major done but I have made some small progress. Last week I took the truck for a drive after changing the kingpin bushings and springs. During the drive I experienced bad death wobble, I'm not sure if it would have done it with the old bushings and springs but I think it would have. So after some searching and thinking I decided to try the cheapest fixes first. One of the threads I had seen mentioned adding a washer under the kingpin cap to add preload, so a trip to Homedepot and about $2.50 and I had two 5/8" washers that have a dia of just under 2" and a thickness of .17". I installed them and took it for a spin and I won't say that it fixed it but I hit every bump I could find at speeds from slow to 45mph (no rear shocks so don't want to push it) and no death wobble.
Then today I when to the salvage yards and picked up a few things, got a set of front climb assist handles, a VSS sensor for my VSS'ed 205 project, two of the steel GM power steering remote resistors, and a '94 xj steering shaft.
I cleaned up the xj shaft and started working on installing it, it went in fairly easy but I did have to heat it up more than I planned to get it to collapse. After it was in I took the truck for another spin and could definitely tell a difference. Now I just need to rebuild my box and it should steer great! This is the only pic I have from today... And its after the shaft install.
Hope to get a few other things done before I have to go back to work, but we will see...
Have not gotten anything major done but I have made some small progress. Last week I took the truck for a drive after changing the kingpin bushings and springs. During the drive I experienced bad death wobble, I'm not sure if it would have done it with the old bushings and springs but I think it would have. So after some searching and thinking I decided to try the cheapest fixes first. One of the threads I had seen mentioned adding a washer under the kingpin cap to add preload, so a trip to Homedepot and about $2.50 and I had two 5/8" washers that have a dia of just under 2" and a thickness of .17". I installed them and took it for a spin and I won't say that it fixed it but I hit every bump I could find at speeds from slow to 45mph (no rear shocks so don't want to push it) and no death wobble.
Then today I when to the salvage yards and picked up a few things, got a set of front climb assist handles, a VSS sensor for my VSS'ed 205 project, two of the steel GM power steering remote resistors, and a '94 xj steering shaft.
I cleaned up the xj shaft and started working on installing it, it went in fairly easy but I did have to heat it up more than I planned to get it to collapse. After it was in I took the truck for another spin and could definitely tell a difference. Now I just need to rebuild my box and it should steer great! This is the only pic I have from today... And its after the shaft install.
Hope to get a few other things done before I have to go back to work, but we will see...
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Rear shock mounting question...
Ok, looking for opinions.
I have been at work, thinking over my rear shock options and this is what I have come down to. Now I am just looking for some input.
I'm going to be running a 40gal suburban tank, so that means that the stock "stagger" shock arrangement wont work. Also the center section casting on my soon to be swapped in dana70"s" is so wide that it means i almost have to go outside the frame rails. This is not a problem for me because this is not going to be a "flexy" truck.
So the question, which of the two mounts do you think would work better. The one on the left is similar to what the Ford Raptor uses and the one on the right is similar to the stock one. And secondly should I stagger the shocks front to back or point them both in the same direction front or back? Here is a quick rough out of the two mount styles.
I want the rear of this truck to be as stable as possible and if that means i sacrifice some flex i'm fine with that. Any thoughts would be great!
Also a little teaser of the adapter i'm getting milled! I measured everything about a dozen times but I will still be nervous until I bolt it up.... Hope i measured right!
Ok, looking for opinions.
I have been at work, thinking over my rear shock options and this is what I have come down to. Now I am just looking for some input.
I'm going to be running a 40gal suburban tank, so that means that the stock "stagger" shock arrangement wont work. Also the center section casting on my soon to be swapped in dana70"s" is so wide that it means i almost have to go outside the frame rails. This is not a problem for me because this is not going to be a "flexy" truck.
So the question, which of the two mounts do you think would work better. The one on the left is similar to what the Ford Raptor uses and the one on the right is similar to the stock one. And secondly should I stagger the shocks front to back or point them both in the same direction front or back? Here is a quick rough out of the two mount styles.
I want the rear of this truck to be as stable as possible and if that means i sacrifice some flex i'm fine with that. Any thoughts would be great!
Also a little teaser of the adapter i'm getting milled! I measured everything about a dozen times but I will still be nervous until I bolt it up.... Hope i measured right!
Ten_Bucks
1/2 ton status
Subscribed. Build is looking good so far.
Scott
Scott
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Adapter is sweet! For the rear shock mounts, I would do the one that has tabs. This way you never risk the bolt getting screwed up and needing replaced. Almost all new trucks have the shocks outside the frame.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Oh and yes, I would stager the shocks.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Nv4500
So while I wait on more small parts to show up I went and pick up my NV4500 to NP205 racetrack pattern adapter. Extremely happy with how it turned out! It may not give me the shortest drive-train but, It is and will stay a Crew Cab lwb so its not a big deal. I went this way because I really didn't want to use some of the other adapters that are out there and i really didn't want to notch the rear extension housing. On to the pic!
So while I wait on more small parts to show up I went and pick up my NV4500 to NP205 racetrack pattern adapter. Extremely happy with how it turned out! It may not give me the shortest drive-train but, It is and will stay a Crew Cab lwb so its not a big deal. I went this way because I really didn't want to use some of the other adapters that are out there and i really didn't want to notch the rear extension housing. On to the pic!
Local boy watching this one! 
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Update...
So it has been slow going with work and family, so this update will cover what i was able to get done over my last rotation home.
I received my new steering stabilizer, not sure if i will go hydro assist yet or not but for now this will work. Was originally for a 03-07 Ram 2500. Also in the pic you can see the degree shim and I added a leaf from the stock front pack.
I broke down and bought some cheap rear shocks for a 2004 Ford SD so i would at least have shocks on the rear.
Then i started on installing my 40gal suburban tank. Started by moving the rear frame crossmember as far back as possible and adding a little material to make better contact with the tank.
The front two crossmembers, one is for the tank straps to connect to and the other is what the tank pulls up against when its all tight.
Here is the tank installed and a pic of the diff cover to tank clearance. Good thing I wont be jumping this truck! Also pics of the fuel lines and crossovers I used to connect the rubber line to the sending unit fittings and the fill neck clearance under the bed. Will probably have to take out a small section of the support under the bed floor.
So it has been slow going with work and family, so this update will cover what i was able to get done over my last rotation home.
I received my new steering stabilizer, not sure if i will go hydro assist yet or not but for now this will work. Was originally for a 03-07 Ram 2500. Also in the pic you can see the degree shim and I added a leaf from the stock front pack.
I broke down and bought some cheap rear shocks for a 2004 Ford SD so i would at least have shocks on the rear.
Then i started on installing my 40gal suburban tank. Started by moving the rear frame crossmember as far back as possible and adding a little material to make better contact with the tank.
The front two crossmembers, one is for the tank straps to connect to and the other is what the tank pulls up against when its all tight.
Here is the tank installed and a pic of the diff cover to tank clearance. Good thing I wont be jumping this truck! Also pics of the fuel lines and crossovers I used to connect the rubber line to the sending unit fittings and the fill neck clearance under the bed. Will probably have to take out a small section of the support under the bed floor.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Update... cont.
I also got one side of my outboard shock mount finished. I still need to weld on the axle side and check for clearance then build the the other side. All things considered I don't think its to bad for being build from scrap and a beginner welding project.
I also got one side of my outboard shock mount finished. I still need to weld on the axle side and check for clearance then build the the other side. All things considered I don't think its to bad for being build from scrap and a beginner welding project.
Glad I came across your thread. I'm planning to mount a tank in my truck like you just did with yours.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
I dont remember from your build if you are running your shocks in the stock config but if you are the tank wont work. That is the main reason for me going to the outboard shocks, but any setup with both shocks facing forward would work.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Good progress!
Mine are outboard as well.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
How do you like them outboard and forward facing? I searched through your build to see how you mounted yours and it is similar to how I am doing mine. Have you run into a situation where the shock contacts the spring or brake backing plate? I saw where you had it on a RTI ramp, I'm running 64's in the rear with the stock style shackle and i'm a little worried about contact. I don't plan on wheeling it to hard but I still want it to be capable.
They work fine for me with no clearance issues. Had outboard shocks on my K5 too and that is where I noticed a benefit because there is more weight. They've been this way from the start on the crew so I don't have a reference for comparison.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Shock mounts finally finished....
Well I finally got around to finishing my outboard shock mounts, go the tabs welded to the axle and took it for a short spin. Rides alot better but I think it will be even better with the bed on. Right now I'm running stock 2004 superduty replacement shocks on the rear, I have plenty of travel for my application.
Next up is moving the fuel door and reinstalling the bed, then swapping in the 7.4liter/NV4500/NP205!
Well I finally got around to finishing my outboard shock mounts, go the tabs welded to the axle and took it for a short spin. Rides alot better but I think it will be even better with the bed on. Right now I'm running stock 2004 superduty replacement shocks on the rear, I have plenty of travel for my application.
Next up is moving the fuel door and reinstalling the bed, then swapping in the 7.4liter/NV4500/NP205!
Rabbit916
1/2 ton status
Sweet
This what dreams are made of! Looks good bud.
This what dreams are made of! Looks good bud.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Thanks a lot, its been alot of work but has been rewarding, and above all else my boys love it!
Slight update, I moved the fuel door behind the wheel well similar to a suburban. I still need to work on a fill neck to tie it together but, here is my amateur attempt at body work.
Here is a shot of the truck with the bed back on, the new fuel door is on the passenger side and I don't have a pic of that side right now.
Next few things on the agenda are the 454/NV4500 /NP205 Swap and getting the front seats lowered down some.
chevysmithz71
1/2 ton status
It sure is turning out great. Especially since your boys dig it so much
