LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by woodwright

Don't suppose you want to adopt a few more kids? I'm only 31.

In all seriousness though, you seem like a really good daddy to your son.

Thank you that is one of the best comments I have received on this site

Originally Posted by LOW DOUGH

What is that? Do I see independent rear in there? I still got to go back and read.

Crud did I put the front in the back? Nate must have mis-marked the DM box


Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

22 3/4" of rear rubber
I started working on the rear bag upper mounts. I decided to go with tube so I can tie it in with the upper diff web and then into the rear of the frame. I still have several mount braces to add to what you see as well as the upper mounting plates. But I did find one slight or major problem with the space limitations I have. I went to slide the tank in so I could see were to add the bends to the cross bar and found my tank and rear toe in bars are sharing the same space. So for now I just moved the toe in bars to the other side of the LFD mounting plate. Now depending on how the suspension cycles I will ether need to change the mount if I can or build another tank since I already sealed the inside of this one. I hope it is the tank because I was not as happy with this one as I wanted to be but it will never be seen but I do have a nice stash of SS. sheets that would do the job nicely. I think I am liking this idea

Kevin
LFD Inc.


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[fletch4x4]

Im glad your buggy/cage building days have found a way into these trucks! its looks awesome! keep up the good work!

[c10hunting]

This thread kept me up till 2am . I am moving out to Northern California in a month. I would love to come check this bad boy out when things settle down. Your work is next level.

[NPilot1975]

I hope you are planning on putting a plexiglass floor in that thing and not covering up all that work!

[ERASER5]

X2! 1/2" Lexan! Put it on hinges so you can lift it up for cleaning. Who needs a third row? Think of it as a class room. Your son can watch the IRS function as you drive! Geometry in motion.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by c10hunting

This thread kept me up till 2am . I am moving out to Northern California in a month. I would love to come check this bad boy out when things settle down. Your work is next level.

Were are you moving to?

Originally Posted by NPilot1975

I hope you are planning on putting a plexiglass floor in that thing and not covering up all that work!

Nope steel all the way!

Originally Posted by ERASER5

X2! 1/2" Lexan! Put it on hinges so you can lift it up for cleaning. Who needs a third row? Think of it as a class room. Your son can watch the IRS function as you drive! Geometry in motion.

Maybe we will keep the floor in his truck out. He is already getting schooled

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[c10hunting]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Were are you moving to?

I am moving to Plumas Lake in Yuba.

[Rokcrln]

The top mounts are done except for some braces that will go on once the body comes off. I should have it rolling by noon Saturday so I can get XXL's truck in the shop for a DropMember install. This will be the first DM with an I6 and should be sweet once it is done.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

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[lolife99]

Kevin,... Did Nate build an I6 Dropmember? Or are you modifying one of his SBC Dropmembers?
I hope you are doing a thread on XXLs truck!

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Kevin,... Did Nate build an I6 Dropmember? Or are you modifying one of his SBC Dropmembers?
I hope you are doing a thread on XXLs truck!

If all works out right I will be making templates and sending a set to Nate for future kits. This will be the first one.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

It rolls and moves up and down on AIR! I still have allot of work to go but that will happen after XXL's truck is finished and I get my DropMember installed. Then I will fit my 5.3/4L60 so I can pull the body off and finish the frame.

Kevin
LFD Inc.


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[Palf70Step]

Reminds me of the gassers of the late 50s/early 60s sitting that way.

Nice job Kevin. Can't wait to see what you do to XXL's wallet eater.

[MrBeast]

You know Kevin, I am not a fan of lowered trucks, but I am damn impressed with how this thing is looking.

Allthough my biggest question is, why go with a 5.3 when this is going to be a tow rig? It would seem to me that the motor is a little light duty for the job.

It could be just me, but I had a 99 1500 x cab short bed Z71 with a 5300 vortec in it, and when you hooked a trailer to it, it could barely get out of its own way.

I even added a Chip, and removed the Cats and did a few other things to the truck, and still it didnt even come close to satisfying or impressing me.

I wound up selling it and getting a 97 GMC 2500HD Xcab short bed, that truck impressed the heck out of me, it had the Vortec 454, and with the MSD ignition I added, the chip, and dual 3" exhaust and the Cat's removed, it was pulling over 16 mpg on the interstate, and I pulled my 71 Cutlass on a 18' car trailer from Seattle to Livingston Mt over the 5 mountan passes between and it kicked some serious tail, and still got about 9 mpg.

I will also add that I have the 8100 vortec in the tow truck im driving now, it is far less than impressive, it is out right anemic. But it is a 2001, I dont know if they got better as time went on.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

You know Kevin, I am not a fan of lowered trucks, but I am damn impressed with how this thing is looking.

Allthough my biggest question is, why go with a 5.3 when this is going to be a tow rig? It would seem to me that the motor is a little light duty for the job.

It could be just me, but I had a 99 1500 x cab short bed Z71 with a 5300 vortec in it, and when you hooked a trailer to it, it could barely get out of its own way.

I even added a Chip, and removed the Cats and did a few other things to the truck, and still it didnt even come close to satisfying or impressing me.

I wound up selling it and getting a 97 GMC 2500HD Xcab short bed, that truck impressed the heck out of me, it had the Vortec 454, and with the MSD ignition I added, the chip, and dual 3" exhaust and the Cat's removed, it was pulling over 16 mpg on the interstate, and I pulled my 71 Cutlass on a 18' car trailer from Seattle to Livingston Mt over the 5 mountan passes between and it kicked some serious tail, and still got about 9 mpg.

I will also add that I have the 8100 vortec in the tow truck im driving now, it is far less than impressive, it is out right anemic. But it is a 2001, I dont know if they got better as time went on.

I know what you are saying but it is an 05 with more HP and torque than my current tow rig with a 93 vett LT1 5.7L. I was a little worried about it until I used our shop 08 4.8L to tow 70 2wd Blazer, spare bed sides on a steel floor 16' Carson car hauler, a complete cab and doors along with a lift gate and tail gate for a 65 Burb in the bed of the truck. I was blown away at how well it towed from Ca to AZ and did 60 mph over the Grape Vine into Los Angles and that hill is a truck killer. So for what short trips I have planned for towing with the Tahoe I think it will be just fine. Oh and I got 14 mpg when loaded doing 65+

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[nuke1]

that is some tubing structure you have back there, looking really good Kevin, i don't think that a rear vette diff has ever looked so good.

[Frizzle Fry]

Those tires/wheels look perfect on there. Your rear will def be lower than mine. Can't wait to see the front down.

On the 5.3, I had a 2001 Tahoe with a 5.3 and I towed my 61 on a full trailer over mountain passes and the Tahoe acted like there was nothing back there. Very impressive power even stock.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Those tires/wheels look perfect on there. Your rear will def be lower than mine. Can't wait to see the front down.

On the 5.3, I had a 2001 Tahoe with a 5.3 and I towed my 61 on a full trailer over mountain passes and the Tahoe acted like there was nothing back there. Very impressive power even stock.

Yeah thanks for all the info on the wheels and tire's. I may still run some spacers to get the rear out just a bit because right now the wheels are touching my back seat. I do still need to adjust the camber on the rear at ride height and that will help out a bit. As far as a stock motor, who likes a stock motor right!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[64shortc10]

That is SWEET! Those rims look perfect on there. I like the pic with the wheels cambering in!

Tony from Norcal

[gringoloco]

Hmmm... What are your plans for hood hinges?

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Hmmm... What are your plans for hood hinges?

I have not decided just what I want to do for that yet. I think their is some info on doing a forward flip hood but I might just build my own tubular cowl mounted units. Right now I don't have a clearance problem

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[kyull67]

Wow! This thing looks better every time I check on it. Nice work, and you know I'll be looking forward to the I6 Dropmember!

[Primer70]

Wow, that saves a lot of floor space as apposed to using a solid rear axle.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Primer70

Wow, that saves a lot of floor space as apposed to using a solid rear axle.

Yep and the camber helps tuck those big tires right up inside the body with out having the Axel narrowed of tire inset a few inches.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Dinos63]

NICE JOB KEVIN,THATS GOING TO BE A COVER TRUCK FOR SURE