CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond

Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
And don't think that having a remote filter means that you get to neglect the internal filter...
Dang It! I want to be lazy!!

You're talking about the radiator tank fittings right? Yes, 1/2 20 inverted, I just bought some a month or two ago to loop my cooler in, worked great.

These are 8AN for my application but you get the point.....
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-640390
Interesting. I was looking at Russel adapters but for -6 and they don't have an oring like the -8 you linked. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-640331

and if you wish plumb in a thermo switch for the trans fluid to flow rad when cold and when warm only flow aftermarket big cooler . this gets you the best of both worlds .
That's an interesting idea because I do have some heat concerns like @Bent77 mentioned when on the trail. Typically in those instances I need all the trans cooling I can get and I'm not eager to potentially add more heat from the radiator.
 
Keep in mind you're still going to have an auxiliary cooler after the radiator. It's a proven configuration, there is no reason to over think IMO.
 
@Bent77 mentioned when on the trail. Typically in those instances I need all the trans cooling I can get and I'm not eager to potentially add more heat from the radiator.

The radiator shouldn't add heat, at least once everything is warmed up. The coolant in the radiator should be cooler than your temp gauge reads too. Even if the coolant in the radiator is 190, it will do a good job getting the trans fluid near that temp because water is much more efficient at heat transfer than air. Then your remote cooler can take it from there.
 
Haven't done much with this project but I did spend last weekend helping a friend fabricate an Doubler crossmember and exhaust after he swapped in a 6.0L, TH400, and Doubler in his K5.

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If you look at the front mount under the factory adapter, we had to cut down the round bushing to fit the rectangle tube. We forgot to cut down the washer to match so we just threw in the rectangle washer from the factory mounts. That bushing is there so support the transmission so he could remove the Doubler without needing a jack under the transmission.

12066.jpeg

You will notice there isn't a front shaft so we used a 2x4 to make sure there was clearance with the exhaust to allow for one.

One of these days I will invest in a plasma cutter, but in the meantime, I had to torch out the holes for the bushings in the crossmember.

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The exhaust comes into a dual inlet, single outlet muffler. That was more difficult than I planned as evidenced by all the pieces of pipe.

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For the time being the exhaust dumps in front of the rear axle. He's going to put 56" springs in to move the axle back 4" which will change the shocks as well. We figure it would be better to do the tailpipe after all those changes are made.

Oh and you will note the temporary rear shaft we made. It's from the intermediate section of a 2pc shaft that was in the 95 K3500 donor for my 4l80e. We just cut the tube and welded it back together at the appropriate length. You can see the support bearing still on the shaft with the rubber isolator removed. This will make it easier to move the truck around. Knowing Nate, it wouldn't entirely surprise me if it shows up to the first trail run with that shaft still in there.... :doah:
 
He's going to wrap the exhaust where it's closest and possibly a heat shield too. He is going to end up removing the TBI filter he had planned to run with the new motor but it ended up too close to the exhaust so he's going to ditch it. He's using one of the corvette bypass filters back by the tank to feed the 6.0L so the old TBI filter was redundant.
 
sounds good. I just know it's tight on the passenger rail, I can't even fit a small burrito between my case and frame let alone exhaust.
 
sounds good. I just know it's tight on the passenger rail, I can't even fit a small burrito between my case and frame let alone exhaust.
His had more room than I expected. Maybe because the NP205 isn't clocked up as high. It hangs below the frame nearly 3".

Sounds like you have a good spot to warm up your burritos on the trail.
 
Was thinking about improving the rear suspension this morning after seeing talk about using F150 springs. Unfortunately I need 4" lift springs. Right I'm running some ProComp springs I bought used for $100.

I looked at Tuff Country springs and they list both the GM 56" and F150 57" versions as being 425 lbs/in. So I guess that would mean in this case there's no gain going to F150 springs.
 
Was thinking about improving the rear suspension this morning after seeing talk about using F150 springs. Unfortunately I need 4" lift springs. Right I'm running some ProComp springs I bought used for $100.

I looked at Tuff Country springs and they list both the GM 56" and F150 57" versions as being 425 lbs/in. So I guess that would mean in this case there's no gain going to F150 springs.

why do you need 4" lift springs? I run the stock 57's with a flip and a ez-inch. I only run the EZ-inch to push the axle back (springs are flipped). With the 57's you need to push your hanger back and inch though...
 
why do you need 4" lift springs? I run the stock 57's with a flip and a ez-inch. I only run the EZ-inch to push the axle back (springs are flipped). With the 57's you need to push your hanger back and inch though...

IIRC, I'm pretty sure it's because of the amount of lift he has in the front (from what he gained from not only his front springs, but also converting to 4x4 from 2x4)...but I could be mistaken
 
IIRC, I'm pretty sure it's because of the amount of lift he has in the front (from what he gained from not only his front springs, but also converting to 4x4 from 2x4)...but I could be mistaken

I don't know, his lift didn't seem that big to me. The 57's with a 6" shackle net quite a bit of lift.


2 things:

1. This unit of measurement made me LOL.


2.You are still planning on BB18, correct?

it's up in the air, I would like to. I left Moab last year feeling I missed out on a lot.
 
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