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crew cab for FS Truck??? Not this one.

Metrodps

Metrodps

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reserved for comparison and truck purchase.

I have found the truck it is 2x4 and will need to be converted to 4x4
So it is offical the Forest Service build is moving ahead. gofundme.com/te4wc4c I will be needing to do a 4x4 front so lets get the list of what I will need to make a 2x4 to a 4x4 going

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best thing would be to look at a few of the other converted threads. They'll have the best complete info, such as MRK5 (scott) build. Of course you'll get the typical responses of cross member, axle, springs, yada yada.. But its the little detailed things I think your looking for.
 
Woohooo, can't wait to see this take shape.


Take it from me. I have done two different type of 4wd swaps on the same frame.... Frame swap it with a 4wd and add lift springs if desired.
 
After finally finishing the rear suspension, I've been telling people I wouldn't ever do it again. Absolutely nothing is a straight bolt in between 4wd and 2wd. At least as far as the drive train goes.

You'll have to fab front hangers or you can use a DIY4X B52 kit but only a couple of holes line with that. Then you need a frame mounted bushing assembly and you'll either need to notch the frame at the rear hanger or drop the front hangers down. Or some other method of trying to get the springs right for the correct caster angle.

You'll need to fab an engine crossmember. I modified an ORD tubular crossmember which required redrilling a couple holes to line up with the frame holes. Also fabbed the transmission crossmember.

You'll need a hole in the floor for the factory tcase shifter or do an aftermarket cable shifter like I got from JB Custom Fab.

The spring hangers for the rear springs are 3" shorter than on a 4wd. So you'll either need to fab new hangers, source some 4wd hangers that have been removed in good condition, or DIY4X can make the front hangers and you can use a shackle flip. The shackle flip will also require drilling holes as only 2 of the 8 on each bracket will line up. Or you could also do like I did for a couple of years and use lift blocks to make up the difference for the shorter rear hangers.

Most all of that info is in the first post of my build thread.
 
What mrk5 said, I can't disagree with a single thing he said, I used a lot of information from his conversion to do my conversion.
I converted mine because I was going to change everything anyway, had all the brackets and I got a great deal on the suburban.
For what your plans are I would look for a good 4x roller, don't remember exactly how it sat but how bad would it be if it was a lifted two wheel drive, save a lot of money and time.
 
I know it should be 4x4, but you're talking 1 ton stuff since you need 4 doors. That's gunna cost double. As much as I hate to say it, 2wd might be the way to go. Or find a roller 4wd. Dunno Laurence, good luck bud.
 
K85 Octane said:
I know it should be 4x4, but you're talking 1 ton stuff since you need 4 doors. That's gunna cost double. As much as I hate to say it, 2wd might be the way to go. Or find a roller 4wd. Dunno Laurence, good luck bud.
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Wait...why must it be 1-ton stuff? Is there some reason that a D44/10-bolt wouldn't work in the front?
 
easiest way "I think" to convert it over would be a radius arm setup with a coil and shock setup. Much like a F250, looking back I kind of think I could have done this much easier but I love the ORD 4 link.
 
Well, judging by the Dante's Peak build, Lawrence is gonna want to stay as true to the truck used in the movie as possible. Cheating a 44 under it is probably the furthest stray from true you could likely get away with visually. Us hardcore GM square body guys can spot the difference a mile away, but to 99% of people out there they'd be hard pressed to notice. Cover shape is the same as the D60, just a little smaller. The only other 'tell' is hub size...again it'll take an eagle eye to spot the difference for most people.

The forest truck had no lift, which would help sell the 44 vs the 60 easily. It would save 1000-1500 on the build.

I think i'd use lift springs in the rear to get it to stock 4x4 height. What is it...3" diff from 2WD? Front is more work...
 
campfire said:
Wait...why must it be 1-ton stuff? Is there some reason that a D44/10-bolt wouldn't work in the front?
Click to expand...

nah, just saying most CC 4x4 trucks are going to be 1 ton. Just more money needed when he could get away with half ton.

The one Laurence posted looks really nice, especially with the box bed ready to go
 
OK the body has to be exact as movie. Iwill go with what ever motor it has he said it smokes when you start it (made valve guide seals or rings). I think I can get away with it being 2wd for the visual. Would rather have 4x4 but as it stands the guy is pushing for the money.

He wants $2,200 for truck and then I have to get it here to Colorado.

I am going to reach out to Roger Donaldson to see if he would buy it. The end goal is to have it in Wallace for the 20th event and also have the two at shows together. It will be the two rig for the Burb since it drinks gas towing with the CC can't be that much worse.
 
tRustyK5 said:
Well, judging by the Dante's Peak build, Lawrence is gonna want to stay as true to the truck used in the movie as possible.
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The Suburban in the movie had gray interior and an automatic, his Suburban has brown and a 4 speed.

I would think 95% of the public wouldn't even notice if it was 2wd.

Martin
 
The main thing right now is to get the truck.

On the suburban; I will if time allows get the gray interior in it; the lord willing.
 
You guys can bash me if you want, but is building a reproduction of the fire service truck really all that interesting??? :dunno:

If you say "Dante's Peak Movie" to people.... 99 times out of 100 they are going to say "Red Suburban with the snorkel!!!"..... it's going to be a rare person that says "Green Fire Service truck that drives through molten lava!!" :D


In a perfect world where resources, time and money are unlimited.....sure, why not?...build the green truck....

But I remember how hard it was to get the funding and parts for the red Suburban project. It just seems like doing another Dante's Peak vehicle (especially one that IMHO is far less memorable and recognizable) is going to take a LOT of financial resources and the payoff at the end just won't be nearly as good as it was when the red Suburban was completed.


I wish you luck with it if this is your dream... :waytogo: but looking at it as an "objective 3rd Party" it just doesn't seem like it's going to create that same emotional reaction with people if you build it.






-G
 
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Unless I needed a crew with a tool box for other things in life, I think I'm with Greg72 here. I don't see any real reason to tow the burb? That seems like a major hassle for a totally drivable truck.

Here's a fun site to parouse for old government forest service trucks. Type chevrolet into the search bar. It's where I got fire truck albeit with a bit of hassle from a bum forest service guy.

http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/aucalsrh/
 
I don't think he is saying that he does need a tow rig, just that if he bought it, he could use it as a tow rig, and take both rigs to the same place with one driver.

I think it would be kind of neat to have both rigs.

Martin
 
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