'80 stepside swb retromod project

[ofnaman]

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[ofnaman]

Well, another day down. Finally got the chassis completely tore down. Got to the only part of this build I did not want to do, but 2 guys, 2 angle grinders with wire wheels, and 4 1/2 hours later it was ready for paint. What a chore that was, but it came out looking great. We started painting, I'm not exactly sure how far my friend got on painting it, I started painting, but my back started killing me and I had to bow out (I broke it years ago and from time to time it really bothers me). He also picked up a pretty good sized order from summit the other day so I'm excited to start putting the parts together.

[ofnaman]

More pics

[ofnaman]

And more, some are of the po's nightmare welding job that we repaired.

[ofnaman]

Starting to doubt going with 3.42 gears. Thinking 3.73's. Any thoughts on the subject? 6.0L and 6l90e trans is going in it for sure.

[ofnaman]

We decided on 3.73 gears and and auburn posi unit.

[Blackpony]

I have 3.73 with an auburn in mine and love the setup. I went with moser axles with c clips and have no problems. Good luck looks like it is going to be a nice build!!

[881ton]

Looking good nice work!

[ofnaman]

Anyone know off hand what year xj (I think it was an XJ) shaft to use for the steering on this truck? I thought I had the thread for that saved, but I can't find it.

[ofnaman]

Frame is painted!

[ofnaman]

One more

[ofnaman]

Got a little more done today. Biggest breakthrough is parts are finally going back on. Got the springs dissasembled, removed the add a leaf, cleaned up and painted. Also removed the stock spring insulators and installed new polyurathane bushings. Installed the drop shackles and hangers, assembled the freshly painted leafs and installed them. Then reinstalled the rear axle so we could rebuild and regear/posi it.

[ofnaman]

Out with the old open 2.76 gears and in with the new posi 3.73 gears.

[Sodell]

Looks like you guys have a great plan going, wish I could afford an LS swap. Welds not too bad.

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by Sodell

Looks like you guys have a great plan going, wish I could afford an LS swap. Welds not too bad.

I wish I could afford a project..... This truck actually belongs to my friend. He's been wanting to build one for a while. He's supplying the parts and helping with the build, but he's kind of let me take the reigns as far as how to build it. I'm happy to be a part of it. We've both already learned a lot, and it's been fun so far. I will say this site has been a big help, I probably have spent 150 hours looking on here in the past few months.

[moregrip]

looking good brother!

[ofnaman]

Little more done today. Got the a arms rebuilt with new ball joints and bushings, and got the drop spindles and coils put back in. Also got the new engine mounts put on the towers and got the engine painted and set in. Did a lot of painting and getting things together for the rest of the build as well.

[ofnaman]

Couple more

[ofnaman]

Gonna pull the balancer to paint it.

[ofnaman]

Well it's been a bit since I've updated this. Between the holiday's, me being sick and then my buddy getting sick, this thing has not had a lot done to it. On December 22 we did some engine assembly, ran new stainless hard brake lines, new brake rubber hose's, installed the new brake proportioning valve, and started on the fuel lines. Would have finished the fuel lines, but we got the wrong fuel tank sender, and needed to figure out how we were going to run the line up to the engine. I'm sure I'm for getting a few things from that day as well.

[ofnaman]

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[ofnaman]

On Jan 5th we finished up the fuel lines, ended up flipping the fuel rail and running the line up from the front. Built a transmission crossmember out of some very heavy duty c channel, painted it and installed it. Started tearing down the cab, did not get any pic's of that for some reason. There is some other stuff I am forgetting as well I'm sure.

[ofnaman]

More

[ofnaman]

That's not rust on the inside floor, it's carpet adhesive. What a pain that was to get somewhat cleaned up.

[Sodell]

Very clean build, nice...