1991 Chevy Crew Cab "R" / "V" Conversion

[mckustomfab]

The donor truck my Cummins came from had some cheap Ebay electric fans already installed, the truck ran good and didn't get hot so I left them when I did the swap. I have always though that having something with a shroud would be better so with everything apart on the front end I decided to make a change. I got a set of 2008 Suburban electric fans and had to shorten the shroud some. I removed 1.5" from the height of the shroud and worked up some upper and lower mounts. The lower mounts are just some studs that slide into a notch in the bottom of the radiator, the upper mount bolts to the top of the shroud and then attaches to the four studs that run across the top of the radiator. Fitting in the truck is "snug" but it clears everything and the shroud has good coverage on the radiator. I had to throw the front end back on the truck to check the fans clearance and you can get a look at how I had to clearance the core support for the tires. It was motivational to see the truck "looking" complete!

 

[stockk5]

wow this looks wild, awesome

 

[mckustomfab]

wow this looks wild, awesome

Thanks! Its been a huge, ongoing project.... lol

 

[mckustomfab]

Here is a update from the last several weeks, I have the shock hoops finalized, limit straps installed, built a brace to tie the panhard bracket to the engine crossmember. I also got a little of the body work done for the fender/core support trim. I still have quite of bit small things left to finish up and a few major things like, modifying the driveshafts, getting a custom drag link made, and installing the rear shackle flip. Hope to be getting more of this knocked out in the next few weeks!

 

[mckustomfab]

Getting closer, still have to get the driveshafts adjusted and a drag link made, other than that it is mostly little things that are time consuming. Looks like I may have to raise the rear between 1"-2" but it is hard to tell with the slope of the concrete but I am very happy with it so far. I have a CUCV brush guard that I am going to put on, also I am opened to opinions about what to do with the bumper at the ends by where I trimmed the grill and fenders. On to the photos!

 

[stockk5]

so badass

 

[mckustomfab]

so badass

Thanks man!

 

[mckustomfab]

It has been a busy last few months with the holidays,"covid", and work but I did get some stuff done! I was able to get all the engine compartment wiring finished up and ran the engine for a while. I also got the rear driveshaft re-worked, hooked up the parking brake, installed the grill guard, and got the new turn signal/marker lights installed. I am waiting for a new draglink to show up and I should be able drive it around some! I also was able to mount my 17gal air tank on the back of the box, I think I like it there and once the spare tire in mounted up the tank shouldn't stick out any further than the tire. On to the photos!!

Headlights, turn signals, and marker lights

Parking brake bracket

Air tank

 

[Truckman4life]

Damn that's a lot of bolts in that wheel! Lol.

 

[shady]

First thing that popped through my head when I seen that wheel pic lol.
From the movie 'Kung Pow'.

 

[mrk5]

What are the lights you are using for the marker lights?

 

[mckustomfab]

What are the lights you are using for the marker lights?

The ones under the headlights are these from ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-5-Amber-...-/162079033129?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

The small dots on the fender are just some 3/4" smoked LED lights.

 

[sweetk30]

The ones under the headlights are these from ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-5-Amber-...-/162079033129?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292

The small dots on the fender are just some 3/4" smoked LED lights.

$975.00 for 2 . . .

 

[Truckman4life]

$975.00 for 2 . . .

Free shipping though!

 

[mckustomfab]

$975.00 for 2 . . .

LOL! Not sure why the listing shows. That way but they were like 26 bucks!

 

[imiceman44]

LOL! Not sure why the listing shows. That way but they were like 26 bucks!

Now that is more reasonable

 

[mckustomfab]

Had a good weekend, was able to drive the truck around a little for the first time in at least a year and a half! I still have some small things to finish up like the rear shackle flip, and clocking the transfer case down, then do some shaking down and re-torqueing but this was very exciting! Here are some photos and I will try to get a short video uploaded.

You can see how low the rear is, I have a ORD 2.5" shackle flip and a anti-wrap bar that I will be installing in the next week or so.

You can see the new bumper trimming!

 

[mckustomfab]

Short post today, got the shackle flip install and was reminded why I hate frame rivets.... I installed the flip without dropping the tank, care had to be taken to not send the chisel through the side of the fuel tank. After some very choice words and a sore shoulder from swinging a hammer it was all removed. Got the holes drilled out and the new shackle flips bolted up, I am extremely happy with how it sits, I think it could stand another inch in the back but I am not worried about it. At some point I may put some helper air bags on it but I want to drive it some first to see if the coils settle any. Last few things before some shake down driving is a new pitman arm, building/adjusting the rear shock mounts, and clocking down the transfer case. There are some other little things like axle breathers and aux lights but those are not major.

 

[mckustomfab]

I'm sure most of you saw that Texas had some craze winter weather two weeks ago. My family and I were fortunate enough to maintain power through the storm. I saw the slick roads as a good opportunity to road test the truck. With the hubs locked in and the case in 4hi it handled real good. I have been slowly stretching out how far I drive it but so far everything has been pretty good. Here are some photos from the "snow run"!

 

[greatwhitez71]

Awesome rig.
glad I found this info. Using ORD parts and running a 05-newer Dana 60 from a super duty has been an idea I’ve kicked around for a couple of years now, just hasn’t been the time for something like that to happen.
I’ll have to make sure and keep up with this build for sure.