86 GMC, Porterbuilt Mild front and rear

[bigguy]

Figured I would finally post what I have been working on. The story goes that I bought my 86 GMC while on leave in 2009. It sat in my fathers garage for the next year until I could come back and get it. When I did get back, I did a mild build on it which included a Mcgaughy's 4/6 drop with big brakes, 20/22" Coy C5's, and a 5.3L/4L60E swap. I drove daily for a few months before getting deployed again and then it sat once at my fathers house. Fast forward to late 2012 and a separation from the Corps and it's build time!


So for the second go around, I decided to run a Porterbuilt Mild dropmember front and rear. I built a cammed 6.0 LQ9, Performabuilt Stage 2 trans, 3.73 gears with eaton tru trac. I figured I would post some of the issues I have run into as well, mainly steering linkage and headers.

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[bigguy]

A few build pictures

[bigguy]

More build, 6.0L, raised bed floor with liner.

[bigguy]

Fabbed ECM mount. Headers are Hedman Muscle rod. I had to notch the dropmember to get the correct angles for the steering. The drivers side header has the front tube rerouted to clear the joints.

[G-NUT]

Originally Posted by bigguy

Fabbed ECM mount. Headers are Hedman Muscle rod. I had to notch the dropmember to get the correct angles for the steering. The drivers side header has the front tube rerouted to clear the joints.
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How did you connect your first u-joint at the steering column? Did you cut a piece of steering shaft stock and mount it in the residing location, and then mount the u-joint to that?

[bigguy]

Originally Posted by G-NUT

How did you connect your first u-joint at the steering column? Did you cut a piece of steering shaft stock and mount it in the residing location, and then mount the u-joint to that?

No. The factory column has a DD shaft end already. These columns usually have the DD end or a splined end.

[79azc10]

Looks sick , will nice to see more of it

[snm95ls]

Love it!

[mooseknuckles]

sweet build bro!

[bigguy]

Thanks guys! Really appreciate your comments

[Houston Ben]

Nice, I have the same year Chevy. I'm looking to drop in an Eaton True Trac as well, let me know how easy it is to install and how you like it!

Semper Fi!!

[bigguy]

I haven't had a chance to use it yet. The installation was pretty straight forward. I used a nitro gear rebuild kit and it's the stock 10 bolt. You will need a press for the bearings and an in/lb torque wrench.

[stepside83]

awesome build man im looking in to porterbuilt stuff now my self

[bigguy]

Thanks! Honestly, if I were to do it again, I would just go with the extreme version. It would be less fab and fitment issues.

[naphtali5725]

nice!

[bigguy]

Header modified to clear steering.

[79azc10]

Headers looks good

[Hankster]

Looks good! I'd like to hear that beast.

[mud.man.rj]

Like the look of the setup, headers fit nice, should be a real nice ride.

[Crew Laid]

Great looking build so far.Good job modifying the headers to bit.

[bigguy]

As soon as I can get the exhaust hooked back up, I'll get a video of it running.

[rwade]

I sent you a PM, and was wondering if you could get a picture and maybe some info on how you modified the inner frame support for the steering shaft clearance? I'm at that point and it would be a great help.

Thanks, Wade

[bigguy]

I'm at a crossroads right now and need opinions. Should I shave and repaint the firewall? Or, make a panel to resemble the a/c heater and put some undercoating back to look kinds stock?

[rwade]

Depends on the look your going for. I've redone so many things I've lost count. Thinking I'd be happy with it and not dough what I really wanted to do in the first place. If you like the look of a smooth newly painted firewall, do it now, or you'll be redoin it later. It's gonna be super nice either way!

Wade

[tinydb84]

Do you have any pics of you raising the bed floor? Or closer up pics of the mounts??

Truck looks amazing.