One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

[AgDieseler]

Are you going to notch the front also to lower the fairlead?

Yessir. The notch will be structural. Not sure if it’ll be billet or welded plate. I still have to draw it.

I'm curious, what size wire did you run from the batteries up to the front?

2/0

All those amps traveling 20’ needs huge cable. Both the power and ground make home runs all the way back to the batteries with 3 or 4 frame grounds along the way.

The cables get warm during extended winching or when I cranked to prime the fuel on the new engine, but that was it.

David

 

[imiceman44]

I'm curious, what size wire did you run from the batteries up to the front? How long have you had the batteries relocated?

Pigeonrat has it's battery relocated under the rear seats, so not quite as long of a run, but I think I'm running 2ga wire. I've been having issues with it starting when the starter gets hot (I assume). I'm running headers, but I have a heat shield on the starter. The thing is, a jump start will get the starter going, so I'm thinking it has something to do with voltage drop with the battery being so far away.

I have my negative wire connected to the frame near the battery and the 2ga positive cable running to a distribution block above the front passenger tire. The starter gets power from there. I'm going to try rerouting the 2ga wire directly to the starter, then have the wire from the starter power the distribution block. I'm hoping that helps keep the starter working.

Just wondering if you are having any of the same issues.

I run 2/0 at minimum

 

[warrpath4x4]

2/0 is what I build all my battery cable from also, I specifically use welding ground cable.

 

[shady]

The welding cable I've used does real poorly if you get oil on it.
I use the Oxygen free copper (OFC) stuff for stereos. It's kind of expensive, but in the end worth it to me.
Also, if I'm running a long way down a frame rail I use pex tubing as a conduit.
Run the cable through when it's straight, then heat up and bend if needed to follow the rail or make a 90. Seal the ends with rtv or a tape you trust.
Hang with normal conduit clips.

 

[ashman]

I think I mispoke, I think it is 2/0 wire after looking up the wire sizes.

2/0 is what I build all my battery cable from also, I specifically use welding ground cable.

That is what I used.

Anyway, thanks for the info all. If I have more questions I'll ask in my own build.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Damnit, I've not been getting updates on this even though I'm subbed.

 

[AgDieseler]

1-3/4” down, 7/8” forward

I plasma’d the rough dimensions, and then milled to the final. Fit is super tight.



David

 

[AgDieseler]

Definitely cutting out about 1-5/8 of that 2” tube.






I’ll get this all burned in, and draw up the fairlead mount.

Meanwhile crisp line is laser straight and the quarters are in final primer - that’s a huge milestone.



View attachment IMG_0081.mov

Bumper check fit today along with a final test can of dark blue paint.

David

 

[Blue85]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this.

 

[imiceman44]

Definitely cutting out about 1-5/8 of that 2” tube.

View attachment 508451


View attachment 508450

I’ll get this all burned in, and draw up the fairlead mount.

Meanwhile crisp line is laser straight and the quarters are in final primer - that’s a huge milestone.

View attachment 508452

View attachment 508453

Bumper check fit today along with a final test can of dark blue paint.

David

Reminds me when I was doing that to my 79 conversion van and my 74 k5.

 

[Wes Harden]

Yes @Blue85, I was hoping to see at BB25,then remembered the loaner is going to BB25

 

[Fastereddie]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this.

Me too. Gonna be sexy in a fresh blue suit.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Me too. Gonna be sexy in a fresh blue suit.

Big booty Judy doesn't wear suits, shes a classy gal in a elegant cocktail dress cause she likes to party.

 

[AgDieseler]

shes a classy gal in a elegant cocktail dress cause she likes to party.

That’s one big ass dress.

Final bumper-quarter rough clearance check before I take it for mods and sandblasting.



The quarters are curing in 5 coats of epoxy high build while the doors get filler. Gabe will block this down and seal it over the next week or so.

Confirmed final-final paint. Seymour starts mixing, now.

David

 

[Fastereddie]

That’s one big ass dress.

Final bumper-quarter rough clearance check before I take it for mods and sandblasting.

View attachment 508471

The quarters are curing in 5 coats of epoxy high build while the doors get filler. Gabe will block this down and sealing it over the next week or so.

Confirmed final-final paint. Seymour starts mixing, now.

David

Im’a Wreck it!

 

[AgDieseler]

The roof has all forty years on display. Never had hail repair and it’s had a lot of gear on it. Now, it’s stripped.

The roof will be coated in 2K bedliner, and at 8’ in the air, that body work is less demanding.



Doors are blocked and sealed.



The barn doors came out super smooth and glassy.



David

 

[Babaganoosh]

That's it I'm doing a turn and burn trip to Sema.






I can't wait to blow you up with pictures of my truck in the same condition, we have talked about it for years doing this to Dad's old truck.

 

[AgDieseler]

That's it I'm doing a turn and burn trip to Sema.

See you there, bud.

David

 

[ashman]

Bed liner on the roof? You're making me miss my old landaue top Monte Carlo.

 

[AgDieseler]

Bed liner on the roof?

Just the area you can’t see standing on the ground. Slightly less pimp than the Monte.

David