Quote:
Originally Posted by GRM
This is essentially what Im building out of my 1986 extra cab. I need it for weekend trips to the 'con, fordyce, dusy, etc, but also need it reliable enough for long trips through nevada, utah, canada, and alaska.
pappy's explanation is good. My big difference is that I am going to run 35's, as most of my friends are on 37's, and it will slow down my group as a whole. I'll probably pick up a set of 80 series wheels, and 285's down the road for longer trips.
The big things to do is to keep up on the maintenance. Don't let the truck be a second thought. Thats when It is going to break. Also upgrade the most common broken parts on it. This includes:
Ripped Motor Mounts
Bent Transmission Crossmember
Sheered Steering Knuckle Studs/ARP studs ripped out of the knuckle
Sheered Hub Studs
Broken Birfields
Bent Rear Driveshaft
Shock Mounts Ripped off Frame
Bent Front Axle Housing (I've found the problem gets WORSE when you weld a bunch of random gussets on it).
Snapped Steering J arm
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wow that is ugly...
I guess if I ripped off the front wheel and could do nothing about it.. I would hook up a skid log, clamp the brake line, pull the axle on that side. throw the rest in the back of the truck and try to drive it out.
there is just no way to carry every thing that might go wrong!!! unless you tow a second truck.
that is why I am glad that my wifes truck and mine are almost clones of each other. that and she doesn't care about me stacking up parts for these 23 year old trucks...
I have had to get a ride home, rob the parts off her truck to get mine home.
we now run longs axles and shafts and the lock out gear. but I still have around 15 or so stock birfs and axles out in the garage.
extra every thing.. other then frame and body I bet I could put together two trucks from the spare parts that I have collected.
just saying that if the worst can happen it will and at the worst possible time and place.
so,, look at it this way, the truck matters not, only that you can get out, live, so truck,, way replaceable.. you,, not so much so.