Project High Expectations.

[AMeanXtreme]

Update
In the past week I have torn into the front end of the truck and about ready to pull the front diff.

I would have the new one in by now if UPS didn't lose the package tag and had to send it back to Florida. So I've been working on the Zr2 axle that came in and getting ready to put it in the truck.

So I went on the hunt for a parts truck to fix this cab and bed. On Sunday I got the call while I'm at work to go pick up the truck since he had pulled his 383 and 700r4... but I did get alot of s10 V8 swap parts as an extra


It also came with a nice red interior


I got a good start to it today


I want to beat the S%!#out of person that fiberglassed the firewall to smooth it out.

[pintoboy77]

It is hard fixing other peoples mistakes and every project you will find them.

[silver_bullet]

Sean posed a question to mom and myself last night at dinner...what color? have been thinking all day... maybe cyber grey metallic above the upper body line with black from there down? hoping to use factory style chrome trim so kind of trying for a flip on the silver anniversary Corvette scheme... keep the red interior though... what do you think??

[silver_bullet]

well, I guess the jury's still out on the color scheme... and the bottom fell out of the rain bucket AND the thermometer!!

[silver_bullet]

beefier diffs, that thing could be cool as hell...I digg it.

yep..iron front diff arrived on the brown truck, so, with the 8.5 3:73 posi... beefier diffs are covered...

[oletrux4evr]

This is looking really cool! Your parts truck looks like a project all by itself....you could end up with three of 'em!!
I like the grey/black paint, maybe black over the gray......keep up the good work guys.

[AMeanXtreme]

The weather finally straightened out and I had some time before and after work to disassemble the parts truck..

[AMeanXtreme]

I know I haven't been updating this thread that much lately I have been busy between getting ready to graduate and working. But these past 2 days have been a lot of progress
The donor truck is completely tore down to parts with the help of the dad (silver_bullet). and the project is in temp 2wd to move around the property.



The donor also left me with a very nice 2wd frame

[silver_bullet]

Yeah...I helped... Sean did most of the work!! and deserves all of the credit...

[pintoboy77]

Looking good boys and don't sell yourself short any help is good help.

[silver_bullet]

Thanks... once this graduation weekend is done, back to working garage and getting things repaired...

[SuperBuickGuy]

You're doing awesome work. I'd like you to consider doing three things on the suspension. In my experience (I had a V8 S-10 4x4, lifted Blazer), and these things were mandatory to keep the front suspension safe.
1) brace the lower cradle, make a triangle from the rear, lower a-arm mount to the frame. Use decent DOM or equivalent tubing... really, it needs to be that strong because if you don't - your friends will laugh at you as the whole front moves when you brake or pop over obstructions... and it will break if you wheel it.
2) brace the upper control arms. Most people just add more steel, the leverage of the taller tires and being at the bottom of its stroke will break those tabs that hold your upper a-arms in place
3) strengthen where the lower ball joint is pressed into the lower control arm. All IFS, GM (others probably, but only know GM) cars and trucks have a problem retaining their lower ball joint. The solution is really simple, get a piece of 1" wide strap, heat and wrap it around the entire joint to a point as far back as you feel comfortable. The arm breaks parallel with the truck because there's huge stresses (side loads) on that ball joint.

The upper control arm issue is the reason many do a solid front axle swap.

[AMeanXtreme]

Thanks for the excellent advice... we will definitely be looking at doing all of those things as we are planning on rebuilding the entire front end with 2nd generation parts/brakes! Please feel free to check up on us and straighten us out! We really appreciate it!

[SuperBuickGuy]

Thanks for the excellent advice... we will definitely be looking at doing all of those things as we are planning on rebuilding the entire front end with 2nd generation parts/brakes! Please feel free to check up on us and straighten us out! We really appreciate it!

no straightening, that comes after the front suspension folds under the truck

[silver_bullet]

HiJack.. project has hit a detour... graduated yesterday, has already started fixing the bullet in the garage...see thread: http://www.bangshift.com/forum/showt...Xtreme)-Did-It!!