79' 1st Gen Build

[jacdaw]

Shiney 17" rims are a little to BLING! for a First Gen, but that's just me. If it were mine, it would be sporting stock steel rims and some 34x9.50 TSL bias ply swampers.
Nice Job! I agree that some Marlin sliders and rear bumper would finish it nicely.

Martin, I considered the TSL pizza cutters for my truck but I was afraid they'd bulge too much on the 5.5" wheels and bust a bead when aired down. You think they're okay?

 

[MDH33]

Martin, I considered the TSL pizza cutters for my truck but I was afraid they'd bulge too much on the 5.5" wheels and bust a bead when aired down. You think they're okay?

I'm running the 34x10.50's on my stock steel 40 rims with no problem. Those bias ply tires have some seriously stiff sidewalls. I can air mine down to 5 psi and they barely bulge.

sorry for the thread hijack... Continue Praising the Shiney 1st Gen

 

[EWheeler]

Good Work

Best looking mini truck I have ever seen. Should be fun!

 

[isotel]

Looks Killer!

Those springs should settle down a bit after you wheel them, but it looks like you could stand to move the rear Shackle hanger forward a bit to lower it, and get to a more desirable shackle angle

 

[mtnrunner]

I installed the dual t-cases and skid plate and then cut the old perches/shock mounts from the rear axle and and welded on new with the diff setup for a CV driveshaft. I have the measurements and parts for my driveshafts and need to drop them off this week to be tubed and balanced.

Next up is to weld on some sliders and get a rear bumper for it. Picked up a nice Grant Steering wheel and a 8500 lb Winch from Rockmen.

I was able to hold 65mph going up the Hill towards Denver from Castle Rock on I-25 so I am real happy with the 22RE power/37's/5.29 combo. I had to put on a new timing chain set and now it runs nice and quiet.

 

[jacdaw]

Looking forward to seeing it in person.

 

[mtnrunner]

I'm planning on running the Spring Creek Fathers Day run this Sunday. Hope to see everyone there. I have her all together now and it runs great.

I agree the the rear spring hanger needs to be moved forward about 2 inches. The previous owner did that part and I will be moving it forward this summer sometime. Right now I just want to wheel it!

 

[mtnrunner]

Got some wheelin in

The bank gave way a bit and ended up in this spot...oops

Overall the truck runs good now that I put the new Fuel Pump in. The rear springs are really stiff and don't flex like I want them too though.

 

[corsair23]

Glad to see you got the rig out though

As for the rear springs, load up the bed with weight (sand bags, whatever) for awhile...That should break them in quicker and hopefully improve your flex a bit.

 

[jacdaw]

The bank gave way a bit and ended up in this spot...oops
Overall the truck runs good now that I put the new Fuel Pump in. The rear springs are really stiff and don't flex like I want them too though.

Yikes Mark! Cool heads prevail in situations like this. Glad you got out without serious consequence. As for your rear springs, I went back through your photos and can't really tell, but how many leaves? Are there enough that you could pull one and relocate the shackles while still maintaining payload?

 

[mtnrunner]

I was thinking the same thing John. They have 8 leafs in those rear Marlin packs. They are not thin leafs like factory, so I assume that I could remove 1 or two. I never plan on really hauling anything in the bed except maybe my ATV that weighs 350lbs.

If that doesn't work I'm seriously considering linking the rear. Looks like a 3 link would work with some soft coil springs.