(80 K25) "Nigel" 3/4Ton of Fun

[kgblazerfive]

yeah me neither.....

 

[TreeFarm]

yeah me neither.....

I suppose you have a bit more of a reason than I do. I just didn't like the woman at the counter, she wasn't interested in my business

 

[Chevy305]

I am really enjoying this thread. I love the charm of the old beater truck but the modern conveniences of an LS swap, vintage air, and Dakota Digital gauges. I also really dig the new wheels! I am seriously considering a set of the Method 305 series for my stepside. They should look pretty similar to yours (but machined finish) and you are the only square body I've seen with them. Can you post more pics from different angles?

 

[Truckman4life]

So...how is the Vintage Air setup? Still liking it, how's the winter time operation and does everything function like a factory system just better?

 

[brokenparts]

Great build.

 

[TreeFarm]

I am really enjoying this thread. I love the charm of the old beater truck but the modern conveniences of an LS swap, vintage air, and Dakota Digital gauges. I also really dig the new wheels! I am seriously considering a set of the Method 305 series for my stepside. They should look pretty similar to yours (but machined finish) and you are the only square body I've seen with them. Can you post more pics from different angles?

Ill see if I can get some soon

So...how is the Vintage Air setup? Still liking it, how's the winter time operation and does everything function like a factory system just better?

I have never driven a truck with a functioning factory system. This one got gutted as soon as I got it, my last square was in Vegas and the AC wasnt working. So far I have no real complaints about the vintage air setup. The install went smooth, everything lined up, saves a bunch of room in the engine bay, the new controls are awesome. The few times I used the AC it worked great, output air in the high 30*s. The heater is plenty hot to warm the truck in the low teens we have had around here this winter.

The few things Ive noticed. Defrost could be better. Is part because I still have holes in the firewall and cab, part because I don't like putting blower motors on high, and part because of the vents I think. It works and I'm sure if I turned the fan higher it would be better. There is no outside air option. It pulls in air from the passenger foot well. Not a big deal for me since I almost always have the windows down but others in this thread have commented about it. When its below freezing and you jump in the truck, what ever they use in the controls to make them harder to move and give feedback gets too cold and causes skipping feeling as you slide the slider. Finally now that I have AC, I cant pull the core support off whenever I want. Those are really the only negatives I can think about.

 

[Truckman4life]

Does the heater box just hook up to your factory vents and ductwork?

 

[TreeFarm]

Does the heater box just hook up to your factory vents and ductwork?

Yes, they give you new duct tubing route to your factory vents . They have two packages. One for a truck with factory ac and one for a truck without. The first just hooks up to the factory vents but has their style defroster. The second kit comes with all new vents and trim panels since the truck didn't have them already

 

[TreeFarm]

@Chevy305

Here is another one for you. Washed the salt off today.

 

[TreeFarm]

Has anyone ran the newer Unit bearing style stub shaft seal on the older axles? I was reading up on Yukon hardcore locking hubs on pirate and came across it. Figured I would give it a try. Just looking for some first hand experience.


National 710413

 

[Truckman4life]

The super duty ones usually get thrashed on everything I have seen but they do help to keep crud out of the tubes and inner seals for a while. I've always wanted to run something like that on all my axles just cuz it sucks having to clean the tubes out.

 

[TreeFarm]

The super duty ones usually get thrashed on everything I have seen but they do help to keep crud out of the tubes and inner seals for a while. I've always wanted to run something like that on all my axles just cuz it sucks having to clean the tubes out.

These seals aren't for the outer axle tubes. They replace the dust shield and v seal on the stub shaft that seals to the back of the hub to keep crap out of the wheel bearings.

They replace this seal and dust shield, with a longer bellows type seal

 

[TreeFarm]

Sweet sweet progress. Most of my parts are here and it's almost ready for reassembly.

 

[LNielson]

D60 for the win, that will be a sweet upgrade.

 

[brokenparts]

bingo.

 

[Justin V]

The hoist is the only way to go with that big bastard. I picked up my empty D60, barely, but even throwing just the carrier back in I'm not sure I could do it...

 

[TreeFarm]

The hoist is the only way to go with that big bastard. I picked up my empty D60, barely, but even throwing just the carrier back in I'm not sure I could do it...

Seriously. I'm weak as hell and weigh 140lbs. That thing is like 500lbs dressed. No way I'm moving that thing without a hoist.

I also have little furniture dollies to put under it to roll around the garage and under the truck

 

[LNielson]

I used two floor jacks, It works really good for install/extraction. Wrestling these around solo is a chore.

 

[TreeFarm]

These hardcore hubs are absolutely beautiful

 

[skunked]

yes they are nice.

Make yourself a T-Wrench out of PVC for the trail, they can be a bitch to unlock with a front locker.