Axle swap in "The Big Cheese"

[fisherman]

You could have installed them under the bed on the passenger side, plenty of room there. That's going to be a great truck. I think the batteries could have found a better home somewhere else on the truck. Looking great Randy.

[defbob]

Randy, What High Steer arms are the ones you used? also did you have to machine the bottom (where the rod end bolts on) to match the top or did they come that way. I know some brands angle the top but not the bottom to match.

[randyscycle]

Randy, What High Steer arms are the ones you used? also did you have to machine the bottom (where the rod end bolts on) to match the top or did they come that way. I know some brands angle the top but not the bottom to match.

I only used one arm on the passenger side, and that was from Foothill off road in CA. I don't know what brand it was, other than what they sold in a stock length, and undrilled at the steering link end. I used a 1" spacer underneath to correct the crossover link angle. The replacement arm isn't angled, and all I did was drill, then taper the hole for the stock tie rod end to fit into. The four holes for the studs and the hole for the kingpin were already there.

On the drivers side I cut the old steering link off of the original GM setup. The center link is still the stock GM stuff with the factory steering stabilizer.

[dlmos]

I love the way the truck is turning out, even the batteries! Did you run into any trouble getting the CJ speedo installed and read correctly? Looking at a 6.2/700r4 and was considering a similer styled dash.

[randyscycle]

I can't honestly quote anything on the speedo accuracy yet, but with the NP205 and the 42" tires, I am sure it will need some tweaking in the gears. I'll check it with the GPS when I take it out later this week and report my findings.

As far as fitment, Grantshire had the dash panel made for that arrangement, and it just bolts in. It connects to the original speedo cable end.

[coreyallan]

BTT, Randy hows the ice cream truck commin?

[randyscycle]

Nearly done.

I have been so very busy with other work in and out of the shop, that I haven't finished the last couple details, but by this weekend coming up, I should be complete, and have lots more pics to post.

I have had it on the road several times and it runs and drives well. Just need to de-bug and tighten up a few loose ends now.

[coreyallan]

Gotta work to play...I really like the way that thing is comming out! I have a few questions though..How many degrees did you clock the rear axle, or did you just use shims? How much length did you add to the drive shafts front and rear? I may have missed this in the thread but what is the 6.2 mated to? Did you go with a sm465 or is it still a t98? I see you went to a 205 and the shifter looks kinda modern so I made the assumption that maybe it was a complete drivetrain swap? Oh yeah, one more thing, I'm really interested in the back spacing on the rims because IMO the front view looks just about perfect , do you remember what it was? I really admire the work, the truck is simple, reliable and best of all fixable without anything too exotic...

[randyscycle]

As far as degrees on the rear axle I couldn't tell you. I used a 14 bolt GM van rear and welded on the perches to suit the application. I did set the angle with it under its own weight and allowed for suspension travel. No shims at all.

The driveshaft measurements are written down in my notes, but I don't have them handy. I can provide the lengths if you need them, but they'd be specific to this exact combination

The 6.2 has an NV4500 behind it. It was done by the previous owner, but he stopped after the engine and transmission swap. It does have an NP205 and its set up with a single shifter.

The backspacing of the rims: I don't know that either, as I haven't measured them. Grantshire picked them up and dropped them off here the same day and I bolted them on. I will get that measurement later too.

[coreyallan]

Thanks Randy, alright... I would like those shaft measurements if you run across them for my own reference. I like the 6.2, nv 4500, np 205 stack. I just got a line on a m1028 up in Maine and I might go that route, we have some np 205s layin around and it dosent sound too hard at all to find one of those NV's.. The BS on the rims would be just for my brain to chew on while I concieve of delusions of grandure, BTW dunno if anyone on here has seen this over on Pirate but sounds flat out unreal! http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...=recentered+h1
http://www.trailworthyfab.com/Milita...olt-Wheel.html
Thanks for the help man!