Chevy "Ironhide" 1 Ton SAS

[Ironhide]

This truck has been a project off and on for a couple years now, and is finally getting closer to being driveable. Pats letting me use his shop to get it done. I think he must have got tired of seeing it sit in his backyard...I had a build up going on DORC, but being as thats no more I figured I should start one here.

For some background, I bought this truck when I was 17 from the original owner and it had 90K miles on it. I put a 6'' lift on it and 37'' X Terrains along with a 14 bolt semi-float 6 lug rear axle and it did pretty good on/off road but I got tired of breaking CV shafts. That led to where Im at now..

Specs-
Engine-Stock 350
Tranny-Turbo 400, TCI full manual valvebody with engine braking (sitting in the box)
T Case-Np205
Dana 60, soon to have 5.38's and some kind of locker
14FF-welded, 5.38's ready to be installed

Steering- Gearbox has been tapped and I have a 6'' PSC Ram to install.

Front suspension-3 Link w/Panhard (still finishing mounting the panhard). I used 3'' ballistic joints on the frame side and 2.63 bushings on the axle. The shocks are 14'' Swayaway Emulsions, springs should be here friday. I still need to mount the ram, drill/ream the hi-steer arms, and add bumpstops.

Rear suspension-Stock springs with ORD Shackle flip, 7'' shackles and once I get the ride height set up im going to make blocks and a trac bar.

These are the basics of the truck, theres lots left to do that wasnt mentioned..

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/DSC01990.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/DSC02018.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/l_eb059f670bd947c5a771809d8883789c.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/l_97584e923c7f4aae974bf631d8bf04ce.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/photo4.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/photo3.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/truck.jpg

[ryantowry_81]

God that thing looks sexy with the tires and axle under it! Is that really all the pictures you have?

[Chevy Man]

I have more pics, ill get em up tomorrow. Looks great man, glad to see it where it is! Cant wait for the finished project, you have been meticulous and have done your homework. It will pay off.

[ryantowry_81]

Btw is that last picture at ride height?

[Irish_Inc]

Very nice! Need more pics though! Especially of your front end set up. I like that:14:

[Ironhide]

Thanks guys!
Ryan-its close to ride height, it will be a couple inches lower.

Today I had to work backwards a little..I had to cut the shock hoops off and then weld them back on. There wasnt enough clearance between the frame and the shocks for the springs. Now there is enough room for the springs and the shocks still converge at the top a little. I also got the panhard figured out FINALLY. I just need to fully weld the mounts. The suspension works very smooth and none of the joints bind.

I took a break from the front end and took the shackle brackets off and moved them forward, to allow the springs to have a couple more inches of up and down travel. In order to do this I had to give my girlfriend a 20 second welding lesson, so she could tack the brackets on while I held them in place. I also took off the add-a-leafs that I installed with the 6'' IFS lift a couple years ago, and I ditched the overload springs. They are really soft now, I think it will flex great. Heres a couple more pics..


http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_0979.jpg Mounts for the Lowers. Still need to cap the ends..

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_0980.jpgUpper Link Mount

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_0978.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_0981.jpgShackle angle with the weight of the truck on the springs.

[TRLR8DXJ]

I really like how clean everything has turned out! I'm Definitely looking to do something very close to what you have done with your front axle on my Durango. Where did you get your tubing for your links? Is it DOM? Keep up the good work it looks great!

[ryantowry_81]

looks good i am curious to put the measurements from your truck in that link calculator they have on pirate to see where it falls on their scale, just to get a feel for what the numbers mean.

looks like the pinion angle cycles well.

[Ironhide]

I really like how clean everything has turned out! I'm Definitely looking to do something very close to what you have done with your front axle on my Durango. Where did you get your tubing for your links? Is it DOM? Keep up the good work it looks great!

Thanks! I got the tubing from Green Tree Fab in anchorage, he keeps alot of it in stock, and although it is very spendy he is really reasonable on his pricing. He charges what he pays for it. The links are 2'' OD 1/4 wall. The upper probably would have been fine with 1/8'' wall though.

[Ironhide]

looks like the pinion angle cycles well.

Yeah, ive played with it cycling the suspension a few times, looks like its going to work out great. I appreciate your help with planning it out. And I'm also glad you talked me into keeping the c/o's and not just using leafs like I was thinking.

[ryantowry_81]

no worries man i was using yours as a prototype for how i want to build mine in the future...hahaha i still want to run the calculator on it to see what comes out.

the rears look good too!

[Ironhide]

Almost at full droop.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_0991.jpg

[RentalMan]

Holy CRAP man! That is sick! :yikes:

[Chevy Man]

Is this thing up and driving yet? lol

[Ironhide]

As if you wouldnt know.. You dont live upstairs from it or anything..haha

[Chevy Man]

As if you wouldnt know.. You dont live upstairs from it or anything..haha

Pfft, whatever. lol.

[ryantowry_81]

looks done to me lets go hotwire and rally it! it has that good prerunner stance right now, will help get the power to the ground......hahha

[Ironhide]

Before you hot wire it throw on some driveshafts, and you might want to install linkage and shifters for the tranny and t case. And if your leaving the neighborhood put on diff covers and add some fluid, also put the fill tube in the tranny and add fluid. I would mention exhaust, brake lines, bump stops, and limiting straps but I dont think your too worried about those items...lol

[ryantowry_81]

details details.....hahaha

BTW let me know when you get all that done so i can come hot wire it then.....hahaha

[Ironhide]

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_1000.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_0999.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_1001.jpg

[ak81jeep]

very nice:p

[Ironhide]

Thanks!

I had to cut off the stock mounts for the core support, since I moved the axle morward a few inches....trimming to fit was just out of the question. So the tube work began. Kyle has been helping alot latley which saves alot of time with all the bending and notching.

I built the center console out of 1'' angle iron and then dropped it off with my brother and he did the sheet metal work for me since im going to do some work on his truck..

Ive got the axle completly finished...and painted with several coats of rust oleum industrial paint. The links are also painted. Ive got some more to finish up on the front end and then im going to get the shocks charged and put it all together friday night. Then Ill have to finish the exhaust, brake lines, driveshafts, and do some wiring.
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_1041.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_1033.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i109/matt_29_29/IMG_1032.jpg

[Chevy Man]

Man this thing is looking good! I like the console with the shifter, and the front bumper/grille is looking great too.

[Chevy Man]

Wheres the updates man?? lol... Got much done lately?

[Ironhide]

The lack of updates is due to the lack of progress lol. I havnt got it in the hangar yet. I still need to do a bunch of cleaning, but Im also waiting on my brother to finish up an annual on a friends plane. Im hoping to get it in there on sunday, but who knows.