85 Jimmy's, always something build.

[85 Jimmy]

85 Jimmy submitted a new Build:

85 Jimmy's, always something build.

I guess I need to put the stuff I've done down somewhere, so I can reference it later on.

Nothing that I'm doing or have done is ground breaking, or something that's different than what anyone else has done. Over the years the goal of what I've wanted out of the truck has changed a number of times, but I think I am set on what the real goal is now and am sticking to it.

My end goal is to have a reliable truck, that I can daily drive if I want/need to, that is versatile in its abilities, and I can pile the family in it to go have fun in or just cruise around.

I started with an 85 GMC Jimmy that had a 4" block lift, (yes, even the front had blocks) 35" tires, a tired 305, 700r4, np208, and 10 bolts with 3.73 gears. I bought the truck on 31DEC2005, here is a picture that's probably the weekend I drove it 2 hours home.

Here are some other random pictures from back then.

The bad thing about the Jimmy was that it had some major rust in the passenger rockers and floor pan. When I say major, I mean that the only thing holding up the passenger seat was the carpet basically.

Anyway, I drove it like that, even with the front lift blocks, for almost a year. Then my transmission decided not to shift out of second gear, so I decided it was time to pull it, along with the tired 305 and replace them with a new crate GM performance 350 and a new 700r4 from TCI.

Shortly after installing them I went to bootcamp for the Navy and between bootcamp and A-school I saved some money and got some 6" tuff country ez-ride lift springs for the front, 2" lift springs for the rear, and a shackle flip kit from DIY4X. I also got a Warn 8274 and a center section of a warn bumper and installed them.

After playing with it for awhile like that, I installed a lock-rite in the front 10 bolt and started looking for a 14bff b/c I didn't want to upgrade the rear. I ended up find one for a decent deal and as a bonus, it already had disc brakes on it. So I got a Detroit for it, then I...

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[GWeakland620]

Nice unit sir

Those are some good pics too!

Got any future plans motor wise? (sorry if I missed it)

 

[nvrenuf]

Does this build thread mean there's something new coming?

 

[85 Jimmy]

While I was in Afghanistan I started collecting some parts. I got the stuff to swap in hydroboost, a soft top, and a few other odds and ends. Then once I got back I put everything one, along with installing the 14 bolt and converting the front 10 bolt to 8 lug.

Back when I originally got the crate 350, I decided that I was going to install TPI on it, because I was tired of having a carb. The whole time I had been slowly collecting parts to swap it into the truck.

Then I found this 91 Blazer that had a blown up rear end and a bad transmission.

And I also picked up a Dana 60, after breaking a number of 10 bolt axle shafts. It also has 4.56 gear, so I got some gears for the 14 bolt that was under the truck already.

Then started cleaning it up to be installed.

Before I got it installed I got deployed again. While gone I collected more parts to go with the D60 and some hydro assist stuff.

 

[85 Jimmy]

Once back from Guam I took the front 10 bolt out and started installing the Dana 60. While I was at it I installed some 52" springs to try to get some more flex.

After getting the 60 up front, I took it for a ride and had terrible death wobble, so I checked the caster and it was way off. I ended up swapping from 7.25" shackles to 6" shackles to get the castor correct. I also burned up a fusible link, so instead of chasing it down and fixing it, I decided to put the 91 to use. I had to choose to either swap the bodies, or swap the chassis. Because of the amount of rivets I would have had to deal with I decided to swap the body.
I also seem to do all this work by myself. If I invited friends over to help they'd just drink all my beer while I worked by myself, so I had to build a frame to maneuver the bodies around.

Then I lost interest and let it sit for awhile. After hearing my wife bitch about it just sitting there, I got back on it and finished up the body swap.

I found a deal on some 39.5" TSL's so I went and got them and mounted them on some 8 bolt hmmwv wheels.

trimming some fenders.

Before I got the tires I didn't know that they had some pretty bad dry rot in the sidewalls, so I decided to swap on my other wheels. I also wasn't happy with the 52's in the front. They felt like they allowed the front axle to move side to side under the truck while turning. So I swapped the old lift springs back in. Then I got some 24 bolt hmmwv wheels with 37" Baja t/a's along with some PVC inserts, so I broke them down and installed the inserts, then put them on.

 

[85 Jimmy]

during my backyard flexing I found that my front shocks were limiting my flex, so I got some ford shock towers and some 15" BBCS's from Jek and installed them. I also got and old BlazenOffroad rear bumper that was made for a Suburban, so it didn't fit quite right. So I cut off the tubes that didn't fit, moved them were they needed to be, and welded them back on.

While cruising Craigslist, I found a guy that was selling a BlazenOffroad front bumper that matched my rear bumper. So I quickly scooped it up.

I also rebuilt my old Warn 8274. Instead of getting a stock replacement 2hp motor for it (the old one was burnt up), I got a motor for a Warn 9.5 which is 6hp, I also got a new 8274-50 cover and the industrial solenoids to get everything to work.

That's where I am right now. Although, I just replaced the drive flanges with some Yukon hardcore locking hubs.

My future plans are to install a 203/205 doubler. I already have both t-cases and have rebuilt them, I just need to call up ORD to order the kit along with some triple sticks. I'd also like to push the rear axle back a few inches. WAY down the road I wouldn't mind four linking the rear and 3 linking the front, but that's not happening any time soon.

 

[85 Jimmy]

Does this build thread mean there's something new coming?

The only thing new that is happening is just going over everything and fixing my hack jobs that got it back on the road. I just resealed the t-case b/c I'm tired of everything leaking on it.

The next thing that'll happen is the doubler, I just need to scrape together the cash to get it together, or put it on the card...

 

[85 Jimmy]

No real update, the wife wanted to get some pictures of the kids. So I decided to bring them out to a place that I used to go hunting. I did notice that a vibration that I had, that started around 50 mph is now gone. Either the new transmission mount or maybe putting in the driveshaft 180* from where it was must have fixed it.

I do need longer brake lines though, the front left is stretched tight in this picture.

 

[brans87]

awesome build and nice looking rid! Thanks for your service and sure your glad to be back with your family safe and enjoying the time along with them having you back.

 

[82355]

Is it still TPI?

Martin

 

[85 Jimmy]

Is it still TPI?

Martin

Yep, still TPI. I thought about swapping to TBI when I did the body swap, but I already sunk too much money into converting it to TPI.

 

[82355]

TPI is the best looking EFI of all time.

Martin

 

[nvrenuf]

TPI is the best looking EFI of all time.

Martin

Werd!

 

[85 Jimmy]

TPI is the best looking EFI of all time.

Martin

I agree, that's the reason I even considered it from the start.

To keep with the "always something" theme, I've been driving my truck more and more recently and noticed a puddle of coolant under the radiator today. I guess I'll have to look into that before Saturday since that's when rifle season for deer opens up...

 

[85 Jimmy]

Well, just an update on this thing.

I'm tired of having issues with the TPI anytime I let it sit for a couple weeks at a time. So, after I pay off the debt I'm about to put myself into getting into nursing school, I'm going to be searching for a 5.3 or 6.0 to swap into it. I'm still undecided on what transmission to go with, but I may just keep my 700R4 and NP208 for now.

 

[Jester1]

Another navy man. What is your rate?

Blazer looks awsome. Good luck with the hunting. Bow here starts in a couple weeks rifle is still 3 months away.

 

[85 Jimmy]

I was a CM2 when I got out 3.5 years ago. I've been thinking about going back in as an O1E when I get done with school in 2 years, but I'm still undecided on that.

Hunting season is still a ways off here. Dove season opens up in the middle of September and squirrel doesn't start until October. I have a bow, but it's too hot here to mess around deer hunting that early.

 

[Jester1]

Another bee. I was bu2.

Keep the updates coming i like the stance. Want to see how it holds up.

 

[85 Jimmy]

So, I've been driving the Blazer just as much as I do my DD. This morning on my way home from work I noticed the heater core leaking all over the passenger floor, so I grabbed another one and need to install it.
I also ordered a bunch of 30 amp relays to do the window motor mod (I've had it in my subscriptions for probably 8 years) and got one of those dual temp electric fan switches from a BMW that I need to hook up.
My only other plans as of right now for it are to completely redo the A/C system and possibly swapping out my 2" lift 52's in the rear for a set of 56's and a zero rate. I want to push the axle back around 1.5" with the spring swap.

 

[85 Jimmy]

Well, I don't really have anything picture worthy. But I have replaced the heater core and did the window relay mod. I also replaced every component of the A/C system, compressor, condenser, accumulator, evaporator, hoses, orifice, and it is on a vacuum right now. In about an hour I'll turn off the vacuum pump and let it sit for a little while to see if I have any leaks. Then charge the system.
Tonight should be fun though, I started working nights a few weekends ago from 1900-0700 and it doesn't look like I'm going to get a nap in today...