Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

so the Dana 44 would work with the 70? what about the hubs? i want to convert mine to 4x4 but its not easy to find a Dana 60 front axle

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

As long as the gear ratio and tire diameter are the same you and run any combo of axles you want. I will just be running 3/4 ton wheels on the front, I will not have the dually wheels on the dana 44. My dually wheels are 16" and my 3/4 ton wheels are 16" as well so I will just buy the same tire and it will work.

I am running a Dana 44 because I can pick them up for about $100 where as a Dana 60 is about $500+ and I'm on a budget! At some point I might upgrade to a Dana 60, but I have seen 1 ton trucks with Dana 44's under them with just regular 3/4 ton wheels and I didn't think they looked bad.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well i got the rest of the suspension brackets painted and took my SM465/NP205 combo apart and then bolted my NP205 from my k20 and my bell housing from my k20 to the new transmission. Need to power wash that and then get it painted. Should be getting a hydro clutch this week so that I can also try to make up a bracket to get that all hooked up. I still need to figure out what shims I need for the rear to get my axle at the right angle.

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0311.jpg

So yesterday was a really nice day and so I put as much stuff back together as I could. I got the front axle and rear axle installed (Need to replace the rear ubots) and also got the 6.2/SM465/NP205 into the frame and started looking at options for mounting the SM465/NP205 to the frame. I am going to go with the cross member out of my k20 that mounts to the bottom of the frame, I am mounting it to the bottom of the frame to drop the transmission/tcase down about 2 inches to get a better angle for the drive line. I am also going to be dropping the carrier bearing down 2 inches which I think gets rid of my pinion angle problem. I plan on taking the frame up to the local drive line shop and see if they think that will work, and also have them cut down the first part of the 2 piece rear drive shaft.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Friday I got the rear drive shaft cut down, i also ordered some new rear ubolts so I can get the rear axle fully installed. Droping the Transmission 2 inches and the carrier bearing 2.5 inches did the trick of fixing all of my angles in the drive line. I removed the 6.2/SM465/NP205 for hopefully the last time! I got the tranny/tcase ready to paint. I need to install new front steel lines and mount the engine cross member and then the drive train will be ready to go back in. I need to get the gas out of the tanks and clean and paint them and then finish up a few things on the frame and then it will be time for body!

I am having a hard time finding ujoint straps for my dana 44, I took the dana 44 out of my k20 about 3 months ago and have lost my straps and its hard to find some new ones.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Matt,
I have also picked them up at Carquest stores but not in a lot of years so I am unsure if they still carry 'em. I thought I found a part number for em at napa online but they are the control arm u bolts
JLT

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Matt,
Dorman shows some listed on their website, so I would think a Carquest would be able to get them for you.
JLT

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

I'm going to see If the drive line shop has any when I go pick up my ubolts tomorrow, if not then I'll see if I can't find some on the Internet.
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Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

I think I saw some at Oreillys in the help section before.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Orilleys has kits, but their computer is wrong about all of them. I got ones for my rear axle to and they where wrong, finally took in one of my old straps and they took them in the back and found the right ones. As for the front I dont have any of the straps, and im not 100% sure on what year the front axle is (I bought it off a guy for $50 and was missing a bunch of stuff, because my 1980 dana 44 had broken spiders) he said it was a 1976 axle which seems to be true because when I was rebuilding it the seals where different between 1976 and 1980 and the 1876 seals where the right ones.

I did take one of the ujoint cups in there and had marked on it where the pinion ended and they took it in the back and looked for one but didnt find one. He also said that the front and rear axle on a 1976 k20 took the same straps (which i don't believe, my 1980 d44/14b don't use the same)

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

So I finally got the u-joint straps figured out, they are the u-bolt type straps that where used. I got a lot of stuff painted so we will just have to see how things go so I can start to put it back together.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

So I finally got the fly wheel for the 6.2 to finish mounting the sm465 behind the 6.2. I got that all together and got it mounted into the frame for what I hope is the last time. I also go my hydro clutch and made a bracket for mounting it, just a little bit more work on it and it should be done.

I got the front steel brake lines replaced but am having trouble finding some longer rubber lines for the front and rear. I need to clean and paint the fuel tanks and get them all hooked up and finish the steering and a few other little things and I should be able to get the cab onto the frame and then start getting it back together.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

I started working on getting the drive shafts done and when i almost had the front one done one of the ujoints cought a roller and broke it, so I need to go get another unjoint and fix that one. I did get the rear one all put together and got it back on the frame.

This will be my little check off list as I go.
- Rubber Brake Lines
- Fuel System
- Shocks
- Cut cab floor to put in a high hump
- Install clutch pedal
- Install Cab
- Hook up electrical
- Install front clip
- Few other things
- Start it and test drive it
- Install bed

This is just the basic run down, there is always small things that kind of get over looked, but this is all it should take before I get it back on the road hopefully.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Got my front drive shaft on and the transfer case bolted down to the frame. Now the above list starts! I need to get pictures of the clutch bracket i made to mount the slave cylinder from the hydro clutch.

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well yesterday was kind of a big day. On Saturday I saw a guy post up a 1984 Chevy 3/4 ton Crew Cab up for sale as a roller for cheap. That was pretty much rust free it is just surface rust and a small hole in the rocker (Looks like something punched through it not rusted through). I went and picked it up yesterday, it will be donating its cab to the dually. It also came with 3 different interiors, but the current interior is purple.

Here is the only picture of it right now, I will get some more later.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0323.jpg

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Any interior pics?

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Interior is purple on the dash, red on the front doors and tan on the rear doors. Plus more door panels in the back seat, and i even think another dash pad. There is not much to see its not pretty. Ill be gutting this interior out and using what is in the dually and if this truck has any better parts i will use them. I plan on dyeing all of the panels and such all the same color hopefully.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Nice Matt! Was it a running driving truck?

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well this new cab is in such good shape that I have changed the direction. I am going to be painting the truck now instead of later. That way I can have one solid color truck and also protect this cab from any rust! I got most of the interior out of the truck, someone used house carpet for the floor and screwed the carpet in the truck to get it to stay in the corners.

Im trying to figure out what I want to do with the interior. I don't really want to put carpet into the truck because it will just get ruined from mud/dirt (this is a 4x4 truck and im going to use it a lot). I have been thinking about just painting the floor and then getting some rubber mats to set on the floor to kind of protect the floor. I have also thought about putting bed liner on the floor, but I am afraid that it would get hot in the summer time.

I have decided that I want to paint the truck white, and all the chrome is going to be painted black.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

You could put down some liquid bed liner with a roller, then go over it with rubber floor mat for a better appearance. I have seen some guy run the liner on its own too though. Should also kill some road/drivetrain noise.
Jason

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Yeah that is kind of what I am thinking. I am just afraid that being a black floor will cause a lot of heat. I am also not sure what to do with the wires because I have several wires running to the b pillers for the rear doors. I also have wires going to speakers at the rear od the cab. I have thought about just drilling holes in the floor and run them under the cab and use some grommets on the holes to keep water and whatever else out. The little details kill me when i start to think about it. I like to plan ahead and so I'm always looking farward and trying to figure out the little things, but it seems like I never know what I want to do till I get there haha.
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Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well I am getting most of the interior out of the truck, trying to figure out how to remove the heater box from under the dash. Then I need to figure out what to do with the floor for a manual then it will be time for body work.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

I think most of the bolts for the heater box unbolt from the engine side of the firewall.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

So I got my front brake lines figured out and also figured out the hydro clutch setup in my cab.

I need to modify the floor because I have a low hump and need a high hump to clear the manual transmission. This is what I have came up with for a high hump.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0348.jpg

I also never posted pictures of the bracket I made for the Sm465 to be able to use a hydro clutch.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0344.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0345.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0346.jpg

Need to test fit the cab once the floor is modified and then pull it back off and start on the body work!

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Matt,
Looks good, I like the hydro bracket. Keep in mind while fabricating your floorpan that an NV4500 will push the shifter location back, IIRC about 4". I know you are anticipating going that direction later so don't fab yourself into a corner or make it hader later while raising the floorpan now, Like I typically do Hah, Hah.
Jason

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Jason that is a good point, I am pretty sure that I will have enough clearance. One thing though is I am probably putting it lower than a stock one because my sm465/np205 adaptor is mounted 2 inches lower than stock would be (This helps my drive line angle a lot and I dont have to use any kind of spacers or shims to fix it). I dont think I will put a NV4500 behind my 6.2. I will probably just wait till it is time for a cummins swap to swap out the transmission. My setup now I think sould get good gas mileage and at highway speeds it keeps the RPM's below 3k. And then there is the money factor!

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Friday night I built a cab dolly so that I can get the extra crew cab frame out of the shop and still be able to move the cab around.

Yesterday I started to clean up the floor, and finally decided that I needed more room so I was going to pull the bed and cab off of the frame. I unbolted the bed and got it off and it was going good. Once I got close to where I was going to put the bed one of my chains slipped and the passenger side of the bed fell 3 foot and crushed the bottom half of the bed. I did find a rust free good dually bed for $400 that I might get if it is really as good as the guy says. So now I am scared to pick up my good cab and set it on my dolly.

I did get some steel today. So tonight I am going to start trying to get the tranny hump figured out.

So right now I am trying to figure out ways to better support my cab when I lift it because I dont want to have to go about finding another one yet again.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0351.jpg

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Matt,
That cab dolly is sweet dude, You'll be able to paint the cab on that if you so choose.
Jason

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Thanks Jason! That is the plan, one to get my extra frame out of the shop (two long bed crew cab frames take up a bunch of room) and to be able to do the body work on it, and be able to roll it aroundthe shop so I can do body work on other parts to.

Matt
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Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Build is looking good!
Your really moving on this thing.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well I finally got my tranny hump made. I decided that instead of welding it in I am going to make it bolt in.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0354.jpg

After getting that done I wanted to make sure that the floor modification was what it needed to be, and that I was going to clear everything on the frame. I put my 84 cab onto the 85 frame and it is looking good! It is so tall!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0368.jpg

Had to throw the front clip on to get an idea, also parked my k10 next to it to see the height difference.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/IMG_0372.jpg

So now I am going to get the tranny tunnel holes cut and all ready to be installed. I am going to be pulling the cab off one more time and set it on my dolly and get it into primer then set it back on the frame for final paint. I cant wait to get this thing done, it just looks so awesome!

I also noticed that I am going to have to get a lift kit for the front end because I am going to have quite a bit of rake. If you look back a few pages you can see that I mounted the front rear spring hangers lower than they are suppose to be on a stock k30. This gave me quite a bit of lift and so the front end is not level with the back.

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Good looking progress.

What are your plans for your extra crew cab frame? I may be looking for one in a few weeks if you are going to sell it.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well I still have my rusty 85 cab so I might turn that into a project as well with my extra frame.

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Matt,
If you only need a little extra lift 1" zero rate springs from Offroad design or Diy4x's Eazyinch do a great job. They give an 1" of lift, are safe because they bolt into the spring pack and do not affect ride quality negatively. Order the 3" wide version for the front if you go that route. If you need more lift than that I recommend Tuffcountry springs.
Jason
PS Zero Rates are $45-$55.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

I think I am going to need more than 1 inch, I measured the bottom of the cab in the front and in the back and there was almost 2.5" difference in just the height on the cab from that small of an area. It almost seems like i raised the back 4 inches haha.

Those 1 inch lifts might be a good thing to remember about when I do go about fixing the rake, I might not be able to find the right springs I need and those might be what I need to fine tune the height.

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Well I got the tranny hump set into the cab while it was on the frame. This allowed me to cut out the holes needed for the shifters. With the transmission/transfercase dropped 2 inches, and the new high hump I built my np205 shifter is kind of short. I was not able to use the NP205 shifter boot on the transfercase and tried the SM465 boot and it allowed for the movement of the np205 shifter. So I will be swaping the boots so that everything works. Now I do kind of like the NP205 shifter down short like that. it keeps it low so that it might not get hit and it wont really be put into 4x4 very often.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...TrannyHump.jpg

Now the tranny hump is still not fully mounted. I was going to weld it in and now I decided that I want to make it removable because it was really nice to have that big hole in the floor when I was putting the cab on the frame, and if I ever need to drop the transmission it is a good place to hook up a chain to my cherry picker so that I can lower it down to the ground!

To be able to fully install the tranny hump (I need to weld tabs to the body to be able to bolt my hump to the floor) I pulled the cab back off and put it onto my cab dolly. This will also allow me to also be able to do the body work while it is on the cab dolly great! it works well and also holds at least an extra 500lbs so it wont be going anywhere. I did notice that I did not really get my measurements quite right, so at some point I will figureing out the difference and I might post up some plans for anyone that might want a cab dolly for their crew cab.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...b/CabDolly.jpg

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Matt,
The floor hump turned out real good!!! I'm jealous and want to scrap the body lift Idea and go this route now. Need it done though so no changing direction now, maybe an upgrade for another day.
Jason

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Thanks jason! Yeah I don't like body lifts, but it will do what you need to for now till you can get around to modifying the floor. Its not that bad, but there is time to figure out how to go about making it the way you want and making it so that it fits well to the floor. I built my top part and then used a line laser to make lines across the floor so that it would all line up.

Matt

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

The hump looks good Matt! but you know you have your shifter boots mixed up right... lol

Edit: I guess I should read the post next time instead of just looking at the pictures and commenting. haha kinda reminds me of high school.

Re: 85 GMC Sierra Classic 1 Ton Crew Cab
 

Haha good job tony!

I did start to mount the tranny hump yesterday, I have been trying to figure out how to get it to seal so that water and mud dont come up through the gaps.

I removed the rear window, and then started to remove the front window and right before I got it free it cracked. So I guess Ill be getting a new front window.