CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Project Snow Bear K20!

I forgot to comment on the shocks. I was under a super duty at work the other day and noticed the rear shocks looked like they had a lot of travel. I tried back tracking them by the numbers on them but no luck. I did however look at shocks for that application and you can get up to like a 12" travel shock in a factory replacement for the rear of a super duty. Its only in certain brands though. I think I was on summit or somewhere and they listed all the shocks with the extended and collapsed lengths and a few were like 12-13" of travel.

That's exactly what I plan to do. The stock bilsteins for the super duty are nice. Like you said travel is 12" or so. I have all of the factory mounts for the rear axle already. Just need to pick up some shocks. I am placing an order with rock auto soon for the clutch/flywheel parts I need plus the shocks.
 
Little more fab work today. Lower arms are built, I'm just finishing them up. Haven't welded anything in a few months. I'm getting a little better or rather getting my touch back. This was the crappiest weld on the piece so I posted that. These ground out really nice. Looks like it was all one piece which was the goal. Starting to take some measurements on the rear PTO winch mount now that I have more shielding gas. I still don't have the drivers side spring from the salvage yard so I can't hang my rear axle yet and it's sort of driving me nuts. I WANT TO SEE THIS THING ROLL and that's the first piece of the puzzle. Rear suspension, rear axle, Front suspension, front axle. I did find a set of 32 spline flanges for the NP205, so that's one thing off the list. I still need to order a clutch, flywheel and pressure plate for the 454 before I can bolt all of that together. Until this sale goes through on another vehicle, I can't spend any more serious funds. I may have pushed it far enough with the girlfriend for now. So I will play with the stuff that I have until I put a little more money in the bank.

Here is a list of stuff I am currently looking for if you guys have anything laying around.

454 clamshell (engine side of motor mount)
12" travel coil over shocks.
Cable shifter setup (doesn't need to be specifically for NP205) I can modify it.


20180302_131508.jpg
 
Last edited:
Patience grasshopper.... I'm priming them out now before painting everything. I'll mock up with just the lower mounts then measure for the upper mounts to fab them up. Next step is the crossmember. I have to build that before I can get it all together up front. Then I'll get you guys some pics.
 
I sent them with the engine I sold from the truck. I thought I had another set but apparently not.
 
Ok, here are my lower arms. I modeled them after the brackets from ruff stuff. My fab guy took the dimensions and make them for me. 2" stainless heims and 2" .250 wall DOM tubing. After much debate they ended up being 45" center to center to locate them at the rear of the fabricated crewmember that is next up on the list. I'm still deciding how I want to do it as I have 3/8 plate, DOM tubing and square tubing just need to get my crap together and start on it.

20180302_153055.jpg

20180302_153034.jpg
 
I don’t think the accessory brackets will work.
I thought you said they came with the B.B.?
He does I just need to go get them. I thought if I had the stuff here I would just use mine. All I have is diesel stuff laying around.
 
Ok, here are my lower arms. I modeled them after the brackets from ruff stuff. My fab guy took the dimensions and make them for me. 2" stainless heims and 2" .250 wall DOM tubing. After much debate they ended up being 45" center to center to locate them at the rear of the fabricated crewmember that is next up on the list. I'm still deciding how I want to do it as I have 3/8 plate, DOM tubing and square tubing just need to get my crap together and start on it.

View attachment 258761

View attachment 258762

Looks killer, beefy too. Such a cool project.
 
Today I'm thinking I'll take step back and get the sheet metal off the front end. The cab needs to go for a short time as well. I just need to build a pallet to rest it on for now. This should let me get the suspension in and box the frame without needing to weld overhead. I'm only planning to box at the stress points. The width reduction under the front cab mount, steering box area, Engine crossmember area. Still deciding if I want to remove the stock crossmember for a simple square tube crossmember. It will save some space under there and likely end up stronger.

So I'll crank up the compressor and start spinning some bolts. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours to have it all off of there.
 
Front clip is gone bye bye. Man alive what did we ever do without air tools. Took this pic after about 20 minutes. It's all gone now. I have to fire up the dozer this afternoon or tomorrow. I think the cab is also going to come off as well. I just need to pack everything up so I don't pull any wires loose. That way I can steam clean the frame and start there with a clean slate. If all of my parts come in soon it should go right back on in a couple weeks with a drivetrain and axles already installed. At least that's the goal. Get a fresh coat of paint on everything while I'm at it. I have a few more weeks to play with this almost everyday before spring sets in here and I have to switch gears to working on our new house and shop. If I don't run our of money it should be back together In a month or so.

20180303_141514.jpg
 
Last edited:
OK so I gotta knock off on it today and go do an little bit of actual work. Cab is the last thing on the frame that needs to come off. Front clip and bumper are gone and stored. I have a local friend coming over Monday to pick up a 4 speed and transfer case. I'll get him to help me pick the cab off when he is here. Might get him to help swing the axles in place at the same time. PROGRESS! Then it's honestly a down hill drag of waiting on parts and fabrication. Both are old hat to me.

I am interested in seeing what the big block looks like in place. I think I might go ahead and remove the engine crossmember. That way I can pick the 454, set it into place and get some dimensions to make a new one that doesn't get in the way of my front axle. I built one in the past that essentially just tied the motor mounts together from the bottom. Sheet the frame rails under the mounts and put in a simple 2" square angled support. We'll see but that's what I am leaning towards. Then I can pull it back out to get the upper shock tubes made up.
 
Why didn't you just pull cab and front clip as one piece to avoid all that extra tear down and reassembly and having to line things up.
 
Why didn't you just pull cab and front clip as one piece to avoid all that extra tear down and reassembly and having to line things up.

1: at the very least the fenders are going to need to be heavily modified, that is if I don't use the fiberglass fenders I have.
2: the inner fender wells are rusty and going to be replaced with newer, nicer versions.

Getting it back on and lined up isn't a big deal. This is bout my 12th one.
 
Top Bottom