Couldn't agree more.... its the best way, least amount of headaches and the trade off isn't that bad.
05 LLY into 99 RCSB 1500
- Thread starter thunder550
- Start date
Couldn't agree more.... its the best way, least amount of headaches and the trade off isn't that bad.
:woott: wow that turned out nice. U get that block out of rear and it will sit almost perfect. Nice work man.
Question on the front end...all of the rubber flappy stuff that keeps air from going around the radiator was junk on both trucks, it all fell apart when I was taking them apart. Should I be replacing it? How much of a difference does that stuff make in air flow through the radiator?
Probably won't make much difference if it's the ones I'm thinking as far as engine cooling goes, but it may reduce airflow through the condenser.
RH Baffle: 15185917 $19.50
LH Baffle: 15773377 $13.00
GMC Lower Baffle: 15205672 $84.42
Chevy Lower Baffle: 15187923 $76.51
Id just replace them. May as well do a thorough job since you're this far.
LH Baffle: 15773377 $13.00
GMC Lower Baffle: 15205672 $84.42
Chevy Lower Baffle: 15187923 $76.51
Id just replace them. May as well do a thorough job since you're this far.
Been on a road trip for the past few days, no updates other than I was able to score a 2500HD grille and bumper cover at a scrap yard in Sacramento 
Been giving it some thought while I've been out too...leaning now towards leaving the 8.6 rear end in the truck until it breaks. I'd like to keep the 6 lug hubs. I've heard people talk about how broken rear diffs can take out a trans or transfer case...how likely is that? What is it that allows that to happen?
Been giving it some thought while I've been out too...leaning now towards leaving the 8.6 rear end in the truck until it breaks. I'd like to keep the 6 lug hubs. I've heard people talk about how broken rear diffs can take out a trans or transfer case...how likely is that? What is it that allows that to happen?
I just checked prices on TrueTracs for the different axles....I could almost buy one for the 8.6 AND the 9.5 for the price of the one that goes into the 11.5, holy crap. I think that solidifies my plan....put a TrueTrac in the 8.6 and run it till it blows, then do a built 9.5.
Bigleys little red project truck didn't take much before the 10 bolt crapped out on him, and that was before he turned up his power much. He swapped in a 9.5" 14 bolt, and has dyno'd mid 600's quite a few times now, and runs it on the strip as well with no problems. If it was mine I would swap to a 9.5" now instead of doing 2 rear ends. You could always go with a 9.5" out of an earlier drum equipped truck, and do a disc conversion on it. Or get a 9.5" out of a 1500HD and change the axles out for 6 lugs.
Ive got a 9.5 sitting in the garage, fresh G80 and 3.73s, but Im not 100% confident it'll hold up running slicks. Maybe Im just paranoid. Eh, the 11.5 can always sit behind the garage if/when its needed.
If you look for one, make sure to read this first: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/
Also, try to find one with the smaller square brake flanges, NOT trapezoidal.
If you look for one, make sure to read this first: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/14b_bible/
Also, try to find one with the smaller square brake flanges, NOT trapezoidal.
Still thinking about the rear end...may end up doing the 9.5 now, not sure yet.
I got a chance to do some more work this afternoon. Got the front end together. Turns out the 2500HD bumper and grille are not enough to take up the gap from the larger radiator support. I'll have to make some spacers to move the bumper up.
Does the 2500HD grille normally stick out this much further than the headlights?
Also looking for tips on aligning body panels. I'm not happy with how the fenders, body, and hood line up, but I wasn't able to get them any closer than this. Anyone have pointers or tricks to getting everything to line up? When I was working on it I didn't feel like there was enough play in the panel positions to get them where I wanted, even with all of the bolts loose.
I got a chance to do some more work this afternoon. Got the front end together. Turns out the 2500HD bumper and grille are not enough to take up the gap from the larger radiator support. I'll have to make some spacers to move the bumper up.
Does the 2500HD grille normally stick out this much further than the headlights?
Also looking for tips on aligning body panels. I'm not happy with how the fenders, body, and hood line up, but I wasn't able to get them any closer than this. Anyone have pointers or tricks to getting everything to line up? When I was working on it I didn't feel like there was enough play in the panel positions to get them where I wanted, even with all of the bolts loose.
You can moved the core support the the left or right to help with body gaps.... there's a ton of room for adjustment in these trucks. I just did all of this with my RCSB build.
Get a monkey on a stick, 4"x4" and 2"x4" to pry on the fenders. They are stout and hard to move.
Get a monkey on a stick, 4"x4" and 2"x4" to pry on the fenders. They are stout and hard to move.
I think it may be the radiator support, the way the panels lined up I'm thinking it's pushed toward the passenger side a bit. Thanks. I'll get back at it this weekend and see if I can get them all straightened out.
http://www.denlorstools.com/home/dt..._77043_friction_jack_setmonkey_on_a_stic.html
It works well. Core supports aren't exactly easy to move/adjust.
I was able to get it pretty damn close today by moving the radiator support towards the driver's side a bit and elongating the bolt holes in the fenders. I had a ratchet strap run from the driver's side of the support over to the frame of my parts truck and tightened up the strap till it was in a good position, seemed to work ok :thumb: Good enough for me now, at least until I have it painted someday, then I'll let the body shop get it perfect
Took out the lift blocks. Here's the current stance. I like it...just need to get some nice wheels and get rid of those ugly corroded things that are on it now :jest: Also going to debadge it sometime soon when I feel up to it.
Took out the lift blocks. Here's the current stance. I like it...just need to get some nice wheels and get rid of those ugly corroded things that are on it now :jest: Also going to debadge it sometime soon when I feel up to it.