One Piece at a Time: My 1985 Diesel Suburban

[AgDieseler]

Where the issue is the saddle tank, with the 20 gallon it buts right up against the hanger. Is their a reason you put the truss on?

I see how that scope can creep. Truss is there....because I was building a new axle and have illusions about doing sweet jumps.

That’s for when he 4-links it later....

You’re tapping into my subconscious

That is how I did mine although I think I used two holes from the old mount

I may rotate a bit more and capture that second mount point like yours. Not sure yet.

The picture kinda looks like the shackle won't have enough room for full compression.

Is that the side of the wrap-around rear bumper?

The spring eye only pushes back about 1.5” at full stuff. The photo is deceptive, because there’s loads of clearance.

And, that is the side tie in for the bumper.

What is your hourly rate and when can I drop off my rig?

Take a #

I’d do this full time if I could. Pretty sure that describes several of us.

David

 

[85k5witha6.2]

I’d do this full time if I could. Pretty sure that describes several of us.

David

I did for a year, turns out putting up Christmas lights for a few months a year pays waaaay more.

 

[AgDieseler]

I did for a year, turns out putting up Christmas lights for a few months a year pays waaaay more.

My fabrication friends call my day job, “the Golden handcuffs.” They’re not wrong.

Meanwhile, the crossmember is coming along.







I’ve got a full day in the shop tomorrow, uninterrupted.

David

 

[Greg72]

I'll definitely call you tomorrow, then....


-G

 

[AgDieseler]

Getting down to the final details.









Tomorrow - cross braces, and possibly the mounting ears.

David

 

[Babaganoosh]

I like how it matches the ord engine cross member, think I may steal this idea sense the factory

 

[AgDieseler]

I like how it matches the ord engine cross member, think I may steal this idea sense the factory

You have a keen eye, friend.

David

 

[Babaganoosh]

You have a keen eye, friend.

David

I don't know if I noticed it before but I was thinking about building one that matched it then boom this comes up...

 

[AugustDiesel]

I was going to say the same thing. Very ORD-ish. Love it.

 

[AgDieseler]

Merry crossmember! Still some fine tuning, but this is the idea.



David

 

[Fastereddie]

Merry crossmember! Still some fine tuning, but this is the idea.

View attachment 363881

David

That’s lookin’ sweet man

 

[AgDieseler]

That’s lookin’ sweet man

Thanks dude. As usual, it’s a lot of hours, but they pass quickly while under the hood.

Last looks before I fill in the vent holes and paint.

















Cheers!

Root passes were mostly straight current 130. Covers were 135 to 155 with some simple pulse settings.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Small bit of catchup, and some level of affirmation about the old 80/20 rule.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Post holiday build jam, continues.

I found full stuff on the rear suspension. The tires are centered in the wheel opening, and I settled on the front hanger position. Holes are drilled and my favorite flanged hardware installed.

Plenty of room with the springs at about 1.5” negative.


It’s about 6” of compression.




Shackle angle at full compression. I bet it pushes back just a tad farther with the rest of the leaves installed.








I’d like it to sit on its own weight before 2021 arrives.

David

 

[mrk5]

I wondered why I saw blocks in one of the earlier posts. It surprised me you were doing all that work and still using lift blocks. Now I see they are just temporary.

What is your flanged hardware? I use grade 8 serrated flange bolts and nuts from McMaster, but they are zinc coated; I see yours look to be black?

Is the tube behind the swing shackle a form up bump stop?

 

[AgDieseler]

I wondered why I saw blocks in one of the earlier posts. It surprised me you were doing all that work and still using lift blocks. Now I see they are just temporary.

What is your flanged hardware? I use grade 8 serrated flange bolts and nuts from McMaster, but they are zinc coated; I see yours look to be black?

Is the tube behind the swing shackle a form up bump stop?

Yep. I’ve been calling those “leaf pack simulators.” Even with only then top two leaves, there’s enough spring to push around on the truck, but not lift it. I went slowly getting the axle in the air.

That serrated hardware is a good pick. These are similar, but the flange is smooth. I favor heavy structural washers under a mechanical pinch locknut. It’s how we setup all the Strykers, LAV3s, and MRAPs back in the day, it’s still my fave, but is by no means the only way. It’s something like a serviceable version of a Huck bolt. This hardware is black oxide, so it will develop a light coat of corrosion over time, but it won’t pit. The threads get antiseize.

If I hit the bumper tube with the shackle, I’ve got some large problems.

David

 

[mrk5]

I do like those metal pinch lock nuts too. I've seen some factory nuts that are both flanged and pinch lock and I keep thinking I should stock up on some.

 

[AgDieseler]

I do like those metal pinch lock nuts too. I've seen some factory nuts that are both flanged and pinch lock and I keep thinking I should stock up on some.

That’s exactly what I use. Coupled with a double thick hardened flat washer, it evenly spreads the clamping load across whatever surface and keeps that surface free from being gouged by the tightening flange.

David

 

[Truckman4life]

Back when I worked at the International truck dealership we had a rack of black coated flanged bolts and nuts that we used for all the heavy duty stuff. Fine thread and a sort of pinch nut but not like a regular acorn style. We always referred to them as frame bolts. Something like a grade 10. Better than your standard stuff for replacing Huck bolts or adding things. Plus they looked more factory than the gold plated stuff to me.

 

[mrk5]

I don't like fine thread. Always feels like it takes forever to get tight.