Project 82 TCBF -10.13.9 - progress!!!

[Greg72]

Alright, Kevin, not everyone can build a truck in 2 weeks. Take a look at mannys build, there`s at least 10 pages of just people commenting him, is that not inspiration?

It takes others, like my self for instance, a little longer to do things....and the fact that I started this build thread before the fact I really started, was to give me inspiration...

Thanks for contributing.....

Amen!


CK5 is not Overhaulin'.....

There is no Chip Foose, and we don't finish our projects in 7 days!


The problem with "reality" television is that there is very little reality in it. Here in the real world we have do deal with things like.... working for a living, not having money for parts, and not having access to unlimited free labor and "freebie" parts from vendors....so things take a little longer.

As mentioned also, not everyone here has the same level of experience.... the best part about this site is that the vast majority of the experts are willing to help the new guys along and offer advice, and if the new guys are willing to listen, they can learn a LOT in a very short amount of time. You can't expect someone brand new to the hobby to build as quickly as someone who has been building trucks his whole life.

Foreign to most people here is the concept that "the build" is actually a very pleasureable part of the whole experience. I love the process of being in the garage, planning out the build, and working through all of the engineering challenges that crop up as things move forward. Some people see the build as a means-to-an-end and simply want to be finished so that they can wheel. That's fine too, but don't make the mistake of assuming that everyone thinks the same way you do.

 

[tomford]

Hey Kevin,

Take it easy on Ben. He's a high school student who is working his way to his dream truck. His time is divided between family, school and work. Not to mention, his living in Massachusettes, the weather hasn't been cooperating. He is working as diligently as possible and will be wrenching for a week solid coming up soon.

Part of the problem is that Ben also listens to everyone who tries to help him and he's been hit with so many angles towards his project that it took some time for him to sort things out. He is a relatively new comer to wheelin' and wants to do it right. His post is a good example of new kids asking questions to get it right. Humbly, show a little patience and compassion. You were there once too!

Manny

i agree with manny, not everyone can build there dream truck in a week, look at my truck for example, the frame broke at the settring box months ago but i dont have the funds to get it fixed, it kinda sucks being in highschool and not having money to build the dream truck, you have to build them one peice at a time

tom ford

 

[jekbrown]

Foreign to most people here is the concept that "the build" is actually a very pleasureable part of the whole experience. I love the process of being in the garage, planning out the build, and working through all of the engineering challenges that crop up as things move forward.

x eleventy billion. Yes, I love wheeling and I haven't gone in over a year... but I really really love working on my rig and coming up with new ideas for what direction to take it.

j

 

[NEK5]

x eleventy billion. Yes, I love wheeling and I haven't gone in over a year... but I really really love working on my rig and coming up with new ideas for what direction to take it.

j

Jek, thats exactly the way I feel...it will never get old, and there`s always something you can add along the way....

Thanks for the support

 

[NEK5]

Thanks Greg, I appreciate the words of wisdom and you`re exactly right, thats what the best part about this place is. You can learn alot from the people here, and can go from a bone head, to pretty knoweldgable (sp?) of most truck related topics, but under one circumstance, you`re willing to listen That is a big neccesity in the sequence of things that go on around here....especially if you`re a noob

Amen!


CK5 is not Overhaulin'.....

There is no Chip Foose, and we don't finish our projects in 7 days!


The problem with "reality" television is that there is very little reality in it. Here in the real world we have do deal with things like.... working for a living, not having money for parts, and not having access to unlimited free labor and "freebie" parts from vendors....so things take a little longer.

As mentioned also, not everyone here has the same level of experience.... the best part about this site is that the vast majority of the experts are willing to help the new guys along and offer advice, and if the new guys are willing to listen, they can learn a LOT in a very short amount of time. You can't expect someone brand new to the hobby to build as quickly as someone who has been building trucks his whole life.

Foreign to most people here is the concept that "the build" is actually a very pleasureable part of the whole experience. I love the process of being in the garage, planning out the build, and working through all of the engineering challenges that crop up as things move forward. Some people see the build as a means-to-an-end and simply want to be finished so that they can wheel. That's fine too, but don't make the mistake of assuming that everyone thinks the same way you do.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

If you dont have something nice to say...

 

[benchseat4speed]

Never said you should build your truck in two weeks, the link is evidence of that. The dude started that in '05 and he's still at it with 6 pages and counting. Guess your idea of a "build thread" and mine are different. When you first started this, I subscribed to it and watched it for a while. Then it got to 10 pages, then 20, and now 30, in what, less than a month? I hate to call it criticism, but I guess thats what it is......I just got bored with it and had to speak my mind. Kevin

 

[MuddinManny]

Never said you should build your truck in two weeks, the link is evidence of that. The dude started that in '05 and he's still at it with 6 pages and counting. Guess your idea of a "build thread" and mine are different. When you first started this, I subscribed to it and watched it for a while. Then it got to 10 pages, then 20, and now 30, in what, less than a month? I hate to call it criticism, but I guess thats what it is......I just got bored with it and had to speak my mind. Kevin

Kevin,

No one has a problem with you stating your opinion. Just sometimes, it's not what you say, but HOW you say it. Remember that, and you'll go far.

Manny

 

[NEK5]

Never said you should build your truck in two weeks, the link is evidence of that. The dude started that in '05 and he's still at it with 6 pages and counting. Guess your idea of a "build thread" and mine are different. When you first started this, I subscribed to it and watched it for a while. Then it got to 10 pages, then 20, and now 30, in what, less than a month? I hate to call it criticism, but I guess thats what it is......I just got bored with it and had to speak my mind. Kevin

Did you happen to read any of those 30 pages? There is alot in the measly 30 pages that has helped guide me through this process....

But rest assured, there will be "real" build updates soon, and I mean very soon, like hopefully tomorrow

 

[NEK5]

Alright everyone, the time has finally come! The truck is all loaded up. I will be heading off to work in about 30 min. So, at 3:30 PM I`ll be hitting the road, to NH!

 

[MuddinManny]

Best wishes Mr. Ben! You be careful on that ride up to NH. Remember, you just had a big snow. Watch for road hazards, including black ice. Have fun wrenchin', be safe, wear safety glasses, and we'll all look forward to the pics and report when you come back!

Hey, make sure that when you work on your springs and axles, you torque everything properly, take a test drive, then retorque. I'd recommend checking the torque everyday until you leave. It's gonna take some time for everything to seat properly.

Have fun!

Manny

 

[NEK5]

I`m BAAAACCCCKKKKKKK!

 

[NEK5]

Wow, what a week it`s been. I was really planning on completing alot more than I did, but unfortunately, my work time was limited. We didn`t really start getting stuff done until about wednesday, which is when I had planned on having it done. We did have some bumps and set backs along the way, but who doesn`t when working on your rig?

Alright, lets get started.

We began by finishing cleaning the space in the garage where my truck would go:

Then we went ahead pulled my truck in, watching the clearance, VERY CLOSELY

And, we`re in!

 

[NEK5]

Unfortunately, cutting my exhaust was necessary. So the stainless tips had to go

(looks similar on both sides, however, this is the drivers side)

The breaker bar or impact wrench WOULD NOT budge these bolts, so a little was needed.

PS:

DS:

As you can see in that last pic, after alot of and some abuse from the air chisel, those PIA hangers were out.

PS:

DS:

 

[NEK5]

Then, with some the U-Bolts and lift blocks were out.

PS:

DS:

Placing two "C" clamps on both springs to hold the pack together, I "tried' using vice grips and a breaker bar to break these center pins loose.

But, NOOOOO, they didn`t want to work like that , so a little was necessary. (both sides are similar)

PS with zero rate and new center pin:

DS:

Goodies:

Since the bushings in the rear of the springs were junk, the had to be replacedboth sides similar)

PS:

 

[NEK5]

Now, for the last setback of the project. Look closely at the frame in this picture, see something wrong or something that will cause some problems?

Yeah, well, thats the hitch, and if you were wondering, IT`S IN THE WAY OF THE FLIP!

And, of course, even a few soakings of PB Blaster wasn`t even budging these bolts, so, some was obviously necessary.

Hitch off:

New u-bolts in place and snugged up:
(both sides similar)

Then we cleaned up the frame behind where the flip mounted, sprayed some primer, then some paint, then mounted up the flip, and installed the shackles.

Here`s the finished pics:

Truck out of the garage:

PS:

DS:

Pinion Angle:

Rear angle shot:

My truck, next to my buddys blazer.

Stats:

Mine: 4" springs up front, 4"DIY4X flip w/ zero rate out back, 33x14.5 MT Baja Belteds that measure out to about ~32"

His: 4" springs up front, 4" blocks in back, 31x10.5 all terrains.

And, there you have it guys, the rear suspension is complete. Thanks for watching, and keep looking back for more updates.

 

[gmc4cw]

looks good. how does it ride now?


I like the pic where you have a huge smile.



and I'm jealous. I count 4 toolboxes in the first pic.

 

[NEK5]

Well, as jiminycricket said in his write up, it drives like a completely different truck. On the dirt road behind my buddys place, that feels like a cement mixer when driving my buddys blazer, the truck was suprizingly smooth....I love it....you can now, however, feel how stiffer the front is....

One weird thing, was when it was all said and done, tires on, and on the ground, the truck was cock-eyed. I grabbed the tape measurer and the top of the DS wheel well was a little under 42", while the PS was ~41". So we took it out, and drove around for a bit. Came back, snugged everything up, and took a look again, and it looked like it was starting level out. Drove home this morning, 1hr and 20min ride, a little over 60 miles, and pulled in my driveway, and walked behind the truck and took a look, and it looks level now....

Yeah, in that first pic I was kinda suprised the truck was able to pull right in the garage, without airing down or changing the tires....

As for the tool boxes none of them are mine. The 2 bottom boxes on the left have a lot of body stuff in them, which is my buddys dads stuff from when he was in Auto Body. The one next to those is my buddys. Hopefully this summer, I`ll be able to add mine to the collection

 

[gmc4cw]

just keep checking those u-bolts.

 

[NEK5]

just keep checking those u-bolts.

Will do. Do you think I`ll need to check the Shackle Flips` bolts and/or the shackle bolts?