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
I'm going to try very hard to never say this again, so he better enjoy it now. @Bent77 was right.

20200808_131940.jpg

Ain't even close to full articulation. Couldn't even check rear clearance to the exhaust.

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Looks like I need to plan on cutting the end of the slider off square at the round tube. The trim the fender to match. I will likely have to cut the bottom of the inner fender off. Or maybe I can beat it back.

Funny how all the room I thought I had with 37" street tires quickly vanished with 40" mud tires.
 
I thought some about that but I don't have an inch to spare in the tie rod to draglink with the high steer.
 
Move your tie rod down with some Artec arms like I did on the S-10.
IMG_20160626_105814655_HDR.jpg
 
You're not going to miss any of that sheetmetal, nor the exhaust. Cut it all the way back to the inner fenders. And you're going to have to trim the front of the fenders as well. Still have to be able to turn!
 
Moving the axle forward is the fall back plan. I think I have room to do it and avoid tie rod to draglink interference.

For now I have cut about 3" of the fender and slider. I know it's probably not on par with @nvrenuf, sorry @max 02 .

2020-08-08 15.34.56.jpg


Painted the yellow bits black. Black hides a lot of ugly too.

2020-08-08 15.50.49.jpg


There were 2 piles like this from cutting down both sides.

2020-08-08 17.55.58.jpg


If you look closely below you will also notice the square shackles are gone. The 5.5" length was not enough, so I put the 6" shackles back on.

2020-08-08 17.56.14.jpg


The line below shows what I cut off. Looks like that should just do it.

2020-08-08 19.23.03.jpg


Once I know for sure I've cut enough off, I will cap the ends of the sliders.
 
I couldn't test it out today, I needed a second person to drive so I could watch.
 
Moving the axle forward is the fall back plan. I think I have room to do it and avoid tie rod to draglink interference.

For now I have cut about 3" of the fender and slider. I know it's probably not on par with @nvrenuf, sorry @max 02 .

View attachment 348842


Painted the yellow bits black. Black hides a lot of ugly too.

View attachment 348843


There were 2 piles like this from cutting down both sides.

View attachment 348847


If you look closely below you will also notice the square shackles are gone. The 5.5" length was not enough, so I put the 6" shackles back on.

View attachment 348848


The line below shows what I cut off. Looks like that should just do it.

View attachment 348850


Once I know for sure I've cut enough off, I will cap the ends of the sliders.

I think that looks good!
 
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