For Gramps (1970 C20 RestoMod)

[mjensen]

Jason, here's the link we talked about:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624445

Mike

[Jahloha]

Originally Posted by MAC71

I was thinking about this and because the suburban was a big block, was heavy and I used it to tow I wanted a load range E tire, I think that the 285 70 17 was a extra load and the 285 75 17 was the E tire and that was what did not fit. It was about 7 years ago when I test fitted it. I hope you have the clearance because those tires are going to look really good!

Yeah, I dont tow a lot, but wanted the E load for the few times a year I load up something heavy (2-4K lbs). But yeah, since Ill be throwing a 383 in, should weigh a bit less then the big block...right? haha

Originally Posted by mjensen

Jason, here's the link we talked about:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=624445

Mike

Mike, seriously, thank you so much. Helps to have another Utahn who I can bounce ideas off. Now we just gotta get Mac to meet up with us! Id say come kick the tires, but Im not there yet haha.

[Jahloha]

FINAL REAR END TEAR DOWN:

This freaking rear end, specifically the coil bolts has been a big pain in the butt! By far the hardest thing for me to tear down in the entire process.

I ended up cutting each coil at the lowest point I could to gain access to the bolt. I also cut the bolt heads off on the bottom of the trailing arms. After these two steps, I cut a portion off of each retaining cup to be able to then cut the the nut off each bolt.

Lastly, with the cup removed and just the rusted bolt shaft through each trailing arm, I got my 10 lb hammer and a pin and just whacked the hell out of each one. Took me about 5 minutes of solid swinging until each one came out.

Needless to say, I am VERY happy I am done with that. Here are some pics:

[Jahloha]

REAR END SWAP:

So after a lot of reading and talking with some board members, I began looking for a 14 bolt rear end locally. Although not completely confident moving forward with the swap, I found one and bought it for only $65. Its from a 78' GMC 3/4 ton and has been sitting for roughly 6 years.

Here are the reasons I am wanting to swap my Eaton out for the 14 Bolt (now if I say something you know to be false, dont yell at me haha, help educate me!):

1. Want ease of accessing replacement parts
2. Want to be able to switch my gears, moving from 4.11 Eaton to 3.73 in the 14B
3. Will be doing a disc brake conversion, parts and brackets cheaper on the 14 bolt (I plan on using this bracket http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/14BSRW.html )
4. If I did the swap, I wanted to have something just as durable as the Eaton. Although I believe the Eaton to be the more solid rear end, the 14B is a close second and if something breaks, parts will be easier to locate

Anyways, for only $65, I jumped on this rear end. Its currently at the sandblasters getting blasted. But heres some pics when I picked it up from the PO.

[Jahloha]

Getting nearer and nearer to putting parts back onto the truck, I was tired of the crappy lighting in my garage. So I swung by Home Depot and picked up some plug in shop lights and bulbs for about $50 total.

Although I would have preferred to hard wire them and daisy chain into my existing light fixtures, I do like that I can turn one or both on when needed.

[MAC71]

Originally Posted by Jahloha

Getting nearer and nearer to putting parts back onto the truck, I was tired of the crappy lighting in my garage. So I swung by Home Depot and picked up some plug in shop lights and bulbs for about $50 total.

Although I would have preferred to hard wire them and daisy chain into my existing light fixtures, I do like that I can turn one or both on when needed.

Attachment 1325177
Attachment 1325178

You can never have to much light!

I sent you a PM and you inspired me to start a build thread located here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649755

[Jahloha]

Ball Joints Removal:

So the past few days have been spent getting these dang ball joints out of the control arms, both upper and lower. This job now ranks as one of the crappiest jobs I've done on the truck haha.

Things I learned...

1. When I first started this job I felt like I needed a few specialty tools, but nope, all I needed was brute force
2. I felt like I'd bend the control arm or some other component if I really swung a BFH as hard as I could, but nope, swing it as hard as you can
3. I felt like there may be a secret to getting these rivets out after grinding off the heads, but nope, swing away like Babe Ruth

Long story short, any who ends up reading this in the future and are stuck removing your ball joints, take this advice:

Get the biggest BFH you have and swing with all your might!!!!!! Hahaha.

Anyways, anyone who has removed these knows the happiness these before and after pictures can make a grown man feel.

Before (sat like this for two nights of frustration)


After (BFH, all your force, bingo!)
Of course, remember to grind off the rivet heads