1972 Chevy 4wd Longhorn Project: Never Ending Changes

[1972K20]

IFS isn't my first pick, but it ins't horrible. 1500-2500 series trucks are fine with IFS IMO. I do wish that the 3500s or at least the 3500 duallys that GM builds had solid front axles.

[Dieselwrencher]

I'll try to get this back on track. It sort of turned into a brand debate.

I have been working on getting stuff scratched off the list but the truck just doesn't want to cooperate. I got the trans and converter back in the truck. I need to modify my shift linkage lever, and get the tcase back on it. I decided to finally check my king pins in this front axle since I never did yet. Turns out they were fine but I'm installing new bearings, seals, springs and wear cups anyway. The axle u-joints were shot so I replaced them. I also replaced the wheel mounting studs because dodge ones are 1/2" and GM ones are 9/16". The knurl size is the same between both so I was able to use GM ones. I took the lock outs apart, cleaned and regreased them. I painted the knobs a blue because stock 4wd's had blue knobs. I may get a lighter blue and try that. These are a bit dark. I did get the radio wired and tested. I installed the new center speaker and that was a crap deal. My big head aches are from the turn signals. They are being a pita. Hopefully I can get that sorted out. I'm adding body grounds and I think I'll replace the turn signal switch and see if they want to work then. The wipers work though, that's a plus! Haha

[COS399]

Looking good Ryan. We all have those days where things don't go as easy as planned or as easy as they should.

[lower50's]

Wow Diesel sorry it took me so long to read your build. Well it did take me a long time to read all 90 pages. I can't believe how many times your truck was together and came apart and then changed and then together again. You have done some amazing work on the old girl.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Wow Diesel sorry it took me so long to read your build. Well it did take me a long time to read all 90 pages. I can't believe how many times your truck was together and came apart and then changed and then together again. You have done some amazing work on the old girl.

Thanks. Yeah, 90 pages and it still is a big project. I'm trying to leave it alone and not add more than what I have planned right now.

[Dieselwrencher]

I got the LH side of the D60 put back together and installed a 1.5" spacer to get the front tire to match the rear. It is very close now. I also got the trans and tcase back in. I took it around the block the other day and the trans works! Eureka! I still have to install the compushift mini to operate LO and OD. So now to do the RH king pin, some brake line work, more gauge adding, install my air tank and compressor, and I think I can start driving it. I'll still have a lot left to do but at least it will be usable. Brake lights and turn signals work. I need to wire up the third brake lamp and cargo lamp. The list seems to go on and on. Haha

[1985-GMC]

Sounds like it's all down hill from here!

[lower50's]

About your locking hubs, last weekend I heard how to explain what kind of 4x4 you have compared to the new push button trucks. It's called........"Dirty knee 4 wheel drive" Think about it.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by lower50's

About your locking hubs, last weekend I heard how to explain what kind of 4x4 you have compared to the new push button trucks. It's called........"Dirty knee 4 wheel drive" Think about it.

I can relate to that. Haha But, I'd rather be able to lock them in than rely on the old auto locking junkers.

[6BT 56]

I do have to admit tho my 85 k20 beater has the original auto lockers. I know its inevitable that some day they will fail to lock up and it will deffinately be when I need them the most but man they kick butt when you don't want to get out into the cold Wet snowy outdoors . If I ever have to swich em out for some real hubs I will hire a hobo to travel with me during the winter to lock and unlock my hubs . Lol...hoppy the hub hobo I think I will call him . He will get paid with Tim hortons .

How many people to the south just went Tim who ???? Canadians eh. Lol....

[lower50's]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

I can relate to that. Haha But, I'd rather be able to lock them in than rely on the old auto locking junkers.

Oh yes manual hubs rule. I have International hubs on my Jeep they have auto or manual lock, kinda cool option.

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

I do have to admit tho my 85 k20 beater has the original auto lockers. I know its inevitable that some day they will fail to lock up and it will deffinately be when I need them the most but man they kick butt when you don't want to get out into the cold Wet snowy outdoors . If I ever have to swich em out for some real hubs I will hire a hobo to travel with me during the winter to lock and unlock my hubs . Lol...hoppy the hub hobo I think I will call him . He will get paid with Tim hortons .

How many people to the south just went Tim who ???? Canadians eh. Lol....

Well you could use a hobo, but what about the trunk monkey? Have you seen those videos? Very funny.

[Dieselwrencher]

The trunk monkey is a hit man! People would lose their minds if that happened around here. It would be awesome! Haha

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

The trunk monkey is a hit man! People would GO APE if that happened around here. It would be awesome! Haha

Fixed it for ya.

[Dieselwrencher]

After my test drive and moving the truck around, I noticed the front suspension articulated odd. It also leaned to the left a little. These springs came out from under my brother's old truck and were used when I installed them in it. So I decided to order a new pair of Skyjacker 4" springs. It's a good thing I decided to do this. I forgot that when I originally installed the springs in this truck, the RH spring rear bolt was seized in the bushing. Oops. Haha I replaced the front springs, u bolts, u joints, and king pins. Do you think this front axle came from a farm truck? Round bale twine eh? The RH caliper was wet so I replaced it and the pads. (This caliper was new about 6 years ago) Once I got it all back together, I went to bleed the brakes and of course the LH steel line to the caliper hose was leaking. I had to make a new line and that took care of my brake issues. I also cut off the old dodge shock mounts and welded some new mounts on to accept a shock at the proper positioning for a chevy. I ordered my shocks last Monday, paid extra to have them shipped 2 day, and I still don't have them.

[Dieselwrencher]

Above is a picture showing the new spring compared to the old spring. The new springs are skyjacker 4" lift springs. The old ones were rough country 4" springs. These springs are probably 15 years old or older. They still were holding the weight of the cummins pretty well for used old springs IMO.

Once the front end was done, I had to move to the rear of the truck. I never installed my air compressor and air tank. I decided to mount the compressor to the inside of the frame under the front of the bed. I made the brackets to mount the compressor out of SS and bolted them directly to the boxing plate of the frame rail. This should keep it out of the elements. It is a Viair 480. I put the air tank on the outside of the frame behind the bed side and it is mounted to the bed supports. You can just barely see it hanging below the bed side. It fit pretty well.

Next up was something to control the air bags. I originally was going to use a leveling valve with the dump valve integrated in to it from a semi. Then I found the little larry valves and got the Touche'. It is their 2 way valve. They make a 4 way too. This little valve is actually pretty fast. I made a wooden box to house all this stuff. I have a dual needle pressure gauge for bag pressures, an air pressure gauge for the tank pressure, the air valve, and 4 toggle switches too. I will need to come up with a better, more compact box later. I may also switch to quick connect air line fittings to make working on it easier.

Another thing that was driving me nuts was not having my breather hoses hooked to anything. I got a good sized catch can/breather tank off of ebay and then was having a hard time trying to decide where to place it. I finally decided that the LH inner wheel well was the best place. I wanted it up high so I can route the drain back to the engine eventually. I had trouble fitting it in between the hood hinge and the proportioning valve. I had to tilt it slightly to keep the hood hinge from hitting it when the hood closes. I used some new stainless steel mirror brackets I had laying around to make the mounting brackets for the catch can.

[Dieselwrencher]

Here is a picture of under the hood now. I still have to finish installing all my Dakota digital sensors and modules. I will be removing the RH wheel well for some work as well as replacing the leaking heater core. This thing was new from napa 4 years ago. These parts suck anymore I swear!

Pictures of without and with the 1.5" front spacers.

I also got the GSI Machine billet door handles installed.

I still have to make a fan shroud for it, and eventually finish the ac system. I'll get the trans controller installed, finish the tcase shifter, get the drive shaft built some time, finish building the tail pipes, install my boyd tank, finish the bed patches in the floor, and that maybe the stopping point on this truck. Nothing another 500hrs won't fix. I have to get back to my 76 before fall. My main goal was to get this truck drive able this year and it's getting closer. I still have to mount my front shocks. I'm not real thrilled about that. Haha

[6BT 56]

Trunk monkey eh ? Guess where I headed rite now ......

[6BT 56]

Love the steel wheels . Nice to see your getting miles on it . Funny how the list gets smaller then you put 50 km on it and just like that the list is up going strong again lol.

[Dieselwrencher]

I keep telling everyone this truck will never be done. (That's why I'm trying to quit adding to the list) Haha

[lower50's]

Sweet dude You must be happy to be driving it. It may never be done just do smaller things so it's not off the rd very long.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Sweet dude You must be happy to be driving it. It may never be done just do smaller things so it's not off the rd very long.

That's what I'm going to try to do. I can't drive it right now. My local insurance guy left off a 0 in the quote so I'm working on getting insurance through Grundy for it. They're beyond reasonable.

[Dieselwrencher]

Yesterday the front shocks showed up. I put them on this morning. I might get some different spring plates from ORD to gain some extra clearance on the shocks.

We're going camping this weekend so I won't get around to installing the heater core shut off valve or the trans controller. Maybe next week. We'll have to see.

[projectking]

+1, nice to see your able to enjoy it!

[mcbassin]

Looking good Ryan!

[Dieselwrencher]

This weekend I drove the Longhorn to the next town down the road to get some wood and I got pulled over on the way out of town coming back. The officer just wanted to check out the truck. It was a nice visit! It was a nice 30 mile trip with no real hiccups. It'll be even nicer when the over drive and lock up are operational. A/C would have been nice though. Haha