53 GMC Chassis Engineering front end install with 8.8 explorer rear end

[72Mountaineer]

What was the reason to take the pieces out of the bed? For tire clearance? How wide was the Ford diff, brake drun face-to-face-?

[semn49]

Were the motor mounts already welded to the upper buckets or did you locate them?

Very nice cool build.

[solidaxel]

Tim,
You did a lot of work on your truck, you can be proud of your accomlishments and the truck is good for another 50 years!

You ended up with a great ride enjoy it !
Bob

[Gabbyp]

53chevtforever. I noticed in your photos that you are using lower a-arms instead of the stock MII a-arm and strut what is in the shown in the Chassis Engineering catalog. Did you modified the crossmember your self or was it a special order from Chassis Enginering. Either way your truck looks great.

[shaunatk]

Looks awesome! Can't wait to reach that point in my build

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by 72Mountaineer

What was the reason to take the pieces out of the bed? For tire clearance? How wide was the Ford diff, brake drun face-to-face-?

Yes...I plan to install mini tubs..I have 275/60/15 tires on eight inch rims...and can go bigger if I want...the width outside of drum to drum is 59 1/2 works great and are cheap in the salvage yards...most are 3.27 or 3.73 ratio. Tim

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by semn49

Were the motor mounts already welded to the upper buckets or did you locate them?

Very nice cool build.

Mounts were already welded and I used a universal tranny mount...it would not be hard to move the front mounts if needed...Tim

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Tim,
You did a lot of work on your truck, you can be proud of your accomlishments and the truck is good for another 50 years!

You ended up with a great ride enjoy it !
Bob

Bob...thanks for all the help...and I am having fun with it...still a few quirks...but will work them out...I have installed two different mechanical temp guages from classic and one read 30 degrees hotter than it is and the other did not move...it is pure heck to remove and change that guage..not rich enough for the high dollar ones yet...

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by Gabbyp

53chevtforever. I noticed in your photos that you are using lower a-arms instead of the stock MII a-arm and strut what is in the shown in the Chassis Engineering catalog. Did you modified the crossmember your self or was it a special order from Chassis Enginering. Either way your truck looks great.

Yes..using the a arms that are beefed up...seems to work well...you can order either way...thanks ....Tim

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by shaunatk

Looks awesome! Can't wait to reach that point in my build

Well...I am tired and old and broke...haha....but having fun now...still like some...but at the point now can drive and take my time...

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

Very classy! What size are the wheels and tires?

Front are 225/70/15 on 7 inch rims...rear are 275/60/15 on 8 inch..

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Nice looking truck, enjoy.

Thanks...I was in west plains two years ago and bought a seat from a mopar guy for my 73 plymouth duster...his name was bill and they call him small block..in the construction business...small world...Tim My wife is from paragould arkansas.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by 53chevyforever

Bob...thanks for all the help...and I am having fun with it...still a few quirks...but will work them out...I have installed two different mechanical temp guages from classic and one read 30 degrees hotter than it is and the other did not move...it is pure heck to remove and change that guage..not rich enough for the high dollar ones yet...

Tim,
Did anybody mention STEAM in your system, or air pockets in the cooling system?

Do you have a overflow on your rad.?
Heat and cool it 5 or 6 times but make sure your overflow tank is full when it is hot and let it sit overnight and see how much water it takes out of the O F tank.

Do you have a Inferred gun to check actual temp of things, engine, rad,. heads?

I had the same problem and kept blaming it on the sending unit !!
I made up a bleeder sleeve for the upper rad hose with a valve on it and bleed it until I had all the air out of the system.

Make sure your rad cap is in GOOD condition and enough pressure not to blow your rad!!
You will overcome!!!!!

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Tim,
Did anybody mention STEAM in your system, or air pockets in the cooling system?

Do you have a overflow on your rad.?
Heat and cool it 5 or 6 times but make sure your overflow tank is full when it is hot and let it sit overnight and see how much water it takes out of the O F tank.

Do you have a Inferred gun to check actual temp of things, engine, rad,. heads?

I had the same problem and kept blaming it on the sending unit !!
I made up a bleeder sleeve for the upper rad hose with a valve on it and bleed it until I had all the air out of the system.

Make sure your rad cap is in GOOD condition and enough pressure not to blow your rad!!
You will overcome!!!!!

Here are some pics of my interior that was just finally finished...now when rich l can paint the truck....

[Root2812]

I really love your truck. Your interior is nearly dead on to what I want to do. I'd love to see some more pictures of that. Also when you installed that bolt in IFS how did you get it positioned? Did you have to measure or did it locate using existing holes or marks?

[crawdadfox]

Great looking rig!

[av8tr33337]

Is that the third row seat(Back seat) for a safari van or a front seat????, and where did you get the door panels??
I only hope mine turns out that nice. Great work!

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by av8tr33337

Is that the third row seat(Back seat) for a safari van or a front seat????, and where did you get the door panels??
I only hope mine turns out that nice. Great work!

It is the third row seat I think...and I took a pic that I saw on the internet
to my upholstery guy...and he copied it pretty close...if you will send me your email I will send a copy of the pic I took to him...Tim

[av8tr33337]

Originally Posted by 53chevyforever

It is the third row seat I think...and I took a pic that I saw on the internet
to my upholstery guy...and he copied it pretty close...if you will send me your email I will send a copy of the pic I took to him...Tim

Thanks

av8tr33337@yahoo.com

[Gabbyp]

I have 2 questions, First , are your front spindles standard or 2 inch drop? Second, the explorer rear is offset to the passenger side so did you just run the drive shaft offset and have the universals make up the angle. Now that its running it looks great.

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by Gabbyp

I have 2 questions, First , are your front spindles standard or 2 inch drop? Second, the explorer rear is offset to the passenger side so did you just run the drive shaft offset and have the universals make up the angle. Now that its running it looks great.

Spindles are standard and the front springs are 350lb...325 lb might be better but after a while they will sag some...but you can adjust up again...mine with the 350 lb are just a little stiff to my liking but not bad...rear is offset but no prob with driveshaft angle...mopars and others are the same for years...I would be sure and box all of the frame. My grandson likes it alot...haha... Tim

[53chevyforever]

Originally Posted by 53chevyforever

Spindles are standard and the front springs are 350lb...325 lb might be better but after a while they will sag some...but you can adjust up again...mine with the 350 lb are just a little stiff to my liking but not bad...rear is offset but no prob with driveshaft angle...mopars and others are the same for years...I would be sure and box all of the frame. My grandson likes it alot...haha... Tim

Another picture at our local park.

[72Mountaineer]

Very nice truck! Thanks for the replies.

[dsl30263]

You did a really nice job! Good looking truck!

[oldman3]

Very nice.....Jim