My Build Thread (year+) on 71 Jimmy 4x4

[vtblazer]

Originally Posted by RckyMntnKng

Is there something wrong with BL's?

Some like em, some don't.

Was just curious about all that uneeded lift to run 36's but you explained that, so now I understand more better...

[RckyMntnKng]

No prob!

In your experience VT, how much lift could flex out 36x14.50's without trimming?

Right now I think im at 5", because it looks like the PO has a 2" suspension lift under it, unless rear blocks are stock.

If you know anyone who wants to trade me a set of 4" springs for a new set of four TC 6" springs Ive got, let me know :-)

-RMK

[RckyMntnKng]

My good digi camera got smushed in the airplane overhead on my last trip....hence the 2mp cell pics, sorry. Hurts me more than you.

[jamie72]

looking good!!

[RckyMntnKng]

First coat of the rattle can Spruce Green over Black.

D60 is getting prepped for front install this weekend.

Tube Bumpers are in Fab stage.

Drivelines are nearly ready to be lengthened and 1-ton'd

the 36x14.50's rollers look tiny under there. (but not as bad as the 31's up front haha)

[RckyMntnKng]

..

[RckyMntnKng]

Officially 1 tonned

[RckyMntnKng]

pic

[RckyMntnKng]

Thanks.

Hey Burt or Vt or someone who has done a 14bff swap..... How did you guys get your E-brakes hooked back up?

I hate to just not have an E-brake.

[Burt4x4]

I didn't hook it back up.
I have a line-lock on my front brakes. So if I need to I can lock the brakes. I would not parl overnight with the line-lock set because the hydrolic pressue fades in time.
I also carry a 4"x4" wood block

Someday when I have lots of money I may do the Cady caliper swap...ya right! ahahahaha

[RckyMntnKng]

I Carry a 4x4 block....haha I love that.
So I can just un bolt the existing lines from the rear hubs and call it good?
What is a line lock?

What is the best way to bleed the braking system now? I havnt looked yet but I take it each corner will have an air/bleed screw of some kind? Start with the farthest one and have a helper pump brakes and refill brake fluid as you go?

Oh yes I forgot to ask about the D60 bump stop bolts. Just adjust them to stop the turning before the tire contacts the spring?

[Burt4x4]

I am using the "Lever Lock" you can see it mounted on the left. Basically it holds the line pressure to the front calipers. Press the brakes and then move the lever up. Now you can let go of the brake pedal. The primary reason I have this lever lock is for wheeling. Hill climbs can get a bit scary if you have to stop and start again with a clutch ~ 3 feet are better than two. I can move the lever to release the brakes at the same speed I am letting the clutch out. This keeps my rig from rolling back ( I blew a rear driveline trying to get re-started up a hill before I had my line lock) roll back = carnage!
they make push button type but you can't 'feel' the brakes with that type, on or off with no inbetween.

I removed the rear section of the ebrake and left the primary pull cable intact for future install of a working ebrake.

As for the bump stops you need to make sure the stop hits before your knuckle hits the main part of the axle:

When I set mine I just made sure to crank the streering both ways and adjusted the stops to hit before anything else touches, but no too much to screw with the turning radias..
Hope that makes sence...


Yup, bleading you start with the pass side rear, then driver rear, pass front, driver front.

[RckyMntnKng]

Thanks a lot.

You just set me up for a whole notha weekends worth of work! (play).

Line lock looks really cool for manuals...Wish I had that in High-school. Great burn outs if you wanted...

[RckyMntnKng]

Burt if I ever meet you...Im gonna buy you a beer or 2.
Thanks for all your help. This place rocks

[Burt4x4]

Sweeet! I'll drink any cold beer you have, my wife only likes budlite...

I almost made it up to Idaho this year. My wife and I are prospecting states to move to after the kids finnish HSchool in about 6yrs and Idaho is on our list to check out. We were gonna take a drive up there for spring break but ran outa money so we traveld localy in Cali. oh well next time!
Keep up the good work!
Burt

[VanceH]

Hi guys nice to see so many idaho boys on here, i just baught my first Jimmy last night. 72 DD. Been working on a C-10 for quite a while. Hope to see you all around one day

Vance

[RckyMntnKng]

Nice to meet you. Post of a pic of that Jimmy...love to see it

[RckyMntnKng]

This weekend I installed the SKY Crossover Steering Kit.

This is my official plug for SKY, the quality and strength is incredible, and the price cant be beat. Look at the size of the Arm.... Also the draglink is very thick wall. They send everything including the grease zerts.

Since I was under there with the Tire off, I took Burts advise and if you look between the clamps you will see a couple new Grade 8 bolts on the spring plate (Had long studs previous)

[RckyMntnKng]

Front recovery points are now in place.

Side note: my dad is a vet and is always using military terms like "Sierra Hotel" and "SNAFU" etc....Which has grown on me and led me to the official naming of this truck. Pic speaks for itself lol

[RckyMntnKng]

All the Lens are now clear with correctly colored LED's, front back and sides.

Some Quick remove mirrors on the tube doors using a light mount.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Glad ya like the sky stuff I have wheeled with him before very nice guy and hes a local here in oregon... Jimmy IS LOOKING GREAT

[Burt4x4]

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!


Looks Awesome !!!

[RckyMntnKng]

Ok this thing needs a doubler, and Ive had a hard time finding a good used deal on a np205 with the 32 spline from a th400. That's what everybody calls for...ORD, NWF etc.

My truck had the 27 spline th350 style np205 stock, and so the bearing is smaller and to change the input shaft would be a pain or more expensive than waiting to find the right transfer case.

While back I found a Th350 style Np203 and adaptor, so I know i can mount the range box to my Th350....

Well i found a very cheap 205 from an 86 chevrolet 1-ton that was mated to a TH400. Looks to have the 32 spline long input shaft (would have to be changed for short shaft), and I guess a slip yoke rear output. It also has some sort of PTO that ran a 12k generator. All this stuff works flawlessly and the date on the 205 is March 13th 1986.

So now I have all kinds of crap, any advice on what I need or don't need to make the doubler? Anybody know anything about this style or brand of PTO?

First 3 Pics are the 86 np205, 4th pic is the 203 and adaptor, 5th is the stock np205 and 27 spline adaptor

[RckyMntnKng]

About time to make some progress.

Rear end was sitting too low for me in relation to the front, and was only going to get worse when the rear seat, spare, cage etc goes in.

Installed a Rough Country add-a-leaf to the pack each side out back as well as a 4deg steel shim to set the yoke angle perfect. Was able to just pull the tires, drop the axle 1 side at a time, unbolt the pack, add the leaf in, add the shim, longer bolt, compress with C-clamp - Walla.

Before and after pics. Added about 2" to the back

[RckyMntnKng]

Rear seat needs to be setup. Also decided to go Pork-Chop on some tool-boxes. Seems like a perfect setup for the small rear area to work with on these Jimmy's.

Decided to go simple on the rear seats which are pulled from a yukon 3rd row.
Unbolted all the stock bracketry, pulled the covers, and welded a tube frame to the steel inside the seat. Set it up to match the height of the front seats, and got it ready to bolt to the floor, once I get some backing plate. Will finally get it welded to the frame as well. Seats have 3 sets of seatbelts, including shoulder belts.

So this stage isnt finished but you get the idea. Toolbox's work nice for a tone of lockable storage and serve dual duty as arm-rests and eventually cup-holders and maybe even speakers. Everything will get Rhino Lined black after its all setup.

Also working on some Light brackets on the cowl, just test fit for now that will have control-lights on them. (handle and moveable)