Rusty, crushy, but trysty.

[makman1297]

Some progress today, got the parts back to NC, and started stripping the frame down, I got the drive train out and the front axle out, amazing all the bolts came right out. The engine and tranny seemed to be pretty good, i pulled the heads off and it looked really clean.

[gshibler]

Looking good brother. Did you yank the engine and tranny by hand too. I see you managed to get the 14 bolt off the trailer by yourself. Bet you wished you had the four people that helped load it. Glad to hear the engine looked good.

[makman1297]

Yep, used the come along for the engine and everything else was by hand.

[makman1297]

Finished stripping the doner frame, then i tore into mine. Good progress, got the front end removed, engine and tranny pulled.

[makman1297]

Started with the front axle installation, and of course not much lines up. I was able to use the lower forward front body mount bolt hole, but then had to drill the rest. Some of them overlap other holes so they will half to be welded and then drilled. I decided to use the front crossmember off the burban, but the frames must be bent a little different so the lower part will need a little more fitting. I lined up and installed the motor mount cross brace, again trying to use the other frame and the old locations to find the best place to mount all the parts, i think it went fairly well. If i didnt have a torch or a drill doctor it would of been really miserable. Here are some pics.

[trout]

that looks awesome

[makman1297]

Tore most of the front back off and started welding up the old holes and made some brace/patch on the outside frame rails where the motor mounts are at, also started installing the steering frame brace kit, pre-emptive strike to a cracked frame.

[makman1297]

I think since i will have it so far apart and i am replacing the glass that i will paint the whole thing again in a blue and redo the interior in grey.

[makman1297]

Some more work done, front end cross members going in for the last time. got most of the cab stripped and removed. Will be pulling the box in the morning and then i can get going on the drive train. The last of the transmission parts came in to day as well as my axle perch's for the rear. The front spring bushings should be here tomorrow so i might be able to fit the lift springs.

[Zebb]

I got to say...when you set out to work on your truck, you get a lot done in a hurry. I did a 2wd to 4wd conversion so I know how much work you accomplished in a short period of time.

[|ow|ife]

Some fine low budget work!

[makman1297]

Thanks guys, the nice thing is that most of the extra stuff from the doner i was able to sell, so my 4wd parts were basically free.

[makman1297]

Today i got the box off, and a little more of the frame cleaned up. Put new springs and seals in the TBI heads, and put them on the engine, installed the fuel pump block off plate. Hopefully tomorrow i will get the engine painted. Also pulled the wheels off of the car to get them cleaned up and new tires installed.

[gshibler]

Is that the lift kit suspension in the front already or the original burb stuff?

[Gordonr1973]

Very nice work!!

[makman1297]

Gabriel those are the stock springs, i am still working on the lift ones. I had to blow the bushings out since they were siezed, then i ordered the wrong size so half to wait to get the right ones. I still need to pull them apart and scrape the rust off and put new center bolts in. I finished installing the heads and intake, sprayed some paint so all the parts match. I got the rear spring mounts painted so will need to knock the rivets out and change those.

[sbrooks]

Nice work. I am in the process of 2wd to 4wd swap right now also, what size and length of bolts did you use to mount up all the mounts to the frame.

[makman1297]

I used the ones that were in the suburban. There 7/16 by about an inch, look to be grade 8.

[dieselmec1993]

nice build

[chevy427big block]

looks awsome man

[makman1297]

Got the gas tank pulled and put some of the sensors on the engine, only to find my oil pressure sender is bad.

[makman1297]

Started fitting the gear box, has some issues i need to address, and i put more of the engine together. When the spring bushings come in i can put the lift springs in the front.

[makman1297]

Got the gear box installed. Started pulling the rear leaf and mounting brackets. Found a little rot on the lower frame rail by the crossmember, i got a 4' heavy piece of angle iron that will be welded and bolted in to make up some strength.

[gshibler]

Ive been checking in every so often, keeping track of your progress. Engine looks good.

[makman1297]

Gabriel you should come down for a few days and give me a hand, i have a lot that can be done.