1981 Chevy

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

ok, so i am in the mood to get this thing done and not have it set around at my moms house anylonger, i figure if i get what i need i can have the thing rolling in less than a month and possibly driving and in safe condition, and im going to ditch the idea of putting my 327 in it and try and get my old 350 from highboy76 so i can get it imd... right now where the truck sets, engineless, trannyless, tcaseless, and no front axle installed... im going to just put a manual tranny in it but im only going to use a 208 tcase for the time being, finding a 205 that was once mated to a th400 is harder than it seems, so with that in mind, to get the front axle in i need hubs, figure out my brake calipers and how they go in, and ubolts for the front 60... from there the steering also needs to be adressed, i need to get a hold of the same year truck 2wd steering box so i can finish the crossover steering... engine needs to go in, i have 2 sm465 trannies that need to be rebuilt but if someone has one in good condition i would consider buying that or trading them for something... then the 208 needs to go in, i have the adapter thingy and the right tcase for it... then driveshafts front and rear need to be installed, (if the front will even work with out being lengthened)... my bed needs to be put on, 2 to 3 people can lift it up, cab needs to be repositioned and new body bushings put in... rear end needs regeared but wont worry about it for now because 2wd is better than nowd right dave :P ... i think thats all i need to worry about for now... then it will be driveable... moveable, and partialy wheelable :ROL:

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

going to try and get the front axle installed today and possibly find some help to get the bed back on and might try and go for the body bushings today... on a time crunch to get this thing done because im tryin to go to college to further my knowledge and plan my future... will try and post pics for those who are pixtar whores :ROL: anyone who feels like helping is welcome i will be wrenching on this thing for most of the day, just give me a call 3474284

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

pissed at youngs, going to order a U-bolt set for a dana 60 from Blue Torch Fab, comes with studs and nuts instead of the bolts... much better IMO, also prolly going to be ordering their dana 60 ubolt plates... might have talked someone into a little funding to get this thing going before college... took pics of the stuff i still have yet to install, will post them as soon as my privelages have been added!!! also got some 42s:D

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

well here are some long awaited pictures!!!

engine - 327 sb, truck avenger manly carb
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8570&g2_serialNumber=2
dana 60 front axle with high steer setup almost complete
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8582&g2_serialNumber=2
picture of 42's
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8567&g2_serialNumber=2
tcase doubler adapter
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8561&g2_serialNumber=2
ball joint and studs that came with high steer also top plate
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8579&g2_serialNumber=2
body bushing setup
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8573&g2_serialNumber=2
triple stick shifter
http://www.arcticoffroad.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8576&g2_serialNumber=2

[AK20]

All those parts look cool sitting on the garage floor, they'd look even better on the truck though!! Just razzin ya, if you ever need a hand with this don't hesitate to ask.

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

well seeing as i cant find the two tcases i need then i probably wont be installing the tcase doubler or triple stick shifter right away... for now its just going to be an sm465 mated to an np208... ill still be able to use my stock driveshafts... i have a little secret for clearing the 42 inch tires up front with no trimming though 8) i just need to get it done... if i sell my snowmachine ill be able to keep my new truck and finish the brown truck and have money to spare, and save, and most likely start some sort of investment

[ChevyKev]

I know the whereabouts of a 205 from behind a 4L80E which was the same bolt pattern as the 400 - basically it is a 400 with overdrive. So.... let me know if you're interested. The guy who has this also has the trans and I know someone wanting the trans and not the t-case. As I said, let me know.

[LowNSlowNeon]

Think the 42s will fit on the zuk? hahah


Dude hurry up so u can wheel with me :P

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

alright guys, my mom sold the house, so my truck is just sitting there... monday i am ordering the front ubolt and spring plate kit... so im going to need help really soon putting the front axle and bed and cab back on... and more importantly... is there somebody who would let me store this badboy at their place until summer time???
brandon 3474284

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

ok, so i ordered the ubolt plate kit and ubolts tonight... a week late, i know i know:P... as soon as they get here i will post up a date as to when i will need help... things to be done to get it out of there... front axle mounted and steering hooked up some how... bed put back on, cab remounted and body bushings put on... put hood, radiator, engine(fog, wrap, and crate it), and other misc stuff in bed... find some 8 lug rims with tires slap em on, and then roll it to hopefully, my place... so who wants to help

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

ok so after this sudden enlightenment on the tranny and tcase setup...

here is what needs to be bought...
crossover steering 400$ish
rear locker 383.99$
rear gears 4:56 205.99$
Tires (boggers:D) 964$
Rims 176$ a peice (anyone know how to find cheap stealies 16x10 wide on an 6 on 6.5 bolt pattern???)

and then
engine installed bed reinstalled, cab mounted and bushings on, tighten up loose bolts here and there, tcase, tranny, tranny mounts (clutch stuff) and driveshafts put in, viola done...

[naturalbornmudder]

you make it sound so easy...

no matter how ya cut it, that's 2700 bones and about 80 man hours of work... good luck brother! Holler if you need help...

[97cheepjeep]

I was thinking alot more than 80 hours to finish up that list. no kiddin on the good luck thing!

"viola done..." <-- those are always my famous last words before starting a rebuild

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

well given my love of chevies, im thinking when i can have the engine tranny and tcase installed in around 2 hours granted i have no problems... note to self buy motor mounts and transmission mounts... bed should take around 30 minutes to get aligned and bolts in... cab however will take some manpower, 4-5 guys and then me putting the hyperflex in and bolting down... front axle should be around 3-4 hours... finishing up the front axle at its final destination with crossover should be like 2-3 hours... clutch stuff will probably take a day... (all my times are according to me working hard and at a nice steady pace while doing quality work...) i will say these times have been exagerated... i want to try and get this thing on the trail, no later than 2 months... so tires are deff going to be out of the question... decided since i have to regear the rear i might as well throw a locker in there as well... i have decided crossover steering is a MUST have before this truck sees any sort of wheeling action be it 38s or 31s... but sigh, i only have weekends to work on it...

[AK20]

front axle should be around 3-4 hours... finishing up the front axle at its final destination with crossover should be like 2-3 hours..

You gotta get with the program if you want to get a project like this done in a timely manner!!! FYI, I did the 8 lift springs, dana 60 install, and the crossover steering in about 3 hours, basically by myself with Kevin poking his head out a couple times to give me a hand with some of the heavy lifting.

You know the drill, give a shout when you need a hand. My work schedules sucks, but if times jive I'll be there:allrighty:

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

thanks for the offer man, i will let you know as money starts coming in... this two job thing is going to pay off sooner or later!!! i want to do the tranny engine and tcase as a whole... or at least tcase and tranny... tcase and tranny combo is light... 208-sm465 combo...

[AK20]

So you got one of the newer 32 spline 465's, you suck! Now to find a SYE for that 208, and a skid plate!

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

im buying an 86 chevy truck for 350$ straight 6, sm465 and np208, 3/4 ton axles... i already have a v8 bellhousing lying around

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

oh ak20, my 81 k20 came with a skidplate under the tcase:D, its been painted and waiting install for about 1 year...

im starting to have second thoughs about 4:56 gears...

im wondering if i should just bite the bullet, wait on tires, and regear both axles to 4:88's or 5:13's, i would like peoples opinions on this...

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

ok change in tires... not going full out 38's yet, going to save some money, bout 35$ a peice... going to go 36x13/16 Super Swamper TSL's

[sevenslats]

You got a V-8 with 36s? 4.56s will be fine. Especially if you plan on a doubler down the road.

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

i will be going 38's but the 36s are a little cheaper for now so i figured save a little extra

[sevenslats]

IIRC, Kev runs 4.56s with his 38s. Ask him how he likes it.
And like I said, after you have the doubler, you'll appreciate the highway RPMs with the higher gears.

[AK20]

Kevin runs 4.88's, I run 4.56's with 40's...a touch under geared but with the manual it's not bad at all, wounldn't do it with an auto. Brandon don't buy the 36's unless you find a SMOKING deal on them, trust me I ran 36's and a month later wished I would have bought bigger. Then I bought the 40's because of street driving, if it was trailered I would have bought 44's...but they will come in the future once it can be hauled...think long term, buy the 38's...it will be the best $140 you ever spent(35 times 4 for the difference in money you'll save) TRUST ME!

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

aye aye... well got the axle under it and moved today... bed is way more messed up than i thought... tears in the sides, bent to all hell... its amazing what an angry mother will do... yet if i did that to her vette shed be all over my +++++ like pastrami on rye :torch:

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

well im trying to think of the realisticallity of finishing this before meet and greet... just wont have tires... or possibly the rear end regeared... but i dont know...

to do

cab bushings, bolt cab down, install engine (might need motor mounts), install radiator, new hoses, wire engine, set distributor in right, check valves, put water pump on engine, alt bracket, alt on engine, pulleys on engine, install tranny and tcase, setup manual transmission conversion in cab, pedals yada yada, brake proportioning valve, install driveshafts, install bed, need new carraige bolts, re gear rear axle, make exhaust, new steering column in, install shocks, check all bolts, new front steering arm...

how long would that take chevy guys

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

yep not realistic at all... thanks for playing brandon...

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

alright soo as summer is here and there is quite a bit of mud i am anxious... an sm465 out of an 86 chevy with a straight 6 only needs and v8 bellhousing correct??? all of the pedal linkages should match up for an 81 also... im just hoping the 86 doesnt have hydraulic clutch... i have decided against the body lift, if i want to go bigger i still can... ORD has the wonderful shackle flip kit... im going to need some hands here in a couple weeks (date to be determined a bit later) to get the cab on right and help get the bed on right... i should be able to do the tcase and tranny installation myself hopefully...


another diddly, if gears in a rear end are shot, and i buy new ones, should i be able to swap in a new set of gears, same ratio, without having to shim it??? or does this only go for lockers??? i would like to get this other truck and do both axle jobs at once, so i can put the 3/4 tons on the black truck... should be a simple on and off job (i use this term lightly of course)...

so who wants to help???

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

ok, i found another prospective donor truck, other deal fell threw, guy left state without calling me... 1980 chevy 3/4 ton... no bed, dana 44 front 14 bolt FF rear... im hoping for 4:56 gearing in the rear axle so i can just swap axles from this truck to the brown truck and not have to worry about gearing... truck has a 350 that supposedly runs just needs a fuel pump... but all im worried about is the tranny and tcase... supposedly, it has an np205 tcase also... the guy i might be getting it from got it from someone else and this is what he was told but hasnt dug into it yet... anyways, hope for the best...

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

welp, last week have kinda flew by... moved the truck to another shop, got a tranny, tcase, steering column, and whole pedal and linkage assembly, put the pedals in, removed the bed, moved the cab back, set the engine, stabed the tranny, straightened the frame, drilled new tranny mount holes, bolted in, put some shocks on, need a new adapter between the tcase and tranny... GRRR... and uh, had some fun with the car...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/MudMakesMeHorny/09-04-06_1556.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/MudMakesMeHorny/09-04-06_1557.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/MudMakesMeHorny/09-04-06_1558.jpg
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/MudMakesMeHorny/09-02-06_1836.jpg

[ChevyKev]

progress!

[naturalbornmudder]

glad to hear this is coming along. Havent seen you out and about in a while.

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

yeah i have been working, didnt have a way around for awhile so i was staying at the girlfriends house, only 5 blocks away from work compaired to hrmm, 5 miles... much rather ride bike 5 blocks!!! tommorrows plans areeeeeee, tcase and tcase adapter on truck, cab put back on, pick up front clip and bed, drop off a carb and possibly finish tidying up the flatbed on the yota

[ChevyKev]

yeah i have been working, didnt have a way around for awhile so i was staying at the girlfriends house, only 5 blocks away from work compaired to hrmm, 5 miles... much rather ride bike 5 blocks!!! tommorrows plans areeeeeee, tcase and tcase adapter on truck, cab put back on, pick up front clip and bed, drop off a carb and possibly finish tidying up the flatbed on the yota

I guess I'll see ya soon! I should be around most of the day.

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f25/MudMakesMeHorny/browntruck.jpg

better pic of where i last left off... before i leave i want to get the tcase and adapter on, get the cab back to its original spot, bolt up the front clip and get the wiring set and put a hood on it... maybe start it up if it gets warm enough???

[AK20]

Good to know that truck actually exists...I was begining to wonder!lol

[4x4_MMMH_4x4]

hubs and brake proportioning valve in the mail... i need to find a full spool for the rear... anyone know where to get one???