I replaced the casters with better ones
CK5
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One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban
- Thread starter AgDieseler
- Start date
That's what happens to my heavy ass and creepers.
The truck goes up on jack stands this Friday. It’s time to level up.
First, the magnum transfer case mount gets rebuilt. You might be surprised to learn that I made my original mount a bit too complicated. The new revision will be simpler, and is inspired by the mount system from the Charger. All it does is support the weight of the tail of the powertrain, and keep it from shifting side to side. This also sets up a new skid plate system.
Then, it’s on the the suspension; this truck’s 5th. Right now, the it does two things really well - highway driving and crawling. Higher speed whoops weren’t in the design plan when we setup the rear flip, and there's more of that in the truck's future. The ORD leaves are coming out (48”/52”), and their front link setup and a set of rear sixty-fours will fill that void. There are a few other things happening at the same time - big brakes, new rear 14FF, probably a new exhaust, and very likely a lot of sheet metal work - but it will be lower, more stable, and I'll finally be able to race Wade on Flat Iron Mesa at BB20.
As a part of the before/after view, I ran out and grabbed a bit of video of the current suspension doing work. It has a great amount of travel and bump steer is very manageable. Quite frankly, the body roll is what's really impressive, and keeps my speed down. The truck floats. This is basically a compilation of future b-roll to showcase how the axle moves around through the suspension cycle.
I enjoy working on this truck more than anything else, and I've been real excited to get back on it.
David
First, the magnum transfer case mount gets rebuilt. You might be surprised to learn that I made my original mount a bit too complicated. The new revision will be simpler, and is inspired by the mount system from the Charger. All it does is support the weight of the tail of the powertrain, and keep it from shifting side to side. This also sets up a new skid plate system.
Then, it’s on the the suspension; this truck’s 5th. Right now, the it does two things really well - highway driving and crawling. Higher speed whoops weren’t in the design plan when we setup the rear flip, and there's more of that in the truck's future. The ORD leaves are coming out (48”/52”), and their front link setup and a set of rear sixty-fours will fill that void. There are a few other things happening at the same time - big brakes, new rear 14FF, probably a new exhaust, and very likely a lot of sheet metal work - but it will be lower, more stable, and I'll finally be able to race Wade on Flat Iron Mesa at BB20.
As a part of the before/after view, I ran out and grabbed a bit of video of the current suspension doing work. It has a great amount of travel and bump steer is very manageable. Quite frankly, the body roll is what's really impressive, and keeps my speed down. The truck floats. This is basically a compilation of future b-roll to showcase how the axle moves around through the suspension cycle.
I enjoy working on this truck more than anything else, and I've been real excited to get back on it.
David
Wait what are you saying you will be going fast...... no way.....
I will believe when I see it...
"Suspension in action" videos are always fascinating to watch.
I agree.
@AgDieseler, I'm sure you've thought this through, but I'm still going to ask. Would your body roll issue be solved if you installed a sway bar?
I was hoping you were going to link it. I can't wait to see the install!
Strangely addicting. I agree.
I'm pretty excited. I've enjoyed seeing how your truck works.
Yes, and in fact I am installing a swaybar (possibly two) as a part of this next phase, but body roll isn't a driving force behind the planned upgrade. It's just something I observed. What I can't do with my current packs is get the truck substantially lower. As well, if I'm going to spend money to get improve shocks on the truck (the majority of the cost of the kit), I'm just going to go ahead and link it. Combine that with additional steering control, and it made sense to do the upgrade.
Also, and this can't be discounted, I can't leave well enough alone.
David
Thanks, it was fun wheeling side by side. You are going to love the links and wonder why you didn't do it before.
I'm assuming your not linking the rear because of cargo space?
Yessir. As Stephen and I discussed, pushing shocks through the floor, is a large sentence. The truck needs to maintain its multi-tool utility, and that means maintaining the interior cargo area in its current form. All that, and the next big upgrade I do to this truck, will be to build a new truck.
David
I kinda like the lean going around the corners. I think it indicates the truck doesn't have normal suspension, but I suppose to people not "in the know" it probably looks like something is wrong.
I had this long corner leaving a old house I had, I would flick the wheel last minute and roll the body over all the time. People walking on the sidewalk thought I was going to roll.
I'm in the same boat, and actually will take parts off my truck and replace them with different suited ones.
Hahaha! I believe this.
By lowering the truck are you meaning you want less overall lift? Or just more uptravel?
Minimal lift, with a similar amount of travel - 13”-14”. It will probably 5” of bump.
David
Hence the comment about sheet metal work?
Expanding fenders to fit the 40s at full stuff. I’ll probably place full bump at the point it interferes with the steering box, or the diff hits the oil pan.
12 boxes from ORD are headed this way, and I’m expecting some hard side-eye from the UPS guy.
David
I’m not sure if your Diesel engine x-member is different, but this was as close as I could get mine.
I’ve got the same crossmember as you, so that’s probably where I’ll land. What is that gap? 3/8”ish?
David
