Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

They aren't easy to get off.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

bumper guards on IMO and that sop would be way more than perfect for anyone here

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I would have to agree. Leave them off. Less is more.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Dad and I worked on the GMC yesterday. We got the Hotchkis trailing arm brackets, both trailing arms, the drop springs and bump stops installed. The UBolts and drop blocks are in place, but only snug right now. The drop blocks I got are the slide in type and I'm not 100% comortable they won't slip out (?) We need to figure out some way to lock them in place. While they torq to 75-80, I don't think they'd come out but I want to be sure.

We started to take the center section apart to swap axles but the bolt that holds the pin broke off. I understand this is a very common thing, and something like 80% of the time this bolt will break when you try to take it out. I am going to have to get one of the extraction kits to get it. Not a big deal, just a pain. Grade 8 going back in.

On a positive note the gear oil and gasket looked fairly recent. The rear end gears look really nice, it is a 3:08 but it really pulls strong. I'm just going to leave it. I thought it was higher than that (?) It winds pretty good at freeway speed. That's probably why I'm getting 20-22mpg. (3OTT gear combo maybe?)

It's looking really good. My exhaust will need to come completely off and re-worked. the lowered / relocated trailing arms are really close to the mufflers now. Another job, for another day.

I have a Hellwig rear swaybar for it but I'm not sure how it mounts (?) Anyone have any pictures of the rear swaybar config? I'm going to create a seperate post on it.

Check back later, axles coming soon ..

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Hey Rat...saw you mention something about the Hot Rod Power Tour....we got a group coming to Arlington from out east to do the Long haul...make sure you stay up to date with us....would love to meet you and your Dad along the route...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=531616

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Sounds like you guys made some progress! We need to plan a meet where you guys come up here or some of us come down there!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I'm down .. just say when. East Coast C10 bash ?

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

That has a nice ring to it!!:metal::metal:

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I think might plan to meet up with Burdic and those guys, at least Chatt/ Charlotte HRPT. You Nashville fellas comin this way? I may do Birmingham too.. we'll see what happens.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Chuck (thelonerife) have been talking about participating.. Not sure if he will be driving one of his or if we will both ride in mine!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

So...did you, or are you buying the shop? I thought I saw mention of your "job situation" in another thread...

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Not right now, No. I'm just preparing for a job change. My current job is an immense amount of stress and I'm just over it. I'm going to minimize a bit and 'clean out the toy box' .. just incase I need to make a switch. This will put a little $ in the bank for a safety net.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Just a few pictures from today ..

(I know the Ubolts are too long :lol: ) I'm still undecided on the drop blocks. I want to get it on the gound and at ride height and get the perfect drop block to accomodate. I have access to billet stock and can make maybe another .25 or so if needed.. maybe .5" .. not sure how low she'll go once it's back on the tires. I'll cut them off when I get it how I want it.

The exhaust is definitely going to have to move. Dad and I have been working on the cab corners a bit too, it looks like when it was painted they just couldn't get to the filler between the cab and bed so it just wasn't sanded too good. Suprisingly they're really not rusted that bad. .. but there is a little Rage in them in places. We're going to finish them up before the bed goes back on.

We need to do:

Run the lines over to the rear calipers
Move / reconfigure the exhaust
Mount the tires up (of course)
Get my track bar and lower shock bar from Nate, paint and mount
Mount the rear swaybar - it's painted and ready to go in, I just ran out of time today.
Shocks
We are replacing the carrier bearing too, it's being pressed in now. We should have it next week

I think that's it .. ?

Then the bed goes back together .. :metal: More to come soon.

Pics ..

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

More ..

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looks good Chad, rear disc brakes are nice. Can't wait to see those wheels on it.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looks great.
Any thoughts about running a 1-piece driveshaft?
Carrier bearings are not your best friend, when you don't have to run them.
Just a thought,...

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looking great man. One of these day I'll get mine to that point. :)

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks man! It's coming together.

Humm .. you know what.. (??) I think I need to talk to pop about that.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks Keith (the other Keith :D)

Chris, let me know man. I'll help you any way I can.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looking really good my friend :)

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks man. I'm excited to see it at ride height. I'm loving the 4 wheel discs, never converted one before. It's not really that difficult to do.

Chris, Thanks! Let me know when you get ready, I'll do whatever I can to help you.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thank you brother .. :metal: I'm getting there. Today was a very good day. We pulled the rear end apart, swapped the axles over, new bearings and seals, etc. It is a 3:08, non posi rear but I'll take it. All the spider gears and carrier / ring, etc. look really good. No signs of abuse. It is probably why I'm getting 22mpg or so too. Until the LS3 comes along at least. :lol:

Did you ever get your CG wheel?

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Thanks. I posted some new (oily) pics here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550415 if you wanna take a look just for fun. Feel free to comment.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

looooooooks sweeeeet

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

You e got that baby looking really good, Chad. Love the rear brake setup, and those wheels!
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looking amazing my friend. You're almost there:metal:

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Everything is looking good sir! Can't wait to see it on the ground!!

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

I like it! Is the upper shock mount x member a hotchkis piece? Just curious
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Porterbuilt. There is a matching lower shock bar coming soon. It really makes for good shock efficiency to relocate in some way. Not saying PB is the only way.. just the design and geometry changes overall.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Not yet, the stock wheel has grown on me for now especially with the tilt column. I'm focused on putting the steelies back on. Yesterday I put one on the rear and forgot how narrow it makes the rear end look. I guess I am used to the rallies which are wider, of course, so it threw me for a minute but the more I look at the pics the more I likey ;) I guess I should start a build thread so as to not hijack. :lol: anyways here a couple pics :D
http://i.imgur.com/j2Fxk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/roNiv.jpg
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looks killer man. Love the wheels.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Truck is really coming together. I second Keith's point about using a 1 piece driveshaft. 1 less piece to worry about taking a puke on you. When You redo the exhaust you should consider cutting holes (& reinforcing) the trailing arm crossmember and run it through it...much more ground clearance that way, & less turns in the exhaust=more efficient.
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Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

There are two different styles of carrier bearings.
Maybe your GMC has the better version.

I never liked the stamped steel Chevrolet version that presses on the front driveshaft,... even though companies like CPP sell a better billet version.

I like the type I see on alot of GMC trucks that utilizes a "horseshoe shaped" carrier bearing on the front shaft and a slip yoke directly behind it.

I had the first style on my lowered '69 longbed back in the 80's.
Even with shimming the bearing for better angles and slightly shortening of the rear shaft,... there was always a squeek or something that drove me crazy.
But like I said,... they now make billet versions.
The slip yoke style would be my choice,... but I didn't know about using them back then.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

This is the stamped steel version and the billet version that is much better.
I call this the "Chevy" version.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

This is what I call the "GMC" version.
I've seen them in different style hangers,... but I'm not sure what years used what hanger.

These are very similar to what Porterbuilt recommends for his Dropmember 2-piece driveline.
Plus these are the styles used on 73-87 longbed and crew cab trucks.
The slip yoke is the key to its successful design.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

You just need a set of 15x8 six lug steelies on the back.

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Definitely going to consider the one piece drive shaft. Dad showed me the carrier bearing but I can't remember what it looked like.

Any ideas on my exhaust? I'm not sure if you can tell by the pictures but it runs right out behind the cab, almost directly over the top of where the trailing arm connects. Maybe 3 or so inches wide of this point..

What I'm thinking is to run a 90 straight down, then straight over and put the mufflers outside the frame rails? I'm looking at the round ones from Magnaflow. There's a little room under the bed sides there, then out and turned down in front of the rear tires. Maybe a Cuda style or 94-95 Z28 style tip? Just a flat / rectangle style, almost a Nascar look? I just want it to blend into the side of the truck, low and sleek. Not hanging down or out past the wheel any at all.

Other ideas / pictures? I'm not sure I want to cut my cross member (yet anyway..) :lol:

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Looking at my pictures again .. What if I just offset that bend from the lower part under the cross member ? Cut it there, put a 2.25 slip on it so that would turn about 30deg OUT. That would bring it outside the frame rail, up tight and tucked. The muffler would sit in that little void area at the front part of the bed, then over and out (turned out in front of the tire) Would that blow crap all over my wheels? When I stuck my foot in my tired 255hp 3OTT ?? :D

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

Do you have holes in the trailing arm crossmember for your exhaust?

Re: Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop
 

No, just stock. With a 6" or so drop, do I really need to run it that tight? (I don't know, I'm asking .. )