LFD's low buck truck build!

[Rokcrln]

Well I got all my front end parts today and got started tearing into it some more. I got the new A-arm cross shafts and pitman arm from Marty over at "East Bay frame & axle" in SanLeandro (510-569-4285). I have delt with this shop in th epast and they are all hot rodders. I went their last week to run my frame splice by them before doing the work and they said it was right on par. I will be taking Low Buck their for it's 4 wheel alignment and I will take my camera this time. They have a cherry fully rebuilt SWB chassie hanging from their ceiling in the main shop! Also Marty told me he would do a LWB to a SWB conversion for about 1k (frame and suspention only) if any one needs a place to go.

Then off to napa auto parts for misc parts I needed like new wheel bearing, seals, frame rebuild in a can (rust tough ), parts cleaner and new front brake lines. I had all the ball joints and steering parts from my other truck that have never been put on so now it is Low Bucks turn.

I spent 2hrs tonight pulling the A-arm shafts out and removing the ball joints. I used my elect impact to get the cross shaft nuts off and my grinder and air hammer to remove the top ball joints. I then went into the shop and put about 45ton's of power to the lower joints to pop them out. Then I went to the car wash and cleaned things up before starting to spray on some gloss black.

The susp parts that I already had with the steering parts were about $450 and the new complete cross shafts and pitman arm were another $321.57 and then another $55.21 at Napa. I hope to get some time on Sunday to put it all back together.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
$2015.42
77.5hrs

[Rokcrln]

and~

[Bugeyev8]

I have been going to Marty for about 20 years, the truck hanging there is his buddys HS auto shop project, the rest of the truck is at the guys house, I don't know how Marty is doing these days...I was told he was terminal stage 4 cancer a few months ago, I hope that is not true but thats what the guys at the shop tell me...

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Well I got all my front end parts today and got started tearing into it some more. I got the new A-arm cross shafts and pitman arm from Marty over at "East Bay frame & axle" in SanLeandro (510-569-4285). I have delt with this shop in th epast and they are all hot rodders. I went their last week to run my frame splice by them before doing the work and they said it was right on par. I will be taking Low Buck their for it's 4 wheel alignment and I will take my camera this time. They have a cherry fully rebuilt SWB chassie hanging from their ceiling in the main shop! Also Marty told me he would do a LWB to a SWB conversion for about 1k (frame and suspention only) if any one needs a place to go.

Then off to napa auto parts for misc parts I needed like new wheel bearing, seals, frame rebuild in a can (rust tough ), parts cleaner and new front brake lines. I had all the ball joints and steering parts from my other truck that have never been put on so now it is Low Bucks turn.

I spent 2hrs tonight pulling the A-arm shafts out and removing the ball joints. I used my elect impact to get the cross shaft nuts off and my grinder and air hammer to remove the top ball joints. I then went into the shop and put about 45ton's of power to the lower joints to pop them out. Then I went to the car wash and cleaned things up before starting to spray on some gloss black.

The susp parts that I already had with the steering parts were about $450 and the new complete cross shafts and pitman arm were another $321.57 and then another $55.21 at Napa. I hope to get some time on Sunday to put it all back together.

Kevin
LFD Inc.
$2015.42
77.5hrs

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Bugeyev8

I have been going to Marty for about 20 years, the truck hanging there is his buddys HS auto shop project, the rest of the truck is at the guys house, I don't know how Marty is doing these days...I was told he was terminal stage 4 cancer a few months ago, I hope that is not true but thats what the guys at the shop tell me...

I hope not he is a hell of a nice guy!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

It is on the ground And looks hot!!! I love the stance for a all around vehical, cruises, towing, HomeDepot runs and what not. I still have the brakes to do, driveline, exhaust, gas tank, front sway bar and alignment. Then when the shop opens up I will do a very quick body and paint job.

Today I installed the 2" ECE front springs (02-6372-2f $114.00) and their 2.5" drop spindles (911-7172 $229.00) then the rear is about 6"+- due to the flip kit. I installed new wheel bearing and all new steering parts as well. This truck should drive alot better than new in a few weeks.
Another $343.00 and 6hrs to the total

Kevin
LFD Inc.
$2476.42
85hrs

[Rokcrln]

Well I was a slacker today. Started at 6am headed down to Lowes for some wall mount lights for the shop. Then off to church at 10 and out to the shop at 12 to install the lights and misc. Then about 2pm I started on the truck and here is what I got done (or started )

First project was installing the ECE hidden hitch. I must say their are not very many items that I can make my self but instead I will go out and buy, but this is one of them and worth every penny! To start I clamped it in place with the end up against the lic plate holder. I had to grind off two rivits from the rear cross member for it to sit flat but this cross member wil get addessed later. Then transfer punch the mounting holes and trace the reciever tube end to the plate holder before removing the hitch to drill holes. Mark and cut the hole in the plate holder, mount the plate flip that came in the kit. Drill the mounting holes and bolt it all back up. Done deal. I just followed the directions that were provided in the very complete kit and it all worked out great. The only thing I will add to the hitch is a rattle nut. The reciever fits a bit loose and will rattle alot so I will add a nut and bolt(not done yet) to tighten things up for towing.


Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

The rest of the ECE Hitch~

[Rokcrln]

Then I went for the C-notch! It is just a basic notch that I have done several times before and their are a few How-to's already in the how-to list by Krue. I just made the notch 2 1/4" deep and that gave me 4.5" of axel bump room before the diff hits the bed floor. I will add bump stops to the inside to keep the diff from hitting but not by much I also plan on adding some more bracing to the frame in the notch area becasue this truck will be used for towing alot!


Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

Then

[skchevota]

We must have been typeing at the same time, after I posted I saw you post.On the hood of you truck is the U-Bolt setup I was refering to . Looks Like you have it covered, as always

[IvelDesigns]

great work man.

do you have a parts list with numbers for your front end components? or did you just use your local napa type store for them?

[Crank]

DAMN, I love this truck!!! But did I miss something? Where did the wheels and tires come from? All you gotta do now is whip that cab and clip into shape and throw some pigment at it... DAMN is it lookin BADASS THO!!!! Wish I had your talents
Brandon

[Rokcrln]

Thanks guys! I am very pleased with how it is turning out. The rims came from my side yard were my rottie has been pissin on them for years now The slotted rims did not want to fit back on over the new rotors their was a few .001 off. I have a set of stock truck rims comming from a board member when he gets a chance. They are 7's for the front and 8's for the rear.
The ones on the truck now are 15x8's rust with a touch of chrome 255/60/15's front and 275/60/15's rear.

No I do not have a parts list for the steering and suspention rebuild parts. I bought a kit about 7yrs ago for my other truck (slow build) from one of the magazine places that specialize in suspention rebuilds but I can not think of the name right now. It was about $500 for the kit but it only came with A-arm bushings not the new shaft kit like I installed in this one. I think the best place for a complete quality kit would be from ECE. I called them on a price for the A-arm cross shafts and their price was way better then what I paid but I needed them on friday so it cost me a few extra $.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[VDOG]

Nevermind about the PM Rockcrln, I see the tire info now.

[72CSTC5]

Looking good but the front bumper still has me doing double takes. Change it already!!! LOL!! Tightwad.

[kevncar]

I went out in my garage the other night, busted out the little butane torch and toasted all the black widows of my frame and thought I got a lot done. It makes me sick how much you get done. Keep up the awesome work.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

great work as always, cant wait to see the next update of results

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

Looking good but the front bumper still has me doing double takes. Change it already!!! LOL!! Tightwad.

What ever are you talking about Those are my driving light holes!

Originally Posted by kevncar

I went out in my garage the other night, busted out the little butane torch and toasted all the black widows of my frame and thought I got a lot done. It makes me sick how much you get done. Keep up the awesome work.

Their in it self is your problem, I get the black widows to help with the builds!

Well next will I will get brakes put on , finish the rear flip kit, mount the bags and install the gas tank and plum it in. Then I think I will be out of money on it for now. I only have $12.35 left

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[manimal]

I LOVE THIS!! AWESOME JOB!
-Lance

[timcos]

GR8 job Kevin. Love that big gas tank...84 blazer HUH?

I am starting to build my bed lift from your plans in welding class tomorrow.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by timcos

I am starting to build my bed lift from your plans in welding class tomorrow.

Good deal! I have been using mine a few times a week since it was built.
My wife has even used it once

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[skchevota]

Hey, the tank looks good! My frame has another cross member just be hind the axle and it sits at a slight angle. I think I have seen it on other leaf trucks as well but maby it was not always used. That is the other one I attached my straps to. As for the filler neck I first used a pice of 2" exhaust pipe and had it bent to go into the rear wheel well area. This would probebly be tough for you since it is lowerd. I later drilled a hole in the bed side staight out from the filler on the tank and used a stock stainless cap. I had a bit more room for routing because of the body lift. I am sure you will come up with something trick! I wanted to keep mine out of the bed because I used my truck alot and unloading it to fill up did not sound like fun..

[Frizzle Fry]

You can get those tanks "new" (old but not used), from HERE for $25 plus $25 shipping. Search for Blazer and it will come up. I put one in my shorty a couple years ago. Then, to save even more money, I welded in the sender flange from the truck tank, and bent the truck's sending unit float arm to work in the blazer tank. Check it out:

[Rokcrln]

Mike that tank is close but still a bit different. But for 75% less it sure would work! I need my filler to exit the side body panel because I plan on using this truck as a truck alot. I just need to hit the pick-N-pull and go import shopping

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Yukon Jack]

Sure have enjoyed watching this project!