Don't think I've said before, but I do like this build a lot!
CK5
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1991 Chevy Crew Cab "R" / "V" Conversion
- Thread starter mckustomfab
- Start date
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Don't think I've said before, but I do like this build a lot!
Thanks a lot!!
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Slow going, I am trying to sell some parts to help fund the 4 link parts, also looking at transfer case options for the driver drop and looking at more fender/core support trimming. I did get one of the MRAP wheels mounted up so that I can check clearances and get a idea of the look. Looking for opinions as to how much wheel travel to shoot for on this truck, I honestly don't think more than about 10" is needed, probably 4" up travel and 6" down travel, thoughts???
Here are a few pics of the axle at rough ride height.
Old VS New Wheels
Here are a few pics of the axle at rough ride height.
Old VS New Wheels
Those tires are just HUGE! Not sure what your current setup is but if I convert my 2wd to a 4wd with a super duty front axle I'm considering this https://torqueking.com/product/6620...kit-for-married-nv271f-nv271d-transfer-cases/ it would work for me since I can keep my current 2wd trans setup.
What trans and t-case are you currently running?
What trans and t-case are you currently running?
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Lol, they really are... So, before I started the swap I had a NP205. I had looked at the NV271 and if I had a Superduty parts truck I would probably have gone that route but I have not found a good way to adapt the 271 to my 32 spline NV4500 without swapping to the dodge 29 spline output/input. I am currently looking at 241's or a BW4401, I know chain drives get a bad rep but a lot of the pulling trucks are running them with way more power than I am making. The down side to the 241 is that I would have to swap a sye and those are not cheap, the BW4401 was offered with a fixed output, plus both have a better low range than the 205...
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year! December is always crazy between work, the holidays and family but I did manage to get the rest of the wheels mounted. I also started ordering parts for the front 4 link, I ordered joints from Summit Machine (recommended by a Stephen), brackets for the axle side are from Ruffstuff, along with the threaded inserts for the tubing, and the lower coilover mounts. Next round of parts should be ORD offset link, getting the knuckle machine for high steer arm, and some of the panhard brackets. Here are some pics of the wheels and tires along with the little bit of parts that have arrived.
Just read the entire thing, great work! I can especially appreciate back when you painted the engine that you didn’t paint the valve covers and accessories a random colour. A nice Cummins Beige makes all the statement you need under the hood. No need for white, blue, lime green, none of that (I’ve Seen all those colours on 12 valves)
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Thanks man, I really like how low key the beige is. In fact, I like it so much that I really want to paint my truck that color!
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
I have the majority of the 4 link parts, not including the hoops and coilovers. The other main part I am missing is my frame side mounts but I hope to have them in the next week or so. I started tacking up the axle end brackets and also got all the brackets that needed to be removed cut off of the axle but forgot to snap any photos...
The parts break down are as follows, Ruffstuff axle side link brackets, panhard heims, offset coilover mounts, and axle side panhard bracket. Offroad Design offset link tubes, and frame side panhard bracket; Summit Machine provided the frame side rebuild-able joints. Here are photos of what I have so far, hopefully this weekend I will have some photos of the links welded up (for the most part) and possibly some work done on the axle.
The parts break down are as follows, Ruffstuff axle side link brackets, panhard heims, offset coilover mounts, and axle side panhard bracket. Offroad Design offset link tubes, and frame side panhard bracket; Summit Machine provided the frame side rebuild-able joints. Here are photos of what I have so far, hopefully this weekend I will have some photos of the links welded up (for the most part) and possibly some work done on the axle.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
So I have a few updates, the parts gathering for the suspension is 90% complete! The ORD frame brackets are in and so are the King coilovers, the Ruff Stuff hoops, shock tabs, diff cover, and ram assist mounts will be here tomorrow. I also almost have the drivetrain/driveline worked out, I ended up going with a Borgwarner 4401 transfer case. This gave me a driverside drop and fixed outputs on front and rear, I did however need to swap out the rear yoke for a 1480 series. For driveshafts I am getting a pair of F550 shafts and I will have them shortened if needed.
The Cummins is back after my timing slipped and caused me to pop a head gasket... I currently have it on a cart with the transmission and transfer case bolted up. I am running some coolant flushes right now, two down already, atleast two more to go. I still have a list of things to do but it is starting to get shorter! On to the pics and video!
The Cummins is back after my timing slipped and caused me to pop a head gasket... I currently have it on a cart with the transmission and transfer case bolted up. I am running some coolant flushes right now, two down already, atleast two more to go. I still have a list of things to do but it is starting to get shorter! On to the pics and video!
Never seen a coolant flush done outside the vehicle like that.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
It is way easier to work on when its out of the truck! Plus with the Cummins its is easy to wire and plumb up too!
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
So I was able to get some stuff done the last few days. I had to removed about 1/4" of the lower frame lip near where the ORD link mounts would go, I'm not sure if this was due to a difference between the 1ton frames and the 1/2 and 3/4s. I also ended up having to make a relief on the bottom of the link brackets due to the Summit machine joints having a bigger body than standard heim's or Jonny joints. a 2-3/8" hole saw make quick work of it.
I was also able to get the links in and bolted up so that I could start playing with axle location. my current setup will probably get moved back about 1". In the photos the axle is about 1.5ish" forward of stock location (I think) and I have a good amount of room on the cab side of the tire but very little on the core support side. I have been playing with the idea of cutting up into the core support and re-working the inner and outer fenders to allow more clearance on that side of tire. I went ahead and trimmed out a decent chunk of the lower fender "fang" as well as some of the inner fender behind it. I didn't get any good photos of it but you can see it in the side shot. I will get more photos when I start cutting the core support and cleaning it up.
I currently have the ride height set with about 5" of up travel, I might go to 6" of up travel but I am trying to keep the ride height down so we will see how that works out. With it at ride height (5" up travel) the top of the fender well is at 54" which is right about where it was with the leaf springs. The leaf spring were setup for 7" of lift and all told it probably had about 7.5" with the degree shims. I also was given a roof rack off a friends truck, it looks pretty decent and for the price I think I will run it! On to the pics!!
Bracket relief cuts for the Summit Machine Joints
Links mocked up
Current ride height
Full bump and full lock w/ fender trimming
Full bump w/ fender trimming
Link angle at ride height
Current ride height (5" of up travel), looks like I will be moving the axle back some.
Roof rack sitting on top of the truck
I was also able to get the links in and bolted up so that I could start playing with axle location. my current setup will probably get moved back about 1". In the photos the axle is about 1.5ish" forward of stock location (I think) and I have a good amount of room on the cab side of the tire but very little on the core support side. I have been playing with the idea of cutting up into the core support and re-working the inner and outer fenders to allow more clearance on that side of tire. I went ahead and trimmed out a decent chunk of the lower fender "fang" as well as some of the inner fender behind it. I didn't get any good photos of it but you can see it in the side shot. I will get more photos when I start cutting the core support and cleaning it up.
I currently have the ride height set with about 5" of up travel, I might go to 6" of up travel but I am trying to keep the ride height down so we will see how that works out. With it at ride height (5" up travel) the top of the fender well is at 54" which is right about where it was with the leaf springs. The leaf spring were setup for 7" of lift and all told it probably had about 7.5" with the degree shims. I also was given a roof rack off a friends truck, it looks pretty decent and for the price I think I will run it! On to the pics!!
Bracket relief cuts for the Summit Machine Joints
Links mocked up
Current ride height
Full bump and full lock w/ fender trimming
Full bump w/ fender trimming
Link angle at ride height
Current ride height (5" of up travel), looks like I will be moving the axle back some.
Roof rack sitting on top of the truck
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Got a little more done today, was able to get the caster set, the axle centered up, tacked up the panhard bar and got some cycling done. I need to get the engine crossmember installed so that I can see how well the panhard bar will clear it. I feel like I will need to rotate the bracket on the axle some, I also may need to move the frame mount closer to the pitman arm. I am playing with the possibility of using the stock Ford mounting location for the drag link but I feel like it will bind up at full drop. If that happens than I will go to a high steer setup but it will be a balancing act because the panhard mount want to share space with the drag link at full lock to the passenger side. Plugging away a little at a time!
Check with the wheel turned full lock left before you move it back.So I was able to get some stuff done the last few days. I had to removed about 1/4" of the lower frame lip near where the ORD link mounts would go, I'm not sure if this was due to a difference between the 1ton frames and the 1/2 and 3/4s. I also ended up having to make a relief on the bottom of the link brackets due to the Summit machine joints having a bigger body than standard heim's or Jonny joints. a 2-3/8" hole saw make quick work of it.
I was also able to get the links in and bolted up so that I could start playing with axle location. my current setup will probably get moved back about 1". In the photos the axle is about 1.5ish" forward of stock location (I think) and I have a good amount of room on the cab side of the tire but very little on the core support side. I have been playing with the idea of cutting up into the core support and re-working the inner and outer fenders to allow more clearance on that side of tire. I went ahead and trimmed out a decent chunk of the lower fender "fang" as well as some of the inner fender behind it. I didn't get any good photos of it but you can see it in the side shot. I will get more photos when I start cutting the core support and cleaning it up.
I currently have the ride height set with about 5" of up travel, I might go to 6" of up travel but I am trying to keep the ride height down so we will see how that works out. With it at ride height (5" up travel) the top of the fender well is at 54" which is right about where it was with the leaf springs. The leaf spring were setup for 7" of lift and all told it probably had about 7.5" with the degree shims. I also was given a roof rack off a friends truck, it looks pretty decent and for the price I think I will run it! On to the pics!!
Bracket relief cuts for the Summit Machine Joints
Links mocked up
Current ride height
Full bump and full lock w/ fender trimming
Full bump w/ fender trimming
Link angle at ride height
Current ride height (5" of up travel), looks like I will be moving the axle back some.
Roof rack sitting on top of the truck
I think you're where you need to be
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
I cycled it once and it made contact, but that was with the drag link in "near" the stock location. I am going to try it again with it mocked up in the high steer location. Thanks for confirming that the location is close!
Turbotimmy
Newbie
Love the truck and seeing progress on this monster.
What 64” rears did you use way back when? Im starting my own K3500 Cummins build once its off my trailer lol
What 64” rears did you use way back when? Im starting my own K3500 Cummins build once its off my trailer lol
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Thanks man! The first set of 64's I ran we just some stock 3/4 ton springs off of a 2004. The ones I have now are some 5" lift springs for a 2004.
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
With all of the craziness going on the project has been a little slow going but I do have some updates!
I got the shifter linkage setup, I had to make an arm for the transfer case and a small linkage setup.
Had to pull the front end to make installing the engine and setting up the coilovers easier. It will also make trimming the core support and fenders a lot easier!
Over the 4th of July weekend I got the Cummins installed back in and built a transmission crossmember, I am getting close to being ready to mockup the coilovers and hoops finally!
I got the shifter linkage setup, I had to make an arm for the transfer case and a small linkage setup.
Had to pull the front end to make installing the engine and setting up the coilovers easier. It will also make trimming the core support and fenders a lot easier!
Over the 4th of July weekend I got the Cummins installed back in and built a transmission crossmember, I am getting close to being ready to mockup the coilovers and hoops finally!
mckustomfab
1/2 ton status
Over the last few weeks I have been able to get some work done on the truck, it is starting to feel like I am getting closer to the end... I had to order some full 180 degree hoops to clear everything on the driver side and i had to swap out the brake master and booster to one for a 2000 C3500HD. The brake master is sized to work with the F550 axles but the square body booster wont accept the bigger master, I had to swap the cab plate over and extend the pedal push rod. I got the hoops mocked up and the engine cage mocked up, I only need to get the tubing disconnects added and then I can start burning in everything, finally!!! Here are some of the photos
