New year, new to do list..

[sellersrodshop]

First, happy new yr to everyone! With the new year, focus is on finally getting a few nagging issues resolved with the old truck. I put this thing together 25+ yrs ago before I had a computer, when everything was done via magazine articles, parts catalogs or figure it out and fab it up on your own. Truck was put together to use, as I had another step side that was for show. It’s held together pretty well for being used as a truck and sitting out in the weather all that time, but needs some attention. When I put it together, I used a long tail TH350, with the intention of swapping it later for a 700r4. 20 yrs ago, I started that process which has turned into a complete nightmare, due to transmission builders and shops lying about the product, “losing” my 700r4 and so on (long story). I have a solid guy now who I will take the trans to and find out if I have been duped again and make a decision on whether to continue on with the 709r or just buy a new 4l60e and stand alone controller. The current TH350 leaks fluid out every place possible (has since day one, another long story). The truck was put together with parts from 3 different vehicles, a base Chevy short bed frame with all suspension, steering etc being swapped from a loaded 71 GMC. The rear axle is a 3.08 with brackets changed from leaf spring to trailing arm.

Second major issue to sort out is driveline angles and associated vibrations. When originally built 25 yrs ago, front was lowered approx 5.5”, 3” springs and 2.5” spindles (ECE) Rear was lowered 5” with springs only, rest stock configuration and have had a “cyclic” vibration that comes and goes in waves. I did make a set of brackets a few yrs back for the shocks to improve the angle after the original shocks used were blown out.

Now for the questions and advice part of this novel…

#1 To start on the driveline angle issues, would I benefit from starting with one of the trailing arm crossmembers with the adjustable, multi hole mounting brackets? & work from there to the rear? I would still like to drop the rear another inch and have some solid aluminum I could fab a small lowering block from and machine a few degrees of angle into them if needed to get things correct. Any other tips, recommendations etc will be appreciated and considered to get it right.

#2 any real benefit to going to aftermarket tubular trailing arms with the helm joints vs bushings or continue on with the stock arms and maybe poly bushings?

#3 I know the 3.08 isn’t an optimal ratio with a 700r4 or 4l60e. Considering it’s used as a truck with fuel mileage an issue, would a rebuild of the existing rear using a 3.42 work best or find one of the many 3.73 geared rear ends floating around and just swap it in? Truck will never be on a track and fuel mileage is the major concern. Wheels are 20x10 on the rear with 275’s. I will go to 295’s next tire change, but got a great deal on this package so will run these for awhile.