TnA's 86 Jimmy Shop Build / Product Development Thread - (Trailing Arms?!?!)

[CFMi]

For shock hoops, maybe something that touches on the old school Rancho dual shock mount. Not a copy, just a hoop with mounting feet that can be bolted on. Maybe a tripod like design so it didn't push/pull on the vertical side of the frame too much (I've read the Ford brackets can cause cracking). The height of the hoop could be standardized since most folks measure before buying shocks nowadays.

You could also make an engine crossover that could tie the hoops together.


I know I said it before but A flat belly skid with built in t-case mounts. Something like the tummy tuck products for Jeep TJ's. Even if it's a weld it yourself kit so that it fits various frames. Nobody makes anything like this at all.

I like the shock mounts with an engine crossover bar, it might take some thinking though to make sure it clears all the different carbs/fuel injection/air cleaner setups though.

As far as the flatbelly skid goes, I was actually under the rig today on my creeper looking around at it for that and other reasons. The body is quite close to the t-case, so a clocking ring to get it up higher and make it so that a flat (or close to flat) skid would fit would require some body trimming. I've done that before on other vehicles, but on the K5, there is a seat mount bolt right there that I wouldn't necessarily want to mess with. Hmmm, gonna take some creative thought on that one! I'll keep working on it though...

 

[muddermilitia]

for the shock hoops... make some that would fit just right so they are centered over the axle, and they can clear the steering shaft on the driver side.

Maybe bolt into at least one or two exhisting holes in the frame and then need to drill others, or make them so someone could measure off of an exhisting thing on the frame etc.

This will be tricky as the clearance to the steering shaft will change if people move their axles forward.

 

[Deuling]

This will be tricky as the clearance to the steering shaft will change if people move their axles forward.

Not for those of us that like to keep it simple and not move stuff

 

[Deuling]

Just an FYI Darren, I had a local guy bend my hoops, and he left one side long. If I put the long side towards the firewall, the hoop fits in damn near perfect to the axle and clears the steering column

 

[Smokinthehippies]

i wouldn't worry too much about the dash inserts, JJ has the drop in gauge clusters and kert has the full dash so that area is covered, unless you want to breed some competition!

 

[CFMi]

i wouldn't worry too much about the dash inserts, JJ has the drop in gauge clusters and kert has the full dash so that area is covered, unless you want to breed some competition!

Forgive me for this, I'm sure I probably should know this already, but who is JJ on here, or at least what company? (I've been away too long apparently!!)

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Forgive me for this, I'm sure I probably should know this already, but who is JJ on here, or at least what company? (I've been away too long apparently!!)

Sorry. JJ= Ion
Classic dash or classic auto or something
http://www.classicdash.com/

 

[CFMi]

So I got done with my other job today at 3:00, and went straight into the paint booth. I couldn't wait to see the Alsa Titanium Grey color. I sprayed 3 medium coats of the Grey, and then 4 coats of some Omni Polyurethane Clear. I was only going to do 3 coats of clear, but I mixed too much, and well, what the hell, it's a bumper, right!?!?

I'm sorta surprised at how much bronze coloring is in the paint. I was picturing a more silvery-grey look to it, but I think it will go well with a dark candy red, or the Candy Brandywine that I'm looking to do for the body color eventually. What do you all think??????

I'm really irritated with myself too - I got a sag right on the top plate of one of the sides that will show horribly when mounted. I really didn't want to have to cut and buff everything since the rest of it came out pretty damn flat. Oh well....

 

[CFMi]

Well, let's change the subject away from the bumper for a bit... One of the other products I have made in the past is a shackle flip. I know, most every company has one of these, and I wasn't an exception. However, just before I had all my ***t hit the fan so to speak, I came up with an adjustable setup that I liked quite a bit. Unfortunately, now my access to a press brake is non-existent and that design was made to utilize such a device. SO, last night and today I spent re-designing it to be made via welded flat plates. I'll hopefully be prototyping this on Monday at the shop!

Here ya go!!

 

[Kaiser85]

That is now my new favorite color. Man, that looks awesome! Ive always been a fan of the GM Storm gray met., but i like tye bronze hue in this one. Gives it alot of depth.

Awesome bumper btw. You have no rivals as far as im concerned. If/when this goes into production, itd be cool to see brackets offered for body lifted k5s also

 

[CFMi]

That is now my new favorite color. Man, that looks awesome! Ive always been a fan of the GM Storm gray met., but i like tye bronze hue in this one. Gives it alot of depth.

Yeah, I'm starting to like it more and more myself. It's Alsa's (www.alsacorp.com) Titanium Grey basecoat.

Awesome bumper btw. You have no rivals as far as im concerned. If/when this goes into production, itd be cool to see brackets offered for body lifted k5s also

Thanks so much for the kind words man! I'm sure I could make the brackets for a body lifted rig pretty easily too.

 

[CFMi]

Lookie what I gots today!!!!!

I'm super-stoked to be able to cut all the way up to 3/8" and 1/2" again!!!! It's not quite as big as my other system, but I never really cut 1" material anyways, so I'm cool with it. I just ran some quick test cuts and the cut quality is MUCH better than my old system EVER was already, and I have yet to play with any of the settings really. Everything should be back in production soon!!!!!!

 

[CFMi]

Hey Guys!! It's been a while since an update, mainly because there isn't much to update just yet. Now that I've got the new Plasma up and running, I've been spending my precious time at the shop getting everything caught back up, and getting product on the shelf so it can ship out right away. I did manage to get the finishing touches done on the front bumper and brackets, and will be finish painting the bracketry tomorrow. I'll try to post up some pics then!!

ALSO, to those few that are following this thread, I will let it leak that I have decided to be a sponsor for Blazer Bash this year (including some pretty decent give-a-ways!!), and if you are attending, this rig should be there!! I can't wait - I have a ton to do before then, so keep checking back at all the progress!

 

[y5mgisi]

Nice! FYI, there are lots of folks that check in and dont reply.

 

[DickeysK5]

See you there

 

[CFMi]

Here's the '89 2wd that I've had hanging around the shop for a while. It was a DD for a while, until I lent it to a friend who managed to get it side-swiped all the way down the passenger side. After looking for a good bed to replace it and not finding one easily, I relegated it to just a parts-getter / steel pickup vehicle. Then a few months ago it blew an intake gasket and sent coolant everywhere, so it has just been sitting there doing nothing. I got a full top-end gasket kit for it but never put it in.
SO, yesterday I sorta had a pet emergency (was planning on being at the shop all day but never made it up here) and now I am seriously in need of some quick cash. So the plan is to pull the motor/trans/wiring harness/other assorted goodies off of this truck then load it with a bunch of scrap metal and send it off to the recyclers! Then engine and tranny I'm thinking is just going to drop into the K5 (after I replace the gaskets of course) and that will be that. However, I also have a nice full-roller cam setup that would drop in (Comp Cams K-Kit, brand new) and make a decent amount more power, but I'm not sure I want to screw around with the fuel injection tuning (yes, I can actually do that at my shop now!) and trying to get it to pass emissions. Plus, I'm really looking for the best gas mileage I can get out of her. BUT - I have a cam sitting there that I could put in and it's sooooo hard not to do it! What do you guys think I should do??

 

[y5mgisi]

I say, dont do the cam swap.

 

[cyclic]

On my 88 TBI, I'm going with http://www.dynamicefi.com/

Not your typical chip burning, easy and fast. Bring your laptop and drive kind of deal.

Build the engine however you want, I'm kind of a sleeper guy. A little extra cam, a little here and there, and you have a great running truck with surprising mileage.

 

[CFMi]

Thanks for the opinions guys, keep 'em coming!

Well, I got quite a bit done over the last couple hours. I drove the truck into the shop just before I took those last pics, and this is how she sits now. Everything is disconnected, even fuel, starter, trans (from crossmember and driveshaft, I'm pulling everything together). The radiator is out, all the lines and wiring is disconnected - and everything was disconnected carefully. I only cut ONE thing, and that was just a heater hose that I know needs to be replaced anyways. Even motor mounts are loose and ready. But I really NEED to get home (it sucks having a 70 minute commute!) to take care of my animals and make sure they are all still doing good.

 

[CFMi]

Well, I couldn't make it to the shop yesterday, had some issues at my other job and had to help out my boss all afternoon. Oh, well.
So I came in this morning and ripped the engine/tranny out. Then I separated them on the ground. Now I have a 2wd trans for sale in good condition!