"its all about ol' black"

[doubleclucker]

Just got these lugs in so time to install the wheels though very cold today!

Had to massage the center hole on the fronts for sure but done them all because I like to rotate my tires.

[doubleclucker]

Trying to decide which center caps to buy?
Wow winter is hard on stuff got to keep everything oil coated to get through!

A few more pics...

[doubleclucker]

OK I realized why I could not edit my post ? didn't pay my subscription. OOPS!
sorry about that JOSHUA.

NOW- I decided to go with chrome caps from ebay ;cheapest option and they sorta look like the old locking hub cap from the spicer hubs on the 3/4 tons I always liked.
I got the die-grinder out again and a cup of suitable size and cut center hole out for locking hub.
These caps also have no logo as you can see.
All done; but cup is no good oh well got it from a garage sale for cheap in the summer anyway at least thats what I told wife...

[Wrecked1982]

looks good!

[doubleclucker]

Thanks Wrecked1982 I thought the chrome caps would clash but even with grey centercaps the chrome locking hub would still be there.

I was down your way to get 1 rim and tire not to long ago it was in Mount Royal?

Also - I like your new to you Army truck. That rear bumper you took off , I could put to use!

[Wrecked1982]

mt royal is a region in montreal its about 45 min to an hour south from where i live

[MannyDantyla]

Hi doubleclucker, I've enjoyed reading your thread and I have a few questions. I'm looking to swap my sm465 to nv4500 and I need all the help I can get lol.

Any problems with mounting the nv4500 the the sm465's bellhousing like you did? It's held up fine over these years? I have a mechanical clutch and I'd like to keep it and not go hydraulic. It's a bit rickity yet reliable, but mainly I'm cheap and I don't like what I've read about converting to hydro clutch. You said you used "the factory sm465 bellhousing (the 85'-up hydraulic one )", I'm just wondering if my older one would be different enough to cause problems.

Can you elaborate on the nv4500 "rare 95 version with square top shifter and 5.61 first"? Basically I'm just trying to figure out what year nv4500 I should find. I prefer the narrow gear ratios of the later models, but the '92-'95 has the 5.125" input bearing retainer that is the same as the sm465. the '96+ nv4500s have a 5.6" input bearing retainer OD, but I suppose the sm465's bell housing could be machined to make it fit.

I also have an np205 on my sm465 but it's the figure-8/bathtub adapter bolt pattern so I have some more problems to work it. Cheapest solution might be to get a np208 but then I'll have to change driveshaft configuration...

Thanks!

[doubleclucker]

MannyDantyla- That was my intention for this thread so other people can see different ways of doing things and maybe a little cheaper.
I am in the works of buying a truetrac for a 14 bolt rear as its been open for about 2 years now sold the detroit cause I couldn't stand the slop no more! Though I did get more then I paid for it after 18 years later.
Keep watching thread if interested I will post install here.

As for the mechanical bellhousing it should be no problem I just prefered hydraulic.I have no issues to date and this truck ,as I said before; is a daily driver!

95' Rare version has 5.61 1st gear but still the old input configuration with clutch fork and the revised square top shifter.

Your bathtub 205 is going to to need some type of adapter or you can find a np205 out or any crewcab squarebody from 86' to 91' but fyi only regular cab k30-35 series square of the same era had slide in yokes.
Either one needs a short input from a 77-85 np205 behind a th400 or go the ebay option.
Driveshaft configuration is required regardless.

[doubleclucker]

ol'black no more!
Well after a few years the body was showing signs of age and surface rust so I decided to go to my favourite color; it was time for a change anyway.

[Wrecked1982]

nice job!!

[doubleclucker]

After this summer of muggy weather I have decided to swap in air conditioning from a donor suburban and a S10 blazer parts trucks.
My cab had a block off plate that had to be flipped over to block the heat only core. Then ready for the air box in and out and related vents.

[doubleclucker]

The box wiring and the vacuum lines all came from donor Suburban with a little oiling of air doors and a new heater core(as they are different then heat only and a big pain to install) and basically bolted right in; new evaporator and silicone on firewall airbox and the cab was complete in one day.


Next is the mechanical components...

[doubleclucker]

Found this cool little light at the wreckers.
Never seen it before it was on a 91' blazer diesel mounted on the bezel at the lower left of the steering column and perfect for my tbi swap from a few years ago.
I also had trouble locating those red and green seals for the back of the new compressor which should of came with it but does not.

[doubleclucker]

A trip to harbour freight and parts store for some more invaluable parts!
Condenser
Evaporator
Compressor
Hoses
$$$$$$$
Hope its worth it...

[doubleclucker]

A few more pics.

[doubleclucker]

Well as I said earlier on in thread ; I sold my Detroit locker in the rear and its been open for a couple of years now.
I just ordered a Detroit Truetrac for the 14 bolt, it should be in by the end of the week and I will follow with pics for anybody that wants to see this new differential install.
Also got my new carrier bearings ahead of time. 387AS with 382A race

[doubleclucker]

Got my truetrac ,surprised it has 4 gears per side and looks like an extremely stout unit .
Looking at installing this weekend stay tuned.

[argonaut]

Oooooooo, nice! I want one, no wait, two of those! Let us know how you like it.

[doubleclucker]

First off was to seat the new bearings on the carrier I found the accessories from the ball joint/ u joint press kit fit the diameters I needed for install because the inside bearing cones seat a bit below carrier input bore.

I know its dirty under there I live on a dirt road

Next ,pull axle shafts out about 12" then grab a comfortable seat under truck and remove 14 bolt cover. A dial indicator to check backlash before disassembly yields .005 so right on the money.

...Some torque readings I needed for the job.

[Wrecked1982]

nice work once again, a dial indicator is on my to buy list! do you think its possible to install ac without installing more vent in the cab, like keeping the heater only vent doc?

[doubleclucker]

Originally Posted by Wrecked1982

nice work once again, a dial indicator is on my to buy list! do you think its possible to install ac without installing more vent in the cab, like keeping the heater only vent doc?

Thanks for the kind words it makes my time to do this worth while.

For the A/C box- inside it is so different you will need it for sure.
Also, like I said earlier on; the heater core is a real pain to get to and install in the box so get a new one before assembly as they are different then heat only.
As you know how hot it has been up in our part of the country this summer; the A/C has been fantastic and well worth it and for years to come.

[ryanroo]

love the new color. its always a winner on a square. looking good!

[doubleclucker]

10.5 14 bolt full floater have adjusting rings for bearing seating and backlash; just turn rings in toward hubs and the carrier can be removed easy without a spreader and no shims under carrier bearings.


Removing ring gear, the bolts are not reverse thread like on the smaller gm axles.


A little locktite on threads then torqued to spec.


I know all this time and I finally figured out how to put pics after text!lol

I found an E10 socket fits the shank on the tap to clean the holes of cover bolts with a cordless tool.

[doubleclucker]

Cleaning up cover and housing magnet for the install.
Got backlash set at exact same as removal.
Gear oil is 80W90 no other additives needed!
Next ; is testing.

[doubleclucker]

Testing the TRUE TRAC.

OL' BLACK Truetrac test 1 - YouTube

And...

OL' BLACK Truetrac test 2 14 bolt FF - YouTube