Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here's the 3 different size bolts I have.Attachment 1242836

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

I would Love to help with the bolt thing... but I have no idea. But I'm sorry about the other truck. Maybe that situation will work out for you!

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well i think i figured out the bolt thing. And also think I'm just going to align the pinion with the current drive train and tack in place for now. Later when I decide on new drive train I'll weld in place then.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the rear links bolted in place and the brackets ground off the axle. Tomorrow should be able to get brackets tacked in and bags in place and temporarily plumbed.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

had to see what it was going to look like in placeAttachment 1243254

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

here'sAttachment 1243255 another

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well today was EPIC FAIL!!!! Got the 4 link hooked up and got the brackets and axle all lined up. Triple check all my measurements before tacking. Checked my little Hobart 125 mig welder settings. I know it wont work for welding the 4 link brackets to the axle tubes. But, really thought it had enough to get the tacks down to hold everything in place. Then I went to do my first tack and it wouldn't even burn into the tube at all. Checked all my settings again and tried again. Still the same. Well I went around doing some small tacks hoping it would hold, knowing it would probably not. Got done and went to pump the jack raising the rear end and heard a couple little pings and then everything let loose and rear end fell off the jack and the 4 link hit the floor. Was so pissed. Bad thing is the only 220 I have is upstairs in my laundry room. So thinking about renting a Arc welder that runs on gas tomorrow.I knew there was a reason I wanted a bolt in kit.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well I checked on renting a welder. Never used the one the rental shops had. So I've decided to try and tack the front brackets in and unbolt everything and take the rear end to a shop to get welded. Set everything back up and tacked front 4 link mounts in. Then as I was removing the rear end, Noticed that the top of the brackets were angled slightly to the outside at the top. Was wondering if this is normal? Attachment 1244397Attachment 1244398

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Took rear end to a local shop and got them to tack all the 4 link brackets in place So the rear suspension is all in and bolted. Just have small tweaking to do when I get final drive train in.I was going to hook up air to it, but the fittings that come with the Accuair kit don't fit the air sleeves. LOL nor do they fit the front bags.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Attachment 1244833

Attachment 1244834

Attachment 1244835

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

next weekend hope to get to the front. Attachment 1244836 Bye Bye New PB stuff coming

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the front clip off today.Attachment 1246786

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Had a couple final exams this week. So just had a few hours today to do a little work.Attachment 1249286 Hopefully tomorrow I can get the new cross member in.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

All I have to say is this Porterbuilt stuff is awesome! With now shims the camber on the wheels aired out is very little. I'm unsure of which brakes I want, so I haven't gotten drop spindles yet. Since it seems all kits that fit these trucks seem to be sold with CPP spindles. After talking to to Travis from Azproperformance and CPP about their brake kits. Both said if I got a set of CPP spindles now, they would take it off the brake kit later. VERY COOL! I really like the customer service from Azproperformance. So I have some CPP spindles coming next weekend. Got all the Porterbuilt front and rear installed. Still need to remove some cable brackets and the transmission bracket and should go down a little more. My welder isn't strong enough to weld the frame so I didn't install rack and pinion and notches yet. Attaching some pictures.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Attachment 1251615 sorry focus is off

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Aired up little

Attachment 1251617

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Question for any. After I get drop spindles and remove brackets under frame. How high should the cab be off the ground?

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the transmission mount out the way today. Then aired it out and noticed it was leaning to the left . Got underneath and noticed this. They must have been out in the woods and hit a stump or something. Frame is rolled down about 3/4 in. I tried to bend it back with a C-clamp, no luck with that. Think I'll drill a hole in top and bottom rail and take a piece of all thread with a wide plate on top and small one on bottom and see if can't get to bend back.

Attachment 1251911

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Pulled it out the garage and laid it down in the driveway t get a better look at it.
Also noticed the nose was higher than the rear.
Attachment 1251917

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

If I cut this part off even with the frame, will it effect the mount strength?
I don't think it will. Just want feedback if any have cut this.

Attachment 1251921

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

well the past weekend I tried to fix the problems in the photos. Boy did I get my butt kicked on time. I tried to C-lamp the frame issue. NOTHING. next tried to use a couple all threads and there is a heat shield in place effecting where I was trying to bend frame. So I decided to pull cab. BTW 1st for me alone W/O DAD or step-dad to help. I now see where they did an ass ton of up front work! All four cab bolts turned in the cab mount nuts. Was a sinking feeling knowing what was coming next. So I cut first hole in cab and had no success with holding nut while trying to remove bolt. Went to try and Sawzallz the cab bolt and no luck. Have to say it was two's try at 2 hours each and fail. I jammed chisels, punches and even washers to try and keep the nut from turning and nothing. Went to work on Tues and the guys said did you try tack the nut to cab? I went NO, DUH, not sure that will work, but going to try SAT morn. Going to try and get cab off this weekend and start cleaning frame for a paint job.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

gonna be nice/:)might take some heat to get that frame tweaked back where you want it.i like it. its gonna be low. good luck-jeff

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Couple things:

Your welder should be strong enough to tack stuff. I would ever weld the steering notches in with it. You are welding uphill and both sides. (But if you don't feel comfortable by all means don't do it).

You can cut that part of the body mount off (I cut half mine off when I did my sfbd).

For the tweak in the frame I would cut relief cuts on each side along the bottom of the frame and use something to bend it up then weld the cuts back together.

For the body bolts, just cut the heads off of them. Once the cab is off you can heat them and use a pair of vice grips on them.