The Frankenstein Build! LT/Expo/Trail rig..and BS

Truth!

 

Thanks, Dan.

I was wondering if you were limited by the shocks, so that makes sense. I’m toying with a bunch of ideas for the rear suspension, from bandaid fixes to fab heavy options, so I’m definitely interested in your setup.

 

You just re-did your rear shocks, right? You just want to upgrade the leaf springs?

It seems like both Mike @Digiratus and Dan @turbodb have had really good success with the Alcan and Deaver leaf springs, which match well with 10" shocks like you have. Certainly cost a little more than a chevy spring swap, but they're a bolt-in option that would play nice with the setup you have.

 

Yeah, I relocated the shocks last summer. The springs just don’t have the lift they need to get the 50/50 travel that I’d prefer. It’s not the hugest deal and even with the crap uptravel, the ride is still worlds better than stock.

I just need to really think about how modular I want the truck to be. The whole direction of my build has always been to have a Swiss Army knife, jack of all trades capability. But that introduces a lot of challenges, including how to handle the rear suspension. It’s much easier if your rig is purpose-built with a narrower use case.

 

Sorry about the thread-jack, Monte.

I’m looking forward to seeing what Igor becomes with Frank’s goodies!

 

I mean I don't see how more lift for more balanced travel goes against the "swiss army knife" line of thinking. If anything, its exactly that. More purpose built stuff likes to tweek the travel balance than anything. Crawlers like down travel. Go fast likes to lean on more uptravel.

pfff dude...like i give a shit haha have you seen this thread? its 674 pages long! Like 10 pages is build. hahaha

 

Correct.

I understand the saying and the implied trade off.

 

Honestly I think everyone starts with the Jack of all trades thought when they start their build, at least to some extent.

As time goes on, that changes though as you learn what you want/like to do more than the other things and plus that changes over time in its own way.

Plus if you really think about it, to be the jack of all trades is simple: Mid travel front, Mid travel rear, Sliders, skids. Everything else is optional at that point to fit a certain other task that is more speacailize. These are already such capable little trucks as we all know, so you don't really need to change much else to make it the perfect all arounder, yet we add heavy bumpers killing the power, regear the diffs to make up for it, add this or that to counter this problem we cause in the first place..it's rather humorous if you think about it.

I still maintain the BEST time I ever had an all around rig was when Frank was just on a bit of a lift and 33s with sliders and a front bumper. didn't need anything else. Still drove great everywhere, hauled stuff, fun DD, highway was smooth, could go to the mountains at any time and do anything.

After that, it became a rig basically, Each mod pushing/pulling it in this direction or that in terms of what kind of rig it was.

 

I don't think you could go wrong with either a Deaver/Alcan pack spec'd to your carrying capacity, or a chevy spring swap. Either one would allow you to carry all the crap you'd ever want, flex very well, ride nice, and work with your shock relocation.

The other option is building your own - I've had good luck with it and that's what is on Frank right now too. Just cut down and add leaves to your current pack as desired for lift and/or weight capacity.

 

This does work well actually. I made 2 packs for Frank and 1 for Ben's truck too which he is still rocking, though I think it's a bit long in the tooth at this point..

Used to be a guy named Doug on here and he'd do the OMD leaf packs. Basically find chevy leafs, cut them down to size to fit in stock style packs and slap them together. Also worked great. Though bit of a PITA.

 

No super build related...but still pretty damn important.


Ran 55' of 8ga wire from my laundry room up into the attic and over to the garage. Was glad I ordered the extra 5' and wish I'd just gotten 60' but still have plenty of cable to get around my tiny ass space.

Forgot I needed a Male plug but got it wired up other than that. Be so great to be able to weld again.

Cable come from the attic ha



Wired up



And the welder I'm borrowing from my dad. I've used it before and works quite well.









The shop is a mess from other projects and this big one.








Still, getting there.




Need to get a 10mm flare wrench...which i don't know why I don't have or just can't find to get the driver brake line off. Open end wrench wasn't quite doing it and don't wanna fuck it up.

After that I'll do the spindle gussets while I wait for bushings.

 

Will it physically fit out the door after the longer arms?

 

Ha...uhhh...I think so

I hope so haha

I think Frank was around 80'' at the tires or 79'' and the door is 83'' I think or something like that. It's gonna be TIGHT either way. But I don't have 12.5'' wide tires on..yet.

 

Jack it from the skid with the tires off so it goes full droop and use the jack as a dolly to push it out. What's the worst that could happen?

 

I'm waiting for when the garage has two 33" tire sized slots that have little hinged doors at the base haha

 

Probably need 35" holes haha

I don't know..how bad is it @turbodb

 

I was JUST thinking that as I read @cynicalrider's post, hahahaha. I mean, nothing bad happened, so DO IT!!!

​

 

Well...i had a truck with them so didn't see the need to put them on Igor...plus auto tranny.

 

true. Well..i don't hate it in a lot of situations. But I sure do love my manual way more in all over situations. Im glad I still get to drive one most of the time.

I won't tube yet, LT first so i can turn it around and fix my bed and bed rack. Then go camping.

Then I'll think about tires/diff swap. It's not super simple to do since Frank is in powell and Im in montana..

 

Okay...

Bushings on the way. New lower Heims too for the shocks which honestly where in pretty good shape for the amount of miles on them. But figured now is the time..


Orderd a huge vice hopefully be here next week and a work bench to mount it and hopefully a bench grinder too. After that, I'll feel pretty darn good with the tools I have available to do some serious damage haha


Just picked up the correct plug for the welder so hopefully have that setup tonight and finish prepping the truck. Will get a ball joint press tomorrow to hopefully swap the UCA slugs over. Had thought about buying a press but until I get some of this shit out of the garage I just don't have the room.