2003 Silverado Z71 solid axle build

['05TJLWBRUBY]

Looking good Man, looking good. Glad you had the shield on, that definitely would have sucked.

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

[mccustomize]

sorry for the retro question,


what was the year range for the Dodge D44 front that can use GM unit bearings?

94-01 and there are a few differences in those years, If you are going to do it I would look for a 2000-2001 axle because the dual piston calipers are specific to the knuckles

 

[mccustomize]

Finally got the thing mocked up and drooped all the way out, gotta notch some more for the drag link, set the panhard at ride height and figure out where the heck to mount my front bumps!

 

[chilliwak]

WOW:Wow1:thats going to be some huge suspension travel there Mr Mccustomize. Nice work. Cheers, Chilli..

 

[drumguy_18]

Really nice work! I’m loving your build. Keep up the good work, can’t wait to see it rolling.

 

[mccustomize]

Since I was already in this deep I decided to raise the core support mounts and get rid of the body lift pucks at the very front

Then I guess things spiraled out of control, it's not fun squeezing in to do sub-par welds, and when I'm this deep already, well....

While the motor was out I decided to clean it up really good and it will need a new oil pan gasket and rear main while it's out

The main reason for pulling the motor was to design and install a new, stronger, but more compact upper link mount along with getting a little bit more link separation out of the frame side of things since the tummy tuck

out with the old... in with the new

 

[mccustomize]

Needed a little more clearance for the upper link, so that will get relieved soon

and the Shirleys sent my sons some cool gear, they can't wait to go to KOH soon, and Baja

relocated the vacuum pump

I hit every bracket in sight with dimples

but I finally got everything mocked up and fitting, even made it all fit at full bump/full articulation/full droop, crazy how tight everything gets

then in all my haste I discovered I had mis positioned one of the shock towers, which really sucked, but I guess doing it right is more important than doing it one time, err maybe not

back on and in the correct place, but the cross bar now had to be fixed as well...

all finished up..

I got the filler plate for the upper link all welded in and ground smooth tonight so I'll snap some pictures tomorrow.
Friday night the cab will probably separate from the body this weekend as well, you know, since I'm already in this deep and I will be able to set the drivetrain in and completely paint the frame, do most of my plumbing, exhaust, etc... with the cab off which will be really nice

 

[mccustomize]

Wow, totally forgot to update my thread, lots of good progress has happened
Got the cylinder mounted, still not sure this is the final setup for the steering, we shall see

Notched the frame for the upper link

Got a minimalist rear bumper done up and welded in

Got the fuel tank mounted

got my old sway bar arms straightened out

 

[mccustomize]

Got the bumps and limit straps mounted

Got a few more pictures uploading to Flickr now, you can check out the entire album here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm8HvH6d