So here is the plan

[Phil513]

You guys can slap me upside the head if I'm being stupid. Trying to work around the budget.

STAGE 1: 4" Zone lift, w/ blocks (yeah, I know), lunchbox locker in the rear 10 bolt, 33 inch tires (maybe 35's, i dunno, if i use the low on the SM465 as first? Non synchro might be a pain in the ass). Wheel it easy, just sandy desert exploring. And I'm keeping the stock wheels with the little caps.

STAGE 2: Paint, Body, fix the interior up while i drive it and save for stage 3.

STAGE 3: One Tons with 4:10s, Detroit in the back, shackle flip, crossover steering. (every set of tons i see is around 2 grand, so it's going to have to wait).

Does this sound like a sane path to take? Or am I going to be miserable?

 

[nvrenuf]

How long between Stage 1 and 3? I ask because the lift kit hardware will be different as well as possible corrective steering components so you don't want to waste money if the stages aren't far apart.

 

[Phil513]

Honestly, I'm thinking 2 years or so, depending on how livable stage 1 is. Or if I get some kind of windfall.

Another wild card I guess is if I have driveline vibration and have to go to a CV shaft, I might have to do the shackle flip sooner, Im not sure you can run shims AND lift blocks in the back.

 

[Stomis]

Change stage one to an 8 lug 3/4 ton swap so you're money isnt wasted in a locker.

 

[Phil513]

Change stage one to an 8 lug 3/4 ton swap so you're money isnt wasted in a locker.

I have considered that. And I could get one with 3.73s also.

Then I'd have to regear the front though, and If i can't handle that on my own, that ain't cheap.

 

[Stomis]

I have considered that. And I could get one with 3.73s also.

Then I'd have to regear the front though, and If i can't handle that on my own, that ain't cheap.

Find a pair of axles from the same truck or better yet a parts truck, sell the rest and break even or better.

Get the 8 lug swap out of the way now. Its one less thing on the list when you do the 1 ton swap.

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

yep, a set of 3/4 tons, put the locker in once and 4:10's are common

 

[Phil513]

Find a pair of axles from the same truck or better yet a parts truck, sell the rest and break even or better.

Get the 8 lug swap out of the way now. Its one less thing on the list when you do the 1 ton swap.

You are talking about the 14 bolt sf, right? I saw one for sale here with 3.73s and a gov loc (yikes) for $150. That's doable.

 

[Phil513]

Oh, but the one I saw was out of a more modern IFS pickup, so no front end to go with it.

 

[Phil513]

I guess I should probably explain a bit more of my limitations.

I live in an apartment here in Vegas (Henderson, actually). I'm allowed to work on stuff at work after hours as much as I want, fire up the compressor, all that stuff. I have a key. lol. But parking a hulk there to part out over time would probably really be pushing it. I envision more of a situation where I collect parts then swap them out at work when I'm ready.

 

[blazinzuk]

I tend to agree with the 3/4 5 on axle suggestions. It takes some doing but the good deals are out there. Gotta start networking. Locker is a similar price and conversion u joint makes it a bolt in swap if it's from a 3/4 ton.

There's alot of optimization in between that is missing. The stock style suspension does dang near everything wrong in my mind. I don't like the shackle angle I don't like where the shocks mount on and on. That of course could wait until after the tons I guess though

 

[wetoolowdingbangow]

Seems like a good plan. I say to hell with blocks since leaf springs arent too expensive.

I had a plan too but ended up going one tons but I found a good deal, which are out there. 3/4s are cool but 14 bolt ff are so cheap id go for that if its where you want to end up. I got my ff for $80 without brakes and just threw discs on. There available with 4.10s too.

 

[Stomis]

You are talking about the 14 bolt sf, right? I saw one for sale here with 3.73s and a gov loc (yikes) for $150. That's doable.

No try to find a true blue 3/4 ton with an 8 lug 10 bolts front and 14b FF rear. Some mixing and matching may be necessary.