'86 Xtra-cab Solid Axle Swap
Dec 4, 2003 | 06:14 AM
#121
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From: Chino Valley, Az.
looks great- I remember when my truck was that pretty 
a note on new springs-
My front springs changed from sided to side on the height/leaning one way or the other virtualy every day for about two months. Even now after almost 3 years, they seem to take a set for a short time after being flexed to max compression. After I ran a couple of 3 rated trails in 2x4 low range, the truck settled almost 2". That worked out well before ordering my fron d'shaft to get a good measurement- I'd have hade it made to long initially.
Your gonna love the MT/R's as a great wheelin', OK street tire. So far, mine have suffered no sidewall problems after 15,000 miles, and are at just under half treat depth remaining. Considering I drove it daily on a full spool, that's not bad at all. My first set of tires were BFG M/T's, they were toast at 16,000 miles and I'd had 3 sidewall failures to boot.
That said, since I'm not driving it daily now, I'm switching over to 36-12.5 x 15 TSL bias plys as soon as the MT/R's are worn out. I want MORE traction-
later
a note on new springs-
My front springs changed from sided to side on the height/leaning one way or the other virtualy every day for about two months. Even now after almost 3 years, they seem to take a set for a short time after being flexed to max compression. After I ran a couple of 3 rated trails in 2x4 low range, the truck settled almost 2". That worked out well before ordering my fron d'shaft to get a good measurement- I'd have hade it made to long initially.
Your gonna love the MT/R's as a great wheelin', OK street tire. So far, mine have suffered no sidewall problems after 15,000 miles, and are at just under half treat depth remaining. Considering I drove it daily on a full spool, that's not bad at all. My first set of tires were BFG M/T's, they were toast at 16,000 miles and I'd had 3 sidewall failures to boot.
That said, since I'm not driving it daily now, I'm switching over to 36-12.5 x 15 TSL bias plys as soon as the MT/R's are worn out. I want MORE traction-
later
Dec 6, 2003 | 12:33 PM
#122
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From: Seattle
Dec 6, 2003 | 04:43 PM
#125
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From: Fort Collins, CO
Big Pimpin' Shane!
I think it funny to have been around the boards long enough to remember the "stock" phase of other rigs and I think it is cool when I get to see them growing up. It is sort of like graduation.
Did you get the tires before the springs or what? Looks to me like that is screaming for 37's. I fear encountering a similar problem, but I know the springs will settle some too.
I think it funny to have been around the boards long enough to remember the "stock" phase of other rigs and I think it is cool when I get to see them growing up. It is sort of like graduation.
Did you get the tires before the springs or what? Looks to me like that is screaming for 37's. I fear encountering a similar problem, but I know the springs will settle some too.
Dec 6, 2003 | 05:04 PM
#126
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From: Seattle
Thanks guys! 
No, that's my old Stout Equipment bumper. I've had it for years, great setup if a little on the heavy side. Unfortunately SE went out of business a few years ago, though the contact info for the guy who is supposedly in posession of the jigs is still floating around the various boards.
I'd planned 35s, but I definitely have room for 37s with a little minor fender trimming. Oh well, something to look forward to I guess. 
Originally posted by Cebby
I've never seen your rear bumper before. That's a nice design. Some of your handiwork?
I've never seen your rear bumper before. That's a nice design. Some of your handiwork?
Originally posted by Flygtenstein
Did you get the tires before the springs or what? Looks to me like that is screaming for 37's. I fear encountering a similar problem, but I know the springs will settle some too.
Did you get the tires before the springs or what? Looks to me like that is screaming for 37's. I fear encountering a similar problem, but I know the springs will settle some too.
Dec 7, 2003 | 05:46 AM
#129
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From: Tempe, Arizona
Originally posted by Shane
I ended up going with the "Profields" after all, if you've been reading the PBB lately you know about the price wars currently going on between Bobby Long and AllPro. AllPro's currently at $79 each and Bobby is at $80 each with free shipping. I should have them in 2-3 weeks, AllPro sold out their stock on hand in less than a day.
I ended up going with the "Profields" after all, if you've been reading the PBB lately you know about the price wars currently going on between Bobby Long and AllPro. AllPro's currently at $79 each and Bobby is at $80 each with free shipping. I should have them in 2-3 weeks, AllPro sold out their stock on hand in less than a day.
Dec 7, 2003 | 11:08 AM
#130
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From: Seattle
Originally posted by Arnold
Your truck turned out sweet Shane.
I noticed in the last pics that you cut off your rock sliders. Are you fabbing up new ones?
Your truck turned out sweet Shane.
I noticed in the last pics that you cut off your rock sliders. Are you fabbing up new ones?
Steve, did you order them for your cruiser or are ya gonna cut the IFS off your runner?
Dec 15, 2003 | 05:43 PM
#131
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From: Seattle
*BLINGBLING*
The correct shocks I originally ordered before Bilstein screwed up the drop-ship finally showed up, but heck while I'm at it here's the difference between the standard and "short-body" Bilstein 14" travel 7100s. Now my quest moves onto finding someone local with a tube bender since I can't find any premade shock hoops that are the length I want. 
The spring hanger setup is doing great so far, hasn't loosened up at all and no other problems to speak of after about 100 miles.
The correct shocks I originally ordered before Bilstein screwed up the drop-ship finally showed up, but heck while I'm at it here's the difference between the standard and "short-body" Bilstein 14" travel 7100s.
Now my quest moves onto finding someone local with a tube bender since I can't find any premade shock hoops that are the length I want. The spring hanger setup is doing great so far, hasn't loosened up at all and no other problems to speak of after about 100 miles.
Dec 15, 2003 | 05:46 PM
#132
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From: Duvall, WA
Are you going to be at a pausing point for my maiden voyage?
ChrisCo and I have been busting @ss on the last minute details on mine... it's ready to go, just watching the front driveshaft make it's way up from California and crossing my fingers it's here in time
ChrisCo and I have been busting @ss on the last minute details on mine... it's ready to go, just watching the front driveshaft make it's way up from California and crossing my fingers it's here in time
Dec 15, 2003 | 05:54 PM
#133
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From: Seattle
Originally posted by WATRD
Are you going to be at a pausing point for my maiden voyage?
Are you going to be at a pausing point for my maiden voyage?
The soonest I'll possibly have the shocks on it would be this weekend, but I'm not sure if I'm going to have enough time to find a bender. I also still need to go pickup a couple knuckle-caliper hard lines so I can get my new brake lines installed, and I haven't had time to finish the motor mounts off. 24 hours in a day is not enough, and less than 9 hours of light (less than 15 minutes of which I actually see...) is sucking the life out of me. :cry:
Dec 15, 2003 | 06:54 PM
#134
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From: Duvall, WA
Bummer! Well, let me know when your maiden voyage is and maybe we will have better luck then
These axle swaps really adhere to the 80/20 rule. 80% of the work is done in first 20% of the time. The remaining 20% however...
This Summer we need to have a get together of the late model trucks with SA's. I can think of six in the immediate area right now and by Summer I imagine there will be more. On for Funny Rocks?
These axle swaps really adhere to the 80/20 rule. 80% of the work is done in first 20% of the time. The remaining 20% however...
This Summer we need to have a get together of the late model trucks with SA's. I can think of six in the immediate area right now and by Summer I imagine there will be more. On for Funny Rocks?
Dec 15, 2003 | 07:08 PM
#135
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From: Seattle
Ain't that the truth! If I can take care of these last few details in time and get out for a little testing somewhere local I'm hoping to join the Tahuya group next month. I have a score to settle with a certain rock garden.
I think I'll definitely wait until summer when the ground is thawed and I have a rollcage. Remember, I'm gonna be a newbie wheeler all over again. 
:chicken:
Originally posted by WATRD
On for Funny Rocks?
On for Funny Rocks?
:chicken:
Last edited by Shane; Dec 15, 2003 at 07:09 PM.
Dec 16, 2003 | 06:45 AM
#137
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From: Seattle, WA
It'd be great to see both of you guys at the Tahuya run! Last time I was there, I remember a particular '86 truck getting hung up on a rock pile and having to get tugged off by Markus.... Wonder if that'll happen again?
Jan 2, 2004 | 06:24 PM
#140
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From: Seattle
<whining> Do I have to? </whining>
Nothing much has progressed in the last couple weeks (hence the lack of updates...
), I've been waiting on a bunch of stuff to arrive. But... I found no less than a half-dozen boxes containing about a grand worth of stuff on my doorstep today, it was like Christmas all over again. Shock hoops, Profields & 4340 inners, brake lines, axle seals, riflescope.... er..... so that last one wasn't for the truck. 
Right now I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna get the shocks mounted. As I mentioned a while back the first set of hoops (Shaffer's) were way too short so I called around some more and found AllPro's were about the right height. I ordered a set but now i'm having to deal with the stupid reservoir hose on the shocks. The angle that the tabs are welded onto the hoops gives almost no clearance for the hose fitting (why didn't I just find someone local with a tube bender and make my own?!?!?) so I'm sitting here
trying to decide if I want to install them with the hoses towards the inside which will require removing a major section of the inner fenders, or redo the tabs which will lower the tops of the shocks a bit but will let me install them hose-outwards...
Nothing much has progressed in the last couple weeks (hence the lack of updates...
), I've been waiting on a bunch of stuff to arrive. But... I found no less than a half-dozen boxes containing about a grand worth of stuff on my doorstep today, it was like Christmas all over again. Shock hoops, Profields & 4340 inners, brake lines, axle seals, riflescope.... er..... so that last one wasn't for the truck. Right now I'm trying to figure out how I'm gonna get the shocks mounted. As I mentioned a while back the first set of hoops (Shaffer's) were way too short so I called around some more and found AllPro's were about the right height. I ordered a set but now i'm having to deal with the stupid reservoir hose on the shocks. The angle that the tabs are welded onto the hoops gives almost no clearance for the hose fitting (why didn't I just find someone local with a tube bender and make my own?!?!?) so I'm sitting here
trying to decide if I want to install them with the hoses towards the inside which will require removing a major section of the inner fenders, or redo the tabs which will lower the tops of the shocks a bit but will let me install them hose-outwards...
