Axle swap "completed"

[79BIG10]

Well this week started off ok then Murphy's law kicked in but I conqured through it. Here's all what happened this week so far

Monday came and I woke up early to start getting to work on removing everything I needed. I already had the donor axle setup for 3.73 w/ gov loc from the 3.40 open carrier that were in there. The drums on the donor axle were out of round so I had to hope that the ones on the truck were okay. Well I jacked up the truck on all 4 stands and took the tires and drums off. Driver side was okay but the passenger side was a different story. A spring has broken off and been riding in between the drum and pad. Yeah it was pretty deep cut. So I took them up to size them up for new drums to be sure and came home with a set of new ones. Now the front and rear brake systems have almost been replaced completely (minus front hoses to be done with front end replcement). Then off to the donor axle to start taking off the brake parts. I took them off and laid in place of how they were on the axle for reference. After it was completely off and only the axle shaft and the plate were left I went to town with brake cleaner. A few cans later I was ready to reassemble. After some choice words and alot of time looking and comparing the donor to the original side by side. To move the axle around I used a flat garden style cart. Then I started on the other side. The brakes were not too bad doing thanks to a friend's advice and brake tool (I've got to get one of them!).

Tuesday came and I started painting the axle since Monday was way too windy. I cleaned up the rest of the axle then primed and painted gloss black. Next I went to start taking out the axle and springs. One thing I found disturbing was that the driver side shock was broke off at the top eyelet No wonder it had been a rougher ride. The bolts were in there pretty good. Thank God for air tools I think that's the best investment I've done so far in tools. I was stupid and instead of jacking up before the axle I after. So I had to pull the axle and springs from underneath to the side of the truck. With my exhaust tips in the way I had to manuever everything out. With 2 roll around jacks helping it slide I was able to get it out. I then took off the springs and shackles. I later cleaned them all up with brake cleaner and primed and painted them. I installed the new brake line (main) and had to run to the store for some flare fittings. The old ones were rusted in and weren't budging. Luckily I have a flare tool and fixed that problem.

Wednesday started by driving with Jody's dad to the machine shop to get the bushings pressed out but the guy said they looked fine so I saved some $$$ there. I still have the poly bushings I'll replace later on. So we came back to the house and I final painted everything ready and assembled the axle with the leaf springs. I then started getting the new setup back under the truck. This was much harder than before. After a few hours of cussing, fighting with the alignment of bushings etc. I was able to get everything lined up and bolted in. By this time it was getting late and called it a night. Tues and Wed. I was wearing a sleeveless shirt and got sunburned That's gonna hurt I thought. Mental note: When sunburned don't get water from a hot shower on those parts

Today (Thursday) I started off the day by mounting the passenger shock, mounting the tires, and setting the tension on the drums. The driver side shock mount is going to have to be cut out, impact gun won't even budge it. So I moved over to the brake line hook up and it was messed up on the new line. I couldn't get the flare loose as well as the new main rubber line had a bad thread in it. So off to another trip to the auto store. By this time they've already know me on a first name basis and have my account pulled up when I come in. So a swap out for the line and a new flare nut. Come back and start buttoning things up. Well so I thought I went to bleed the brakes with Jody's dad in the cab and I didn't get nada for a long while. I knew I have a lot of air in the line but this was driving me nuts. So I called Harbor Freight and they had a Mighty Vac system there. So off to spend more $$$ I didn't want to but I had to. I came back and was able to bleed the system. After a while I got it all done and after torque wrenching everything I was ready for a test drive and break in period to be safe.

Well I took it out and had to adjust the brakes a bit more with backing up and setting them. So off I took the truck for about a 15-20 mile drive. WOW!! What a difference it was. From 3.07 to 3.73 is a huge difference!! It was like I finally had the power that I've been wanting. So then I drove around different speeds etc. to break it in. Well on the way home I got onto a highway like 75 in Plano. I romped on it a bit from 1st to 2nd and BAM!!!! The driveshaft's U joint broke and I had to turn into a turn bay and luckily was able to coast into a parking lot and about that time THUNK!! the drive shaft came out of the tranny. Well after stopping the truck I ran back to pick up the driveshaft. After a call back to the house Jody's dad came out after me. Then came another trip (yeah you guessed it) to the store I was able to get the truck home and this time it drove smoother. The U joint which I thought was good ended up having a set of bad caps. So I replaced it and off I was. So tomorrow I'll try to venture out a bit more to see what it does after rechecking the fluid level. But the rear axle works great and so much more response in the drivetrain now. Makes me want to take it to the track even more now

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Dam, sounds like you had an exciting couple of days. Hope you got everything squared away and there won't be any more problems. Did you get any pics of doing the install?
-Later

[79BIG10]

I didn't get any pics of the install but I'm going to write up an article on it though.

[Prerunner1982]

good deal B... glad you have had better luck this past week or two than i have....

[86 GMG]

??????even though you had so called trouble i bet you had a lot of fun i know i do even when it goes wrong b/c when its finished i can say i did it just like you can so cograts and we all will drink a beer with you in mind this weekend !!!!cheers!!!!!

[79BIG10]

Jon I hope everything gets going better. Let me know if I can help in any way.

86GMG- Just driving it today was well worth all the $$$ spent, scrapes, cuts etc. for sure. Now when I feel comfortable enough to have it ready I'm going to see what it really can do.

[Prerunner1982]

B... just had my wisdom teeth pulled... not sure there is anything you can do for that... but if you would like to come rebuild the whole front end of my truck that would be fine...
Didnt have anything fall on your face this time did ya?

[79BIG10]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

B... just had my wisdom teeth pulled... not sure there is anything you can do for that... but if you would like to come rebuild the whole front end of my truck that would be fine...
Didnt have anything fall on your face this time did ya?

Sorry to hear that Jon. I've had mine cut out (all 4 at once) so I feel for ya. If I had some pain pills I'd send you some If I had the time I'd come up there and learn on yours then be able to do mine then.

Actually I have alot of dirt, and crap fall on my face but nothing like a exhaust pipe LOL!!!!