Builds Aimless build: 60 Series (1 Viewer)

[TrekkerOverlanding]

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

My new distraction… technically doesn’t “need” much but, well, yall know.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Some more recent pictures.
Currently planning out a trans replacement and an engine bay wiring refresh.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

To swap to auto or stay manual trans is my current dilemma, I can convince myself either direction.

There aren't to many solid (well priced) manual options anymore it seems like, NV4500 or TR4050 are both expensive (certainly the Tremec is the top of the price bracket) the Tremec makes the 4500 seem cheap. The SM465 currently in the truck has a 1:1 final which is rough for highway miles. The NV4500 seems like the obvious choice, unless someone can tell me what else I'm missing? The early Chevy 4500 has a much lower 1st gear, but the overall length may end up being a slight issue with drivelines. A single transfer case would alleviate that problem likely, but I do love my doubler.
A 4L80e would be nice or 700R4 is good, the prices are much less and anyone could hop in and drive the truck no issue. Again length is an issue so I would be forced to run single case I think... At least according to my rough measuring the other day.
Vortec 4.8, Chevy NV4500, Atlas? Ill have to see if anyone's done that... I'm sure someone on Mud has done something like that.
Any thoughts anyone? I'm open to opinions, educated or otherwise doesn't matter to me!

 

[cruisermatt]

is an NV4500 really cheaper then a TR4050 these days? No one is taking a good one out of thier truck, just broken ones, and say you do get a "good" one for $1500, if it has any issue where it needs to be torn down and anything replaced you are spending + $1K on parts. And then you are almost the cost of a brand new TR4050 which has 20 years of development over an NV4500 and comes in even heavier duty vehicles.
That was my train of thought when I decided to switch

 

[boots4]

What are your issues with the drivelines? CruiserMatt runs the NV4500 option with a doubler and I run the 4L80 option with the same doubler set up and the length wasn't an issue. Are you just trying to keep the same driveshafts?

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

is an NV4500 really cheaper then a TR4050 these days? No one is taking a good one out of thier truck, just broken ones, and say you do get a "good" one for $1500, if it has any issue where it needs to be torn down and anything replaced you are spending + $1K on parts. And then you are almost the cost of a brand new TR4050 which has 20 years of development over an NV4500 and comes in even heavier duty vehicles.
That was my train of thought when I decided to switch

You are quite right, I was just looking at that on the AA website, the 4050 is within a few hundred dollars of a rebuilt new venture. And the 4050 is definitely the better transmission. I'll search back through your build thread and reread that section where you did yours, thanks for reminding me.

 

[cruisermatt]

You are quite right, I was just looking at that on the AA website, the 4050 is within a few hundred dollars of a rebuilt new venture. And the 4050 is definitely the better transmission. I'll search back through your build thread and reread that section where you did yours, thanks for reminding me.

I haven't installed mine yet.

I actually have a distributor acount with Silver Sport and have a extra new TR4050 in stock if you want to buy one from me. It would be several hundred dollars less then the price on AA site.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

What are your issues with the drivelines? CruiserMatt runs the NV4500 option with a doubler and I run the 4L80 option with the same doubler set up and the length wasn't an issue. Are you just trying to keep the same driveshafts?

Yeeeah... I was initially trying to keep the same drivelines with just a little shortening/lengthening, I probably still can, just got to remeasure.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

I haven't installed mine yet.

I actually have a distributor acount with Silver Sport and have a extra new TR4050 in stock if you want to buy one from me. It would be several hundred dollars less then the price on AA site.

Now we are cooking! I'll message you once I've figured out my tcase.

 

[cruisermatt]

I can also help with the bellhousing you'll need to change, and we also make shifter handle that looks like a FJ60 handle and uses the FJ60 knob thread, and a bolt-in 7/8" Wilwood clutch master kit that works really well with the late-model internal slave cylinder. That setup results in super nice pedal feel, full engagement, and no clutch slave cylinder or hose to worry about exhuast clearance.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

@cruisermatt message sent.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

I’ve made a few more goals for the 60, other than a new transmission. My plan is to over the next year really take what I have and refine it into something that’s much more usable for my family and I.
So here’s a list, not exhaustive, but certainly extensive:
-Different wheels; a set of bead grips is currently my thought.
-Rust abatement; I have some rust coming through the A pillars from leaky gutters. I would also like to por15 the frame and get ahead of that.
-Bumpstops on all 4 corners.
-Less drone from the exhaust.
-Go through the engine; the Vortec is in need of some love and freshening up.
-Front selectable locker; Yukon zip or ARB?
-Wiring redo; oh boy is this over due.
-Drop fuel tank again and reseal filler neck.
-Manual fan for engine; it’s constantly trying to over heat, maybe hood vent?
-Rebuild the steering and add hydro assist.
-Repaint axles and spruce things up.
-Parking/pinion brake would be killer.
-Interior roll cage?
-AC?

I think that’s it for now
I wonder where the Australians get those cool window visors…?

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

Took the whale out for a spin today, before things get serious (not so subtle foreshadowing). I got home and moved bumpstops up the to-do list a little, I definitely bottomed out at least once.

Has anyone done Poppy’s Patina on their truck?
I’m sort of thinking that would be a neat alternative to repainting… I have a lot of repair to do on the front fenders and the inner fenders need complete rebuilding.

 

[Beams37]

View attachment 3903218

Took the whale out for a spin today, before things get serious (not so subtle foreshadowing). I got home and moved bumpstops up the to-do list a little, I definitely bottomed out at least once.

Has anyone done Poppy’s Patina on their truck?
I’m sort of thinking that would be a neat alternative to repainting… I have a lot of repair to do on the front fenders and the inner fenders need complete rebuilding.

I haven't done Poppy's Patina, but have heard great things. You could also just scuff it up and wipe on boiled linseed oil.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

I haven't done Poppy's Patina, but have heard great things. You could also just scuff it up and wipe on boiled linseed oil.

That definitely reminds me of my forestry department days but on paint the boiled linseed oil needs reapplication every few months and has a very wet look I'm trying to avoid. The Poppy's claims to have a matte product that sounds interesting.

 

[cruisermatt]

This sweet unit is headed your way in a few days.

 

[TrekkerOverlanding]

This sweet unit is headed your way in a few days.

View attachment 3905669

This is gonna be sweet! I’m still working out what I’ll be doing for transfercase, so it’ll probably be a few months before I set time aside for the install. But having that sitting in the shop should be motivating!