My dad just handed over the keys to his 89 single cab pickup that he bought new in 89! Been out of college for about a year now with a decent job and i'm ready to burn some of this cash! Tell you what I'm working with, 89 single cab 3.0 bone stock except for TG front bumper and 31" meatys. I know the 3.0 is but its what I have, and it runs good(for now). Here are my plans so far.....

4" Marlin SAS with matching rear. Dual cases with 4.7 rotated rear case. Front range x-member. I already started rebuilding my 85 front, planning on HP front with 4.88's, detroit, and longfield 30spline and hub gears, ARP studs. While I'm doing the SAS i'm gonna go ahead and do the 2wd t100 pan swap to clear hydro assist. New tapped steering box with Davez v6 pump kit. Rear is v6 already welded just need gears and chromoly's. 37" Iroks on 15x8 allied beadlocks with 3.75 bs'ing.

What I want from yall is anything yall would have done different on your build? Something you wouldn't do? Stuff that I should be looking for while I'm working? anything I should have a heads up about? I'm a newb with decent wrenching abilities, I just want to get everything right the first time. Any help/comments/suggestions are appreciated.....Unless you are a troll.

 

the 37's might be a bit wide for 8" wheels.. a bit rough on the sidewalls?

 

I would spend a few large bills to buy some nice headers and maybe an exhaust system. Headers for sure. Might as well keep the 3VZE running good and decrease the chance of having to spend money on a head gasket(s) replacement.

 

I would skip the headers for a 3.0 - replace the stock cat with a hiflow cat if you have to deal with emissions if your going to do exhaust and run new 2 1/4" pipe if its mandrel bent or 2.5" if its not.

From what I always hear there is not enough gain with headers on the 3.0 which makes sense seeing as the air flow meter is so restrictive. seriously pop open the airbox and look at it. Nothing within reason can be done to open up the intake and headers wont fix that. Just a restriction that was unavoidable in 1989.

I run Dextron 6 in my transmission and power steering - power steering made less noise with new dex 3 but it feels a lot better and never squealed again with dex 6. dex 6 also has a much higher tolerance for heat so I run it in the trans. - that is, if you have the auto like I do.

What specifically are you going to use the truck for? Makes a big difference. Mud? Sand? Hillclimbs? Rocks? Water Crossings? I have no idea what you have to play in in AL - I presume trees and mud

 

Moved to Offroad Tech.

The Build-Up section is designed to give members a place to keep an ongoing thread that documents the entire build-up of their rigs.

Fink