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speedmontzj
06-26-2008, 11:53 AM
i know this is a chevy but since i still have the jeep i figured i would show some love. i bought this 77 chevy from the man who bought it new
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house006-1.jpg

77 chevy 1/2t 350 4speed with a 205. i robbed the running gear and tires 38.5 boggers out of my jeep (jeep as it sits now)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/4x4006.jpg
3/4t d44 open and 14b 5.13 and spool. done a shackle flip on the rear with a 2" block, free 4" springs in front with a 2" block. i know a block in the front but i keep a check ont he u bolts and i never had a problem with it truck as it sits now
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/4x4004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house012.jpg
after breaking 2 sets of short side shafts with an open diff , first set broke an ear of the inner shaft and mangled the outer so bad i had to cut it apart with a torch to get it out second set spit a cap out and got both shafts, i decided it was time to step up to a d60 so i bought my bosses old farm truck that he also got new. 78 k30 4speed with a 203 and a small block for 1200 bucks. the red truck in the background has a 454.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house011.jpg
so the second time around she will be getting a d60 with 52"s in the front and 56"s in the rear. a 454 and if things go alright a doubler with a set of those new 42" sx. i'm going to build a rear bumper with a tire carrier and some sliders. so what do you guys think should i finish the jeep or the chevy?

adam99wj
06-26-2008, 07:46 PM
my guess is tha you wheel in the mud???, if so build the chevy

Goosed76
06-26-2008, 08:46 PM
sounds like yo have all the stuff together for the chevy, but lifted chevy's are everywhere. If you do any trails, do the jeep; if you do mud, the chevy will do great.

rstrucks
06-26-2008, 09:45 PM
All around use - Jeep

Mud - Chebby

BTW - I pretty sure blocks in the front are illegal in most states.

Chevy does look cool though.

Goosed76
06-26-2008, 10:24 PM
Ditto on the blocks.
You ever see what they can do to th front suspension under hard braking maneuvers? Scary as Sh!t. I'd much rather see a 2 inch lift shackle, just to know that the roads are a little safer. If it cam to a block in the front, or no lift at all, I'd personally go with no lift. And I love lifted trucks as much as the next guy.

speedmontzj
07-01-2008, 09:00 AM
i want to wheel a fullsize. i know the blocks are not the best way but it worked at the time because i was trying to get it ready for a ride and didnt have the time to do a nice fender cutting job. they will be coming out this go around. i wheel in everything. i play in the mud a little but that stuff is a pain in the ass to clean up. i have 4 short "trails" here at my house that are crawling/climbing type stuff. i broke the front end both times on the same hill in almost the same spot. this is the first spot i will be going when i get the truck finished http://www.morrismountainorv.com/ it is about 35 miles from my house
it has about 6" right now. i will be dropping it to between 3 and 4 with the 60 and the stock 52s it just depends on how much they sag.

speedmontzj
07-01-2008, 09:21 AM
after a little tear down this weekend i got a couple of pics. the front shafts in the 44
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house018.jpg

i also got the 60 out and started the clean up on it. man that thing is a heavy bitch when you are trying to move that thing around.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house015.jpg

i should get about an 1" of lift swapping to the 60. some people say the stock rear 52s give about 4" and some say they are the same height as stock so we will see. my parts from ord should come in today so i hope to have the front end in by next week. it will take a day just to clean that nasty thing up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house017.jpg

i pulled the cover off the 60 and i swear a gallon of water came running out, no gear oil what so ever. it has 4.10 if anyone needs a well used set.

speedmontzj
07-01-2008, 05:04 PM
alright so what lowlife does not like my boggers. boggers make the world go 'round:flipoff2:

speedmontzj
07-03-2008, 04:27 PM
got some more work do last night. out with the old.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_0867.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_0868.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_0871.jpg
alright ya'll get in line to bust my balls about the blocks and wood. i also got the spring mounts cut off the frame. those rivets are a PIA to get to with a grinder and you have to be easy with the torch to keep from cutting the frame. i am replaceing the rear with a ord piece with a bigger greasable bushing. the front is getting moved to make room for the longer springs.

and anybody that is wanting one of those front diff tube guard go ahead and kick yourself in the ass. dirt packs in that thing like concrete with you bottom out and has to be beat out with a hammer.

OverkillZJ
07-03-2008, 04:30 PM
as long as it's done safely who cares! Yeah, those 60's are a bitch to move, even with an engine crane...

J B
07-04-2008, 09:00 AM
Are those headers wrapped? Kiss those goodbye.

speedmontzj
07-07-2008, 08:58 AM
yeah they are. the last set that i had lasted a good while. i just buy the 99 dollar set and run them. it is worth it for the reduced under hood heat and the not having to worry about frying my arm when i am working on it when hot.

speedmontzj
07-07-2008, 01:50 PM
52s are in
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house.jpg

this is mostly bolt on stuff. ord upper shackle hanger and shackles with the front hanger moved forward with all greasable bolts. the front looks like it is about 2" forward from stock. now i have to finish up the 60.

and that is not a block that is a zero rate add-a-leaf. it might stay in it might come out it depends on the lift i end up with.

dirty
07-07-2008, 02:12 PM
Looking good, I like an old lifted Chebby. :D So much room under the hood.

speedmontzj
07-08-2008, 08:37 AM
Looking good, I like an old lifted Chebby. :D So much room under the hood.
yes it is nice to be able to sit on the rad support and change plugs with my feet down around the engine. it is also nice that i have 3 more trucks beside my shop so if i need parts i can rob off them. if i mangle a fender or door, hood whatever. i also have the 454 and a standard 010 bottom end and one that is 40 over. i am thinking of building a 3.875 stroke sb 350 on the pane instead of the bb. the sb will cost about the same as the bb to build. lots of ideas running in my head.

speedmontzj
07-13-2008, 02:12 PM
i got started working on the 60. new knuckle bearings, bushings, springs etc.. i also purchased new 35spl outers with hubs from the local dana parts guy in town http://www.smiths4x4.com/ . the outers were 80.00 and the mm hd hubs were 169. the spicer life u-joints were 40 something. he had the parts the nex day so i don't mind paying a little extra for the local service when he can get it that quick..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house020.jpg

got the pass side done and am working on the driver side. this new job i took this week is going to cut into my build time a lot. i am at work now and have already worked 14 hrs this weekend. i have the ord crossover steering arm so it will be going on there maybe tonight if i can get out of here in a couple hrs.

speedmontzj
07-17-2008, 08:30 AM
whats the best way to get the kingpin out when it is broken? pipe wrench and a torch?

speedmontzj
07-21-2008, 09:14 AM
i finally got to do a little work this weekend. the 60 is most of the way in. still have to do my 2wd steering box swap for my crossover and make some longer shackles since the springs hit the frame with the ords. i thought i would put the pics up even though most of you have seen these
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house022.jpg
from <to> 10b/d44, 30sp d60, 35sp d60
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house023.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house024.jpg

i ended up with about 4" of lift with the zero-rate in there. its a little tall for the 38s but will be just right when i step up in tire size. the swaybar will prob have to go back on because this thing is going to have some serious body roll for street driving.

oh and the 24" pipe wrench worked fine with a 6' bar and a torch for the kingpin.

speedmontzj
07-29-2008, 09:55 AM
okay i finally got some more work done. steering is hooked up along with the box brace. all i have to do is swap over the calipers and should be able to do a test drive in the next day or two.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house029.jpg

oh and i have to put that hub on. a new drive shaft is also on the to do list even though i dropped it about 2" along with some bumpstops. with the front end being moved forward and the springs being a lot softer than the 4" ones that were in there it is going to pull apart, but i'm going to install it anyway for the test drive. it will also be 2wd for a couple more weeks till i get a chance to take it to the gear installer. i still have not decided on a spool or if i'm going to come off the hip for a ox locker.

i done a test fit with the tires on and i ended up with about 4" with well used stock rear 52s and a 1" zero-rate plus the 1" from the 60 housing. so i guess i got about 2" of lift from those springs give or take a little, but they are super soft compared to stock front springs.

speedmontzj
07-31-2008, 09:44 AM
put the tires on and drove it down the driveway last night. ( driveway is 1500ft long)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house034.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house035.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house036.jpg

check out that frame flex. i think i have about as much frame flex as suspension. the tires are also eating the fenders in the front and the back in those pics so i will have to do some more triming or use the that block(zero-rate) to move the front forward some more. that is not he best spot to do a poser shot but i didnt have much time to do it. i will try yo get some better shots when i get everything completely together. it seemed like it rode a lot better but i also did not have any shocks on because they were a little to long so i had to remove them.

piku303
07-31-2008, 11:16 AM
maybe you could make a rear cage/light bar in your bed to stop some of that frame flex. seems to me like that would really f up the truck after a while. but what do i know?

speedmontzj
07-31-2008, 01:37 PM
yeah i hope to lose the tailgate and build a bumper,tire carrier, bed cage all in one kinda deal. i like the setup on boogerweldz taco on pirate. something along those lines if i ever get enough time. the only thing is i need to be able to use the bed. i use this truck to cut firewood for my house and shop for the winter. so i need a little bed space so the tire carrier will have to be removable like the taco. i am going to finish mounting my tubing bender this weekend if i dont have to work so i can start wasting some tube.

speedmontzj
07-31-2008, 01:59 PM
the rear is also not done yet. it still has the stock springs with a shackle flip and 2" block. i'm going to pull the 56" springs off the white truck to put on there and lose hte blocks. so that should level out the ride height because it sets rear high.

speedmontzj
08-13-2008, 12:11 PM
do not have any real updates other than i got my front bumper back on with the winch. i also got to put a few miles on it and the driving is much improved over the other front. the change to crossover steering made the most difference i believe. this is the only pic ive got for now is my boy driving ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_0898-1.jpg

speedmontzj
09-08-2008, 09:35 AM
finally got my tubing bender mounted so i started bending some tube. here is what the rear of the truck looked like when i started.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house056.jpg
i started by letting air out of the tires to level the frame as much as possible. then tacking a piece of 2x4 1/4 wall tubing to the back of the frame.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house057.jpg

then i started bending some tubing. it is 1 3/4 120 wall DOM. it is a little to nice for a bumper but it is all i had on hand.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house058.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house059.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house060.jpg

that is as far as i got last night, it is not finished. first of all what do you guys think? the design is nothing new. second, should i make this thing bolt on or should i weld it to the frame?

speedmontzj
09-08-2008, 09:40 AM
i was thinking i would just weld it. i had some 1/4" plate i was going to weld to the frame then weld to the bumper to make the frame stronger on the back where the bumper is mounted. i also plan to cut the bed off where the tube wraps around under the taillight.

ATL ZJ
09-08-2008, 10:02 AM
You'll be glad you used DOM. It takes nothing to dent HREW. I'd beef up the mounting locations with some plate and weld it on to the frame, but that's just me.

speedmontzj
09-08-2008, 08:08 PM
alright someone give me some ideas a lower tube to finish out the bumper. i was thinking a tube with the same bend as the one that wraps around the fender just lower and inset?

piku303
09-08-2008, 08:39 PM
[QUOTE
that is as far as i got last night, it is not finished. first of all what do you guys think? the design is nothing new. second, should i make this thing bolt on or should i weld it to the frame?[/QUOTE]

bolt on, its always nice to plan for the worst.

speedmontzj
09-14-2008, 08:55 PM
made some plates that i welded to the bumper to make it bolt on for now. that way i can get everything tacked into place and remove it to finish welding it up. when i get it done i will weld it to the frame.

i made a pit stop at blue torch fab on my way in from the gulf and picked up some reciever tubing. their new place is more than twice the size of the old place in dothan. if you get the chance stop by and check it out. oh you have to go in the employee entrance. they even hooked my little boy up with some stickers and an issue of crawl mag to look at the rest of the way home. he loved the yellow tj project they had going on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_0964.jpg

what my welds look like. not even in the ballpark of being good but i have seen a lot worse. i am using a used 220 machine that my father-in -law give me when he bought himself a new one. it is only fluxcore:(, but it gets the job done for now. it started fawking up towards the end so i didnt get it completely welded up. i think there is something wrong with the ground on the gun end.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_0962.jpg

ATL ZJ
09-14-2008, 11:14 PM
Get yourself a good Tweco ground clamp. The original clamp that came with my welder was corroded and causing bad welds. It was also creating a TON of heat. New clamp and it welds like brand new.

speedmontzj
09-15-2008, 10:01 AM
well this is what it is doing. it starts out fine but then its like the wire is grounding as it leaves the gun. it does not help if you move away or get close. i was going to change the ground clamp first, but i think it is where the ground comes from the gun back to the welder.

speedmontzj
09-15-2008, 10:20 AM
its an older model of this i think. it might be a 140 though i would have to look to be sure.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/yhst-85105415359236_2010_4713095.gif

edit: its a schumacher

speedmontzj
12-02-2008, 05:08 PM
okay after a short break i'm back at it. so to get ready for the toy run i had a small list of stuff to try to get done, and i started last week. i wanted to carry my grand but there is no way i would have got that thing finished in time.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house103.jpg

body bushing was 1. i also had to pull the tcase and do a rebuild.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house105.jpg

i sure do like picking up d300s over np205 and np203s

i am ditching the 2" block and overload spring in the rear for a 1" zerorate. i also moved the rearend back 1.5" . i am going to move the front forward 1" more tonight and install different shocks. i pulled the motor out last weekend and fixed the mounts. i gutted the interior last night also.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house104.jpg

i put some rust converter on the rusty spots (none were all the way through) and will be spraying the inside with bedliner before i put the padding and rubber mat back in. the 4x4 shop installed my gears last sunday:smt107 . i thanked him for doing it on a sunday and give him a small tip. he said he had 5 or 6 sets to do before the ride for people trying to get ready. ATLZJ, by what i hear the place is going to be fawking packed. should be a fun weekend. i will be packing the video cam and pic cam.

ATL ZJ
12-02-2008, 05:42 PM
Sweet. Deciding what rig to get ready to wheel is never a bad problem to have.

How packed? Like dixie run packed? How many trails are there? Are we going to be sitting in line all day to run two trails like at tellico?

speedmontzj
12-03-2008, 02:20 AM
i dont know. the last time i went was like 04 when i was still a member of that club. back then you had to be a member or be riding with a member to even get in the gate. there was just a few trails then. i looked at a map of the place the other day, and it looks like there is a trail that runs through every ac. of the place. they are also open to atvs so some of the trails that was on that map might be just atv. it is kinda loose dirt with rocks thrown in. throttle down kinda place.

speeddemon250
12-04-2008, 12:23 AM
this build is the shit! these K series trucks are tough!

speedmontzj
12-04-2008, 01:37 AM
well thank you. this build is mild compared to most though. i started out wanting to build a truck i could use for fire wood cutting and general use around the house, but also be able to do some serious wheelin with all of the body intact for the most part. then i changed my mind to pulling the tons out and putting them back in the zj. i got the fever to go to this toy run and could not wait. i did not have the time to finish the jeep before the ride so i just kept the axles in the truck and did a few things to get it ready.


i got enough done to do a little ride and flex test before installing the frt shaft and new crossmember.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_1080.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/IMG_1081.jpg

not to bad for an old chevy. the front shocks are bottoming on compression so the tire would stuff a little more. after the pics i installed a different crossmember, and changed the oil in the motor, trans, and rear. the frame flex is not near as bad with the new body bushings and motor/trans mounts. i have to do a little fabbing for the front shaft and do something about a front bumper/winch mount . i also have to put the interior back in. then she will be ready for a beating for the most part.

speedmontzj
12-09-2008, 02:56 AM
i got to do a little work over the weekend. tried my hand a a little driveshaft bootyfab. the reason i am doing this is because the stock ball and cup are beat and the shaft is about 2" short. what i started with.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house109.jpg

from top:
78 1ton 4speed wiith 203
77 scout auto with a d20
78 1/2ton t350 with a 203
77 1/2ton 4-speed np205 parts


some how i managed to have a piece of tube the same size and wall thickness as the stock shafts. so i cut the stock cv apart to use the flange and retubed the shaft longer to get rid of the cv. after a shit load of grinding and some cutting to get rid of the ball and cup i mananged to make it work so far. my driveshaft "fixture". i used a level and a framing square to get it as straight as possible. then tacked it in 4 spots.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house111.jpg

after that i just turned my welder wide open and burned it in. it seemed to be hot enough, so we will see. its kinda a pain to weld tube like that with noway to rotate it.

did a little test drive tonight about midnight. i did not see any binding but i was looking at it with the center hump out and a flashlight. i was trying to get some time on it before leaving out in it.

speedmontzj
12-09-2008, 11:35 AM
ready to go in the truck.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/speedmontzj/house112.jpg

RCB-ZJ
12-10-2008, 11:17 AM
Diggin the Chevy man. Here is my 77 on 37's. It has a Aluminum headed 427 SBC

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z319/rcb255/Chevypics030.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z319/rcb255/Chevypics032.jpg

speedmontzj
12-10-2008, 12:01 PM
looks good. body looks pretty clean. i think you should drop it about 4" though. what are the specs on the motor? is it an auto? are you running the stock front shaft?

RCB-ZJ
12-10-2008, 12:15 PM
looks good. body looks pretty clean. i think you should drop it about 4" though. what are the specs on the motor? is it an auto? are you running the stock front shaft?

Drop 4in ?? I would rub like a sumbitch :D If I had cut out or somthing I would take some lift out bit it is only 9in so what ever. The motor is a stroked 400 and has a 427 crank in it. It has dart aluminum heads and the thing is a screamer for a big truck. It was on the dyno at 430HP and 495foot pounds of tourqe . Yes it is a auto. I run a 1,800 stall converter and it has a built turbo 400 that backs it up. I mainly use the truck as my tow rig for my willys pick-up. But I do wheel the shit out of it in the snow and in the sand :D

RCB-ZJ
12-10-2008, 12:24 PM
By front shaft do you mean driveshaft or axle shaft ? I have alloy shafts front and rear. The drive lines were built by a friend of mine who owns a driveline shop and I have not broke one yet

speedmontzj
12-10-2008, 12:40 PM
i was fawking with you about lowering it. that body is clean enough that i would not want to cut it unless you run a beatup front clip. i have about 4-4.5" under mine with 38.5s. the rear clears without any trimming but i have cut a good bit on the front and it still rubs. yeah i was talking about the front driveshaft. i was just curious with that much lift if you were still running the stock shaft.

RCB-ZJ
12-10-2008, 12:49 PM
Yeah the body is super clean. Bought it from an older guy at my Dads work. He was the orig. owner. And yes the drivline's are not stock