tiffo60

iTrader: (2)

http://youtu.be/V1dBstAIYtQ

iregret

iTrader: (4)

I've been updating the site. I'm still collecting parts though.

01silvy

Thats the funniest skit dave ever did imo.. but looks like you have a nice project on your hands.. good luck

BrutalSierra

iTrader: (1)

While it was good I think that the gay landscaper was the best skit.Dave Chappelles Show Gay Landscaper - YouTube

01silvy

LOL yeah you got me with that one! i wish he still made his show..

iregret

iTrader: (4)

I finally started working on my truck today.

The first real thing I'm going to do to my truck is to install all of my suspension stuff. Yay!

I barely got to start today. Every time I go to my parents house I have to spend several hours cleaning and organizing the shop. Consequently, I didn't get much done today. LOL.

I'm going to be installing Hellwig front and rear sway bars, braided brake lines, McGaughys spindles and hangars, 05+ front brakes and SUV rears. Also, switching to hydroboost and all that entails.

The first thing I did (after dawning the proper safety gear of course) was jack my truck up and take my tires off.



I brushed off all the dirt and sprayed penetrating oil on all the bolts. I removed the brake caliper and rotor.



Here's a picture comparing the calipers and rotors. 99-04 on the left, 05+ on the right.



I painted my rear calipers with black caliper paint. I got these from the junkyard and with my black wheels I figured I'd better make them look better.



The rear rotors you see in this picture came from the junkyard as well. I was planning on getting new ones, but these where brand new. I had them turned and painted them black. The calipers you see in this picture are the fronts. They came grey.



That's all I got done today. My wife works an overnighter tonight, so I'll have all day tomorrow to work on my truck!

iregret

iTrader: (4)

I got some work done today. Not as much as I would have liked. I ran into a few problems.

First off, I removed my sway bar end links.



I removed the sensor and plugged the hole with a paper towel.



Removed the cover on the end. This is a 35mm nut. It's on there really tight. I think 140ftlbs. I removed it with an impact gun.



It was wedged in there do I used a screw driver to tap it loose.



Here's where my troubles began. The next step was to remove the spindle. I managed to get the upper ball joint to break free by beating the side of the spindle with a 3lb sledge hammer. I spent quite a while trying to free the lower ball joint. I put a jack underneath it supporting the weight of the truck on the ball joint. Then I hit the top of the spindle as hard as I could. It just wouldn't break free.

I finally had to go to Walmart and buy a 10lb splitting maul. I just didn't have enough weight. It still took a few hits, bit I finally got the spindle out.



Here's a pic of the spindles.



On top is the Hellwig sway bar. Not only is it bigger, it's solid as well.



I went and cleaned up the spindles. I bought these second hand and they had some surface rust.



I was trying to avoid removing the cv joint. I ended up having to though because I'm going to have to clearance the upper ball joint. I finally got the lowering spindles on. I torqued the upper ball joints to 37ftlbs, and the lower to 92ftlbs.



Here's what needs to be cut off. I'm working on this at my parents house so I had to stop here. I don't want to be running an angle grinder at 1:00 am.



With some luck, I'll be able to finish up tomorrow. One thing I neglected to do was do some before measurements. Oh well. It's pretty obvious how much lower my truck will be.

iregret

iTrader: (4)

Well, I trimmed the upper ball joints. I installed the CV joint and swaybar mounts.



After that, I installed the swaybar A-arm mounts, shocks, and stainless lines. Also the 05+ rotors, and calipers. I haven't blead the brakes yet because I'll be installing hydroboost as well.



Here it is back on the ground. I'm really not impressed. Part of the problem is I never took any before measurements. Right now, it's 34.5 inches from the finder lip to the ground. That's exactly what it is in the rear as well. I haven't installed the lowering shackles yet.



The person that had it before me lowered the rear. I think he took the blocks out and put 2wd U-bolts in. It surprises me that it's perfectly level.

What are your guys's thoughts on putting in lowering keys as well as the shackles?

iregret

iTrader: (4)

This is the closest thing I have to a before shot.




And after:



Here's what my 2wd looked like. I'd like my black truck to sit about like this.

iregret

iTrader: (4)

Well I installed my rear shackles and it didn't sit as low as I thought it would.



I realized it was resting on the bumpstops, so I removed the bracket.



...and mounted the bumpstop directly to the frame. Chevy even has a hole already in place and everything!



It doesn't look like much but the truck is sitting about an inch lower in this picture.



The idea has always been to make my truck look like its 2wd. I don't want it slammed, just lower.

The rear now measures in at 33 inches from the fender well to the ground. The front measures in at 34 inches. I'm planning in cranking down the torsion bars 1 inch to make them match. I hope this doesn't effect handling too much.

I already installed 05+ front brakes, now I need to get my dual piston rear calipers, SS braided brake lines and KYB Monomax shocks installed. Also, the Hellwig rear sway bar then it's off to the alignment shop.

Oh, and the hydroboost. That's going in at this time as well.

I'm planning on debadging my truck. Would you guys remove the fender flares as well? I'm worried that the paint will be rubbed through underneath.

What do you guys think?