My 82 shortbed

[Gordonr1973]

Just fyi since you were asking about LS swap costs, there was a thread on here that kept a list of each of the expenses, I think it was Glock's build called "Fred".

[gettmoneyy7]

thanks i appreciate it

[gettmoneyy7]

Picked up the frame, core support, and fender wells from the shop and brought it home after 2 days of it being there. Looked good now it just needed to get primed asap.

[gettmoneyy7]

Began to prep it to get primed... took the front wheels off and next the rear end and put it on jack stands

[gettmoneyy7]

As soon as i got the frame in my back yard i stripped it of its wheels and began prep work to prime it along with the motor mounts and crossmember with the help of my uncle and a friend since i didnt know much at this time.. unfortuantly this is outside so had to prime it asap

[gettmoneyy7]

Next morning i began by stripping the front suspension and experimenting on how i would hang it to spray it... also comparing the old spindles to the drop ones to see the difference.

[moregrip]

Looks great! What primer did you use?
Posted via Mobile Device

[gettmoneyy7]

Thanks and I used self etching primer due To the fact that it was sandblasted down to bear medal and self etching bonds with the metal rather than just creating a layer over it .
Posted via Mobile Device

[moregrip]

Originally Posted by gettmoneyy7

Thanks and I used self etching primer due To the fact that it was sandblasted down to bear medal and self etching bonds with the metal rather than just creating a layer over it .
Posted via Mobile Device

fantastic! what brand if I may ask? easy to apply?

[gettmoneyy7]

We'll as of now I have mcgraugys 2 1/2 drop spindles and belltech 2 inch drop springs and I sall that same set up on a truck in person with 20"s and it still had a little wheel gap .. I hate that if I would have known they had 3 inch drop spindles and 3"drop springs I would have got either, guess i should have done more research, ii got thesee back when i hardly knew anything but now I'm thinking of cutting the 2" Drop springs to make them 3 but I have no idea how you measure that on them .. And thank you I appreciate the help I'm considering my opinions
Posted via Mobile Device

[mud.man.rj]

One complete loop cut off a front spring usually ends up being about 2" of drop. So in your case you only want 1" more which is 1/2 a loop.

[gettmoneyy7]

Originally Posted by moregrip

fantastic! what brand if I may ask? easy to apply?

Ah I don't remember I'd have to take a look and let you know when I get home .... I sprayed it with a low pressure system and wasn't hard at all to apply
Posted via Mobile Device

[gettmoneyy7]

Originally Posted by moregrip

fantastic! what brand if I may ask? easy to apply?

To be honest with you I'm not to sure.. I asked a buddy of mine that had gave me it it was what he had left and he's not sure the brand .. He said all the self etching is pretty good and will run you probably like 40 a quart . Sorry I couldn't help best of luck to you
Posted via Mobile Device

[Sin7]

great work man

[gettmoneyy7]

Thank you .. Trying to get more pics posted just getting them in order.
Posted via Mobile Device.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jughead12]

nice!!

[gettmoneyy7]

As for the frame horns they were off a inch of two for the core support due to a possible hit from the passenger side sometime in its life. So we had to improvise. started by hooking up the comealong and cranked it a couple times and the driverside frame horn came right over were it needed to be. as for the other side had to put a 4x4 from the wall to about a foot behind of the motor mount and one on the inside of the passenger horn and give the 4x4 a couple wacks with a sledge and then beat the buckles out on both side of the top of the horns. All metaled the dings we made and primed it.

[gettmoneyy7]

what it looked like after.

[gettmoneyy7]

Removed the yoke and replaced the seal and painted the yoke

[gettmoneyy7]

Rear end pan came in the mail so put it on and slid it under the frame to see what it looked like.

[gettmoneyy7]

After studing some pics of the 4 1/2 to 6 in drop which I already have I desided I dont think it's low enough for me .. I took out the helper spring to but I want no wheel gap, if I would have known the make 3 inch drop springs I would have got those instead of my 2 inch ones .. I'm thinking about cutting a inch off what's your guys opinions on that? And were do I cut????????? I wish I could bag but at the moment I don't think my bugget will allow I'm 19 and all is getting paid for by me.. Also what would it run to just bag the front? An estimate if anyone knows cuz then ill bag the front and slamm the hell out of the rear with 2 inch drop shackles on top of the flip kit ? If Anyone has advice please
Posted via Mobile Device

[91V3500]

I had a 82 shortbed years ago that I started off with a 5" front and 8" rear static drop. It had 15" wheels with 50 series tires, and that was as low as I could go because the a-arms were right on the ground (2"). I had 3" drop spindles, 2" coil springs, 6" flip kit, and a 2" rear block. I ran it like that for years with no issues. You could run your 2" spindles and cut 3" worth of coils off your springs, just try to cut so that the spring ends in the same location so they seat in the spring buckets but it's not that critical. And just because you cut 3" off does not mean it will drop it 3" because the spring will be compressed when you put it back in the truck. So you ususlly have to cut more than 3" off to get a 3" drop.

As for the bags you can go just as cheap or expensive as you want, depending on the valves and compressor setup. The cheapest way is with manual brass valves and you can upgrade to electronic valves later. To do the front that way would cost about $500-600 for materials. I like to use 2500# bags instead of 2600 because it takes less air to fill them, after all you're not trying to lift a big block or anything

[Gordonr1973]

Another idea: you can see how low it sits with the motor and tranny weight on the frame as well, then pop off the spring and cut it to your taste before you put the fenders on?

[gettmoneyy7]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

Another idea: you can see how low it sits with the motor and tranny weight on the frame as well, then pop off the spring and cut it to your taste before you put the fenders on?

As of right now I have motor and tanny in and cranks up on the frame Suspension is in, both gas tanks all the fuel lines I'm just running behind in posting the pics didn't post for a wiel cuz I was busy as hell working on it .. Picture leading up to that are coming soon. Cab isn't quite done yet but getting there .. Thanks for the advice I got some experimenting to do with the springs. Appreciate everyone's help. Hopefully I can help you guys out in some way in the future .
Posted via Mobile Device