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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
My blazer does the ass end slide to the side as well when I loose traction. I would agree that it's the locker causing it. I am sure you are a lot lighter in the rear than the front as well since your WB is so long and that may be aiding it too. I think the only fix to that is ARB in the rear where you can turn traction off....but as you know that's a lot of money.

Also, how did you feel those tires were doing for you in the snow? Since they are pretty much a street tread, so you think you could have been better off with a meatier tire on there (referring to the ass end slide issue)?

I don't feel like those are too bad of bruises for a long truck you still wheel. I say fix the door handle and put a wrap on that whole truck.....just cover the dents up that way!!!
 
Here's an example of the bed getting beat up.

2015-11-28%2014.36.43.jpg
 
Man, from a couple dings/dents, to totally modified by nature (sounds like a cologne brand). They say chicks dig scars...
Well I don't know how many chicks would dig not being able to open their door. :haha: I know my wife doesn't appreciate it..... :doah:

My blazer does the ass end slide to the side as well when I loose traction. I would agree that it's the locker causing it. I am sure you are a lot lighter in the rear than the front as well since your WB is so long and that may be aiding it too. I think the only fix to that is ARB in the rear where you can turn traction off....but as you know that's a lot of money.

Also, how did you feel those tires were doing for you in the snow? Since they are pretty much a street tread, so you think you could have been better off with a meatier tire on there (referring to the ass end slide issue)?

I don't feel like those are too bad of bruises for a long truck you still wheel. I say fix the door handle and put a wrap on that whole truck.....just cover the dents up that way!!!
After Saturday I've started planning to try and do a rear ARB a year from now.

The tires actually did pretty good. Definitely seemed to do no worse than the Swampers on the FJ40 or the BFG m/t's on the other 2 rigs. At the end of the trail Saturday I was able to bust through fresh snow over a foot deep for several hundred feet. Based on the way they are wearing I think they are a softer compound. Even though they have a highway tread they are stamped "Not for highway use". These are old racing tires I bought from ORD.

If I had a desire to do more snow runs it would be interesting to play around with trying tire chains and adding weight. However it will probably be a while before I'm ready to do another serious snow run.
 
You would think the trees would respect a big truck like that going thru and get out of your way. Trees can be so stuck up. LOL

Yeah, in that picture above the trees are giving me any breaks!

Although to be honest some of those trees also saved our butts on Saturday. We anchored to a lot of trees to pull us through the snow. It really pissed me off seeing obvious evidence of people not using tree saver straps along the trail. Damn, they only cost $35!
 
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Well I don't know how many chicks would dig not being able to open their door. :haha: I know my wife doesn't appreciate it..... :doah:


After Saturday I've started planning to try and do a rear ARB a year from now.

The tires actually did pretty good. Definitely seemed to do no worse than the Swampers on the FJ40 or the BFG m/t's on the other 2 rigs. At the end of the trail Saturday I was able to bust through fresh snow over a foot deep for several hundred feet. Based on the way they are wearing I think they are a softer compound. Even though they have a highway tread they are stamped "Not for highway use". These are old racing tires I bought from ORD.

If I had a desire to do more snow runs it would be interesting to play around with trying tire chains and adding weight. However it will probably be a while before I'm ready to do another serious snow run.

Haha, yeah I hear ya there. Probably take a break from the snow runs for a little bit after that one.

That is interesting about those tires. The more I think about it, I guess with that much snow, tread probably doesn't make a difference, its all about the size of the tire at the point. The larger the tire the more ground clearance you have to be able to bust through deeper snow and not have your diffs act like boat ancors.
 
Haha, yeah I hear ya there. Probably take a break from the snow runs for a little bit after that one.

That is interesting about those tires. The more I think about it, I guess with that much snow, tread probably doesn't make a difference, its all about the size of the tire at the point. The larger the tire the more ground clearance you have to be able to bust through deeper snow and not have your diffs act like boat ancors.
And weight. With it being fresh snow it was pretty soft and easy to dig through.

If anyone is curious about the adventure of our snow run, here's the thread on it: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/spring-creek-the-saturday-after-thanksgiving-11-28.323131/page-4
 
I was wondering if you plan on putting longer wheel studs on your rig. I'd be nervous as hell with the lug nuts not having a thread or 2 sticking out...


Yukon%20Hardcore%20hubs%201.jpg


Yukon%20Hardcore%20hubs%203.jpg


For comparison to Warn Premium hubs, the Yukon hubs don't stick out near as far.

Yukon%20Hardcore%20hubs%202.jpg
 
I was wondering if you plan on putting longer wheel studs on your rig. I'd be nervous as hell the lug nuts not having a thread or 2 sticking out...
These have the bulge seat so they end up being taller than regular factory lug nuts. With the plain old factory nuts they don't look like the studs are too short. :dunno:

You're not the first one to mention it but I've been running this setup for 8 years. I've actually switched to the closed end lug nuts so now they don't look like a problem at all. :whistle:
 
cool. I figured someone has mentioned it a time or 10...:whistle:

I really like what you've done, lots of cool problem solving & making chit fit. :saweet:
 
Thanks, I appreciate the kind words and don't mind you asking about a potential issue.
 
I bet if you tossed a few hundred pounds of weight in the box that would have greatly helped.

Was taught at a young age about that, sure makes night and day difference forsure.

Seen your FB post, looks like it was fun.
 
Last year I did have a couple of 60lbs sand bags in the back. Never figured out how much it helped tho. Might be worth a shot if I ever get motivated to do a snow run again this winter. I do remember it made a huge difference in my 2wd pickup I drove in high school.
 
I'm proud of you Scott, it took me almost a whole year to F up the Bent 72 that much, you did it in 2.5hrs of wheeling time!
 
At some point around 1 or 2 AM the give a shit meter gets real low.

I don't know I've seen the Bent 72 and I'm not near that far.
 
My blazer does the ass end slide to the side as well when I loose traction. I would agree that it's the locker causing it. I am sure you are a lot lighter in the rear than the front as well since your WB is so long and that may be aiding it too. I think the only fix to that is ARB in the rear where you can turn traction off....but as you know that's a lot of money.
I talked with my buddy that was with us and he has a gov-loc in his K5. He didn't have nearly as much trouble with sliding sideways. The only time it was an issue for him was when he was stuck. The time I slid off the trail we were just moving along no getting stuck. So yeah, being locked up definitely makes a difference then.
 
We pulled an all nighter on New Carnage in Buena one winter. I wont say it was sweet
 
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