fordh8r's 84 Xtra-bad Daily Driver

[fordh8r]

I also have an '84 xtra cab. To date I have rebuilt the engine, installed a chevy 130 amp custom built alternator with custom brackets for install, hand built shock hoops for the front with chevy rear shocks, 63" chevy rear springs with double shackles and custom u-bolt flip, locker in the front, 3" skyjacker front springs with boomerang shackles, single piece rear drive shaft, hand built rock sliders. Also a modified front bumper from an Isuzu trooper.    We just installed an IFS rear axle from a V6 unit and installed the vented rotors from a LC and the V6 front calipers, MC and booster assemblies.     Still to come 4:88 gears, 35's, dual cases, drivetrain lift, x-over steering and possibly some cage work. It's still a DD and I plan on keeping it that way!  will post more pics soon!

[Tallchevy]

I haven't seen it like that for a long time. You need to retouch the paint now,  but scratches & dents give it character. 

[fordh8r]

Latest pic so far.  I need to go to Hollister for some off road pics  . Or find some in all my stuff  .

[fordh8r]

  Ok, now that we're back from MCR6  I decided I really got get going on my rig.  As it's been a few months and my full size has gotten a lot of attention lately as well as my house. 

  Soon to come (no promises on how soon, but soon  ) will be RUF's, X-over steering, Dual cases, 4.88's and 35's along with some customization here and there... .  I already have most of the parts needed as listed above and just need to make the time to do it all... . Looking to get an inexspensive digital camera so pics can be posted directly and so I don't have to take my good one on trips where it might get dirty  .

   I'm not real good at taking pics of my work in progress since I'm used to just blazing through the job to get things done without taking the time to take pics. But I promise I will try. 

  Stay tuned and I will keep you posted.

[fordh8r]

Ok, as promised...some pics of my progress...   Now, for you guys who have extreme built rigs this may not be too exciting for you but do keep in mind the fact that I am driving this back and forth to work daily (of course, not while it's torn apart  ) Here we go.....




First up, the most recent purchases      Marlin twin stick with 10* offset, Marlin 10* adapter and 4crawler 2" motor mount spacers.

[fordh8r]

1) clearanced shaft for rear t-case with twin stick install

2) the start of making the space for the new shifters...

3) after the tear down...all the left overs...

[fordh8r]

1) checking fit of new adapter parts to t/case...I always test fit as many of the pieces as possible to be sure something
    didn't go wrong during the manufacturing process so it can be dealt with right away.  Not pictured is the fitting of the
    adapter to the splines of the rear case input.

2) After welding the key stock to the shift rail I fitted the shifter to it and the shifter needed some slimming down to fit
    better.

[fordh8r]

 putting together the crawl box was a piece of cake. far easier than expected...

[fordh8r]

1) also not in the instructions (unless I missed that part  ) is having to cut the uppermost left stud to allow for the
    nuts to go on.  The studs are close enough that the nuts are "flat to flat" and the second nut won't turn to
    start. 

2) cutting a 1/4" off the stud fixes that...

[fordh8r]

the finished product...

[fordh8r]

the old X-member has definitely seen better days...   I believe that was from the frame twister at Hollister when my truck was stock. 

[fordh8r]

1) next step was to install the motor mount spacers to raise the drivetrain.

2) although, the drivetrain doesn't completely clear the frame, it is almost four inches higher than it
    was...

[fordh8r]

so it looks like this now that the cases are installed...need more work...not done yet! 



Oh and thanks for the hand Tallchevy...

[fordh8r]

1) so this morning I started with this and after a couple of hours at the shop...

2)...I ended up with this. A 1/4" plate steel crossmember thingy...Still needs some grindy and a little bendy here and
   there but we're progressing.

[fordh8r]

A little more template work for the floor panel and i think we'll have this licked soon.  The metal is aluminum diamond plate we'll see how that's gonna look...   Some more cutting tomorrow and hopefully close to welding in some mounts on the frame for the new X-member!   

[fordh8r]

Looking good bratah!!

nice!

Thanks guys!    Just keeping it simple and able to drive everyday...

[fordh8r]

pic didn't load right, sorry here it is...

[fordh8r]

I copied the original boot ring so I could reuse the shift boots and added the rest of the plate for the rear sticks...

[fordh8r]

pretty much finished...just have to seal it and reinstall. 

[*FFC*]

SWEET!!!!!!!  I like the Marlin Crawler shift knobs 

they do look sharp 

[twistedtoy92]

NICE!!!! i'm diggin the diamond plate!!

[tom w.]

that's bitchin' man

[fordh8r]

Thanks again everyone for the positive feedback!    It feels good to be working again on my junk...   More pics coming soon! 

[fordh8r]

Here's some more work I got done yesterday...   The start of my X-member for my rotated cases...so far, so good...

[fordh8r]

got the bends in my X-member...

[Wermz84]

Dayum.  Great work so far. But may I ask why the 2" motor mount spacers?  Is it to help increase ground clearance?

I also like the Diamond plating cover Idea.  My twin stick is just open right now because I hadn't really thought of anything to cover it up yet.   

Ive been studying what work is involved to do the dual cases for the last few nights, and have been wondering about the X-member if I got the 10 deg clocked one.  Now I know who to ask for help with my dual cases if I need it.     That cross member is looking good.  You just going to put in some clearance holes on the bottom for the t-case bolts?

Kinda remindz me of Wermyz truck

Ya but he's got all the cool stuff right now.    And yes the first pic kinda reminded me of mine. 

[fordh8r]

Dayum.  Great work so far. But may I ask why the 2" motor mount spacers?  Is it to help increase ground clearance?

I also like the Diamond plating cover Idea.  My twin stick is just open right now because I hadn't really thought of anything to cover it up yet.   

Ive been studying what work is involved to do the dual cases for the last few nights, and have been wondering about the X-member if I got the 10 deg clocked one.  Now I know who to ask for help with my dual cases if I need it.     That cross member is looking good.  You just going to put in some clearance holes on the bottom for the t-case bolts?

Thanks Wermz!     

  I added the 2" motor mount spacers to lift the drive train up further into the frame mostly for added ground clearance as well as oil pan clearance to the front axle but also to realign the drive train and body since I have a 2" body lift to clear my sliders which I hand built also.

  As I said earlier in the thread, I was a little surprised at how easy the t/case build was.  I would be glad to help you with anything you might need, anyway I can for sure!    

  There are holes where the bolts go for the mounts and for the drain plugs as well... and as you might have guessed it was a lot of work but it was also a lot of fun and now I have more money for more stuff... Oh, did I mention this cost me next to nothing...

  Good luck with your build!    Would also like to see more of what's in yours. 

[fordh8r]

I see what your saying about the lift mounts now.  thanks.   

Sure thing! 

If i cant figure it out when I try my Duals I'll let you know for sure. 

Do that! 

Ya cant beat next to nothing. 

Damn str8! 

thank you on mine.  everything ive done so far is in my thread.  

I have read your thread...Good stuff too!     Sorry, to see you had  such a time with your tranny. At least it's fixed now. I like the Durabak you put on your floor. I've never used that stuff before. how was it to work with? And how $$$?  Looking good, nonetheless...

Keep us updated.

Roger that!     Also, what's new with your ride? Still would like to see more...

[fordh8r]

More progress...



    1) the pieces for my frame mounts for the X-member...

    2&3 ) just for size reference...

    4) after some fitting and massaging...

   

[fordh8r]

this was kinda cool...proof there is a magnetic field around welding cables while welding if you weren't sure it was true...   I noticed this when I moved my cables after finishing some welds. It just the metal particles from all the grinding...   Just thought I'd share  .