95 2 Door Tahoe SAS project

Larry

Bigassgas Explorer
Oh, that looks nice!!! I am getting excited for you. Are you sticking with TBI?
 

wrench-head

Observer
For right now yes, I still have the entire L29 setup/accy brackets/computer as well. If the TBI doesn't work or gets boring I may swap. The build is similar to so others on the 454ss truck website for a tow rig. Lot of guys cranking out 400HP and around 600tq with TBI, so my mild build shouldn't be a problem. The TBI intake is getting port matched to the vortec 454 heads. The vortec 454 heads are a large oval where the 3764 intake is a peanut port. Both are at a machine shop getting gasket matched and the heads are getting a lot more.
 

Larry

Bigassgas Explorer
You will be fine with TBI. TBI big blocks can deliver some awesome low end torque when built right like you have done plus TBI is rock solid durable too!

Ring me up when you are ready to go play this summer. We are planning our desert trip June 5th through 13th this year. Planning on Hole in the Rock and all over Canyonlands. It would be really fun if you could come along.
 

wrench-head

Observer
I would love to, but I will be in Puerto Rico May 21 thru 31 and don't think I can turn around another vacation by then. I'm not even sure what will be in the truck by then. If I leave it as is (350 and open44/open14) then I may make it.
 

wrench-head

Observer
Flexing

Disconnected the sway bar and did some flexing today to check clearances, everything is really close but fits. The Alcan's bend pretty far negative.

alexflex021.jpg


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alexflex005.jpg
 

HUMDEF

New member
nice!

wrench-head

I just joined and posted some info about my 95 Tahoe - several of the guys told me to check yours out. I have been watching this build for a bit now and... nice.

It looks like you started with a very clean rig - that makes life so much better.

What are you going to do the her that you need a big block? With a 2 door and a 5.7, you should have plenty of power. Is the old powerplant dieing on you? I see that you have put a lot of flet and travel into your suspen/lift, are you looking at some really rocky trails or rock crawling?

I look forwad to watching your progress.

On another note - I may be right accross the water from you when your are in PR - I should be in Santo Domingo and then back over to Haiti for a spell. I am hoping by mid summer, after my Tahoe is rebuilt, it too will be in the DR and Haiti.

Enjoy your trip.

Chic
 

KLAKEBRONCO

Adventurer
There is probably no way around it.
Unless he was lifted more.

FWIW stock K5's have negative arched springs at stock height. But not by a bunch, so they are going to positive and quite a bit negative every 'flex'.
 

Larry

Bigassgas Explorer
Look’in good Adam!

I don’t see the negative arch as an issue. Springs are made to flex. How else is one to get any articulation if the spring doesn’t flex negatively.
 

wrench-head

Observer
What are you going to do the her that you need a big block? With a 2 door and a 5.7, you should have plenty of power. Is the old powerplant dieing on you? I see that you have put a lot of flet and travel into your suspen/lift, are you looking at some really rocky trails or rock crawling?

The 5.7 may be enough at sea level, but it suffers at altitude. I have put a big block in my other truck and will never go back. Same economy, better power with my heavy truck. The old powerplant is doing fine and I won't swap the 489 in until I'm ready, either old one dead or frustrated with the power. It isn't bad actually right now, but it struggles to maintain speed on any grade and there are a lot out here.

The flex actually wasn't the main goal. The main goal was smooth ride, stable at highway speeds and handling, and low lift height.

That required custom springs for me. I have used most leaf manufacturers and was not happy with any of the off-the-shelf recipes. My springs were made for my trucks weight and the ORU hangers. I only added an inch for better shackle angle and moved the axle one inch forward for fenderwell clearance. I did not mess with super long springs or orbit eyes. The flex it has should be expected from any decent leaf not just mine. The travel was a combination of what the springs will do and the 14" shocks were all that bilstein had in stock and take less than 2 months to get.

As far as why SAS in the first place. I weighed experimenting with the IFS and adding beefy cvs with 8 lug hubs and the 3/4 ton center section, but in the end the cost was near the same and I figured the straight axle was more of a sure thing. I am tempted to take all of the info I have gathered and try to build a single cab/short bed with upgraded IFS. Maybe a go fast project, but I'm curious what I can make the IFS achieve. In my stock trim when I got the truck the front end was clean but needed to be overhauled, so I added that to the reason to do the SAS.

Very nice build, but I don't think you want that much negative arch flexed.

The springs are designed to go negative. They arch negative at ride height to get the desired ride height. It looks weird but is normal, and ALCAN confirmed it.

Look'in good Adam!

I don't see the negative arch as an issue. Springs are made to flex. How else is one to get any articulation if the spring doesn't flex negatively.

Come on Larry, it's Alex. Need to start signing all my posts? Just kidding, no one at work gets my name right either...Eric, Alec, Louie
 
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wrench-head

Observer
Dana 60

I know this is beyond anything needed for expedition usage, but here is the Dana 60 with the 4.88s and the ARB after trussing.

DSC07115.jpg


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KLAKEBRONCO

Adventurer
I really love your truck!! I've always liked the K5's and missed mine ever since I got rid of it. This is just a more refined/updated version.
 

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