Salan's 1980 Something
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Re: Salan's 1980 Something
 
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Re: Salan's 1980 Something
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I think you are doing a lot better than "pretty good". And I'm going to have to hustle or you'll beat me.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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Well I set a goal to have the truck on all four wheels by the end of my vacation, and here we are!
 The new springs put the truck only an inch above where I had it, which is perfect because I'll lose some height with the drivetrain installed, and then regain a little bit of height once I put on some bigger tires.
We're also coming up to a year since I started this project, so maybe by next year I'll be much closer to getting it running. Still have to chase down a lot of parts, but I think that's one of the best parts about building one of these trucks. (Fuzzy pictures are no Bueno, I need a new camera)   |
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In reply to this post by salans7
Ain't that the truth! That truck is jacked! Looks good. 
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold. 1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021. 1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995 |
Re: Salan's 1980 Something
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Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold 1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD 1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E Arizona |
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Re: Salan's 1980 Something
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Dropping 2" would put it dead-on level with the rear with the current load and suspension. But by the time the engine, transmission, winch, two batteries, etc are all in there I'm guessing the front may drop a bit more than 2"
However, the rear is going to drop some as the transmission and all the stuff in the cab, like the carpet, seat, inverter, etc are going to bring it down some. Plus there are no fuel tanks nor fuel in the truck now. Nor spare tire, and it is HEAVY. And then I plan on removing leafs. But, I'm hoping to start on this journey tomorrow by installing the engine.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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I forgot about your bumper and winch, that's definitely gonna weigh it down. Hopefully the engine install goes well!
Now that the truck is on all four wheels, I can finally start working on driveline and axle things. Checking things off of the list is fun!
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Yes, checking things off the list is FUN! Some would say I'm creating a list with lots of things to check off just to feel good. And, while there may be some truth in that, the list helps me think through things. For instance, I'm not going to connect up the hydroboost system for fear of having leaks during the cam break-in. And that had kept me from delaying the step of filling the brake system and bleeding it. But I just realized that there's no hydraulic connection between hydroboost and brakes, so I can move that step up much earlier and check the big box called Brake System!
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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Even though the truck has been on all four wheels since January, I haven't had U-bolts or plates to marry the axle to the springs, so I haven't really been able to move the truck. I had to think long and hard about who to pick the plates and u-bolts from, because I was not happy with the service I received from Sky's Offroad when I purchased the shackle hanger, and their business practice in my honest opinion leaves a lot to be desired (I follow them on Instagram and my opinion is also based partially on what I have seen there). I decided to contact a friend who works for RuffStuff to see if they could modify their Dana 60 "Simple Swap" kit so that I could have 3" spring plates necessary for my SD leaves. They were more than willing to work with me to get me the correct plates and u-bolts for the axle/spring combo, and the parts were shipped out on Tuesday and arrived to my house today. I couldn't ask for better service.
With that being said, I told myself that once the axle was married, that I would push the truck off of the concrete. Mission accomplished. 
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Well done, Shaun.
Erik @ Sky worked with me, but there were a lot of things I think could have been done better. And you got very quick service.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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My biggest issue was the fact that they have a website full of products, but only a very small handful of people working for them. I also noticed based off of their social media posts that they batch weld via an outside company. In other words, it doesn't seem like they weld their own products, hence the long lead times. That coupled with the fact that they threw a huge black Friday sale, knowing full well they could not keep up with demand was enough for me to choose to take my business elsewhere. They're great if you don't mind waiting weeks for them to find the time to take your order to the welding shop, but I don't really like the idea of spending close to $1k and having that money sit dormant for two weeks without any communication as to where the product I paid for is.  |
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Welcome to the entire state of Florida!  It's a coral reef, so nothing higher than the last ocean rise event. Tropical weather causes everything to grow in quickly. A constant battle to keep the jungle at bay.
Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake. Too much other stuff to mention. |
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In reply to this post by Rembrant
You might need to carry a step ladder with you!  |
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In reply to this post by Rembrant
I had a dream about this last night. I saw Big Blue from a distance and he was way up in the air. Then, when I got closer, I realized he was sitting on scaffolding, tires dangling in the breeze.  No idea why I had that dream, or nightmare, but it sure fit in.
Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile
Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
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