JA50N's 86 GMC: A rust wars story

[JA50N]

Rear axle is in and it is sitting on the suspension! Need to order a new rear drive shaft from Tom Woods tomorrow. Still a bunch left to do but this is a big milestone.

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

[JA50N]

Shake down run to the gas station was completed! Went un-eventful which is good. Need to get the tires re balanced as some of the stick on weights have come off.

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

[LT7A]

Truck looks sharp. I'm not normally a fan of black wheels, bumpers, etc. But it suits that color combination and the purpose.

[JA50N]

Another update.

Winch install:
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

I used a universal mount from Amazon, some class 3 hitch extension, a little welding and some creativity.

Next, the spare and hi-lift jack install:
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

And finally, CB for the trail:
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

I need to put a pinion seal in the 14 bolt as it is weeping when driving right now but she is coming together.

[Jeepwm69]

Looks nice!

[JA50N]

Small bit of progress this afternoon. Got extended bump stops in the front. And have mods for the rear end!

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Hopefully I lowered the stops enough. I may have to swap to a lower profile engine cross member because of the crossover steering. I need to flex it out and see how close it gets.

[57taskforce]

Nice work Jason. That crossover steering looks great.

[Richard]

I like it! Looks like your hard work has paid off. Congratulations on the progress.

[JA50N]

Update, the truck completed Pott's Mountain Jeep trail including the 4 hour drive there and back. Had to winch 2 times. Winch and mount performed flawlessly. Sustained minor body damage on the driver bed side and passenger lower front fender when it dropped down on a rock. On to some pics:

before:
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

after:
Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

I'm trying to get some videos that some people took of the outing. Edit:

122796231_355680369085914_8818866883030842522_n by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

[57taskforce]

Awesome stuff! Looks like a blast, I never did Potts when I was still in VA. My brother has taken his 98 grand Cherokee on 40’s up there a few times.

[JA50N]

It was a good time for sure. I wish the weather was a little better but I'll take it. At least it wasn't pouring rain the whole time.

[Hart_Rod]

Any updates

[JA50N]

Not really. Been driving it around on the weekends. I really want to take it up to Flagpole Knob this summer. I did end up having to do a rotor, cap and plugs on it the other day because it was running really bad and almost didn't get me home from work. I also want to move the gas tank to the bed and get some sliders on it to protect the rockers. I did redo the exhaust after it almost fell off, lol. I think I tweaked it at Pott's Mountain:

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

[JA50N]

Small update. The wipers on my truck have never parked right and the intermittent setting has never worked. Well, now they do. Had to replace the wiper motor. Seems like the little switch at the top that rides on the gear was trashed.

https://youtu.be/hwYNsoCknbM

Next up, I have door panel strips on the way and a NP208 speedo gear to get my speedometer correct finally.

[JA50N]

Update! So I finally decided to keep the saddle tanks under the truck and incorporate protection for the tanks into the slider design. Now, I don't have the equipment or skill to build custom bolt on (they have to come off to service the tanks) sliders but I was able to find a talented fabricator in my area willing to work on my old junk. I got him to custom make me some sliders and a bed rack (because overland, duh? lol). So after a few weeks of waiting this is what I have:

Untitled by JASON MCKIMMEY, on Flickr

The rack will hold the spare, a 4 gallon Rotopax because she's a thirsty girl, hi-lift and various recover gear associated with the winch etc. It also has a provision for the CB antenna and additional Rotopax mounts for water/coolant or whatever else I can decide. This frees up the bed by allowing me to lose the giant heavy steel tool box and go to a lightweight footlocker for spare parts. It also allows me to camp in the bed if need be.

The sliders have an integrated step (a requirement from the wife) and protection for the saddle tanks. The are also bolt on so they can be removed to service the tanks. I need to replace the passenger side as it has a pin hole leak.

I intend to drive the truck wherever I go to wheel, gas prices be damned so it needs to have the ability go down the highway at 70 mph. Next mods up after the fuel tank replacement, is hydro assist steering. I'll post more pics of the sliders when I get a chance to take some.

[Honest Bob]

Really cool truck! I'd love to see how the sliders are mounted.