Let's Build A 1 Ton Crew Cab 4x4

[NorCalAnthony]

Bummer about not being able to find the HE pistons. Probe makes some 3.902 forged pistons for around $100 more than what Summit lists the stock replacement HE pistons for http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=4272

Another thing you might want to ask the machine shop about is the rods. Most of the aftermarket/replacement bolts will oval the rods and require a rehoning and oversized bearings. My local machine shops were wanting $175-200 to install ARP rod bolts and do a rehone/recondition on the old rods. For less than $100 more you can get Eagle or Scat I-Beams with ARP bolts included http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...index-1-4a.php

Yeah there are better options out there if you want to spend the extra $$$ but as long as you aren't going over 500ish HP the budget stuff should work just fine and not cost much more than HE pistons with reworked factory rods.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Bummer about not being able to find the HE pistons. Probe makes some 3.902 forged pistons for around $100 more than what Summit lists the stock replacement HE pistons for http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=4272

Another thing you might want to ask the machine shop about is the rods. Most of the aftermarket/replacement bolts will oval the rods and require a rehoning and oversized bearings. My local machine shops were wanting $175-200 to install ARP rod bolts and do a rehone/recondition on the old rods. For less than $100 more you can get Eagle or Scat I-Beams with ARP bolts included http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...index-1-4a.php

Yeah there are better options out there if you want to spend the extra $$$ but as long as you aren't going over 500ish HP the budget stuff should work just fine and not cost much more than HE pistons with reworked factory rods.

Holy moly!! I was looking at those same Probe pistons (P2600F-003) but on summit they are $502!! For $362 I would only be spending like an extra $80-90!! However, looks like you are saying I would need to buy rods too. I have to get all this figured out probably by tomorrow or Monday. I need the block back probably end of next week. So would I need different rods or crazy expensive piston rings???? This is something I need to know. Also these pistons have the -3.0cc valve reliefs what will I need to do about compression ratio?

As far as 500ish HP goes, I may be getting close.. I have LS6 intake, LS6 heads (243 w/ yellow springs.) Full bolt ons, I will be using a cam from Martin Smallwood 226/230 .560/.545 112+2, higher performance melling oil pump, ls7 timing chain.. Then t56 w/ LS7 clutch and 3.73s. However, I am building it just to be a driver not to take to the track. I will probably never even get close to revving out at 6k.. I just want a fun car to drive, maybe shut someone down if they talk smack. It will never see nitrous, blower or turbo.

[NastyBuzzard]

Well just contacted WS6 store and they said they are removing probe pistons from their website b/c they have such problems getting them they end up cancelling orders after 4-5 weeks of them not arriving.

[NorCalAnthony]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

Holy moly!! I was looking at those same Probe pistons (P2600F-003) but on summit they are $502!! For $362 I would only be spending like an extra $80-90!! However, looks like you are saying I would need to buy rods too. I have to get all this figured out probably by tomorrow or Monday. I need the block back probably end of next week. So would I need different rods or crazy expensive piston rings???? This is something I need to know. Also these pistons have the -3.0cc valve reliefs what will I need to do about compression ratio?

As far as 500ish HP goes, I may be getting close.. I have LS6 intake, LS6 heads (243 w/ yellow springs.) Full bolt ons, I will be using a cam from Martin Smallwood 226/230 .560/.545 112+2, higher performance melling oil pump, ls7 timing chain.. Then t56 w/ LS7 clutch and 3.73s. However, I am building it just to be a driver not to take to the track. I will probably never even get close to revving out at 6k.. I just want a fun car to drive, maybe shut someone down if they talk smack. It will never see nitrous, blower or turbo.

Yeah WS6 Store is a sponsor on another forum I'm always on (ls1tech) and they usually have really good pricing on stuff. They list those pistons as being available in .927" (floating) and .944" (pressed) wrist pins sizes so you could re-use your stock press fit rods or pick up a set of the stronger LS2/Gen IV floating rods or get a set of aftermarket ones. It just depends on what you want to do and what you want to spend...

The only reason I brought up the rods is because I was seeing a lot of stuff online about how the older rods like your '01 and my '00 were pretty weak and when I talked to the machine shops by me they said the same thing and also brought up the additional cost to get the aftermarket rod bolts to work (rehone/recondition). Double check with your machine shop to see what they say I just didn't want that to be another surprise for you lol.

As far as the piston rings for the Probes it looks like you'd need Clevite/Perfect Circle 315-0037-5 for the 3.902" bore https://www.starperf.com/moly/clevit...m-race-ls1-v8/

ps Summit will usually price match other vendors in case you'd rather buy from them but still get the cheaper price...

[NastyBuzzard]

I will try and see if summit will price match the ws6 store. I probably can only afford the pistons though, not a new set of rods..

[NorCalAnthony]

Originally Posted by NastyBuzzard

Well just contacted WS6 store and they said they are removing probe pistons from their website b/c they have such problems getting them they end up cancelling orders after 4-5 weeks of them not arriving.

Ah man that sucks

You might want to double check with Summit to see if they'd still price match WS6 Store. I think they just go to the website to confirm the price and that it doesn't say out of stock. Hopefully they don't call and find out what you just did lol.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by NorCalAnthony

Ah man that sucks

You might want to double check with Summit to see if they'd still price match WS6 Store. I think they just go to the website to confirm the price and that it doesn't say out of stock. Hopefully they don't call and find out what you just did lol.

Summit will price match and have them in stock!! I called my machine shop guy and gave him the part number to look up and check out for me. Fingers freaking crossed!

[jott_06]

I'm the guy that used the Ford driveshaft in my 4x4 conversion. Technically any driveshaft of the correct length will work if you can find the right U-joints for it. As far as your engine mount pads, I would try to do a little more massaging on them on that top flange to get it to sit flat on the frame. It looks like there is a gap between the frame and flange. Or maybe put a body shim in the gap.

[NastyBuzzard]

I hope so, I am working on getting my transfer case this weekend then I can see about what crossmember I will have to use. Then I can sit it all in and measure the length of shaft I will need and go to the junkyard and start measuring.

I am still not sure what trans/tcase xmember I need to use though, I plan to use either Np208 or Np241 but do I need a th400 or sm465 or does it matter? I know there are several types.

[NastyBuzzard]

I picked up my tcase and pedals. I did end up trading the 01 Z71 tcase i had for this NP208 32 spline, I searched his entire inventory and only found 2 32 splines. Both Np208, I found a couple NP241s but were all 27 spline. He took my trade and the pedals were $100. I am happy with that deal.



It fits



Now I need to find a xmember!!

[NastyBuzzard]

So I think I need an 85-91 4x4 crossmember, supposedly any will work and doesn't matter if 1500,3/4,1 ton... Just to mount it inside the frame. I also need to figure out if I will be using the 2pc driveshaft or not. I prefer not but I have to wait to get it all together to measure the length I will need. Otherwise I will need to trade down a front shaft of the 2 piece that will slide into the 208
tcase.

I didn't even step foot in the shop on Saturday or Sunday due to it being Easter weekend. It was kind of a nice break but I really missed it.

Also need to see about drilling holes in the firewall for the 80s hydraulic clutch master, as well as modifying the floor pan for the NV4500.

[NastyBuzzard]

I finally got to go out and work on the truck some this weekend. I spent 2.5 hours in the pouring rain searching the junkyard for the trans xmember Saturday morning. I came up empty handed. It was a little disheartening and killed my motivation for the weekend. Luckily I have a few friends with square bodies in this state. I put the dilemma on facebook and within an hour had someone that was gonna bring me one and do some parts swapping on some bench seats of mine.

So that motivated me to pull interior from the truck. Needs a good cleaning.







I started seeing about how the taller trans tunnel fits in.





Then I finally got the 6.5 off the tire and onto an engine stand. I wanted to pull oil pan and check out a few more things.

Harmonic balancer wasn't rotted which is a nice surprise, which means my crank is probably still in good shape.



I do need the starter brace.



Starter was missing a bolt though?



It looks clean in there! I even see some paint marks still.





After rotating it over several times and checking every where I only found 1 crack. These are typically cracked a lot worse so hoping this is still good to go, maybe not build up but good to run stock.



So my friends showed up with parts, this was his rig. 454 SM465/241 Dana 60 front & 14bolt ff rear w/ 4.10 gears, crew cab long bed with rear frame shortened and axles moved forward. He is going to eventually build a tube bed w/ headache rack. 37" tires on H1 wheels. I love this thing. It provided me with some more motivation!



Here are the parts he brought and the elusive xmember!







I also got these fancy seats that were in a choo choo customs or southern whatever truck. Bolt in like factory.



Rear seat folds down like a bed.



So I have parts to proceed finally It feels so good, motivation is there too! However, all my $ is going to getting my 01 TA back on the road and when parts roll in all my time will be too. I don't plan to stray too far away from the truck though. I want it together!

It looks like I am using the k5 tank in the rear as well, just need to mount it and convert to using diesel.

[NastyBuzzard]

Completely unrelated to the 88 Crew but I am excited nonetheless!

My block, heads, crank, & pistons are finally out of machine shop prison!



I ended up with:
3.902 Probe Forged Pistons - PBP-2600F-003
3.902 Ring set - CLE 315-0037-5
LS2 Timing Chain - GM 12646386
Melling Oil Pump - 10295
Engine Pro Gasket Set
TSP 7.4 Hardened Pushrods
Cam from Martin Smallwood - 226/230 .560/.545 112+2
Yellow LS6 Springs
243 Heads of CTS-V
New LS7 Lifters & Trays
New Cam bearings

I still have more parts to buy of course, I will be using the LS7 clutch/flywheel setup.

I hope I can get started on assembling it this weekend. I have to move a lot of parts to my friends shop as well as borrow a dolly to move the car over as well.

[NastyBuzzard]

I finally got a minute to step foot into my shop this weekend. I started fooling with the tank. Admittedly I did not get far but I was cleaning up and doing a few other things.

However, this shock mount seems to be in the way of the blazer tank. Will it have to be removed? I know I need to install it under frame not over but still seems like it would be in the way.



In other news. My LS1 shortblock is assembled. I forgot how long it takes when you plastigage everything as well as filing piston rings and what not. Meticulous takes time, which I feel short on these days.





On another note my friends lift is now finished being put together and it works!! Can't beat that, we bought it for $450! Some cost was put in for repair parts but still he came out pretty cheap. I hope to test it out soon.

[daddyjeep]

Keep after that Blazer tank and post up what you find. I found a Blazer tank over the weekend that I would like to use and have the same concern with the shock mount.

[68Timber]

Is there room on the axle to move the mounts outside the frame?

[daddyjeep]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4288283

This thread may help with the Blazer tank.

[NastyBuzzard]

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I miss working on the crew cab though!

I was going to sell a spare driveshaft I had from when I built the 06 ext cab 4x4 Silverado.. Then I noticed that it looked close to the correct length that I may need for this crew cab. Anyone know the measurement necessary for driveshaft for a 4x4 crew cab shortbed? This pic is the 06 driveshaft in front of the 79 4x4 crew cab longbed drive shaft, it appears to be around 12-14" shorter than the 79 driveshaft.




Also still looking for more info on blazer tank, trying to avoid moving shock mounts.

[daddyjeep]

This is the route I went.. I already have the frame and axle painted so I didn't want to deal with relocating the shocks. This really wasn't a bad project though. It just took a couple hours.

[IMG][/IMG]

[NastyBuzzard]

She is back together just working on the tune.









It's alive!!!



More tuning needed to be drivable will be working on that Saturday. I miss the crew cab!!

[NastyBuzzard]

It is driveable now, made it to my 10 yr reunion as planned Excuse the mess, been soooo busy.



It is time to get back on this crew cab! My wife has surgery this weds, so hopefully after she heals up and is back on her feet maybe I can make some more progress with this build. I miss it!

[daddyjeep]

I hope all goes well with the surgery. It will be good to see you working on the crew again. You can catch back up to me and my build

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I hope all goes well with the surgery. It will be good to see you working on the crew again. You can catch back up to me and my build

You and me both! Hope it doesn't bankrupt me either!

Yeah I definitely have some catching up to do but at least no rust to fix . I think the diesel is going to give me the most problems. We shall see.

[COS399]

hoping and praying all goes well. Keep us updated when you get a chance.

Good job on the car. I missed my 10 year reunion, went to my 20 and everyone seemed the same, this year is my 30 and don't have plans or interest in it.

[Dieselwrencher]

Great job on your car! I also hope all goes well with your wife tomorrow too!