Getting my 96 back on the road.

So I bought this rusty bucket and am replacing bed and reinforcing frame, etc. New cab mount brackets, bushings, etc. Rails on each side of frame have been treated with red oxide primer then overlayed with 1/8 inch plate. Heres some pics

Painted tank


New right side shock mount.


New left side shock mount.


Reinforced existing rails with new 1/8 inch plate after removing rot and treating with primer, etc.
Four - 5 inch x 3/4 inch through bolts on each rail - From T crossmember to bed bracket.


Notice Cab mount perch - all 4 were rotted and gone. Cab was sitting on frame.


Driver side rail reinforced, etc. Spare Tire crossmember gusseted.


Pre Wire down



Wired down


2 coats of Valspar red oxide and Finished with Rustoleum Gloss



Still have some work to do. Bed from 99 was prepped with 80 grit and wired out rust. Ready for primer and spray in bedliner.

 

Looks like a great start, hope she runs well after!

 

Glad to see you held on to it and are fixing her up!

 

Nice job! Keep it up

 

looking great

I suggest you might want to replace those rear leafs while its apart, they look very rusty and im sure they are about done. that way if you need to cut them off (like is sometimes needed) you have better access to do all that now

 

you read my mind. i was just searching springs online.

 

how about dorman springs?

 

general spring hd springs would be my choice if your not looking to lift it http://www.generalspringkc.com/product_p/90-173hd.htm

i put them on mine a month ago and it rides like a Cadillac plus it gives you extra 400 lbs payload above the weaker oem springs you had so when you haul stuff its not sagging.

whatever you get, watch the year size because 95-97 leafs are like 2" shorter then the 98-04 springs

 

So would the general be a direct match for factory - as in no lift and bed lines up with cab (with stock mount bushings, etc.).

 

true. If you have the ability to weld you can move the hangars and run the longer springs for a better ride and more flex.

 

yes, they are exact match oem ride height replacements. they will however make it sit higher just because the old leafs sag and what you think is normal should be sitting 2" higher so it will seam like a 2" lift but its just getting it back to oem height. replacing the front struts as a unit (coil springs and all) will bring the front back up to where it needs to be as well and the truck will then have a normal rake to it.

this is what I put on the front of mine and the same ones you would need

passenger right side: https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/ra...+Search+for+MONROE+171352R&blanktemplate=true

driver left side: https://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?catalog=904&partnum=171352L&a=www.google.com+Search+for+MONROE+171352L&blanktemplate=true

 

Thanks very much for your input. I'm already pretty deep into this financially so I'm going to wait until I have more cash and time. Its so easy to get caught up replacing everything....and If I had my way I would! I will get there. For now, back together and we'll see how she runs. Thanks again!!

 

More pics

 

back on the road

 

reinforced everything from trans crossmember back the best we could.

Now have to deal with frame between sway bar and trans cross member.