My stepside 4x4 build

[suntadz]

Went for my first test drive

Well i just went for a drive with the new 14bff installed. Took it around the block. checked oil lvl. then again. then went for about a 20 min drive. Ive never driven or been in a vehicle with a locker so i was a bit unsure of what to expect. I heard a bunch of chattering coming from it upon deceleration on the freeway. Almost pulled over but then when I stabalized my speed it went away. Just making sure this is normal because I felt it was alot more than i was expecting. I did notice on turns off a light slight tire chirp if I was going like I normally did with the open diff in it. It also after a turn seemed to want to keep going that way instead of straightening out like before. I love the 4.56 though! I now can use my OD again. Hope it helps on gas because before with the 3.73 I was running through it like water compared to when I had the stock tires on it. Will the deceleration chattering calm down once broke in or are all the detroit lockers like that? thanks for the thoughts.

Maybe it not even the locker I guess. Been doing some research and it looks like it could be my drivesshaft angles. Seemed to work fine with the lift and the 10 bolt but maybe it got out of whack with the 14bff.any opinions? Maybe I need a HAD shaft now. Oh damn!

 

[suntadz]

well done a few more mods. pinion angle was the culprit of my vibration contrary to what i wanted to believe. ohwell. it took 8 degrees to get it out which meant i had to stack 2 shims. I didnt think that was good so i found a better solution. got me a np241 from a donor burb then rebuilt it and went slip yoke with had flange and shaft. this brought the cv farther forward lessening my angle which meant i could just get away with one shim. awful lot of work to get rid of the shim but i felt it was needed anyway . my wife thought otherwise but ohwell.

so then i thought might as well do xover too. so i got ORD complete set with a psc gear box tapped for hydro for l8r. but with a 10bolt i needed 44 knuckles and being lazy as I was and dedenbear(reid racing) is a block from the house I just got some knuckles from them.

So far im very happy with what Ive done. first trip out what a world of difference I thought. then i broke a hub and blew a inner axle seal. thought the hubs wuold hold up better for I wasnt doing anything outrageous. maybe a fluke but I now carry a spare. Now off to my new project some beard racing seats and a tuffy box to install. hope to get It on b4 BB but the seats are on order and I think i will run out of time.

here are some pics...

 

[Supreme70]

If you dont mind me asking how much was your new sterring set up??? I want to do the same thing u did . Your truck looks awsome, sweet ride keep up the good work.

 

[thatK30guy]

What are the specs on the shackle flip and rear springs? They look like 2.5" flip and 4" springs. Am I right? If so, this is the exact setup I'm looking to install on my K5 frame. I'm waiting for a 2.5" flip from UYB. Getting Skyjacker rear springs to make up the other 4" and I already have 6" SJ front springs on it now.

 

[suntadz]

well the xover was pricey becausee of the knuckles. It was ORD standard price plus the gear, weld in brace, and knuckles. probably round 1g for the setug i would figure.

the rear setup is actually a 2.5" ord flip kit with 2" springs and longer shackles. gave me about 6" of total lift in the rear. then 4" springs in the front with longer shackles and a zero rate which gave me 5 3/4" lift in the front. If i had to do it over it would be 4" flip 2" springs and 6" springs in the front. I fit the 35's fine with what I have but it is the bare min. I could use a bit more cleance because when i was really flex out my inner fender corner met rubber and took a small chunk out of my tire. pused the fender up a bit too. a bit of ould work but im having issues on how to do it cleanly.

Also my gas tanks hang down a bit after the new body mounts and 1" lift. I really want some rock sliders and cant seem to find a way to get them to fit right. The fab guy in my area wants way to much to build one that would work to my standards. I could goto a burb tank in the frame but there brings on more issues..................neverending............wife swears she is taking a bat to my trunk in my sleep.

 

[rdn2blazer]

man your rig is a clean ride. I dig step sides.

 

[chevyridinhigh79]

i know its been awhile, but do you still have the truck and if so, do you have any updates. very clean and nice looking truck. how much did the Eaton wheels, HAD driveshaft, and PSC steering box run ya?

 

[suntadz]

yup still got it. not sure where I left off at but Ive done or am in the process of doing OBA system, PSC hydro assist, ORD track bar, and rear disc swap. I need to adress issues with the rear cab mounts being crushed. Have a patch job pf angle holding it together but I would like something more substantial. I feel the engine is starting to go soon but it just wont quit with 250k on it. I also have a ORD engine x-member and engine mounts for when that time comes too. not sure wjhat the costs are but I paid whatever there going for now. add it up and I might have a heart attack