jimmy build

[70 beast]

well the intake and carb swap is all done! got the carb for 30 bucks from my dads co-worker (any cons to edlebrock carbs???)




took it for a spin, it needs a new booster (old ones stealing vacuum and leaking) but runs real strong!

so all thats left is:

1. get a new booster
2. buy and install shocks
3. install new power steering box

and a million other small items

[onlyifihadachevy]

Nice set up.

[Yukon Jack]

Looks like a good setup. So you notice a nice change in power?

[70 beast]

i did notice when i took it around the block, that it had a better response. with the 2 barrel, it seemed sluggish and the vacuum leak was substantial enough to prevent it from driving half way decent.
with the new set up not only was i able to drive it around the block, it didn't seem like the vacuum leak hindered the performance of the carb and truck as a whole.

all in all, it was a great change.

[70 beast]

update time!

ok, since i got the carb on i have been fighting the brakes tooth and nail. ended up replace the brake booster, master cylinder (3x..2 previous were faulty), proportioning valve, front calipers, and now brake pads (front only)...damn haha. but all was worth it. stops really good now. im looking into going to hydro-boost. have a buddy that runs it and says its one of the best mods hes done yet.

all i need to do now is get shocks for all 4 corners, maybe a new 4 core radiator, door locks, air filter, and re-gear the front axle to 4.56 to match the Eaton...and ofcourse register it and insurance

i do have a few questions on re-gearing.

Situation: i have the original d44 from this truck. it has 3.08 gears and i want to re-gear it to 4.56. ive been reading that if i go with a "thin cut" gear set ill need a new carrier. then i read about "thick cut gears".
now the questions
1. is there any downsides to thick cut?
2. can i really use my existing carrier?
3. is there any downsides to running a used (but in good shape) ring and pinion set (given its a thick cut set)

i really want to try and re-gear it myself (ive read ALOT so im pretty familiar with the procedure but reading and doing are two separate issues). there is a gear shop that can do it for a good price. (d44 is just a housing and gears, so eassy install i suppose)should i try and re-gear it myself for just take it to the shop?

ill post pics as soon as i get home. now i get to look orward to 4 hours of physics....yay

[Chevymaniac]

You've done an awesome job in breathing new life into the K5. I wish i had one, but i have to be satisfied with my truck.

Keep up the good work.

[dccarpenter]

Try and regear it yourself, you've demonstrated your mechanical competence in all the other photos you've shown. If you get that gauge that shows the depth rather than using the marking compound method it is not that impossible. I'm not a good mechanic and I managed it.

The Jimmy looks great by the way, I'd probably be one of the fools asking if it was for sale.

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Nice looks good all cleaned up with them goodies. I have never done re-gearing but have a lot of people tell me if your mechanically inclined its not all that bad at all!

[70 beast]

well finally got around to posting up some pics. also got to take her for a quick spin with my women to get her opinion on how our trucks turned out. she loves it

got rid of all the red except for the tailgate. just wasnt feeling the red. i really want to repaint it primer gray or try and find a blue primer but we will see. the lady friend wants to take it straight to paint but i think thats later down the road.




and the new booster and master for the brakes.


thanks for all the compliments and i think im going to try and regear it myself . ill need to get a dial indicator but that shouldnt be a problem. so it theres any advice you guys have, im more that appreciative to hear it.

[onlyifihadachevy]

Are you going to coat the master in something because mine looks rusty and is only a few months old.

[70 beast]

heres ashot of the motor all buttoned up and a video of a test run

[IMG]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b186/Daniel...

[70 beast]

Originally Posted by onlyifihadachevy

Are you going to coat the master in something because mine looks rusty and is only a few months old.

not sure yet. if i do ill just hit it with some black paint

[70 beast]

i was looking through all my pictures and found an artsy kinda photo

also the one year of this truck is coming up...so stoked on how the trucks coming along

[Rollinsqrbdy]

Man i really like ur blazer. I got a question though, What are you using for bumpers?

[70 beast]

for the front bumper im going to alter the stock one until i can build my own front tube bumper and im going do the same for the rear also

[Eturnit3]

Ive always liked the original bumpers with the winch hidden behind the plate. Your build has come along way since the last time i looked. Kinda bums me out to see how fast everyone's moving along Whats up with the front driveshaft? How far down the line is this truggy build? Keep up the good work!!

[70 beast]

Originally Posted by Eturnit3

Ive always liked the original bumpers with the winch hidden behind the plate. Your build has come along way since the last time i looked. Kinda bums me out to see how fast everyone's moving along Whats up with the front driveshaft? How far down the line is this truggy build? Keep up the good work!!

ive got the front shaft waiting but i need to re gear the front before i can use it haha

i agree the hidden winch look is killer, but im not sure what i want to do for the bumper now. theres a winch bumper similar to yours at a local pick n pull that i was thinking about altering and using that cuz the original bumper idea i had didn't quite turn out like i had hoped.

[70 beast]

finally got my shocks!

ordered up some pro-comp es3000 shocks


also forgot to mention i picked up a cherry grill bout a month ago. no dents, dings or folds like the last one for 30 bucks!!!!!

[70 beast]

got the shocks on today
not much else. hung out with my parents n older sis.

on to pics



and a comparison of my grills

old


new

[milled]

nice work dude! nice upgrades!

[70 beast]

pick n pull was having a 50% off sale this weekend
so i went and got a 4 core radiator out of a 2wd 1 ton that was in great shape....$30
man i love 50% off sales.

[70 beast]

finally decided on a color for paint.
wasnt feeling the flat black too much. almost went with a primer grey, but chose to see what a certain blue would look like and its the color.
going to get a few more cans from work and finish it up, and hopefully be driving it by mid june....hopefully



and my pops finally got his truck road worthy. had to get this going since he had to park his 62 nova for repairs.

[Mike C]

You can buy a Dana 44 front case for 4.10 and up gears and you can swap the internals from yours into it. Probably cost $100. Or thick gears work fine. I had a set on my 12 bolt for years on the original 3.08 case.

If you are wanting some sort of traction device on the front, a TruTrac is ideal and can be had for $350 if you shop around. Also, a TrakLok will only set you back $200 and for the front is a pretty good option as well.

If it was me, I would buy the $100 pinion depth checker that ProForm makes (you may be able to get a knockoff on eBay even cheaper) which comes with a dial indicator. This will give you the ability to measure pinion depth as well as check backlash with the addition of a cheap magnetic indicator base.

You may be able to buddy up with someone who has a press to help you swap carrier bearings and to work with the pinion depth. Dana axles are a little more difficult to set backlash on because shims are behind side gears. To really pull it off you need a carrier bearing puller, but it is possible without.

Good resources on www.pirate4x4.com

[70 beast]

thanks mike,

im always on pirate, reading. ill only post if its on my buddy's build. a little too much drama for my liking. but the tech it has is very helpful.

once i get the funds together i think ill look into that depth checker you suggested. and im gonna go with a thick cut set so i dont have to get another case. and as for a locker, i think ill keep it open

[scottsdaleowner75]

What is that blue color called and who makes it? Is it a primer or paint?