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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
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I did end up buying a new, replacement CDI box. It's the same Sniper Hyperspark. I found one at a price I was okay with and liked the idea of it just plugging into my existing harness. I did get some MSD vibration mounts thru @folkenheath that I'm hoping will help with the box longevity.

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Although at this point I'm really thinking this winter I will be swapping in the L29. I'm kinda excited about the idea of having off the shelf ignition and fuel injection components.

Also did the annual oil change today. Should be good to go for Blazer Bash.
 
I'm on to door mirror idea #3 after beating up the 91 mirrors.

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I basically stole the idea from @Tnsejed using factory bases and big convex mirrors.

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I took the mirror off the arm, shortened the arm about 3", and flattened the last inch for a spot to bolt the mirror on.

The main goal was to get the mirror tighter to the truck.
 
Had a realization about my mirrors. The mirrors on my 66 mount exactly like the round mirrors I put on. I like the idea of having "square" mirrors on a squarebody, so I swapped out the round for some rectangle mirrors and added big blind spot mirrors. Technically they are about 1/2" narrower than the diameter of the round ones.

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I obsess about the mirrors because with the long truck, I use them a lot. But I'm also trying to find something that doesn't get knocked around so much.
 
Well I've got some work to do after Blazer Bash.

#1: First trail day I was having some issue with the engine sputtering on me under power. I thought maybe the fuel tank was heat soaked from the exhaust exiting near it and sitting idling in one place too long. No problems day 2, but on the drive home it started it again. Almost didn't make it up the big mountain pass. I'm sure it's another failed injector connector like has happened to me before and is a known Sniper issue.

#2 On the second trail day, I did one of the dumbest things on a trail since flopping last year. We were rolling up to a ledge and I was taking it slow. I kept looking out at the tire as it was approaching thinking "that looks like an awfully tall drop off." usually in Moab ledges have a kind of curve to them at the bottom and you ride the ledge out on the brakes. I figured it might be big, but I'd be okay. NOPE! Not only was it a big drop, it was also undercut! Truck came straight down hard. The rear was even worse. Since I put the fabricated bed on, I haven't touched it. This time we landed on the rear shackles and then the angled part of the bumper. It turned out I dropped straight down on the front shaft.

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I'm damn lucky I didn't hit the trans pan. The driver side landed on the shackle which saved the pan.

#3 The temperatures on Saturday were much more comfortable than the previous 2 days, but I noticed the coolant temp was running hot. At first I chalked it up to a difficult climb, but the issued persisted. I figured out only the smaller fan was running, and the big fan was doing nothing. The one upside is at least I know it can just get by on the small fan for most scenarios. If it had been one of the 100° days, it might have been more of a problem but I try to avoid wheeling in that kind of heat anyway. Now I've gotta figure out if it's the fan or the relay or maybe something else.

#4 About 3 hours into the drive home, we were driving next to concrete barricades and I could hear an odd sound echoing off of them. When I got off the highway, I found the lockout on the driver side wasn't turned all the way to "FREE". I'm thinking I should tear into the hub and check everything out. At that point, I might was well check the other side too.

Still happy to have done some difficult trails and drive 431 miles home.

The injector issue is making me want to push to get the L29 engine swapped in.
 
Better swap a high pinion front diff in, or you should do planetaries like on the unimog axles. I really want a truck with them. I'm not even sure they still do the kit to add them. I can't remember the name of the mfg.
 
Truckman4life said:
Better swap a high pinion front diff in, or you should do planetaries like on the unimog axles. I really want a truck with them. I'm not even sure they still do the kit to add them. I can't remember the name of the mfg.
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Some would say that links would help too. I looked at those aftermarket add-on portals and they are/were expensive!
 
Look at the bright side, your shaft is now high clearance about 25% of the time, the rest of the time it's the same or even low clearance the other 25%.

Seriously though, that sucks. Can you save the parts and just have it re-tubed?
 
folkenheath said:
Look at the bright side, your shaft is now high clearance about 25% of the time, the rest of the time it's the same or even low clearance the other 25%.

Seriously though, that sucks. Can you save the parts and just have it re-tubed?
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I emailed them a photo about 30 minutes ago and they already replied there's a chance it only needs re-tubed which would be about $70. I'll have to send it in for them to know for 100%. That's a lot better than $500 for a new shaft.
 
That's a decent list but cool that you were able to drive it home.

Be sure to look at the back side of the locking hub dial to make sure the stub shaft isn't rubbing.
 
nvrenuf said:
That's a decent list but cool that you were able to drive it home.

Be sure to look at the back side of the locking hub dial to make sure the stub shaft isn't rubbing.
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Yes, that could be a possibility. I remember people having that issue on Warn Dana 60 lockouts.
 
mrk5 said:
Yes, that could be a possibility. I remember people having that issue on Warn Dana 60 lockouts.
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My Yukons did too. I snapped both stub shafts shortly after and it’s been fine ever since.
 
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