77K5. The IronMaiden...9/2 headed for Blazer Bash 20!

[76zimmer]

I ended up driving 1817 miles from Erics house to mine, and averaged a high of 10.7 and a low of 9....total trip average was 9.3

The highway speeds killed gas mileage way more than the mountains did. the engine was in the 3200-3500 rpm range most of the highway driving, and mileage never was better than 9.5 while at those speeds.
The 10.7 was actually while driving from Erics place and through Yellowstone, including the 10,000 ft pass.
the truck was very at home on the highway and even at 3500 rpm there was still plenty of power left when the 4bbl was opened up. The engine is thirsty for oil too...1 qt every 3-400 miles.
It was a great trip home...and thanks to Eric for hooking me up with the seller, he did a lot of leg work for me to get this truck, it was great to see him and Kristle again (and Keith too).
Had a great evening with Kert at the shop...got to preview my wheels while there, and had a great time trying to pick up quarters.

 

[Teck]

Sound like a lot of fun.

 

[blazinzuk]

Twernt no work at all Dave, just a couple trips to Salt Lake, very glad to see you made it home though.

Those tires cause any vibes?

 

[folkenheath]

Wow Dave, lots of nice pics for another road trip. You must be getting sick of driving! Glad you got the rig you were looking for, kudos to Eric for helping you find it.

 

[76zimmer]

Sound like a lot of fun.

it really was, a bit tiring for the drive, but it was a great adventure...so much to see....including the 100 mile stretches of corn

Twernt no work at all Dave, just a couple trips to Salt Lake, very glad to see you made it home though.

Those tires cause any vibes?

Eric, this truck is very smooth on smooth roads....I think a new set of shocks are in order, as bumps seem to set of a bit of unbalance in the tires/suspension...other than that it rides GREAT.

Wow Dave, lots of nice pics for another road trip. You must be getting sick of driving! Glad you got the rig you were looking for, kudos to Eric for helping you find it.

It was a lot of driving Heath, glad we flew out, instead of driving both ways. I got a list started right now of immediate things to do for driving it next year, then a big list will need to be gathered for the restification/build of it.

 

[79rustyk10]

What are you planning for it?

 

[folkenheath]

Eric, this truck is very smooth on smooth roads....I think a new set of shocks are in order, as bumps seem to set of a bit of unbalance in the tires/suspension...other than that it rides GREAT.

So it rides great as long as there aren't any bumps?

I think you should lower that beotch a few inches, would look killer and less drag too, although that wouldn't matter much when towing a huge rig behind you. You might need a 3rd build thread!

 

[76zimmer]

What are you planning for it?

Near term, renew the existing paint, and clean it up some, a decent set of tires all around, and some frontend/brake work. Going with a set of 16" wheels for the near term...getting rid of the 16.5's (already got a deal going with Kert)

Eventually a moderate level of restoration, including body off work on the frame, possibly boxing the rear shorter section of the framerails...using as much of the parts on the truck as I can...a few engine upgrades...possible Gear Vendors overdrive...
The truck has 454/T400/4.10's AC/Cruise/manual windows/locks...may go with some aftermarket electric units for those? and possibly some blingin' forged alum. in the future. Timeline for finishing it: Blazer Bash 2013.

So it rides great as long as there aren't any bumps?

I think you should lower that beotch a few inches, would look killer and less drag too, although that wouldn't matter much when towing a huge rig behind you. You might need a 3rd build thread!

No ghetto dragger for me thanks

 

[BGKYK5]

I think your fuel economy would improve if you removed the giant propeller from your roof.

 

[TREA18]

That's his new generater for his electric powered dually

 

[folkenheath]

No ghetto dragger for me thanks

Common Dave, do you really think I meant ghetto dragger? (OK I admit I did use the word beotch in the sentence) But I said a few inches, not 6. Just to give it a better stance. I love 4x4s lifted, but I also lke 2WD trucks lowered a little bit. No 24" riiiiiims either. I'm talking classy look with a soft ride, not so low it causes tire wear problems and a stiff ride. And no hydraulics or any of that "laying frame" crap. Maybe air bags in the back just because it's a tow rig and it will help with load capacity.

I'm talking something like these...

(don't really like the red wheels)

NOT this....

and NOT this frame scrapin crap either...

And Dave, if you can rebuild a TH400 you can rebuild a 4L80E, half the parts are the same, no gear vendors necessary. You can pick up a used one for $200 - 300 if you wait for the right deal. And it uses the same slip yoke, just shorten the Dshaft ~3.25".

Or swap in a Dmax with an allison! I'm not a big diesel fan but there is no denying they work great in tow rigs.

 

[76zimmer]

I think your fuel economy would improve if you removed the giant propeller from your roof.

wouldn't it be cool to have a prop driven truck for cruising speeds....imagine the fuel savings.

Common Dave, do you really think I meant ghetto dragger? (OK I admit I did use the word beotch in the sentence) But I said a few inches, not 6. Just to give it a better stance. I love 4x4s lifted, but I also lke 2WD trucks lowered a little bit. No 24" riiiiiims either. I'm talking classy look with a soft ride, not so low it causes tire wear problems and a stiff ride. And no hydraulics or any of that "laying frame" crap. Maybe air bags in the back just because it's a tow rig and it will help with load capacity.

I'm talking something like these... if you can rebuild a TH400 you can rebuild a 4L80E, half the parts are the same, no gear vendors necessary. You can pick up a used one for $200 - 300 if you wait for the right deal. And it uses the same slip yoke, just shorten the Dshaft ~3.25".

Or swap in a Dmax with an allison! I'm not a big diesel fan but there is no denying they work great in tow rigs.

I know what you meant Heath, and I can appreciate those trucks done right, its just a fine line for me between dropped and inch or two, and the lowered look. Kinda the same with wheels...when I was fitting wheels to the Vette, a 17 looked to close to an 18 which looked ghetto rimmed to me....so I went back down to 16's
Actually the Crewcab sits a little lower right now than I want it to. an inch or two higher is what I'm going for.

And as far as rebuilding a 400...well, my track record isn't that great now is it...and for a 4L80, you need a stand alone controller too right...$$$, and a diesel swap, although a sweet setup that would be, the payback for it isn't justified for saving a few hundred dollars a year in fuel. No I'm just going to keep this a simple truck to do what I need for towing, and have it be a good looking driver....(or so I think)

 

[folkenheath]

The TH400 in the Vette is working fine isn't it? I think you win some you lose some, as long as you learn from it it's all good. You could rebuild a 4L80E, and if you don't want to, buy a good used one and swap it in, should cost less than a gear vendors even if you do buy a controller. The controller isn't needed if you wire it for manual control, or you could wire it to be button shifted for darn near free but it would still require the buttons to be pushed/switched.

Or a full optishift computer controller is only about $500 - $600, not really that out of the realm for you I don't think considering the cost of a gear vendors.

Or buy a vortec 454 out of a van or something that has a 4L80E in it with a controller, and your golden. Bolts right in.

 

[blazinzuk]

but a gear vendors does so much more than a 4l80 does. 4l80 gives you overdrive sure ( which this truck needs BAD) but a gear vendors lets you split the gears keeping the motor in its optimum range for whatever you are pulling.

I realize the gear vendors is the more expensive option but having been in a couple trucks with em in they are truly awesome

 

[folkenheath]

but a gear vendors does so much more than a 4l80 does. 4l80 gives you overdrive sure ( which this truck needs BAD) but a gear vendors lets you split the gears keeping the motor in its optimum range for whatever you are pulling.

I realize the gear vendors is the more expensive option but having been in a couple trucks with em in they are truly awesome

Actually you can do that with the 4L80E too Eric, which is exactly what TCI did with their new 6 speed. But that's a lot more money going that route. Personally I haven't found the need to shift that precisely unless you have a high winding engine with a narrow power band. But I haven't towed in high elevation either. It shocks me when you guys speak of only going 40 MPH up a hill or something, I think, just give it more gas!

I don't know much about the gear vendors, the only person I knew with a gear vendors had to remove it because it busted on him and was expensive to fix. It was in an ext cab 1 ton SRW Chevy with a TBI 454.

 

[kgblazerfive]

I have a NV4500 would love another gear in between 3-4 and 4-5

 

[76zimmer]

Actually you can do that with the 4L80E too Eric, which is exactly what TCI did with their new 6 speed. But that's a lot more money going that route. Personally I haven't found the need to shift that precisely unless you have a high winding engine with a narrow power band. But I haven't towed in high elevation either. It shocks me when you guys speak of only going 40 MPH up a hill or something, I think, just give it more gas!

I don't know much about the gear vendors, the only person I knew with a gear vendors had to remove it because it busted on him and was expensive to fix. It was in an ext cab 1 ton SRW Chevy with a TBI 454.

giving it more gas isn't the problem, its lack of oxygen. at 10K' you can really feel it...Heath I appreciate what your shootin' for here, but I know it wouldn't be as cheap as finding a used 454/4L80e for 1k and throwing it in...it ALWAYS snowballs to much more than anticipated. At least for me. I had a line on that combo, but it would have also needed to have the wiring harness' and dash components, fuel system, sensors, A/C system, driveshaft, etc.....$$$$$..you've been through it before I'm sure. I'm just trying to keep this simple and not go broke doing it....the Maiden has taken that title for now.
This drivetrain combo is what I was looking for, and perhaps the cheapest way to get rpm reduction would be to swap down to 3.73,or even 3.54 rear gears....that would settle the engine down nicely to cruise at 70. The low rpm torque of the BB would get it moving as well as the 6.0 I got now with 3.73's and I was happy with the way it performed going to Moab and back....short of boosting an engine, I dont' think the higher elevations are friendly to any engine.

 

[folkenheath]

I have a NV4500 would love another gear in between 3-4 and 4-5

be bewy bewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits....

giving it more gas isn't the problem, its lack of oxygen. at 10K' you can really feel it...Heath I appreciate what your shootin' for here, but I know it wouldn't be as cheap as finding a used 454/4L80e for 1k and throwing it in...it ALWAYS snowballs to much more than anticipated. At least for me. I had a line on that combo, but it would have also needed to have the wiring harness' and dash components, fuel system, sensors, A/C system, driveshaft, etc.....$$$$$..you've been through it before I'm sure. I'm just trying to keep this simple and not go broke doing it....the Maiden has taken that title for now.
This drivetrain combo is what I was looking for, and perhaps the cheapest way to get rpm reduction would be to swap down to 3.73,or even 3.54 rear gears....that would settle the engine down nicely to cruise at 70. The low rpm torque of the BB would get it moving as well as the 6.0 I got now with 3.73's and I was happy with the way it performed going to Moab and back....short of boosting an engine, I dont' think the higher elevations are friendly to any engine.

Yeah, I realize the air is thin up there Dave, been snow skiing out there, I was just joking around because I have never towed anything there. I mean, if you are going too slow, just go faster! Like when you were a kid and your parents didn't have any money and you'd say, just write a check.

And stuff never gets cheaper in a project does it. You never hear anyone say, I thought I was going to get it done for $700 and it only cost me $400. Same with time, my wife always doubles my garage time estimates.

When does the CC build thread start? You going to finish more on the maiden first?

 

[blazinzuk]

I know this is a weird suggestion, but you could just SLOW DOWN

Thats gonna be me when I get my dually done, same tire size as you Dave but with 4.56 gears and a 465

 

[Deuling]

JUst get to carbs dave. One set up for lower altitudes, then another set up for higher. Stop at wally mart somewhere in the middle, slap the other on, good to go! lol

Edit: Heres a cheap setup http://muskegon.craigslist.org/pts/2616920473.html prolly same thing you got though.