Decision Time! My humble build! "Flexed" it, 5/21/09!

[udy2554]

Well, I've been enjoying my new mud pit. I decided to wash my truck for the first time since last June. I spent about 4 hrs. spraying off the under-carriage and washing all the nooks and crannies. Drove it to dinner, and on the way home it started making some whirring noises that quickly became grinding noises that rapidly became quite god-aweful! Bits and pieces of metal in the rear differential can not be good for it.

I guess it's time to swap in the D60 and 14ff. (SKYYK5 was right!)

Sure was loud the last 1/2 mile home though, cool noises!

 

[gone huntin]

14bff time!!!!!

 

[udy2554]

For sure! Going to have to settle for 4.10s for now. Come spring, I'll do the 465 and 205 swap. For now I will run the 700r4 in third gear with a switch wired for lock-up of the TC.

 

[obijuan]

aww shucks huh?

 

[udy2554]

Yeah! Now I get to smell like gear oil instead of ATF!

 

[udy2554]

Here are some better pics of the ring gear, I think the pinion must be what left the big pieces behind. Starting to remove the 14ff from my other truck, and also trying to mount the old Swampers back on the rims with screw drivers and ratchet straps!

 

[udy2554]

Pinion is toast!

 

[udy2554]

Decision Made! Pics too!

After losing my 10 bolt rear, I've decided to try to swap in the 14ff and D60 before winter and hunting season,(2 weeks!). I've never done this before, so it might be interesting.
I sawzalled off the old u-bolts, no sense in wasting time with a marginal impact gun. My traction bars, (overhead, to not limit articulation) seem to want to keep the bolts in the sleeve. I may or may not use them .
Well, the axle is out, and two swampers have been remounted with new valve stems. I also got the old exhaust out. It was brand new with Cherry Bomb Vortex mufflers.
Lots of fun! Here are some pics!

 

[udy2554]

I believe the perches may be a little taller on the one tons than on the 10 bolts. I'm hoping the 38's will fit. The '89 (blue one) has 6" lift, while the other one only had 4". I may need to use a 1" body lift and do a little fender trimming. I hate to do it on a rust free body though. (I do have a few new dents though). We'll have to see. There's quite a difference in height between the 37" DC FC II's and the 38" Swampers. Think they'll fit? Here's a little more yard art, it's becomming quite a collection.

 

[toomany]

I believe the perches may be a little taller on the one tons than on the 10 bolts. I'm hoping the 38's will fit. The '89 (blue one) has 6" lift, while the other one only had 4". I may need to use a 1" body lift and do a little fender trimming.

The tubes may be thicker, giving a slight amount of lift. Maybe 1/4". I've got 38's with a 6" lift. Had to trim the font some but not as much as I thoght I would. The rear has been fine. But I don't flex my suspension out, just run through the mud.

That yellow truck has an awesome tailgate.

 

[udy2554]

Thanks, a friend did that for me, the hood has been done too. It's on another '87 suburban. I will get that back when he has his truck painted.

 

[h0wl0ngcanitbe]

wow thats quite the collection! nice too have at least one rig to always drive around in right! not so sure about the ford though, for some reason people around me keep callin my k5 a bronco and it irritates the heck outta me!!!

 

[udy2554]

Yeah, I know what you mean. My WS6 was always some kind of a Camaro too! The bronco is my step-daughter's truck. Her father gave it to her a couple of months ago. She is done with driver's ed. and is going for her test soon. The bronco has a fuel injected 351. Pretty cool for a first car! I'm not much of a mechanic, but I'm learning. Today, I will hopefully drop the axle out of my '89 and get the 14ff ready to install. I need to change the brake lines and add the extended drop line. I also need to figure out the emergency brake set-up. They are a little different between the two trucks. I do like the fact that I filled the Jeep up on Sun. last week and I still have 3/4 tank after 100mi. of driving. 22mpg is awesome after dealing with 10 - 12mpg on a good day, and about 7 - 8mpg when playing with it in the mud

 

[udy2554]

14FF is in!

My 14FF is bolted in! Things still to do include: extended brake line and the lines to each side; emergency brakes; drive shaft. Could any one tell me how much engagement is necessary at the slip joint over the output shaft of the 241? I have about 4". 2 whole inches less than with the 10 bolt. If that's enough, I will get a conversion joint at the axle and wait on installing the 465/205. Tomorrow, I will get started on the D60 with a buddy. Here's some pics of today's follies.

 

[udy2554]

14FF is in!

A couple more of the bolted in axle.

 

[Avery4jc]

What size rims are you running? Don't forget when you swap in that D60 front you'll have to do some grinding to fit 15's...

Looks like you're making quick work of it though.

 

[udy2554]

Ouch! It appears that struggling with the rear axle by myself has irritated a disc in my back and possibly pinched a nerve. My armpit, funny bone and index finger, ring finger, and thumb are all numb or tingling. 2 hydrocodones, a handful of ibuprophens (6), and a couple of alleves have not helped with the pain. The emergency trip to my chiropractor and some electrical stimulation seems to have helped a little, but still have a good amount of pain through the shoulder and neck. Still numb too! So, no progress today on the truck, but a lot of half concious watching of hunting on tv. Can't wait to try to sleep in bed, then go to work inthe morning. Maybe then I can start on the D60 swap! Wish me luck, thanks!

 

[udy2554]

Just missed you, My old truck had 16.5's on it. I did have to replace a couple dry rotted valve stems though. So far it has gone pretty smooth. I think I did some damage to my back lifting the 14ff onto a jack by myself. I left a tire mounted, then lifted the other end and swung it onto the floor jack. I know, not that smart. Have I mentioned that I'm Polish, have had 6 concussions, and my mom smoke and drank during her pregnancy? I have lots of excuses for doing dumb things.

 

[mudboggink5]

Its always nice to have a freind help with swaping these axles. They are heavy. Take it easy,and good luck with the rest of the swap.

 

[udy2554]

Thanks, a couple of hydros and a sleep aid are comming right up. Hope to get some decent sleep tonight. It's funny how many things come up when you need friends for help. Most of the time they are right there, but not yesterday!