1983 Stepside

[Mike330R]

New guy here and figured I post my current project. 1983 step side that started life as a long bed diesel.


Been busy fixing leaks, trying to fix fuel flow, trim (hack) fenders, all new doors seals/rubber etc etc.
Have plans for 1 ton axles with detroit lockers, cross over steering with hydro assist, new springs, bead locks, 39" tires, lots of fender trimming, autometer dash, AC, steps/sliders and a better interior.

Here's a few 'mini flex' pic's. The best it can do with the sway bar.




Got frame flex?


Drivers side slider finished but clamped on for now:




Steps a friend helped build. I bought the main steps from a toyota parts place and made our own mounts. They are currently finshed and ready to be welded to the frame.
Drivers side slider finished but clamped on for now:




Drivers side finished:


Passenger side jig:


Passenger side ready to be fully welded:

[Mike330R]

I have been busy on the '83 stepside I bought a few months back. I am in the process of converting it to a 1 ton with better brakes, hydro assist steering, etc etc.

Here we are trying to get the carrier out of the Dana 60 front axle:


CLeaning it all up, preping for paint:


New carrier w/ Detroit locker and new Superior gears, compared to the old one on the left:


Removing the kingpin w/ a 7/8" hex wrench:


Old 1/2 ton axle removed:


Also got the rear 14 bolt FF axle torn down and getting it redy for rebuild. After removing and splitting the carrier i found I had the wrong carrier for the Detroit locker I was going to install. Seen here:



Resvior and mount I made. It's 1/2 done in this photo:


Steering cooler with room for new trans cooler:


One of the cooler lines:


Next will be the Dana 60 axle to go in and finish up the front then start on the rear.



Next major item is the steering. Installed a new pump, steering box, reservoir, and lines. Once the front axle goes in I will install the ram from the front diff cover to the tie-rod on the cross-over steering.

Here's the original 4x4 box compared to the new 2WD box:


New vrs old pump:


Getting the pulley off the old pump was a MF'in pain in the ass:


Steering box brace:

[Metal Twister]

Looks good Mike! Is it 1 3/4" or 2" tube on the sliders? Great job?

[DesertCrawler]

Hey mike! Hows it going? Glad you signed up, Welcome to SCUFF!

[Mike330R]

Think the tube is 1 3/4".

Hope to get the front axle and hydro boost in this weekend.
then finish steering and start on the rear.

[MoparBrent]

Dude, thats friggin' cool...I don't know what to say!  :o  8)

[Mike330R]

This weekend I got the front Dana 60 in and all bolted up.
Starting installing the cross over steering and the hydro ram.
had to weld tabs to the diff cover and make a clamp that 'may' clamp to the tie rod to hold the other end of the ram. I used 1.5" tube, cut the seam out of it, welded 3 nuts and spacers to each side of the cut (which will be for clamping), and welded the tabs onto the clamp. I was thinking of trying to lay a bead of weld inside the tube/clamp at each end to act as teeth to bite into the tie rod/powder coat it will be clamped on.

Will try and post pic's tonight if you promise not to laught at the welds :)

M.T. Do you think this will hold the ram tight enough on the tie rod and not slip when I turn the wheels?
If not I may need a couple of good clamps and weld tabs to those. Know of any? ;)

Here is a similar set-up except with a good clamp:

[Metal Twister]

Hey mike, I dosnt look like it can slip at all... It would bind up before it sliped.  If it is where you want it , why not weld it up?

[Mike330R]

Thought about welding but then I could never adjust the tie rod/wheel alinement (sp?). Shouldn't ever have to but ya never know.

[Mike330R]

Here is the mount mocked up.
 

[Mike330R]

I have been working on this pig just about every day. it's ben frustrating since 90% of what I do seems to fight me tooth and nail.

Anyway here are a few updates, some may be reposts:

Dana 60 strip down:
Original carrier:


Here we are trying to get the carrier out of the Dana 60 front axle. Pry bars w/ a cheater on it would not budge it. Effer was tight!

Cleaning it all up, preping for paint:


New carrier w/ Detroit locker and new Superior gears, compared to the old one on the left:


New Detroit locker:


Removing the kingpin w/ a 7/8" hex wrench:


Old 1/2 ton axle removed:


Also got the rear 14 bolt FF axle torn down and getting it ready for rebuild. After removing and splitting the carrier i found I had the wrong carrier for the Detroit locker I was going to install. Seen here:


Dana 60 finished and installed:

Shock etc:


Spring bolts etc etc. After much debate I decided to install these 1? ?zero rate sptings?


Tire mock-up



Steering Ram:
Mocked up the ram as seen in the post above. Welded tabs onto the diff cover and made a redneck bracket which I will not be using. I have since had tabs welded onto the tie rod.

Off-road Designs cross-over steering parts compared to stock:


Rear 14 bolt Full Floater axle:
This is the pinion gear with its? 2 huge bearings. It also has a pilot bearing that goes on the end of it (not shown). This is what Mendeola needs to do for the 2D!!

Here it is with a new carrier and the gears installed, ready for paint:


As of now steering parts are at the powdercoater so I can diddle with other small stuff.
Need to figure out how to mount this under my bed assuming it won?t run it by running while on its? side:


Also mounted a front receiver for a Warn winch multi-mount. I will eventually install a rear receiver so I can use the winch in the rear as well.


Winch Mount Plate:

Winch Mounted:


That?s all for now. Once I get the steering part back and installed I will turn the truck around and start on the rear end and a new transfer case.

For a transfer case I finally decided to go with a LowMax set-up from www.jbconversions .com for the NP205. I will be buying a ford NP205 T-case and using some of it?s parts like the 32-spline output shafts and some other internals and installing it all with a few other misc parts into the new LowMax case. I will also be installing a twin stick shifter which will allow me drive options such as front wheel drive only low, rear only low, or all 4 low.

This truck was originally a long bed so I am in for a few fun surprises when I go to install the rear axle. One I noticed was the shocks. Both are currently mounted behine the axle and at a pretty extreme angle, so i will have to relocate those. I am sure there will be more surprises.

I still need 5 rims, trans cooler, winch wiring for the rear end, transfer case, drive shafts, D60 1350 yoke,possibly dual batteries, and I am sure more.

[Big boy]

Looks like it's all starting to come together, can't wait to see it out on the trail. ~clap

[Mike330R]

Neither can I!

[Mike330R]

Front end is pretty much done. Hope the hydro hose run under the frame like I have them will be ok. Was going to go over but I cut them to short.





This is how I am holding the hoses up. On the engine cross member.

PSC ram

Finaly got the trans cooler and installed it:

Had to trim the support:

[Big boy]

Looks good Mike ~rockon

[glenns89]

I need to get some sliders like that for my rig. Nice looking truck.

[Bvega]

that thing is sweet nice job

[Mike330R]

Got the5 tires mounted on new Allied/raceline bead locks. Installed the front 2 on teh truck and hacked teh fenders. Did a flex test bit it doesn't seem to flex much.






Shackle angle needs to be tilted forward? They look the same when flexed or sitting on flat ground.


Flat:

Flexed:

[jeffm1964]

Mike who set up your diffs?

[Mike330R]

Dwight Brinkerhoff from Horizon Performance Drivetrain.

he does mostly jeeps but also toyota's chevys, and even mendeola trans axles which usually just a few companies do. h ships all of his mendeola's over sea's usually.

He's in Lakeside and was recommended by border parts.