72 GMC LWB 4x4 Project "How Much?"

[Eturnit3]

pics of the centering yoke/front driveshaft/carnage...


I have a used drive shaft on order... will post befores n afters of it... in fact here's a before

next time you see it, if all goes well, it should be smooth and blue, with new ujoints (already purchased)

[msgross]

ouch.. I don't have a front shaft like that.. I guess they changed sometime between 68 and 72...

[Eturnit3]

Special thanks to you "Big Mike" (msgross) for setting me up with those hubs, I installed them yesterday, (as well as bearings) and they fit nice and tight... I am very greatfull...

[msgross]

Originally Posted by Eturnit3

Special thanks to you "Big Mike" (msgross) for setting me up with those hubs, I installed them yesterday, (as well as bearings) and they fit nice and tight... I am very greatfull...

no problem...

[Eturnit3]

one step forward




But Im blowin oil from either the sending unit or rear main...
so 2 steps back I guess


Looks like the transfer case is due for some new seals as well...

[Eturnit3]

done finally, special thanks to member: teeitup for setting me up with this driveline...

[Eturnit3]

Just got that installed and went for a test drive 4 lo in this thing is unstopable... I found a nice empty church parking lot to figure 8's in, and the weird thing was that when I was in 4 lo, turning hard my rear wheels would chirp/hop a little... what does that mean? I have a 12 bolt rear, d44 front and 3.73's according to spid, and Im pretty sure a 205.

[msgross]

sounds like your on your way to replacing it again... hope you weren't on asphalt doing figure 8's...

[Yukon Jack]

If you have a locker in the rear axle or a tight limited slip it can cause the chirping. Definitely keep out of 4wd when on asphalt or you're going to break something!

[Eturnit3]

yeah I did 1 figure 8 on asphalt in 4 lo and 1 in 2hi just to check and see that every thing was engaging (I didn't know it was bad for the truck, and I didn't know how else to check function without driving to far).

[onlyifihadachevy]

about your springs go to a different shop and order them try pro comp or sky jacker, or rancho to and they should get them next day i was talking to some who orders parts and he said i could get any springs i needed next day.

[Eturnit3]

6" skyjacker inbound...

[onlyifihadachevy]

i maybe getting a procomp or skyjacker soft ride depends on how much the front axle fix will cost

[Eturnit3]

*update* Just got my springs.. need to acquire some other parts. Looking to get an s shaped drag link or possibly hi steer crossover.. still undecided. Found a decent winch bumper from a 72 blazer that bolted right up.. Sure sits Hi, which Im not sure is a bad thing other than the fact that I will have to cut in some turn signals because it covers the lower lip of the grill. You can still see the light flashing, but I know Jonny law will be givin me grief over it.. Camera cable is MIA so i only have the pic from craigslist.. but it gives you an idea of what the bumper looks like.

You can see how hi it sits on a chevy grill.
Like I said I have it mounted, so will get pics soon.. I will also be picking up my winch on Sat. I decided to go smitty xcr 8 cuz the price is right and that should be enough for what Im doing.. I also hear they are faster than the warn... Also mounted my HiLift in the bed.. will be upgrading the rear bumper soon with some 3/8" plate and some 7/8" clevis tabs.. All for now, will update with pics asap!!

[Eturnit3]

Heres the bumper on the truck. The (huge) Dick Cepek's came on it, I bought the xcr8 last weekend and mounted it. Works pretty damn good, good enough to pull my brothers 3/4 ton up hill, and drag him with his brakes locked, although he said the bumper was flexing a bit I will be doing some serious modifications to the bumper in due time.

I thought about cutting the front of my fenders to allow a little more clearance, and I will definitely be removing the turn signals from the grill and cutting them in the bumper slightly recessed as to no be damaged by whatever I might hit. Ive also decided to go with a hi steer setup, Im not 100% clear on the whole process so Im doing my research and acquiring more parts. I have also decide to hold off on installing my lift until I can get some big meats (35's). The lil lady and I are parting ways again, thus dampening the financial situation momentarily, but things should settle in good time. Tinkering on the truck has been pretty therapeutic, and gives me time to sort my thoughts. That having been said, I may find some time/funds to post some minor updates a little more frequently, but the major changes are going to take some time. Thanks for looking!!

[onlyifihadachevy]

nice, we need side view pics too.

[Eturnit3]

as requested

[onlyifihadachevy]

you going to cut the fender off in the front or leave it.

[Eturnit3]

idk man... thats a pretty tough decision... I guess I should think about how far I want to go with this truck.. Half of me thinks I should keep it close to stock an make it "pretty" while the other half wants to 4 link the rear, 3 link the front, cage the sum***** and throw some 44's on a rear steer d60... suggestions?

[onlyifihadachevy]

JUst do it, make sure the 44s are boggers, but don't do rear steer.

[Eturnit3]

Been awhile since Ive updated.. I am just getting settled into the new house (with 2 car garage) haven't had time to do much to the old GMC. Ive done some minor upgrades such as, master cylinder, plugs/wires/cap/rotor, new lights on the bumper, some rock lights under the front end. I found this little gem yesterday on craigslist and got it in the garage.


Paid $100 and a few dents on the tailgate.. Im sure most everyone that reads this can recognize that its a 14bff. The plan is to make it bullet proof on 6 lug since I'll be keeping the front d44 awhile and I want to be able to rotate my tires. I will be chopping all brackets and spring perches and installing a truss, an ARB,disc brakes and a pinion gaurd. The gears are going to be 4.56. Eventually link tabs once I do all my math and get my ducks in a row. Now all I need to find is a front d60 on the cheap, and I'll have my final running gear.

[msgross]

you could also upgrade the dana44 to an eight lug... all you need is the parts from the spindles outward to make it work, or just pull the knuckles from a donor. Then your 14 bolt can be sealed up now and left for good...

[Eturnit3]

Originally Posted by msgross

you could also upgrade the dana44 to an eight lug... all you need is the parts from the spindles outward to make it work, or just pull the knuckles from a donor. Then your 14 bolt can be sealed up now and left for good...

Thats not a bad idea, I seriously hadnt thought about converting the 44 to 8 lug. Im on a bit of a tight budget for awhile longer so my thought was to kill 2 birds with one stone. 1st stone being rebuilding the 14b because it really needs it. It looks like there was some water in the diff, there is some serious pitting on the inside of the cover and on half of the ring gear. It feels a bit crunchy when I turn the pinion.

I think I will need to tear it down to housing and have it bead blasted. Second would be to not have to buy rims right this minute. Another thing for me to consider is that i wont be keeping the 44 for all that long,as I hear the vulnerabilities of the d44 are multiplied when running 35's or larger.
It would be my luck to dump some money into the d44 and then find a d60 (which is what I really want anyways). Ive been considering a set of superior axles, a new ARB locker. I may be getting a little truss kit from Ballistic Fab

I will deffinetly be picking up one of the ballistic pinion covers

Some bolt on Caliper brackets

I want to take my time and make sure everything is done right before I swap it in. One thing I need to figure out is how to have separate e-brakes for front and rear AKA Cutting brakes.

[Jtrux]

Why the truss? You gonna just be running leaves right?? I don't see the need for it.

[Eturnit3]

It will eventually be linked.. Just gonna take some time. I just blew a head gasket..