My 52 GMC Build

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by joedoh

I cant believe you dont have an engine driven compressor on that diesel. I know someone makes one! it will change your life, you know what the recovery time is for a lift? 12 SECONDS. 12. if you have a leak and your tank goes empty overnight, filling from slap empty is under 2 minutes.

I love how the inside tires are even with the bed wall, gave me a chuckle.

Yes some day it will, might have both. I made york style one for my Jeep years ago. Fills a 35" tire from 10psi to 35psi as fast as an auto shop.

[Dieselwrencher]

As far as I've ever seen, those IDI's only had belt driven air compressors. I've never seen one driven off the gear train. Finding a bolt on one may be a real feat now a days. But making the brackets wouldn't be too bad for you to do. A comp off an early DT360, 466, or 408 would work too. Then modify brackets etc accordingly.

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

As far as I've ever seen, those IDI's only had belt driven air compressors. I've never seen one driven off the gear train. Finding a bolt on one may be a real feat now a days. But making the brackets wouldn't be too bad for you to do. A comp off an early DT360, 466, or 408 would work too. Then modify brackets etc accordingly.

Ya my Jeep compressor was v-belt drive. I also have a york that is serpentine and I mated one to a modified starter motor as a portable. I have seen them on ford vans in the wrecking yard.

I got my batteries hooked up and got air working again. My air tanks don't leek at all and I have one small leek on the drivers front. It's on the back of the gauge. I looked this morning, so 12hr drivers front 20 psi down. I'll get that fixed.

[lower50's]

Put my bed on last night well whats left of a bed, more like a tonneau cover. I'm going to use ply wood for now. Then I screwed on some old signs I have. Looks neat, I also have an old home made galvanized cooler that was given to me it will go near the front between the signs. In the last pic you can also see the red main power dual batt disconnect sw. It's for a boat.

[RockinKees]

Nice!
Not much of a bed left, but I like what you do to it, with the signs!

[divideoverflow]

Howdy! I just wanted to let you know that while I saw waiting for my forum account to get activated, I noticed your thread and read the whole thing from the beginning to current day.

I really like what you did with your truck, and have enjoyed watching the videos, seeing the pictures, and hearing about the work you have done! I'm subscribing so I can keep up with any updates you make.

Question: You said you were planning for a long time. Did you draw out all this stuff on paper, use any computer programs to work out what you wanted, etc? What was your process for the planning phase? I'm an engineer, and always like to hear about the design phase that people go through, because I know how much work goes into that part that nobody actually sees except in the execution of the final product.

[Advanced Design]

Lower, that is a great looking bed floor / tonneau cover!

[Chance48]

Sweet lowers!!

[WorkinWrenchs]

Impressive... Just read this from start to now. I have similar ideas for my build with the bed floor being hinged, back halving the rear and air ride suspension. One day it will will be a diesel but now the plans are for a gas motor.

How do you like the accu air vu4 i am looking at that same controller/valving? When you built your controller box did you order a wire harness from them and it appears that you cut and spliced theirs to meet up to yours.

Great build and highly inspired to get mine half way done. Biggest issue is $$$

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Nice!
Not much of a bed left, but I like what you do to it, with the signs!

Thanks Kees

Originally Posted by divideoverflow

Howdy! I just wanted to let you know that while I saw waiting for my forum account to get activated, I noticed your thread and read the whole thing from the beginning to current day.

I really like what you did with your truck, and have enjoyed watching the videos, seeing the pictures, and hearing about the work you have done! I'm subscribing so I can keep up with any updates you make.

Question: You said you were planning for a long time. Did you draw out all this stuff on paper, use any computer programs to work out what you wanted, etc? What was your process for the planning phase? I'm an engineer, and always like to hear about the design phase that people go through, because I know how much work goes into that part that nobody actually sees except in the execution of the final product.

Thanks Divide. Glad you like it. The build started 14-15 years ago when I started looking for my truck. With my trades Millwright and Machinist I am trying to put all the things I have learnt into this truck. I don't draw anything out prior to building. I design it all in my head and seat of my pants engineering. Part of the process was due to my 1.5 garage work space. You are very right that nobody sees all the work.

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Lower, that is a great looking bed floor / tonneau cover!

Thanks AD It looks better than I thought it would. Just need it weathered now.

Originally Posted by Chance48

Sweet lowers!!

Thanks

Originally Posted by WorkinWrenchs

Impressive... Just read this from start to now. I have similar ideas for my build with the bed floor being hinged, back halving the rear and air ride suspension. One day it will will be a diesel but now the plans are for a gas motor.
Lookin forward to reading about it.
How do you like the accu air vu4 i am looking at that same controller/valving? When you built your controller box did you order a wire harness from them and it appears that you cut and spliced theirs to meet up to yours.

Great build and highly inspired to get mine half way done. Biggest issue is $$$

Thanks. So far I love the valve, so simple and neat. No I did not order the harness from them. Some day I will upgrade to the E-level so I just unplug the pig tail and plug the E-level in. Seems like $$ is always the factor.

[lower50's]

Friday eve my friend Joe brought his works mobile alignment van over so we could get that done. The alignment heads will not fit on when the fenders are on.
After 4 hrs and beers we had the rear end and front end all in the green at my normal ride height of 3.5". Track, caster, camber, toe. We also looked to see what changes at 1" and 6".
I had to put the duals on for alignment.

This is what we started with. Sorry no after shot computer shut down when we tried to print.

[Chance48]

Lowers, what are the dimensions or your rad and innercooler? Do you think there is enough cooling there should you work the truck? I ask cuz I will use my truck for some towing here and there or road trips in mountains and what not. I know I can put in smaller rad and cooler just for easy cruising but am stumped how I can fit OE stuff in my Coe front end. I'm sure that engine will be similar in its cooling needs as mine. I can't move the engine back anymore to put innercooler there or vise versa. This doggone rad and cooler issue is eating me up mentally. Once I get this outta my hair it'll be smooth sailing.

I went all manual on my bag setup. Kinda wishin I went e-level. Saved a ton of coin though, to sacrifice the cool factor.

[reaper71]

Getting closer..

Mark...

[99 to Life]

that's a cool setup. I had to find a specific place to align mine too.

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Chance48

Lowers, what are the dimensions or your rad and innercooler? Do you think there is enough cooling there should you work the truck? I ask cuz I will use my truck for some towing here and there or road trips in mountains and what not. I know I can put in smaller rad and cooler just for easy cruising but am stumped how I can fit OE stuff in my Coe front end. I'm sure that engine will be similar in its cooling needs as mine. I can't move the engine back anymore to put innercooler there or vise versa. This doggone rad and cooler issue is eating me up mentally. Once I get this outta my hair it'll be smooth sailing.

I went all manual on my bag setup. Kinda wishin I went e-level. Saved a ton of coin though, to sacrifice the cool factor.

The rad is 23" wide by 25" tall 4 core. The inercooler is 32"X13"X3.25". I'm thinking it will cool fine I will be pushing a lot less wind and a lot less weight, but I too will be pulling camping trailers from time to time. If I have trouble I'll add something like this.
http://derale.com/products/fluid-coo...0897141-detail
I have a smaller 3 core in my Jeep that works really hard on the highway and its fine. Time will tell.
Ya you can always go E-level later.

[lower50's]

Today I picked up some dually chrome hub covers from a friend. Not sure if I'm going to put them on but there hard to come by and FREE.
I also got the Hydro boost installed made up an adjustable peddle link using 1/2" threaded rod.

[SS_madness]

dam that looks great

[lower50's]

Saturday Joe finished up a sweet job on the inner fenders and rad support. Several coats of primer and gloss black paint. Should make under the hood really pop.

Today I made some stainless brackets to hold my Wilwood proportioning valve and line lock. Then got my first line attached.

[RockinKees]

Looks good!

[joedoh]

nice work on the adjustable pedal rod! hydroboost is great, never bleed your brakes ever again!

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by RockinKees

Looks good!

Thanks

Originally Posted by joedoh

nice work on the adjustable pedal rod! hydroboost is great, never bleed your brakes ever again!

Thanks I made the same type of rod for my Jeep years ago just no hydroboost.

[lower50's]

Got the axle hard lines made up today. They are not fastened down yet because on my way to work I picked up all my fittings and stainless flex lines. I hope to have it all together tomorrow.

[lower50's]

Brake lines are 99% done. I have to find the right fitting to go from the master to the line lock. I used stainless braided at the wheels and from the frame up to the master.
Also got the rear all put together.

[Dieselwrencher]

Very nice! It's getting real close now!

[Chance48]

Looks great, that is the same valve I'm gonna use for bias. Can't wait for some vid of your first burnout!!