I didn't hook up the heater, I removed all the rear control and installed my CB there.

 

So I should start having some updates again, with winter getting closer I've been able to spend more time in the shop. I finally pulled the D30 so I can replace the ring and pinion. Next the 8.8 will come out (after I get more jackstands).

Hopefully I can get the drivetrain sold so I can start pulling the powertrain out.

 

Awesome to see some progress, good luck with the sales!

 

Jeez, talk about committed. Still love that blue. I, too, am pushing luck your way. Hopefully you're not like me in that regard. I couldn't sell water to a man dying of thirst.

 

Thanks. Tuner is getting sold Sunday, and I think I got someone buying the 15x8's on Mastercrafts.

Thanks. Hopefully I can get some money ahead going into winter so I can grab more parts.

 

Turns out I really did a number on the carrier. Luckily a local guy had one with spider gears.

 

Ouch
Guess you can say #Bushdidit

 

That bush did a number on your cute little axle. What are your plans for the tons?

 

Once the engine and transmission are mounted I can mock the axles in place for measurements. The plan is to cut them down somewhere around a waggy D44 width.

Since I've have coilovers the mounting position will be better than the coils so I don't necessarily need to be wider than a D30, but that's probably what will happen.

 

haha zing!

 

Drivetrain amputation is a success. Powertrain is next.

 

sweet hover-truck, dude.


Looking forward to seeing the powertrain getting removed.

PS: Now would be an awesome opportunity to paint the undercarriage without the suspension in the way.

 

The body is coming off too. Once the suspension and motor mounts are done I'll do POR-15. I thought about powdercoating it too.

 

Makes sense. I'd love to do that to mine, but I don't have the space or another vehicle to use during the process.

 

Yea, my Saturn is probably one of the single best purchases I've ever made.

 

I'd imagine so. One of these days I plan on grabbing up a Taurus or an Escort as a little beater runabout. Save gas money and if a shopping cart hits it, It would be more of an "Eh, whatever" vs a barrage of expletives heard for miles.

 

I would go the powder coat route but only after you have fully assembled it and debugged everything. Then tear it back down for powder.

 

That's what I'd prefer. There is a local shop that will do it.

Where I work we have a couple powder coat booths and a large oven. Boss says if I pay for the powder I can use it after hours. I'll do that for suspension and other small parts.

 

My build has gone fairly quiet since the last post, I've been selling old stuff and getting stuff done around the house but more tools have arrived and I can get going again.

One of the things that has been on my mind lately is suspension. I've said before that I was going coilovers, but now I'm second guessing myself. Now, nothing against them, but adjustability is becoming more important. Yes, I know you can buy adjustable coilovers, but here's one catch. I can't adjust on the fly.

Why does that matter?

My shop has 7 foot doors, and I'm already close to that. (I never actually measured my overall height before the teardown) But if I'm going to run 37's or possibly 40's, getting in the garage will be impossible.

Or will it?

I've talked about borrowing ideas from different scenes on this build, and I'm now leaning at a bagged setup. I've seen several lifted trucks with bags and I love the idea of being able to adjust on the fly.

I think my new plan will be to run bags on all 4 corners that will allow me to drop low enough to clear the garage door and still be able to drive and turn the tires. Then ride height can be whatever I want it to be.

Some of the offroaders on this forum will probably not like this idea since it's too much pavement princess, but I've made it clear that this truck has retired from offroad duties. I'm building it for me and I want it to be unique. The truck will still be capable, I just don't plan to beat on it. Light wheeling is never out of the question.

 

I forgot that I do have a recent pic.

 

So you're going to be running something similar to the "any level lift" for fullsize trucks

 

His kit was my inspiration to think out of the box. His system is basically a hydraulic adjusted cantilever system. He hasn't responded to my inquiries regarding standalone kits, he seems more focused on bolt on kits for the Superduty's, which is fine.

I imagine he will one day have something like that, but a bag system is more straightforward and cheaper.

 

I like where your head is at! sounds like an awesome idea, and something different! plus there is the obvious function factor too.

 

While I would love to build a taller shop, the cost justification isn't there. It's cheaper for me to build a bagged truck than to rebuild my shop.

Some might ask, "Why not keep it at the current height?" And I understand that, but what fun is that? lol

 

Exactly! haha. can't wait to see the progress