Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Totally! :cool:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Ya those hinges worked out pretty well... but... they were still over 40 years old so they were a little sloppy. Since there are no "rebuild kits" available for these I made my own.

These hinges have two different sized pins in them; the big ones are 5/16" and the small ones are 1/4". It seems like the 5/16" pins are harder than the 1/4" pins because the big ones showed no wear while the small ones were clearly worn.

What I did was to make brass bushings/sleeves from 1/32" sheet and replace the 1/4" pins with 1/4" brass rod. I bored the 1/4" holes out to 5/16" and the 5/16" holes out to 3/8" (add 1/16" to each).

These hinges now have ZERO slop!

Here's some pics (camera died after these) :

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1186984352

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Nicely done, just wondering though, did you check with the local hardware store to see what bushings they had in stock? I've done this a few times and was able to just buy the bushings I needed, then cut to the length I wanted.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

'Tis true. They have a pretty good selection. Good work though- very crafty!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I see, I get all the good suggestions after the fact :rolleyes: ;)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Glad I could help with my new hindsight binoculars.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

FINALLY, the big payoff :D The whole reason for getting into this hinge deal in the first place. I think it was worth it:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...181Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...184Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...185Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...188Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...195Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...196Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...197Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...198Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...199Medium.jpg?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...202Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...204Medium.jpg?

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...205Medium.jpg?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

and the before and after comparo:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187070445

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...202Medium.jpg?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Looks great FF! Your tempting me to change mine..............:) . Now, what are you going to do with those ugly tail lights.......................:lol:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Very Very Very cool! Awesome build. I can't believe I just saw this!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

It was in the Suburban fourm until recently. There are some nice rides over there that some people never see. Thanks for the compliment :)

I had to take a little break from the liftgate scene even though I still need to put the lower half (former tailgate) on.

I've been on the fence about using the roof rack that was on my Burb (dealer option). I think they look great on that LONG roof the Burbans have, but wasn't sure about the Tahoe.

Here it is on the Burb:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128593

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I knew I had to shorten the rack, but to take 20" out of it like I did the truck wouldn't have looked right. So I played with proportions in PS and came up with a 10" reduction (5" from each end).

Here's the proof ;)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

I mounted it slightly aft of the OG rear mounting holes. Each "leg" has two bolts and I ended up putting the forward bolt of the rear legs in the rear-most OG hole. Then marked and drilled for the rest.

The front ends up forward of the OG front position and rear slightly aft of OG. Here it is:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

...and the comparo:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

You've seen some of this but I'll go ahead and post what I've been playing with... Since you asked ;)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187128968

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

and
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187130335

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Awesome :metal:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

wow, 16 pages of craftiness an i still want to read more. fantastic work there, i think it looks fantastic. great job on the documentation.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks guys!

Yesterday I worked on attaching the lower half of the hatch (tailgate). It's coming along and I'm taking pics as usual. There should be an update on that this weekend.

Today I finally broke down and dove into my rear-end which has had a slow-leak since I bought truck (actually another truck that I stole this rear from...). Well, I started hearing a creaking sound from the rearend and knew I couldn't let it go any longer.

When I pulled the cover I found that someone had put the diff cover on with no gasket, just silicon :rolleyes: So I cleaned everything up, painted the cover (why not), and finally figured out what rear ratio I have: it took ~3.1-3.2 driveshaft turns per tire revolution. So it must be a 3.07 or 3.23. Good thing I've got a torque monster under the hood :)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

That lack of gasket is actually standard procedure now. Less leaks usually.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Ok, but silicon calking :confused:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Silicone or form a gasket, yep.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Like around the bathtub? NO. But usually black or gray silicon RTV. I don't think I have ever used a differential gasket on a reinstall, but have removed a small handfull due to leaks. Lots of new motors are going with few gaskets now too. I don't think I found a single paper gasket throughout the blown 5.4 I'm building for my Lightning (it's an 02) - lots of reusable rubber and O-rings and lots of factory silicone at the interfaces of 3 surfaces.

Herb

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Yes it was house calking :rolleyes: I know, I love that OE's are using o-rings. I have an LS1 for another project and I really like the no-paper-gasket aspect.

Well, I used a cork gasket and black RTV on my diff cover and all looks good :)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Too bad they use the stupid "torque to yield" bolts that you are supposed to replace rather than reuse them. Oh well, I still love the LS1

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Nice work...

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks Kyle.

I now have the rust-free version of the one-piece liftgate mocked up. Still needs some minor adjustment and final welding but it fits and works, latches and all :).

Next will be the gas struts which have to be repositioned due to the different hinge geometry :o

These pics tell the story:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

and...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187484616

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I've been following your build and the quality of your work is amazing. You have my vote for project of the year.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Man, this looks flippin' badass. My next project will be a Tahoe. Oh, and I'll be stealing ALL of your ideas...:lol:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Wow, that looks fantastic! How much do you think that whole assembly weighs?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

That's quite a compliment considering all the amazing work we see on this forum!

No stealing required. Everything you see here is free for the taking ;)

I have yet to put it on a scale, but I can tell you this; it weighs less than a 03 Tahoe/Yukon hatch. I know this because #1 I borrowed the struts from an 03 Yukon when I was first mocking it up and that 03 door without assistance is f'n heavy! and #2 with the gas-strut/hinge geometry set to match the 03 set-up the struts were slightly too strong i.e. lighter hatch.

So this time around I'll put the upper ball studs a little higher to reduce mechanical advantage of the struts and allow for a little more travel.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Absolutely AMAZING. I second the "project of the year" Nomination!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Awesome Mike, your skilz are amazing man!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks Glock :) It just occurred to me that this build was partially inspired by your SWB conversion thread :metal: Yours among a few others without which I never would have attempted such a thing :cool:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thats funny, I went to ChevyDude's shop today and shortened the frame on Project Overkill! We even talked about your Tahoe, and your mad skills with the sheet metal. We both made the comment that we could never even start to attempt what you are doing!

I never thought I could inspire anyone...... now if it could just work on my kids! :haha:

BTW, thanks!!!!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Big Block, Tasteful body work, daily driver, and fast progress
I love this build!!!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

This is definitely one of my favorites.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I did a little patch on the liftgate (I assume it was rust cut out by Hart-Rod; no complaints!) Here it is:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187840084

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187840084

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187840084

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1187840084

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Mike,

It was like that when I pulled the rubber seal off. I think it was actually stamped that way. Are you going to leave the handle on the back? Will it be functional since you're lifting from the bottom? What about the factory push button?

Awesome work as always, :D. I'm missing my Burb already, :(. Oh, well. I think I have found 2 more projects here, :metal: .