thanks for the offer. We actually left a trailer in the driveway and made a conscious choice to use the tow bar. Because the truck had 4 doors and an 8 ft box I was concerned about it fitting and my biggest concerns was the hi way tires crossing 4 miles of rock logging road that will cut tires to ribbons in about 3miles. I have flat towed vehicles for thousands of miles with my motorhome with no problems. I just never flat towed anything down a steep mountain with no brakes and the rear vehicle on rocks (marbels). Next time I will take your trailer.
Well alot of time has passed I know but I'll try to get you up to par. Six months to the day after she arrived in my yard ( last Saturday ), I took my first test drive. Brakes are still week and I had a leaky power steering line but a great ride.
Well that was in front wheel drive, I ordered a rear driveshaft today. Before I can really drive her I still need to wire the torque converter lockup and over drive switches. The interior needs alot of assembly but patchwork and heat/sound deading is done.
The engine sounds great. The only thing I did to it was a kdp or killer dowel pin. This is basically a $100 bolt that due to disign error at cummins can save your whole engine- google it.
So far the biggest headache and root of some disappointment was caused by the decision to use stock dodge intercooler and radiator. Factory coolers are much cheaper than custom and the dodge seemed to be closest to the size that might fit in this truck. Well it doesn't fit.
If I was doing it again, I would start by either planning custom cooler/radiator built on the truck or move the steering gearbox to allow room for the dodge stuff to be slid in two more inches.
The result is no factory bumper or valance. The front of truck will still look good in the end as its getting a heavy utility bumper and a ramsey 12000.
Axles and suspension
I ended up with a set from a mid 80s Chevy 3/4 ton. 14 bolt rear & hd 10 bolt front. Disks added in the rear.
To make up for the weight added up front, I had the front springs re-arched and added a couple leafs. This was about an inch too high for the rear- @ one and a half inches total. So I made some 3/4" solid steel spacers to add to the rear. I am not a fan of blocks as it is but whats 3/4 more and did it right so they shouldn't come apart. The u-bolts were then upgraded to 5/8 all around. The end ride hight is nice and still lower than any new 4x4.
The transfer case is working fine with a combination of IH and dodge linkage. IH shifter in exact original location. I also added a drive-line brake to the tail housing of the t-case to replace the original e-brake. I can even make a factory e-brake cable work if I can locate one ( mine is broken ).
Okay I'm leaving you with alot of gaps but I'll keep it coming.
just over 6000# is real good considering that I rolled my Scout over the scales a few days ago and it was 5200# and that was without a top and the sv is long gone.
...I do have a full roll cage and 17" steel beadlocks with stupid heavy 37"s on them though....
