Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Couple more.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Starting to doubt going with 3.42 gears. Thinking 3.73's. Any thoughts on the subject? 6.0L and 6l90e trans is going in it for sure.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Well, another day down. Finally got the chassis completely tore down. Got to the only part of this build I did not want to do, but 2 guys, 2 angle grinders with wire wheels, and 4 1/2 hours later it was ready for paint. What a chore that was, but it came out looking great. We started painting, I'm not exactly sure how far my friend got on painting it, I started painting, but my back started killing me and I had to bow out (I broke it years ago and from time to time it really bothers me). He also picked up a pretty good sized order from summit the other day so I'm excited to start putting the parts together.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

More pics

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

And more, some are of the po's nightmare welding job that we repaired.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Some of our repair, posted the repair pics last week, here is more.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Last ones this week

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

We decided on 3.73 gears and and auburn posi unit.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

I have 3.73 with an auburn in mine and love the setup. I went with moser axles with c clips and have no problems. Good luck looks like it is going to be a nice build!!

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Looking good nice work!

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Anyone know off hand what year xj (I think it was an XJ) shaft to use for the steering on this truck? I thought I had the thread for that saved, but I can't find it.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Frame is painted!

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

One more

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Got a little more done today. Biggest breakthrough is parts are finally going back on. Got the springs dissasembled, removed the add a leaf, cleaned up and painted. Also removed the stock spring insulators and installed new polyurathane bushings. Installed the drop shackles and hangers, assembled the freshly painted leafs and installed them. Then reinstalled the rear axle so we could rebuild and regear/posi it.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Out with the old open 2.76 gears and in with the new posi 3.73 gears.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Still have to paint most of the rear axle housing, but it's in. That's pretty much it for today. We also removed the factory straps from the fuel tank mounts, they were pretty crappy, and new straps are actually pretty cheap. Got the tank mounts painted as well.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Looks like you guys have a great plan going, wish I could afford an LS swap. Welds not too bad.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

I wish I could afford a project..... This truck actually belongs to my friend. He's been wanting to build one for a while. He's supplying the parts and helping with the build, but he's kind of let me take the reigns as far as how to build it. I'm happy to be a part of it. We've both already learned a lot, and it's been fun so far. I will say this site has been a big help, I probably have spent 150 hours looking on here in the past few months.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Got some more done yesterday. Fininshed up the rear end rebuild, cleaned up the rear end and painted it. Installed the new gas tank straps, and installed the tank. Then we tore down the front suspension. Got the front crossmember cleaned up, painted and reinstalled.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

more

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

The front end was completely together prior to teardown. Was very "fun" getting it apart with it off of the frame. I meant to take the springs out when the engine was still in, but I forgot. Then I was going to take them out when it was tied down to the trailer, but I forgot again. We ended up getting them compressed and taken out safely, but it took some time figuring out how to do that.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

looking good brother!

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Little more done today. Got the a arms rebuilt with new ball joints and bushings, and got the drop spindles and coils put back in. Also got the new engine mounts put on the towers and got the engine painted and set in. Did a lot of painting and getting things together for the rest of the build as well.

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Couple more

Re: '80 stepside swb retromod project
 

Gonna pull the balancer to paint it.