Project Trail Authority (Official Build Thread)

[Blacked-Out FX4]

Thanks dude. Having project separate from your DD, is totally the way to go. All my previous trucks have been DD's and it made it really tough to get anything big done. The cool part about the 1st-3rd gen's, is the inexpensive lift kits. The TTB kits are really easy to install too!

You should keep your eyes open for a few hundred dollar rig, that has like a blown head gasket or something. I see pre 97 4x4's all the time for $200-500 with blown transmissions or head gaskets. Neither of which take much work to get rolling again.

Yea, I could afford the rig, but finding a place to keep it would be rough. Working at an auto parts store means replacement parts and anything I need from Keystone is CHEAP! Now I have to swing my parents and girlfriend into letting it happen.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Oh, that's cool man! I wish I had that advantage. That's cool you work there, because you can just find what you need. Have you gone to a different parts store lately? God damn, what a pain in the ass! I swear to god, everywhere I go, no one has their shit together at all. It gets really frustrating.

 

[Bennybooster]

The posting was deleted.... Was that one of those screaming deals that I couldn't find for so long? Ha ha

It was an exploder 8.8 with 5.13 gears and the perches flipped, he reposted it for 175 dollars, I think Im gunna buy it next weekend

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Ha ha, you have got to be kidding me! That's perfect. I'll buy it off you! Hook a brother up

 

[Bennybooster]

I need it for myself haha

 

[Beef52751]

so where are the wheeling pics??? this build is my inspiration for my 86

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

so where are the wheeling pics??? this build is my inspiration for my 86

Ha ha, I'm not quite there yet. Almost thought! And thanks!

Some new progress (finally). I decided to get off my ass, and do something to the truck, after three months of zero progress. I was starting to feel guilty, and tired of looking at it in the driveway. Anyway, I found a way to get the pinion bearing off the gear, without damaging it, and without a 12 ton press!

I froze the gear/bearing for three hours, went out and got a bearing splitter ($30 at harbor freight), heated up the bearing with a standard torch, applied the bearing separator and BAM! It came off with ease

After that I sanded the inner diameter of the bearing to slide on and off the pinion, and set up my gears. Today I'm going to buy another bearing, and button it up. Once I get back from vacation (6/20), I'm gona mock it up, weld on my leaf perches, convert it to disc, finish up the bed...... and....I think that's it. It's gona be wheel'n time!

 

[ajmiller]

Wow man everything looks sweet! Ive been thinking about doing the Dana 35 swap. How many hours did it take for the whole swap, including taking out the 28?

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Not long at all. I built the D35, painted it, degreased everything, and soaked all bolts involved with creeper oil, so it was a really easy R&R type deal. The calipers work for both axles, and everything just bolts right up. It took about 1 1/2-2 hours to remove the D28 (by myself) and about three hours to install the D35, with a little help from my fiance on the lifting part. I've done a ton of those Dana's now, so I can practically do it with my eyes closed. Ha ha

Here's a pic of it right before I installed. Things go together soooo much easier when they're clean!

You won't have any problems with the swap at all. I highly recommend doing it!

 

[ajmiller]

Well looks like a junkyard trip here in a couple weeks haha There is usually plenty of exploders there so it wont be hard to find one. And im pretty sure all the brackets from my lift will work on it too...I didnt really put that much thought into putting the dana 35 on when i put the lift on cause i thought the 28 would handle 31's, but i havent really wheeled it yet. But it would be nice to have something bigger and stronger to rely on.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yup, your brackets will work for both. Easy stuff, and definitely worth it! The 28 should be okay for the most part, if you plan on keeping 31's (and not abusing it). I've seen their axle shafts snap under minimal abuse with 32's though. And one day, you might want to put some bigger tires on it anyway. It'll be a good piece of mind for ya.

It's too bad you're not a little closer, I'd shoot down and give you a hand. In the F-150, that's probably $100 in gas! Ha ha

 

[88_Eddie]

F that viva, if you're making house calls i need help setting up gears and throwing my D35/lift on first! lol

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

F that viva, if you're making house calls i need help setting up gears and throwing my D35/lift on first! lol

Ship your D35 pumpkin out here, and I'll hook ya up bud. No labor charge for you. Just a 12 pack of the silver bullet. Ha ha. Shipping would be MUCH less than paying someone to do it. Or you could fly me out there

Also, if you have any questions, I'll PM you my number

 

[88_Eddie]

lol, my d35 already has the right gears. i have to install them in my 8.8....but i've been thinking about finding a 95+ 8.8 so that i can have discs, so i'll just get one with 373s already

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

That's probably the easiest/cheapest rout for you. You could probably sell the other 8.8 and break even. Around here, I've seen them go for $350 on CL, with no disc or LS. Pretty ridicules if you ask me. People pay it though!