86 K30 - Sarge - strong box doubler and triple stick shifter

[jt512]

Well I finally had a few spare minutes and just enough room at the shop to get some things done

Got a package from our favorite resident fabricator (the spindle hub is for the Willys tire carrier )

My main goal was to do a 64" spring swap before our next trip , which is rapidly approaching. So I got a pair of Kerts spring hangers to serve as the basis for a new set of front spring hangers. The rear was easy as I had moved the flip brackets forward 2" when I had the old springs so I just moved them back to the original holes. Tomorrow I hope to build an anti wrap bar and maybe some body armor.in some key areas.
On to some pics

This was 32.........half of a 64 swap

So the spring swap is done, I ended up almost exactly the same ride height and I kept the axle where it had been.

 

[Bjtfsj]

Looks like you bent your axel from jacking it up unde the pumpkin. What a jackass....

 

[chevysmithz71]

Nice job on the brackets. You'll be amazed how much they will flex. Looking bad ass

 

[newoldscottsdale77]

clean install, nice work and cant wait to see them in action

 

[muddermilitia]

Lookin good! You gonna have a traction bar on there before the next trip?

 

[jt512]

Lookin good! You gonna have a traction bar on there before the next trip?

I'm about 1/2 way into that right now should be done today.

I have a few things I need to pick up to re route my exhaust, I'm just going to do a single 3" instead of the dual 2.5's.

 

[muddermilitia]

That's what I'm running too

 

[jt512]

More progress

Anti wrap bar all done

I used some of DIY4X's poly bushing and sleeve kits and a Summit machine xl flex joint.

Installed pic

Did a little "aerosol over haul" to spruce things up a bit

Waiting on a few things to finish up the exhaust, but it should be ready to go for our trip in 2 weeks.

 

[Richcz28]

I haven't seen any new tube in these pictures

 

[jt512]

I haven't seen any new tube in these pictures

Not going to happen right now unfortunately, my work schedule is pretty crazy for the next 2 weeks. I've got a very specific idea of what I want and its going to take a little time to do it right....so it will have to wait. I ended up ordering some exhaust stuff and will wrap that up on Wednesday, check some nuts and bolts, top off fluids and bring it home....I will most likely just leave it on the trailer for the trip the following weekend.

 

[jt512]

I got the exhaust re -routed to clear the wrap bar, it turned out pretty good overall. I used a magna flow Y pipe (dual 2.5 into 3") then decided I would try one of the Summit brand flowmaster copy mufflers, for $30 it was worth a try. It sounds awesome to be honest, similar sound to a flow but different ....I like it


Thought I had a better pic

After I wrapped up the exhaust I still had a day that I could do something more ......so....I got a little creative and decieded to build some cab corner armor . I had recently used a 2x6 3/16" to build a bumper out of, I had cut the back and top."roll" out of it and when I did, it curved naturally from the heat and I imediatly thought....hmm....that looks like the same curvature of the cab side.....so

So the rig is all ready for our trip on the 15th, can't wait to see how everything works !!!

 

[myhichevy4x4]

Looking Awesome

Can't wait to see it in person next weekend!! (I will be riding with Nick)

 

[jt512]

Looking Awesome

Can't wait to see it in person next weekend!! (I will be riding with Nick)

Thank you Dan. ..........




as far as your co-pilot gig....I would recommend a helmet

 

[myhichevy4x4]

as far as your co-pilot gig....I would recommend a helmet

Well it just so happens I got one of those axel off road helmets for Christmas so I should be good. Hopefully I won't test it out! I have ridden with him before and know what to expect

 

[chevysmithz71]

Looks great! Just curious, how did you weld it? Did you burn all four corners and inside the circles or just tacs all over?

 

[jt512]

Looks great! Just curious, how did you weld it? Did you burn all four corners and inside the circles or just tacs all over?

Thanks

I think I had to chang settings about 6 times while welding them on I did burn the sides in completly, the bottom was easy as it welded to the cab and slider, the back side the cab metal seems more solid (multiple layers perhaps) and it burned in nicely, the top and front sides I had to be a little easier on (less heat) and I tried to focus the heat more into the plate then the sheet metal by adjusting my "pattern" a bit. The circles I just did about 100 or so spot welds in. I did not bother jumping back and forth on the spots but jut overlapped them and worked my way around. I did have one spot in the circle on the bottom driver side that I will have to address due to rusty sheetmetal.

 

[Bjtfsj]

What happened to that yellow air line in the back

 

[76zimmer]

I like that armor Josh, and also the traction bar...both look real good
what is your wheeling like in MD? lots o mud?

 

[jt512]

I like that armor Josh, and also the traction bar...both look real good
what is your wheeling like in MD? lots o mud?

Thanks Dave

As far as our wheeling goes, the park that we tend to frequent is for the most part rocky trails, and even a glacial deposit called "rock creek" that is a boulder field approx 1-300' wide and close to a 1/2 mile long , there is some mud but I personally would rather go around it.
We should have a picture thread/trip report in the garage by the end of the weekend.

 

[jt512]

Jake and I took the truck wheeling last weekend with our usual group (see pic thread in garage) and had a great time as always!!!

What a HUGE difference the rear springs made not just in articulation but in the ride in general !!!! The truck is soo much more pleasant on the small bumps and rocks then it was before and the wrap bar seems to do its job as I never had any issues plus the rear has a much more predictable and "planted" feel under acceleration. I'm also very happy with the big single exhaust, it really has a much smoother sound and is actually quieter in the cab unless I'm really on the skinny pedal.
I can say all the mods this round were winners and even the cab armor took a few hits and laughed at the tree's, as the "cool guy holes" also appear to serve as de-barkers

There are a bunch of pics in the trip thread but here are 2 showing off the 64's