My '87 SWB Project w/pics!!

[twoodson]

Happy Memorial Day to all of our veteran sevicemen and women, and our active servicemen and women. Thank You and God Bless us all!!!

Here is a an update pic everyone of my lates accomplishment. It's not much but I decided to post it anyways. I still have to add some clear to but here is my steering shaft that I rattle canned black and silver. Enjoy!!!

[1986swb]

Can you tell us the part # for the Hellwing rear sway bar kit?

What size is the rear sway bar?

Where did you order the kit from?

If you have any additional pics of the rear sway bar brackets that are attached to the axle housing (and any other angle shots), can you post them?

Thanks.

[twoodson]

1986SWB - I will get the part #'s but I did order it from Summit Racing, I will try and get some different angle shots after work.

[1986swb]

I should have checked Summit Racing's site as I order all of my aftermarket engine parts from them. Awesome prices and great tech services. Looking forward to those pics when you have them. Thanks twoodson.

[twoodson]

Okay guys here are the latest pics of the front half of the frame por15 chassis coated. So the whole frame is finally done. I went and spent about $60 on new grade 8 hardware. I got the cross member and A-frame bolted in. Hopefully I can save some more pennies and get my bushings/front suspension parts and start putting things back together. slowly but surely. I will probably start stripping the firewall, and inside cab pretty soon and get the cab ready for paint; we'll wait and see how the $$$ go.. Enjoy

[1986swb]

Originally Posted by twoodson

Okay guys here are the latest pics of the front half of the frame por15 chassis coated. So the whole frame is finally done. I went and spent about $60 on new grade 8 hardware. I got the cross member and A-frame bolted in. Hopefully I can save some more pennies and get my bushings/front suspension parts and start putting things back together. slowly but surely. I will probably start stripping the firewall, and inside cab pretty soon and get the cab ready for paint; we'll wait and see how the $$$ go.. Enjoy

Great job. Lots of work but worth the effort. Congrats on the outcome.

Quick question: Did you brush or spray on the POR-15 on the chasis and other parts? Just curious. I've done it both ways with varying results on the "glossiness" of the finish. However, most of the parts I coated with POR-15 had a final top coat of a low-gloss heat resistant paint.

[dropd80s]

looks awesome. Not sure where you're getting your hardware but some place like fastenal is a whole lot cheaper than a typical "hardware" store like lowes, home depot, ace, ect. I spent a rediculous amount of money on grade 8 bolts/ nuts untill i found this out. They also can actually assist you in finding what you need too.

[1986swb]

Originally Posted by dropd80s

looks awesome. Not sure where you're getting your hardware but some place like fastenal is a whole lot cheaper than a typical "hardware" store like lowes, home depot, ace, ect. I spent a rediculous amount of money on grade 8 bolts/ nuts untill i found this out. They also can actually assist you in finding what you need too.

I hear you. I've spent a ton of $$$ on my grade 8s. From the big box home improvement stores to NAPA to Ace Hardware. Actually, Ace has saved me more than once when I really needed additional grade 8s, especially when everyone else was closed. Last minute oopsies. You know what I mean.

[1986swb]

twoodson.

If you haven't yet purchased a front sway bar and you have access to a salvage yard, consider upgrading to the larger diameter 1-1/4" OEM front sway bar for your square found on 1988 and earlier 3/4-ton, 2wd Suburbans. I found one with its brackets for $20. I purchased Moog K6476 Urethane bushings ($40 for 4, 2 per box) and 3/8" grade 8 hardware & paint ($20). So for about $80, you can get incredible handling and a more responsive feel with very little body roll compared to the OEM 1-1/16" front sway bar with rubber bushings. I'm sure if I upgraded the 1-1/16" bar with Moog urethane bushings, I would have experienced a noticeable change when compared to the rubber bushings I was using. But the bigger bar is better in this case.

Thanks to TX Firefighters FAQ on sway bars (http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=72338), I checked out the Moog urethane bushings at O'Reilly Auto Parts and found them to be very firm. They were slightly less firm as Polyurethane bushings but much harder than rubber. After installing the urethane bushings (dry without any lube), I tested them hard around the curves and turns and they held up extremely well. So far so good regarding noise -- none so far. I don't think they will squeek like Polys but I'll let you know how things are a month or two from now.

Anyway, here are some pics for your reference and use. The first pic is the smaller OEM 1-1/16" sway bar (pic with the grade 8 hardware).

BTW - I shot the sway bar with POR-15 then with a top coat of low-gloss heat resistant black paint to match the rest of my suspension.

[JohnC]

Looks good man! Keep up the great work.

[menace121978]

Looking good buddy! i remember spending a grip of money on my bolts for the crossmember but i was so excited to finally be bolting things together it really didnt cross my mind little by little man...

[twoodson]

drop80s - thanks for the compliments boss; yeah I just wish Fastenal sold it by per bolt instead of by the qty but I may check into when i need more than 10 and see how much they are.

1986swb - Thanks man, yeah I hope it's worth it; I usually go to AcE or Elliotts here in Dallas, I sponge brushed my por15 (chassis coat) it looks like a low gloss/satin black; actually I have a Helwig front sway bar which I ordered the same time I did the rear. Thanks for those Moog pics/part#'s.

JohnC - Thanks Bro!!

menace121978 - Thanks Boss, you ain't kidding ($$$ hardware), I am just ready to order ally my energy suspension bushings, moog tie rods/ball joints and start putting the front suspention back together.

By the way I did touch up the steering gear box were my masking was a little off so it looks better now. Will post an updated pic later..LOL

[JohnC]

On your bolts. Check with your local Ace Hardware. I'm an Ace store, and I can sell bolts cheaper by the box, than I can per piece.

[dropd80s]

That’s weird, here they'll sell you one bolt even if its $.03. Still might save money buying extra, even if you don’t need them. It’s a huge difference in price. Anyway, It’s something to consider.

[twoodson]

JohnC - I will check into that since I need to get some on Wednesday.

dropd80s - Yeah when I called one Fastenal store they told me that they sale them by the qty. and not by .ea; It could have been just that store, thanks gents.

[1986swb]

A few questions for you regarding the Hellwig 7549 rear sway bar that you installed:

1. Per the Summit Web application site notes, the sway bar will fit stock applications or up to 2" lowered application using shackles. Did you lower your rear axle using 2" shackles on the back of the leafs and also 2" hangers for the front of the leafs? It appears so in your photos but I'm not sure. Please verify.

2. Have you mounted your bed onto your frame yet to check for suspension clearances? i.e. drop shackles may need to cut bed support member.

Thanks.

[twoodson]

1986swb - 1. Yes, I used the lowered Western Chassis hangers & shackles.
2. Yes I had to cut the bed support so the shackles would clear.

[1986swb]

Originally Posted by twoodson

1986swb - 1. Yes, I used the lowered Western Chassis hangers & shackles.
2. Yes I had to cut the bed support so the shackles would clear.

I just ordered the same Hellwig 7549 rear sway bar kit from Summit Racing this morning. It'll drop ship from Hellwig in CA so I'm guesstimating about a week to deliver via ground service.

In the meantime, I'm sending my bench seat out for reupholstering on Thursday so I'll be gutting my OEM interior and replacing it with OEM/NOS/Replacement black interior parts/trim.

I'll try to post some pics as appropriate -- before and after shots.

[twoodson]

Not much done but I did bolt up the motor mount brackets and finished up the gear box, attaching the cover and touching up the paint. I'm just waiting on some $$$$ to purchase the energy suspension bushings and all new Moog tie rods, ball joints, etc to complete bolting up the front end suspension. Patience, sucks sometimes

[1986swb]

Thanks. I called Summit Racing's tech group yesterday but they couldn't confirm the application note listed earlier. I tried calling Hellwig to verify but just got voicemail.

So based on your experience with the 4" rear drop, the Hellwig rear sway bar should fit and have enough clearance for the bed. I plan to order it but the sway bar is backordered until July 20.

[twoodson]

Low87, pardon my ignorance, can you give me a little more detail about the pic you want?

[SevenSeries]

Twoodson he's asking were the fuel cap whole in your bed is located. He wants to see a full picture of your bed to see if his is in the same spot

[twoodson]

SevenSeries - Oh okay I just got in so I will get one up 1st thing in the morning. Thanks!!

[SevenSeries]

Yeah np man. Also I love what you have done with your truck! Its makin me want to do all the work to mine as well its just lacking........$$$

[twoodson]

SevenSeries - thanks for the compliments, yeah it's slow going at times. Your father is definitely right abut time & money..