Ugly truckling build

[RivMan]

No, but shiny parts and my wife hosting a 2 year old’s birthday party make some garage time hard to resist!

This week will be crazy with work (SAE World Congress in Detroit means a lot of late nights) so by the time I can get back out there, I should be ready to go!

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

Got a little time to work on the truck today.

Got a couple coats of paint on the rear axle.





Also started routing the fuel and brake lines.







I also got word that all my powdercoat is ready for pickup. Should be getting that tomorrow!

-Rob

 

[76zimmer]

looks real nice Rob.

 

[RivMan]

Thanks Dave!

Rear axle is hung, with the DIY4X Zero Flip, 6” Crosstied Shackles, EZ Inch, and Greasible Bolts.







Also receive all my parts back from Powdercoat.



Hopefully I can spend some time this week reassembling this thing!

-Rob

 

[RivMan]

Couldn’t leave it alone tonight.

Installed the bump stop brackets, and started installing the ORD Crossmember and motor mount plates.





-Rob

 

[RivMan]

A couple steps forward, and a big one backwards.

I found a part of the frame where the powedercoat wasn’t cured properly. When I bolted other parts on it, the powder started chipping off. The frame is being sent back and re-coated.

Since the frame is going back, I ended up getting the rear axle and brakes all put back together. All new brakes, axle bearings and seals, fresh stainless lines.









-Rob

 

[RivMan]

Since the frame is going back, I decided to have the front axle powdercoated as well. Got that town down this morning, and the parts should be picked up this afternoon.





-Rob

 

[Chevy305]

 

[RivMan]

Been a few weeks since I updated.

Frame is back, but I've been swamped with summer stuff. I've had a little time to start putting it back together.

Rear axle is hung. Engine mounts, engine crossmember, and trans crossmember are mounted. Front brake lines are run, steering braces and box are in, front bumper mounts and hooks are on, front springs are mounted. Started reassembling the front axle.

Only hangup so far is that the Zero Flip covers up the holes for my Trailer Hitch. I'll have to find a fix for that, probably drilling a hole in the Zero Flip brackets, and spacing down the other hitch mounting points.




-Rob

 

[jekquistk5]

Nice carpet.

 

[RivMan]

More big shiny progress.

Both axles are assembled, attached, and most of the hard lines are run. Wheels are on, and it’s a roller.
Shocks and rear brake hose are both too short for the rear suspension setup. Hose is on order, I’ll have to see what I need for shocks.





-Rob

 

[jekquistk5]

When you get the tub and a tankful full of fuel the rear will settle a lot.

 

[Chevy305]

Whatever happened to the Bilstein shocks?

 

[RivMan]

Never ended up with Bilsteins. I ended up purchasing a complete BDS 2.5" lift after my Bilstein purchase fell through.

-Rob

 

[jekquistk5]

I have a crappy set of procomps laying around in the 15" travel length

 

[RivMan]

Some light progress today.

Installed an ORD rear hose for a 7”-10” lift. Seems to be good for full droop on this setup.



I also broke down and degreased my TBI 350. I was planning on leaving it ugly and greasy to help motivate the LS swap. Decided I couldn’t put the greasy junk on such a good looking frame.



A few more hoses, and I’ll be dropping the engine any trans back home.



-Rob

 

[RivMan]

I have a crappy set of procomps laying around in the 15" travel length

It looks like I need ~17” compressed, and 29” extended. I think the pro comps are a bit long.

Thanks
-Rob

 

[RivMan]

More progress. Fuel and brake lines are in, fuel tank is in and plumbed. Hope to get the engine dropped in tomorrow.











-Rob

 

[Cntymnty77]

Looks good man! Wish I had the space to do a frame off! Maybe one day.

 

[RivMan]

More progress today.

Decided I wasn’t happy with the pinion preload on the front diff, so I tore it down to re-do. Had to wait for a diff crush sleeve, so I jumped on a couple more projects.

Re-wired the engine, should be plug and play when I drop the body back on.





Installed and leveled the rear bumper.




Cleaned up the wiring heading back to the taillights and fuel pump.





Also put the exhaust in place. It’s going to need some modification to work with the new spring setup.







Finally re-set my pinion torque with a new crush sleeve, and reassembled the front axle.



That was the last thing on the checklist before dropping the engine back on the frame, so that’s job one tomorrow.

-Rob