2wd swap

[KQQL IT]

Recently got a 1982 2wd K5 jimmy

It's apparently been hit in right side hard at some point before me.
Frame is junk since found a 83 4wd frame.
Current state of confusion.

And since we're into it this far. Planning on a 1-1-1/2 inch section of the crossmember some tube A arms and bags.
Rear bagged 2 link

Is it possible to move the crossmember forward much without getting into the steering components?

BTW I'm really thinking these p-19 pins do more damage than good on these trucks.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Yes the bagged truck i helped a kid build was fine that way. Although some people do have to slide the box forward too.

Incase you did not know. 4x4, and 2wd steering boxes are different. Something about different angle of operation.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Recently got a 1982 2wd K5 jimmy

It's apparently been hit in right side hard at some point before me.
Frame is junk since found a 83 4wd frame.
Current state of confusion.

And since we're into it this far. Planning on a 1-1-1/2 inch section of the crossmember some tube A arms and bags.
Rear bagged 2 link

Is it possible to move the crossmember forward much without getting into the steering components?

BTW I'm really thinking these p-19 pins do more damage than good on these trucks.

Moving the x-member forward & up but not moving the steering seems like asking for trouble. I would do a frame 'Z' to move everything together for a better (more consistent) result.

[KQQL IT]

Tie rods on the bottom of the steering arm with a bumpsteer kit is the plan for that.
Or a obs spindle which would accomplish the same thing.


As too the steering box I'm using our existing box.
The donor 4x4 box was gone.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Tie rods on the bottom of the steering arm with a bumpsteer kit is the plan for that.
Or a obs spindle which would accomplish the same thing.


As too the steering box I'm using our existing box.
The donor 4x4 box was gone.

It's not just the TRE's & Bumpsteer concern. The Pitman arm + Idler will be @ a different height as well as fore/aft placement vs. OE.
I'm not saying things won't play well together but I would want to keep things as consistent as possible.

[KQQL IT]

Looked at a few Z ing threads. Not feeling that at all.
My 17 year old got this pos jimmy and a tig welder.
So the possibilities are endless.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Looked at a few Z ing threads. Not feeling that at all.
My 17 year old got this pos jimmy and a tig welder.
So the possibilities are endless.

Understandable. Some people won't cut a frame. I wouldn't either if it couldn't be done w/o retaining full strength.

[KQQL IT]

Easier said than done.
But 1.5 inch section is cut and the kid is getting some filler down

[KQQL IT]

Fixing my cut off wheel wildin.
I believe my kid is on his way.

[SCOTI]

Nothin' to it but to do it. I would agree he's getting it done.

[KQQL IT]

A slight dilemma. The engine stands are aligning weird

[SCOTI]

I had to do spacers on my old '68 when I did my first x-member so there's that option. What about tweaking the flanges slightly? Could that help?

On that set-up, the notched x-member & MM towers used were from a Square & placed between the 68's rails. I used some aftermarket tubular MM towers & made spacers to make up the difference. Unfortunately, I never checked the fit of the stock Squarebody x-member/MM towers before I started the mods.

[tinydb84]

I havent had a problem with the towers not fitting when I sectioned a couple crossmembers. Assuming you did the crossmember correctly I would guess that the towers are off a different generation of truck. Did you try flipping them side to side?

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I havent had a problem with the towers not fitting when I sectioned a couple crossmembers. Assuming you did the crossmember correctly I would guess that the towers are off a different generation of truck. Did you try flipping them side to side?

Correct? That maybe a stretch 1st go at a section
Flipping them made the mounts go sideways.

@scoti
We'll try that next if nothing else cooperates

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I havent had a problem with the towers not fitting when I sectioned a couple crossmembers. Assuming you did the crossmember correctly I would guess that the towers are off a different generation of truck. Did you try flipping them side to side?

Correct? That maybe a stretch 1st go at a section
Flipping them made the mounts go sideways.

@scoti
We'll try that next if nothing else cooperates

[KQQL IT]

Unbolted everything let it relax.
Gave the top flange some attitude and it's a bunch closer

[KQQL IT]

3/16 spacer was the answer.
Wouldn't cooperate with a ratchet strap pulling the rails together.
And I have no idea how the nuts got doubled up like that?!

[SCOTI]

That should get it done.

[KQQL IT]

Saw this on Fakebook another way to snake around the top A arm.
Little hokey ish?
But the idea is solid

[SCOTI]

That's what I mentioned previously in post #11. The 3rd joint & requisite bearing support anchor start making things busy. Some are absolutely necessary (tight R&P set-ups) but w/these trucks it's a straight shot between the column & box. I wanted mine to look clean & uncluttered.

Sectioning the area on the arm was the better option for my 'wants'.

[KQQL IT]

Been on the hunt for a set of those. Upper and lowers.
Have a set of the lowers on my c10 I like the steel bushed pivot and slightly narrow at the pivots.

My son's tig skills are getting better

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

Been on the hunt for a set of those. Upper and lowers.
Have a set of the lowers on my c10 I like the steel bushed pivot and slightly narrow at the pivots.

My son's tig skills are getting better

I like the earlier arms myself after trying poly bushings in the later arms & not liking their 'stiction' during rotation @ times. That stiction to me = inconsistency.

That weld work on the wrench is cool. He should keep that so he can reflect on it one day when you're no longer around to tell him how proud you are of him.

[KQQL IT]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I like the earlier arms myself after trying poly bushings in the later arms & not liking their 'stiction' during rotation @ times. That stiction to me = inconsistency.

That weld work on the wrench is cool. He should keep that so he can reflect on it one day when you're no longer around to tell him how proud you are of him.

Proud and amazed

[KQQL IT]

@scoti

Could you help identify these swap meet drop spindles?

The numbers don't cross reference to anything on the googler

[SCOTI]

OBS spindles would be my bet.