Builds Aimless build: 60 Series (1 Viewer)

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Is that gap between the tailgate and the rear bumper normal?

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

I’ve been driving the cruiser for about 3 weeks now to and from work. Love it. However, there are still many things that need to be addressed. Suspension (shocks and leafs), needs the front inner fender on driver side, re-sorting of the engine bay (wiring and cleaning up), and then funner stuff like armor and gears and lockers and case gears and etc.

The leaf springs under the rig currently are some kind of old 1/2-3/4 ton Chevy mix, it rides like crap. Bad crap. Anyways so I’m looking at trying to replace the front springs first as they are the worst and fully inverted.
Thinking BDS 2in lift springs?? And then pull some of the leaves from the rear pack. New shocks and mounts and see where I’m at. That’s my theory at least, opinions? I’ll take some pictures of what I have and measurements.

In the mean time.....

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

 

[g-man]

Is that gap between the tailgate and the rear bumper normal?

yes, made that way so you can get the rods from the tool kit in there to lower the spare.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Thanks g-man, that makes sense.

Am I crazy for considering going straight to 3-link front? Anyone done that that has input?

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

The current status of my front springs.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

I found a Dana 60/70 combo for sale locally to me, 6 lug with 5.88 gears. I’m hoping to acquire them.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Those blocks in the front need to go not bashing just saying it's dangerous

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Haha, yeah it’s really bad. Figuring out the front suspension is highest priority currently for just that reason. Luckily I only drive it about 3 miles to work and back...

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Well the tons were from an m715, so they don’t work. Back on the hunt.
And I’ve decided just to go leaf sprung for this time around. My plan is to go linked front sometime/someday.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Yea you dont want to run those they aren't that great drum brakes close knuckle no real after market stuff .

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

I took a hard pass on those m715 d60s, I may have another lead on a front d60 in a shop but it’s quite a drive. I’m content to wait.
I just got back from a big fire down South which means a lot of OT and I just sold my pickup (bitter, sweet) so I got all lined up to throw some bumpers on this whale. That’ll be in September sometime though, currently the Vortec is acting up. Throwing a couple codes and being pretty undrivable, so I’m checking my grounds.

If anyone wants me to break down symptoms and my methods for tracking down the issue I can. But there’s a lot of info out there on these motors.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Ton swap incoming, as fire season is winding down I’ll be able to get more done.
And bumpers will be being done as well.

Basically my goal is just to be able to do some snow wheeling this off-season.

 

[Hojack]

Ton swap incoming, as fire season is winding down I’ll be able to get more done.
And bumpers will be being done as well.

Basically my goal is just to be able to do some snow wheeling this off-season.

I’m out towards Sandy near MT. Hood putting together my SOA on my 60. Snow wheeling is what I’m planning when I get done. I just got started on my 80s axle tear down. Have all the hardware for the conversion. Just rebuilt my gearbox and tapped for hydro assist.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

@Hojack iv actually been reading through your build. Looks very cool, my Dad swapped a 4bt into his 80 Series. It scoots real well, which is impressive for a rig that size, he has his pretty turned up though. His is auto, your nv4500 makes me real jealous.

Well due to a miscommunication with the fab shop I use, my bumpers are being pushed back... again. So my ton swap is being moved up, whoever still follows this train wreck can expect pictures in the coming week.

 

[Hojack]

I’m in

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Pile of parts, including disc brake conversion for the 14 Bolt, my new gears, and some lights I bought.

My 1 tons.

Basically we removed the tires so we could lower the rig as close to the ground as possible. This makes it much easier to remove the axle as there isn’t any drop. The rigs on jack stands, with the tires sitting under it currently, because I’m a bit paranoid of the whole rig falling to the concrete.

A good picture of just how flat the springs are. With the tires off the springs still didn’t droop, basically they don’t flex in any direction.

Axle out.

Currently this is how it sits, the final parts are still arriving, and I hope to finish the front axle install next weekend. I maybe able to do the rear axle at the same time. Shouldn’t take very long to do the rear axle.
I’ll be removing some leafs from the rear pack at the same time, which will be an experiment on my part, I’ve never done a custom pack before. I don’t even know what the springs technically came from so I’ll just remove enough to make it ride better and flex.

 

[dwong]

A good picture of just how flat the springs are. With the tires off the springs still didn’t droop, basically they don’t flex in any direction.
....
I don’t even know what the springs technically came from so I’ll just remove enough to make it ride better and flex.

I know some older Ford pickups use front leaf springs like that, came from the factory arched that way instead of the 'normal' way.

 

[Hojack]

I was worried today too with the strong wind gusts.

 

[Hojack]

Fun being underneath it.