Back on the road

[1992gen1_fan]

My truck has been parked for the last few months since I broke the pinion gear. I finally got it driving again

While it was parked I I was looking for a used Dana 80 to swap in.

While searching I went ahead and pulled the transmission and replaced the oil pan seal kit, rear main seal, pilot bushing, throw out bearing, and replaced the Sachs clutch disc. Also the clutch fork had some small cracks in the pivot sockets, I welded them and greased them before re-installing it.

Then I rebuilt the getrag with new main bearings, syncro rings, seals and an input shaft. I then replaced the shaft coupler and seals between the getrag and T-case.

After I found a Dana 80 I got the driveshaft shortened 2" and found that my stock leaf springs had some bad rust pitting under the top plate. I decided to just install the leaf springs off the 2nd gen as well as convert my truck to use 2nd gen style shocks and I also installed the sway bar.

The way I installed the springs and hangers I eliminated the 6" lift block and used a 1" block.

Now that all that is taken care of it rides way better, the 2nd gen rear drum brakes seem a bit stronger, and the axle wrap is almost gone. Plus the clutch and transmission are smoother.

Drives like a completly different truck now, so far I'm very happy with the results.

[Remps]

Any chance you could post a pic of how you have the rearend and springs are set up?

[1992gen1_fan]

I was going to post some in the op but my internet was slow. Here are a couple, ill try to get some better ones when I can. Theres still a little work to go but its driveable now.

Heres one of the front hangers

Rear hanger

Heres one of theu-bolt top plates I made

Heres the forward shock mount, I modified a 2nd gen mount so the shock would clear the frame (1st gen frame is a little wider in that location). It actually sits inward a little more than id like but i can tweak it some later on if i decide it needs it.

Heres the rearward shock mount, just a piece of 2x2 tube between the 2 rear cross-members. The I.D. of the tube is a perfect fit for the shock to mount in

Sway bar mount

Not the best pic (everything looks all crooked..) but heres the almost fully installed axle

Heres how it sits with the springs installed (before i installed the shocks) with no airbags

[1992gen1_fan]

I might have to adjust the shock mounts try different shocks. I think these are too short for this setup, these were listed for a 3/4 ton apparently with the lighter axle and maybe shorter lift blocks or something because these are about 2" shorter than the regular 2500/3500 4x4 shocks.. They'd be more suited for a 2wd I think

[Remps]

Cool, thanks for showing your setup. Always wondered if the 2nd gen springs could work, they ride smoother than the 1st gen ones.