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

[CFMi]

Well, I didn't take any pics of today's final progress for you all, since it was raining as I was finishing up. The 2wd truck is now loaded on my trailer, the tires and wheels are off and the rear springs (64's) are cut off. So everything I saved off it is as follows:

-Engine
-Transmission
-Radiator
-Tires & Wheels
-Full Wiring Harness
-Computer
-A/C fittings/Hoses/Drier
-Stereo System including all Amp Wiring (had a decent system in there!)
-Remote Start/Keyless Entry system
-Trailer Brake wiring stuff
-Rear 64" Springs
-Complete Flowmaster Exhaust System

Not too bad for two days work by myself, I think! The engine bay looks so completely empty now! It's amazing just how large it looks with nothing in there! Lol.

So I can't imagine that I forgot anything, but does anyone have any suggestions of what else to take off before it goes to the scrapper on Monday??? I was thinking maybe I should have dropped the tank and pulled the fuel pump, but I think I'd rather just put in a new one instead.

 

[CFMi]

I shouldn't have...

Well, I wasn't going to do this, I was going to wait until I pulled the motor and swapped it for the '91. I didn't want it to get in the way or to scratch it too bad. But I just couldn't take it anymore... It was lying there all painted and stuff. So here it is, all finished up with a T-Max 10k winch in there. I think it came out pretty good, what do you all think?

I'll try to get some nicer outside pics later, when it's not pouring out!
Later, Darren

 

[CFMi]

RTI Ramp

Well, it cleared up a little bit outside, so I decided to get some baseline flex numbers for the rig. I left the front sway bar connected for these, and she came out with a 638.5 RTI score (20 degree ramp). Not as bad as I figured, considering I have no idea what lift springs are on the front, and there are mis-matched shocks all around, lol. Well, at least I now know where she sits, and what improvements different things will make

_

 

[CFMi]

Well, I managed to get up to the shop today. Shipped out some products, and then got all the paperwork together for the Jimmy. Then I proceeded to sit at the DMV for 2 hours! Ughhh... I hate that place. I got the title swapped over to my name and took care of that stuff, and got some temp tags for it. When I got back, I then took apart the tailgate since the window wouldn't go up or down, and it was stuck down. Kinda hard to tape the temp tag to the inside of the rear window when it's stuck down. Found out that the window regulator "cable" was bound up solid. Let it sit in the parts washer for a while, then started working it back and forth with some vice grips. After it freed up a little bit, I connected it up to the window motor and let it run in both directions until it seemed to free up a bit more. Then I sprayed a bunch of penetrating lube in either end and connected it up and ran it again. Seemed to work okay, so I put the tailgate back together. I'm happy to report that the window moves up and down again. Not very fast, but it does move. I'll get a new motor and cable later on.
So then I took it around the block and stopped and put some gas in it. It drove really lethargic-like. Almost like it was waaay underpowered. Got back to the shop and checked the front end out - turns out the hubs were locked in still, and after looking at the tire wear, I decided to check the toe. Holy Crap!!!!! It was toed-in over a half inch! So I adjusted the toe via tape measure (I can usually get them pretty damn close this way) and took her for another spin around the block. Wow. Night and Day difference! She actually drives pretty good. No unusual noises coming from anywhere, the rear end feels really smooth and quiet. Sweet!!! The trans doesn't shift perfect, but I never checked the fluid level, and the kick-down cable was never hooked up, so I imagine that those two things being addresses will help out quite a bit.

Next up: Engine swap!!!!!


Later,
Darren

 

[Deuling]

On the tailgate darren, I took the switch that is on the driver side latch out and connected the two wires.


(It only allows for power when the tailgate is in the up position, run wires together and you can have power with it laying down)


Then I laid some saw horses behind the tailgate and ran the glass out, vacuumed and then greased everything.


Went to put the window up after all back together, and it shot up so fast I thought it was gonna shatter when it hit the top

 

[y5mgisi]

I do like how the bumper turned out!

 

[CFMi]

On the tailgate darren, I took the switch that is on the driver side latch out and connected the two wires.


(It only allows for power when the tailgate is in the up position, run wires together and you can have power with it laying down)


Then I laid some saw horses behind the tailgate and ran the glass out, vacuumed and then greased everything.


Went to put the window up after all back together, and it shot up so fast I thought it was gonna shatter when it hit the top

Lol, Nice! Mine powered up even when it was down, so either someone already bypassed that switch, or it is broken and stuck "on"... I'd probably wager it's the latter... I had the glass out yesterday, and the regulator seemed to move fairly good on it's own, even the spring that helps the glass up seemed pretty strong. Although it probably could use a fresh coating of grease, I'll try to remember that when I go into it next time around. I know that I still need the cable, as it was still somewhat hard to turn by hand even after all my effort yesterday. It "slaps" the glass as the motor turns it now and makes a horrific sound, and that alone is enough to make me want to change it out. Unfortunately, nobody seems to have it locally, so I guess I need to do some internet searching!

I do like how the bumper turned out!

Thanks man!! Now that it's mounted on the truck and finished, every time I look at it I tend to like it more. I'm really happy with the way it turned out

-Darren

 

[CFMi]

I got a little bit of a late start to the day, but got to the shop, moved a bunch of trailers and vehicles around, then got going...

I got the motor out of the 2wd almost torn down for head gaskets/intake set. I also managed to get the prototype for the zero-lift shackle flip cut out this morning. Having lunch now, I'll get back to things in a bit!!

 

[y5mgisi]

Im for sure going to buy one of those from you.

 

[Deuling]

Im thinking those will be a big hit Darren.

especially for people that put lift springs in the rear that have settled, and or they didn't lift it as much as the front etc... Be an easy way to add or subtract a little lift by changing shackle lengths and location.


Great idea for sure

 

[CFMi]

Today's Progress:

Check this out, here is the stock shackle hanger at ride height:

...and then here is the stock shackle hanger at full droop:

Man, there really isn't much travel there!! I was surprised, I mean I didn't figure there would be a ton, but I figured there'd be more than that!! Lol.


So I got the factory shackle hangers ground off, then decided I was going to pull the reciever hitch, bumper, and gas tank out. I'm getting a new FI tank, pump assembly and filter setup from a '91 for it by the end of the week. I have assembled shackle flips in the past by taking a wire and taping it to the nut strip and sliding it in down the framrail. It's a pain but it works and you don't have to drop the tank. But in this case, for pictures and since I'm replacing the tank anyways I decided just to drop it out. What a decision!!! There were a couple bolts that were seized on the bumper (that I couldn't get to because of the hitch and the tank). I couldn't get the tank out since I couldn't get the skidplate off without taking the bumper off. The hitch had been put on with standard nuts and bolts, and the nuts on top of the frame would just spin so I couldn't get that off either! WTH?????? So after hours of cussing and some extensions, a ratchet, and two u-joints I finally got it all apart, one ratchety-click at a time. What a PITA!!!!!!!!!
But at the end of the day, the bumper is off (and in good shape still, I didn't have to cut it apart!), the tank is out, and the first prototype Zero-Lift Shackle Flip is sitting in there! WooHoo!

Time for dinner, and some sleep!!! I have a long day with three different jobs to go do tomorrow in Denver.

-Darren

 

[CFMi]

Im for sure going to buy one of those from you.

Sweet!! I'm glad to hear that it is going to work for some people! I still have to post it up in the vender forum, but for now I'm thinking the pricing will be the same as the other flip kit, which is $165 (without shackles)

Im thinking those will be a big hit Darren.

especially for people that put lift springs in the rear that have settled, and or they didn't lift it as much as the front etc... Be an easy way to add or subtract a little lift by changing shackle lengths and location.


Great idea for sure

Thanks man! I'm pretty sure that quite a few people could use this design, so hopefully it helps some vehicles out! Gotta get these older GM's suspension flexing more than the frames, rather than the other way around!! Lol

Goodnight everyone!

 

[Richcz28]

Im thinking those will be a big hit Darren.

especially for people that put lift springs in the rear that have settled, and or they didn't lift it as much as the front etc... Be an easy way to add or subtract a little lift by changing shackle lengths and location.


Great idea for sure

am I the people?

 

[Deuling]

am I the people?

Yes. That was intended for you.

 

[CFMi]

The nice Mr. FedEx man just dropped this by the shop:

And since the zero-lift shackle flip fit so nicely, I didn't see any reason to change anything on it, so it got put into the paint booth this morning. They are ready for clear now!

More to come later...

 

[CFMi]

So far today, I got the shackle flip cleared and baked. Then I went to install it and realized I didn't have enough wahsers and lockwashers, so I had to run to Fastenal. Before I left though, I undercoated the entire new gas tank. When I got back, I installed the shackle flip, and then the fuel pump/level sender assembly in the tank. Good progress today for 1 lonely guy!!

 

[CFMi]

...and here it is sitting down at ride height:

-Darren

 

[CFMi]

...and finally for today...

I know this pic looks similar to the last motor pic, but in this case, the heads have been off, cleaned up and re-installed. That's it for today though, the rest will come later!

-Darren

 

[Richcz28]

...and finally for today...

I know this pic looks similar to the last motor pic, but in this case, the heads have been off, cleaned up and re-installed. That's it for today though, the rest will come later!

-Darren

IMO taking heads off just to put new gaskets in is a very brave thing to do. I don't remember you saying you had a blown head gasket?

 

[CFMi]

IMO taking heads off just to put new gaskets in is a very brave thing to do. I don't remember you saying you had a blown head gasket?

The engine had blown intake gaskets, and coolant was coming out from the very corner where the intake and block and heads all meet up. When I started taking things apart, the gaskets were very hard, like it may have overheated at some point. So I just ordered a complete top-end kit. Didn't want to have it that far down (to replace intake gaskets) just to have it blow the heads in a month, lol.

On a side note, to clear up an earlier discussion, I have made the decision to NOT do the full roller cam that I have in this motor. Just going to put it together and stab it in the K5. It has been very difficult not to tear into the motor though and just start putting it back together. Heck, I didn't even start cleaning it for paint! It's just going back in dirty! There are some reasons for this though - 1. I am running out of time on this project and there are many other things of greater importance to do before BB13. 2. It's kinda going to be a demo/show truck for the shop, and I happen to have a bored out big block sitting here that will eventually get built really nice and go into the rig. So for right now, I'm just gonna slap this thing in there, and move on to bigger and better things later.

-Darren

(Now it's off to paint the house. Yay. I'd rather be going to the shop to work on the truck!!!!!!)