Phil's '88 Big Blue Build Thread

[Phil513]

Thanks, that makes perfect sense. I'll start keeping an eye out for a 3.73 or 4.10 14 bolt ff. 4.56 will be a bit much for my 35's. I really appreciate all the advice.

(edit) Or, if I do find a good deal on a 4.56 rear, I might move up to 37 inch tires. We'll see.

In the meantime, today I'm going to try finishing up the paint job.

 

[campfire]

There are some members on here that are selling 8-lug hardware. Big Dan has a whole pile of front 10-bolts and related stuff that he is selling right now (in the axle section of the forum), but CL would probably be cheaper than shipping it, if you have some time for waiting.

FWIW, he's selling me an 8-lug conversion kit for $100, and he's not out of axles yet. You might ask him about buying such if you want to keep your existing axle (vs. swapping in a different one that has your new gear ratio & 8-lugs at the same time).

You're running a 10-bolt, right (not a D44)?

 

[Phil513]

Correct, front and rear are both 10 bolts, open, with 3.43's.

 

[campfire]

Correct, front and rear are both 10 bolts, open, with 3.43's.

Ok. Your outer pieces (spindle, hub, disc, lockout) will swap with a "big bearing" D44. Prior to about 1976 or 1977, Chevy D44 axles used smaller bearings and external lockouts, after that point the outer hardware matches the 10-bolt design (internal parts are still different). So if you see internal lockouts like your 10-bolt axle has (held with an internal snap ring, vs. bolting directly to the outside of the hub), the hardware will work for your application. For my Suburban's conversion, I bought a 1978 3.73 D44/14BFF combo and swapped the outers onto my existing axle. I think this was a bunch faster than swapping out axles (and my 10-bolt was much cleaner than the D44). This may not apply to you if you're wanting to regear at the same time, but I wanted to throw out the option for your consideration.

 

[Phil513]

Perfect. So, this Big Dan fella might have the stuff? I'll PM him.

 

[82355]

Keep your front 10-bolt, convert to 8-lug, and find a 14bff for the rear.

He has 3.42 gears.

Martin

 

[82355]

Forget converting your front axle to 8 lug, and just find a matching set of 3/4 ton axles.

Martin

 

[Phil513]

I'll keep an eye on Craigslist, and maybe send some feelers out to the local K5 club.

 

[campfire]

Forget converting your front axle to 8 lug, and just find a matching set of 3/4 ton axles.

Martin

If he can find a set, that would be ideal (given his desire to regear).

 

[campfire]

Perfect. So, this Big Dan fella might have the stuff? I'll PM him.

He has a 4.10 set that he's pulling out of his scout (thread here). He may or may not be willing to part with the rear axle, and the cost of it shipped is likely to be higher than simply finding something local.

Read through the parts list in his sale thread.

 

[Phil513]

In the meantime, finished the white along the bottom this morning. I have the DIY4X sliders coming in a week or so, I'm going to paint those white too.

 

[Phil513]

I'm thinking, instead of molding, masking off a strip and making a sort-of molding out of black roll on bedliner. (Just to separate the blue and white)

 

[campfire]

I'm thinking, instead of molding, masking off a strip and making a sort-of molding out of black roll on bedliner. (Just to separate the blue and white)

I think it's clearly separated as it is. From that distance the seam looks clean and straight. Thought the black bedliner would be an interesting look. I'm not a huge fan of the factory trim that went along that edge, so I think the bedliner would probably be an improvement.

 

[Phil513]

Yeah, and it wont end up getting torn off and hanging by hitting brush.

 

[Phil513]

Bumpers back on.

 

[swettysblazer]

Looks killer. Maybe do a quick photochop in Paint to see if you would like the black or not

 

[GWeakland620]

Lookin good!

 

[Phil513]

Thanks guys! Not bad for my first attempt at auto painting. I need to spray the inside of the wheelwells flat black.

Is this what you guys think I should get for my rig? It's 8 hours away from me though.

http://reno.craigslist.org/pts/5207511837.html

 

[campfire]

Thanks guys! Not bad for my first attempt at auto painting. I need to spray the inside of the wheelwells flat black.

Is this what you guys think I should get for my rig? It's 8 hours away from me though.

http://reno.craigslist.org/pts/5207511837.html

That would work. I think the price is kinda high. But axles are pretty cheap in my region, so that might be just fine for your area.

8 hours is a long way to go.

 

[Phil513]

That would work. I think the price is kinda high. But axles are pretty cheap in my region, so that might be just fine for your area.

8 hours is a long way to go.

Yeah, I'll probably just keep looking, but at least I know what I'm looking for.