The "In over my head" build thread

[SeventyOne]

Update: 5/6/11

Got my junk back from the powder coater.

Before:



After:





Started getting the suspension assembled. These are Alcan springs. 6" front lift and 2" rear lift + 4" ORD shackle flips w/ 4.5" DIY4X shackles. I hope when I get some weight on the springs the shackles get better angles. Front is negative and the rear is straight up and down...



This thing is going to be huge...
I didn't have enough daylight to get the rear together but soon enough!

In other news:
I should be getting a sick little rebuilt 700r4 and the engine for the build (specs to come) before Memorial day. My brother (there's a pic of him elsewhere in this thread) is on leave from the Marine Corps that weekend so I am hoping he will have time and can help me spin some wrenches on this thing!

[y5mgisi]

Dang that frame came out clean!

[Jtrux]

I just read your build, looks good. On a side note about the lugs having a "loose" feeling, I wouldn't see any issue in running it like that since the friction between the rotor and wheel surface will negate any play in the stud, especially concerning the miniscule amount you mentioned. The stud doesn't actually hold the weight of the vehicle anyways, just the friction between the two surfaces BUT it looks like you found a good solution to your problem and i'm sure you won't have any issues. Look forward to reading about some more progress!

[SeventyOne]

Update 5.8.11 - A bolt-on affair

Man I love new parts! Toughest part of getting the suspension back on the frame are the damn poly bushings! But I guess if they aren't snug and tight they aren't doing their job.

Anyways - here are my shackle angles with no weight on the frame...should I be worrying?





Here's the chassis with the suspension and both axles under it. Tires are 37" MTRs for those not familiar.



Frame height at the belly - It's going to be big...



End of the day snug as a bug next to it's better half



I need to get trans crossmember in place but I am having problems getting the bolt holes to align. It's as if the frame is more narrow now. Anyone have any ideas to "spread the rails" while I get the bolts sinched down? I was thinking of cutting a 4x4 post wider than the rails are currently and tapping it in between the rails to get them to spread slightly - trick is not to scratch the powder coating... thoughts?

[x ReAcT x]

where did you get the bushings that go in the frame for the front shackle. Cant find them anywhere. I went to the ORD website because they have the front shackle kit but all i need is the bushings. Thanks in advance. Your build looks great, hope to get mine looking that good one day ha

[SeventyOne]

You should be able to buy a kit from Prothane. I think that's the manufacturer.

Hell I may even have an extra set...let me look.

[SeventyOne]

Dang it's been another long time since posted!

Guess I was getting burned out and needed to step back a bit...

I was getting hung up on starting the body work and rust repair. I called a media blaster who wanted $3000 to blast and prime the truck - this seemed ridiculous to me. I contemplated saving the cash to have this done or upgrading to a nice 2-stage compressor and buying a blaster and doing it myself. In any event it was demoralizing and rather than worry about the project I just let it sit...

Good new is since Christmas I've refocused and have been making more progress on the build. Just for the sake of moving forward I am continuing with finishing up the chassis and will deal with the body later.

Work done since my last post:

• stainless brake and fuel lines ran
• Fuel pump installed
• Braided pump to carb fuel line installed
• GM serpentine setup installed
• Cleaned and painted the hubs and rotors (which were starting to acquire surface rust)
• Installed brake calipers and pads
• Removed 3 row radiator brackets from core support and bolted in 4 row saddles

Pics coming of all this I promise...

But my latest issue is with the power steering pressure hose. I wonder if the metal line is too close to the engine block? There is probably 1/16" to 3/32" gap between them now.

The line is new from Napa made for a 71 Blazer...but then again 71 Blazers didn't have serpentine setups. I had to mildly tweak/bend the Napa line to get it to install at all. So is it too close? Should I bend the line a little more? Is there something I can place between the block and line? Is it fine, move on?

Here's some pics...




The hose looks close to the belt in this pic but I'd say there's an inch or so of clearance.