Scott, how much do you use your sliders? Have you thought about doing the front portion of the bed? I want to do mine that way and curious if it is as needed?
CK5
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'89 R3500 Crew Cab 2wd to 4wd conversion & beyond
- Thread starter mrk5
- Start date
Started out with 2wd TBI350 with SM465 to current 4wd with 454, 700r4, NP241
The trail we ran Monda is the most I've been on the sliders. (see trip report in Rocky Mtn Region). Until this I've rarely touched them. All that said, I've yet to get into the bed between cab and rear wheels. I do need to take a closer look tho because there was on spot I thought I might have hit the saddle tank bracket on one side. Been surprised it hasn't been an issue and I haven't been shying away from pressing my luck.
Some day I would like to add sliders to the bed. I guess mostly for looks since I haven't needed them yet. (knocks on wood)
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Man! All kinds of fun!
So did you just add a bolt to the motor mount, or are you going to replace the motor mounts?
Are you sure you only want to go with a 5.3 for your crew? I would think a 6.0 would be more ideal for how you use this truck, and for it being such a big rig going up mountain passes, I would think a 6.0 with a moderate tune would be perfect! Not saying a good 5.3 couldn't get the job done, just wondering if you are planning to do the swap, why not just do the 6.0?
Are you sure you only want to go with a 5.3 for your crew? I would think a 6.0 would be more ideal for how you use this truck, and for it being such a big rig going up mountain passes, I would think a 6.0 with a moderate tune would be perfect! Not saying a good 5.3 couldn't get the job done, just wondering if you are planning to do the swap, why not just do the 6.0?
I think all 3 bolts must be missing. It looks like I'll need to either lift the motor up really high or drop the cross member to get to those bolts. So that will be something I'll do this weekend.
Mostly it's the cost that is pointing me to the 5.3L. I'm also going to need a transmission, hopefully a 4L80E. Plus I'd REALLY like to do AC. I'm also a little concerned I'd start breaking stuff with a 6.0L. I also feel like the 5.3L will get better fuel mileage.
My company truck is an '08 with 6.0L and the newer 6spd automatic. It typically gets 13.5mpg. I think that's the best you can hope for with the 6.0L.
I average 13mpg around town with 35s, 4.10 gear, 5.3L/4l60e with moderately aggressive driving. I imagine 15mpg would be the most possible driving like a pawpaw.
I had high mileage expectations going into my swap and have come to realize that big tires and mpg do not go together...
I had high mileage expectations going into my swap and have come to realize that big tires and mpg do not go together...
Good info, thanks!
y5mgisi
1 ton status
The 5.3 in the burb has proved to be sufficient. As I described in the past, it has 3.73s and th400. With the back full of gear and coolers and a trailer on the back with the two quads it pulls all the hills and mountains around here in 3rd gear, but only just. It will hold 55 up the steeper grades wile loaded down like that but won't accelerate unless you floor it all the way and let it drop into 2nd. My setup will do around 55-60 in second gear wound out. So if I had to drop it to 2nd, it would do 55 up all the hills around me even with a bigger load.
Whole it's empty or at least without the trailer, it does whatever whenever. 65mph up all the hills and mountains if tahts Harlow fast you wanted to go and it can actually pass people.
I do think the 6.0 would would make it perfect, but it's not necessary. With my setup I end up averaging 12 mostly in town and right at 14 with mostly highway and empty. Towing drops me back down to about 10 even on the highway.
Whole it's empty or at least without the trailer, it does whatever whenever. 65mph up all the hills and mountains if tahts Harlow fast you wanted to go and it can actually pass people.
I do think the 6.0 would would make it perfect, but it's not necessary. With my setup I end up averaging 12 mostly in town and right at 14 with mostly highway and empty. Towing drops me back down to about 10 even on the highway.
Thanks!
y5mgisi
1 ton status
No problem! Just re read that and auto correct got me a few times!
If you're going to use a 241 transfer case I have the input shaft you'll need.
When the time comes and you need it just hit me up.
I will let you know, thanks!
First, thanks to Chris for hooking me up with replacement plug wires. I just replaced the damaged wire so I have 7 black plug wires and 1 red.
Damn, cost me $450 to replace that rear shaft. I need to start hording crew cab rear drive shafts. I can't be shelling out that kind of money every time I ding up a shaft. Although this was the first time it's happened and it is one of the harder CO trails. It was pretty beat up.
i wasn't able to move the carrier bearing back at this point. It's going to require more work than I expected and it's too close to Blazer Bash. Just gonna know my limits. This was my first problem in 3yrs of wheeling this truck.
I also had my 2nd Radioshack CB fail on the last trail run. Picked up a Uniden 510xl that's highly touted as a sturdy, reliable unit. Moved the CB to the roof. I like it there. Makes using the mic easier.
So between the drive shaft, CB, and spark plug issue; that last trail run cost me over $500 to recover.
I'm starting to think whoever painted this truck white might have used latex paint. The hood will start getting what looks like black mold spots or something. Since I stare at the hood anytime I'm in the truck I decided to cover it with vinyl. I added a sticker to the center that only cool kids from the 80's will understand....
Damn, cost me $450 to replace that rear shaft. I need to start hording crew cab rear drive shafts. I can't be shelling out that kind of money every time I ding up a shaft. Although this was the first time it's happened and it is one of the harder CO trails. It was pretty beat up.
i wasn't able to move the carrier bearing back at this point. It's going to require more work than I expected and it's too close to Blazer Bash. Just gonna know my limits. This was my first problem in 3yrs of wheeling this truck.
I also had my 2nd Radioshack CB fail on the last trail run. Picked up a Uniden 510xl that's highly touted as a sturdy, reliable unit. Moved the CB to the roof. I like it there. Makes using the mic easier.
So between the drive shaft, CB, and spark plug issue; that last trail run cost me over $500 to recover.
I'm starting to think whoever painted this truck white might have used latex paint. The hood will start getting what looks like black mold spots or something. Since I stare at the hood anytime I'm in the truck I decided to cover it with vinyl. I added a sticker to the center that only cool kids from the 80's will understand....
y5mgisi
1 ton status
That looks nice!
It's my way of cheating and avoiding all that paint stripping. 
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Ah it's not that bad!
Your roof decor looks familiar. Good spot to put all the stickers you get with stuff. Granted you probably get and easy pick at them too.....
Only pic I could find that kinda shows the same-ish
Why is everyone always lookin' down on me...?
Haha! Good way to show off your collection. I figure it's only appropriate that I have a collection and that seemed like a good spot to do it. It's a mix of stuff we've made and stuff I've bought.
Is that a Lego emblem?
Martin
Martin
