72 Custom/20 on Rocks, new pics.

[Modblacksmith]

A little much overdue progress report. The neighbor kid who helps me has decided to do his senior project about the ever changing build of my truck, I was kinda honored when he told me.
So progress has been slow but I've managed to get some of the big hurdles out of the way. First we tore down the divorced NP205 and converted it to a vertical drop case along with adding full rebuild kit to it. I found all the instructions I needed threw other forums to do the conversion, the downside is you loose the 2wd option and only have 4-high and 4-low. We built a full wrap case to hang the 205 in and its also where the link bars will attach.
I also traded the 52's off to get the new 2wd th400 rebuilt along with a new torque converter. I'm going to try to get my hands on set of 46 military's or 44 boggers to be more competitive in the mud drags.

 

[Modblacksmith]

I found out that what I thought was a 2WD Th400 is actually a Th475 which is like the school bus dump truck version. From what I've read and been told its basically the same but it has strait cut gears and a lower first gear. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong or to comment altogether.
Works kept me pretty busy so not that much has been done to the truck. I did spend the money and bought the drive flanges to run the military drive lines off of the np205.
I also decided to ditch the hydro assist and go full hydro with an orbital valve I got off a fork lift at work.

 

[ashman]

a little update beats no update.

 

[Modblacksmith]

a little update beats no update.

Very true, I have all the parts to put a lot of it together just don't have the time.

 

[sponsoredbydad]

Crap! I kinda forgot about this one. Wow what a change up. Since I haven't read this in a loong while it is a huge update. Nice! I still love that rootbeerish brown color for our years trucks

 

[70jimmy]

I too had forgotten about this build. Looks like some good parts going in. Should be a lot of fun in the deep stuff.

 

[Modblacksmith]

Thanks. I too love the brown and I plan on fully repainting the truck the same color after a few years of playing with it. It has some cancer and some really bad patch work that needs to be replaced.
I got home early tonight and pulled the steering box and installed the orbital valve. Just need to get a few more fittings and build a reservoir/ cooler for the fluid. I'm also going to flip the knuckles around and put the tie rod and ram behind the axle.

 

[6872xtc]

I have been told the same as you on the TH475 on the straight cut gears. I can't remember on the ratio. I say good score!!

 

[Modblacksmith]

I have been told the same as you on the TH475 on the straight cut gears. I can't remember on the ratio. I say good score!!

Thanks. Here's what one looks like in the medium duty configuration.

 

[muddysub]

i like it!

 

[Modblacksmith]

i like it!

Thanks, I'll post some more updates here soon.

 

[kgblazerfive]

The trans pan is also part of the TC shield on those.

 

[Modblacksmith]

Update

I changed the plans yet again. The Rockwells are gone, the drop t-case is gone and the sky scraper suspension has been removed.

New plan: We'll be swapping all the sheet metal over to the 83 one ton frame and converting it to SRW with 40" TSL's.
I've been pondering running 56" springs in the front and going to 64" springs in the rear this time but I mite just sick with the 52", 56" combo I have now. The truck won't see hardcore rocks so I don't think I really need the longer springs but its something I've never done. What do you guy's think? Go long or stick with what I have?

 

[y5mgisi]

Go long! your plan is perfect and multi purpose!

 

[y5mgisi]

Oh wait, just re read that. the 52/56 combo should work fine.

 

[ashman]

I say stick with whats on there now and finish this F'er up! Gotta drive it someday, right?

 

[Modblacksmith]

I say stick with whats on there now and finish this F'er up! Gotta drive it someday, right?

Hey, I had it drivable for a while back when it was on 37's with the H2 wheels, just not for very long. Hahaha.

 

[ashman]

lol, it's hard to just leave it alone huh? It's almost more fun working on them than driving sometimes . lol

 

[Greg72]

It's almost more fun working on them than driving sometimes . lol

That's what I keep mumbling under my own breath!!!!


-G

 

[Modblacksmith]

Yeah... something like that, mines more of, to many projects not enough time or fun tokens. I decided to slim the heard and have one for fun "on and off road" and have my land yacht crew cab for dd/ work truck/ tow pig.