Josh40601's Build Thread. (D-ranged)

[Josh40601]

Well, I got the steering redone this past saturday. (I know, i will give you guys pics when i get home) Upgraded from the mild steel that was on there, to 1.5" .120 wall DOM with 3/4" rod ends on 5/8" grade 8 bolts. For the track rod, i went with the same tube, but went with 7/8" rod ends.

The balljoints are shot. They were the old ones from when i bought the axle used, so no telling how old they are. I just ordered 4 new ones. Hopefully get those in next weekend.

There is a ghost or something in this thing... My interior light is possesed by satan himself. It flickers, comes on constant, shuts back off, just goes apeshit when i am driving. It just started this. When you turn on the dome light on the switch, or open the doors, it stays on, but when you are driving, with the doors closed, "flick, flick, on, off, flick...." i guess there is a short in the wires, i just don't know which ones.

 

[4.0B2]

dome lights are only useful for running your battery down when sitting around throwing bs back and forth.. lol, for the longest time i didn't have a bulb in mine.. now i wanna put a toggle on it.

 

[Josh40601]

Marinated the latches with WD40 and WAH LA! It worked! No more dome light issues!

Here is a shot of the new steering

 

[4.0B2]

how long do heims last for you? i've heard not to use them on a DD, they wear out to quick

 

[Bray D]

I've got a heim on my trac bar. Had it for 2 years now and its starting to get loose. Not sloppy, but there's little to no resistance to rotate the ball in the body. I'll probably replace it at the end of this season. I see a decent amount of sandy watery mud too.

 

[4.0B2]

but what about on the steering?

 

[Josh40601]

mine are already showing signs of wear.... Even though rod ends wear out quickly, the only thing that wears out is the Teflon. They just make noise, but still work. They make rod ends that can handle daily driving, they are just expensive. when i redo the axle, I'll put the good ones in.

 

[railman]

hey Josh....just an observation.....

I think if ya were to pull the bolt on the pitman arm and put the link on top that you would then have it more parrallel with the track bar....

however, I do think it looks really good

l8r, John

 

[Bray D]

Its the line running from pivot to pivot. Not too shabby where its at:

 

[AgPete139]

Congrats on TOTM, and I've been lurking your build on & off for a while. Nice job, & keep up the good work. Nice truck, and fun wheeling spots.

Your build gives me an itch to convert the GenIII clip, too.


Pete

 

[Josh40601]

Thanks a lot Pete. I will most definitely keep at it. Just can't wait to do D-Ranged stage 3

 

[4.0B2]

wait- what's stage 3?
rockwells? lol
v8? portals?

 

[Josh40601]

wait- what's stage 3?
rockwells? lol
v8? portals?

6.0 LQ4 (iron block GM L-Series engine)
4L80E
NP241
14 Bolt Rear
8 lug conversion and truss for the front
interior Cage



All which will begin in the beginning of 2012....

 

[Josh40601]

Stage 1- D44 TTB and 9"
Stage 2- D44 HP and 9" locked with coilovers (current setup)
Stage 3- Look at my previous post

 

[4.0B2]

sweet.. i don't like the 4l80e, but that's just me.. lol