Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Thank you that is one of the best comments I have received on this site;)

Crud did I put the front in the back? Nate must have mis-marked the DM box:lol:


Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

22 3/4" of rear rubber:metal:
I started working on the rear bag upper mounts. I decided to go with tube so I can tie it in with the upper diff web and then into the rear of the frame. I still have several mount braces to add to what you see as well as the upper mounting plates. But I did find one slight or major problem with the space limitations I have. I went to slide the tank in so I could see were to add the bends to the cross bar and found my tank and rear toe in bars are sharing the same space. So for now I just moved the toe in bars to the other side of the LFD mounting plate. Now depending on how the suspension cycles I will ether need to change the mount if I can or build another tank since I already sealed the inside of this one. I hope it is the tank because I was not as happy with this one as I wanted to be but it will never be seen but I do have a nice stash of SS. sheets that would do the job nicely. I think I am liking this idea:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.


[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag5.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag2.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag1.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag3.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag4.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Im glad your buggy/cage building days have found a way into these trucks! its looks awesome! keep up the good work!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

This thread kept me up till 2am :lol: . I am moving out to Northern California in a month. I would love to come check this bad boy out when things settle down. Your work is next level. :metal:

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I hope you are planning on putting a plexiglass floor in that thing and not covering up all that work!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

X2! 1/2" Lexan! Put it on hinges so you can lift it up for cleaning. Who needs a third row? ;) Think of it as a class room. Your son can watch the IRS function as you drive! Geometry in motion.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Were are you moving to?

Nope steel all the way!

Maybe we will keep the floor in his truck out. He is already getting schooled:lol:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I am moving to Plumas Lake in Yuba.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

The top mounts are done except for some braces that will go on once the body comes off. I should have it rolling by noon Saturday so I can get XXL's truck in the shop for a DropMember install. This will be the first DM with an I6 and should be sweet once it is done.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag7.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Kevin,... Did Nate build an I6 Dropmember? Or are you modifying one of his SBC Dropmembers?
I hope you are doing a thread on XXLs truck!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

If all works out right I will be making templates and sending a set to Nate for future kits. This will be the first one.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

It rolls and moves up and down on AIR! I still have allot of work to go but that will happen after XXL's truck is finished and I get my DropMember installed. Then I will fit my 5.3/4L60 so I can pull the body off and finish the frame.

Kevin
LFD Inc.


[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag10.jpg[/IMG]

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Reminds me of the gassers of the late 50s/early 60s sitting that way.

Nice job Kevin. Can't wait to see what you do to XXL's wallet eater.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

You know Kevin, I am not a fan of lowered trucks, but I am damn impressed with how this thing is looking.

Allthough my biggest question is, why go with a 5.3 when this is going to be a tow rig? It would seem to me that the motor is a little light duty for the job.

It could be just me, but I had a 99 1500 x cab short bed Z71 with a 5300 vortec in it, and when you hooked a trailer to it, it could barely get out of its own way.

I even added a Chip, and removed the Cats and did a few other things to the truck, and still it didnt even come close to satisfying or impressing me.

I wound up selling it and getting a 97 GMC 2500HD Xcab short bed, that truck impressed the heck out of me, it had the Vortec 454, and with the MSD ignition I added, the chip, and dual 3" exhaust and the Cat's removed, it was pulling over 16 mpg on the interstate, and I pulled my 71 Cutlass on a 18' car trailer from Seattle to Livingston Mt over the 5 mountan passes between and it kicked some serious tail, and still got about 9 mpg.

I will also add that I have the 8100 vortec in the tow truck im driving now, it is far less than impressive, it is out right anemic. But it is a 2001, I dont know if they got better as time went on.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I know what you are saying but it is an 05 with more HP and torque than my current tow rig with a 93 vett LT1 5.7L. I was a little worried about it until I used our shop 08 4.8L to tow 70 2wd Blazer, spare bed sides on a steel floor 16' Carson car hauler, a complete cab and doors along with a lift gate and tail gate for a 65 Burb in the bed of the truck. I was blown away at how well it towed from Ca to AZ and did 60 mph over the Grape Vine into Los Angles and that hill is a truck killer. So for what short trips I have planned for towing with the Tahoe I think it will be just fine. Oh and I got 14 mpg when loaded doing 65+

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

that is some tubing structure you have back there, looking really good Kevin, i don't think that a rear vette diff has ever looked so good.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Those tires/wheels look perfect on there. Your rear will def be lower than mine. Can't wait to see the front down.

On the 5.3, I had a 2001 Tahoe with a 5.3 and I towed my 61 on a full trailer over mountain passes and the Tahoe acted like there was nothing back there. Very impressive power even stock.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Yeah thanks for all the info on the wheels and tire's. I may still run some spacers to get the rear out just a bit because right now the wheels are touching my back seat. I do still need to adjust the camber on the rear at ride height and that will help out a bit. As far as a stock motor, who likes a stock motor right!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

That is SWEET! Those rims look perfect on there. I like the pic with the wheels cambering in!

Tony from Norcal

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Hmmm... What are your plans for hood hinges?

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

I have not decided just what I want to do for that yet. I think their is some info on doing a forward flip hood but I might just build my own tubular cowl mounted units. Right now I don't have a clearance problem;)

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Wow! This thing looks better every time I check on it. Nice work, and you know I'll be looking forward to the I6 Dropmember!

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b20/rokcrln/Bag8.jpg

Wow, that saves a lot of floor space as apposed to using a solid rear axle.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

Yep and the camber helps tuck those big tires right up inside the body with out having the Axel narrowed of tire inset a few inches.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build
 

NICE JOB KEVIN,THATS GOING TO BE A COVER TRUCK FOR SURE :metal: