[Helishotfirefig]

I like the truck it looks great !!!
can you do me a favor and take some more pics of your steering system, i need a pic of your steering box area. thanx that would help my SAS out alot
thanx
Tony

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

Here are a few updated pics, ignore the powersteering fluid. I will get some better ones when I can get a hold of a better camera.

Things I have done recently:

Front drive shaft - .25 square tube
Tranny crossmember
37in MTRs
1.5in wheel spacers
Rock lights
2nd battery in bed
Bumpstops
Remote jump-start connection


The wheelspacers widened the front 1.5" on each side. I got the 37in MTR's used because I got a flat in one of my swampers and couldn't find a used tire anywhere local. I found 2 good swampers last week so now I have 5 good ones. 2 of them are already grooved and I am grooving the other 3 when it stops raining up here. I am going to run the MTR's until spring because they are way better in the rain and snow.

The tranny crossmember attaches to the frame at 3 points with poly bushings. 2 mounts are directly behind the tranny and the 3rd is right above the passenger front shackle mount. For the driveshaft I used .25x2x2 and .25x2.5x2.5 box tube. I think I have 14in of slip in it.

I mounted another battery in the back of the bed to run my lights/dual electric fans/air compressor. The battery is a stinger sp1700, there is also a sp1000 under the hood also. I work a a stereo shop and can get stinger stuff at cost. I also added a 200amp battery switch and a remote jump-start connection under the rear bumper so I can jump-start or be started from the front or back. I also added 3 6in lights under the frame for night wheeling.

Kevin

 

[JP2002LS1]

Do you have any vibrations/issues with that square tubed front driveshaft?

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

Do you have any vibrations/issues with that square tubed front driveshaft?

No problems yet, it doesn't turn when I am in 2wd though since I have hubs.

Kevin

 

[Mr.N]

Here are a few updated pics,

Looking good!

About the weld... more puddle, less movement.

 

[krweby]

Here are a few updated pics, ignore the powersteering fluid. I will get some better ones when I can get a hold of a better camera.

Things I have done recently:

Front drive shaft - .25 square tube
Tranny crossmember
37in MTRs
1.5in wheel spacers
Rock lights
2nd battery in bed
Bumpstops
Remote jump-start connection


The wheelspacers widened the front 1.5" on each side. I got the 37in MTR's used because I got a flat in one of my swampers and couldn't find a used tire anywhere local. I found 2 good swampers last week so now I have 5 good ones. 2 of them are already grooved and I am grooving the other 3 when it stops raining up here. I am going to run the MTR's until spring because they are way better in the rain and snow.

The tranny crossmember attaches to the frame at 3 points with poly bushings. 2 mounts are directly behind the tranny and the 3rd is right above the passenger front shackle mount. For the driveshaft I used .25x2x2 and .25x2.5x2.5 box tube. I think I have 14in of slip in it.

I mounted another battery in the back of the bed to run my lights/dual electric fans/air compressor. The battery is a stinger sp1700, there is also a sp1000 under the hood also. I work a a stereo shop and can get stinger stuff at cost. I also added a 200amp battery switch and a remote jump-start connection under the rear bumper so I can jump-start or be started from the front or back. I also added 3 6in lights under the frame for night wheeling.

Kevin

Why the wheel spacers did you have problems fitting the 37's?

And lets see some pictures of the tranny mount.

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

Why the wheel spacers did you have problems fitting the 37's?

And lets see some pictures of the tranny mount.

I didn't rub with the 37's, but I am going to put the 38.5's I was running back on in the spring and they rubbed the leaf springs at full lock.

I need to pull the tranny mount do some welding/grinding so I will get pics then.

Interested in a snow run at some point? It is dumping at the highlakes right now, I will be open F/R but still want to get into the white stuff.

Kevin

 

[krweby]

I didn't rub with the 37's, but I am going to put the 38.5's I was running back on in the spring and they rubbed the leaf springs at full lock.

I need to pull the tranny mount do some welding/grinding so I will get pics then.

Interested in a snow run at some point? It is dumping at the highlakes right now, I will be open F/R but still want to get into the white stuff.

Kevin

That could be fun. I still need to get my compressor back in. I've been working on my DD too much and neglecting the Durango. I usually make at least a run to Iron mountain road for the snow fun but haven't made it yet this year. Looking like there is going to be some good snow for a little while this year. Let me know when you guys are going to make a run and I'll see if I can make it.

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

I installed some 13in travel RS9000x shocks up front yesterday, the ride is night and day. I had been saving for a shock upgrade because I have been running no-name long travel shocks for the last year and they started leaking. I was hoping for either Bilstein 5100 or BBCS from polyperformance, but I found the Ranchos local and got a smokin deal on them.

Kevin

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

Another Update

I have shop space with access to a bender/notcher so I am putting my truck under the knife again. The body lift is coming off and I am moving the front axle forward and swapping in Rancho 44044 springs. In the rear I am switching to 63in Chevy springs.

For axles, I am going to run a full size 14bolt in the rear and swap 8 lug outers onto my front axle. The bed is coming off and I will build a tube bed and tie it into a partial exocage. Here is the list of my overall plan, axles/springs are my first priority

REAR

63in springs
new rear brake line
new rear shock crossmember
move gas tank
build tube bed
move front hangers
shorten driveshaft as needed
new shackles

FRONT

Rancho 44044 springs
new shocks
new shock hoops/engine crossmember
new rear shackle mount
move axle forward 1 in
new drag link
move bump stops

GENERAL

new sliders
tube bed
front bumper
remove body lift
new exhaust
new rear frame crossmember
line locks
rear 14bolt
swap 8 lug outers on to front axle
8 lug wheel spacers
new clutch
pinion adapter for rear driveshaft
led taillights

Kevin

 

[myrtlebeachbst]

How far forward, I was limited to 4 1/2 inchs to so I could still clear the pitman arm and upper trac-bar mount, But I know on Leafs you will not have any interference issues

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

4in forward of stock up front

Kevin

 

[myrtlebeachbst]

4in forward of stock up front

Kevin

You will love it:mullet:

 

[HemiDak]

I can't wait to see new pictures.

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

There is a lot that needs to be done to take the body lift off. The past few days I have been relocating the stuff on the inner fenders that is in the way of the new shock towers I'm fabricating. On the passenger side the stock airbox got pulled. The AC lines are also in the way. I think they can be shortened/re-routed then re-flared without having to replace the lines.

You can see that the old towers are already close to the lines, The new ones will be taller and come up into the enginebay

On the drivers side there a part of the brake system mounted in the way. It will be moved or bypassed, I need to find out what it does first. The fuse box is also getting moved. I have a small gel battery and a compressor on the stock battery tray currently. The compressor will be moved and the fuse box will sit with the battery on the tray.

The part

This needs to move also, smog related I think

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

If anyone has any ideas for getting rid of some of that stuff post up, I read the uncluttered engine bay thread but need some more ideas.

This front radiator support also needs to be notched. Any idea on how much support it is providing?

Current height on 37in MTR's

Ground to fender

Tire to fender

There are so many fires up here right now that working outside isn’t a option, it looks overcast out even though it is almost 100 degrees.

Ash building up In the truck

Kevin

Side Note...Thieves suck

 

[pwhiteelec05]

that is gona be even sweeter once your done. to bad bout the window

 

[BAD]

that sux about the window, but were they theives or just vandals? You still got your head unit in there which is odd

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

that sux about the window, but were they theives or just vandals? You still got your head unit in there which is odd

It was thieves, they got a whole bag of snapon electrical tools ($2000 worth!), a longboard, 2 drills and cut up a bunch stereo wires. My sub is bolted down and my amp is mounted inbetween the cab walls so they couldn't get those.

Kevin

 

[NorCal_Dakota]

Alright, time for an update...

8 days after my last post on July 20th I was up in Tahoe with my family and out of nowhere my Dad had a stroke and passed away.

Fast forward to right now. I have moved back to Santa Cruz to take care of my Mom/Little Bro and run my Father's company. I haven't touched my truck in a month, but I towed it home last week. I literally have no spare time but working on my truck is a good release for me so I hope to get a lot done over this weekend.

I moved the front axle forward an inch last night, my spring perches were pre-drilled to be adjustable forward/back 1" so it was an easy job. This morning I started taking the bodylift off. The sliders also got cut off since they were welded to the frame. I did the bed first and wanted to post the mandatory half way done pics. I am on my way to dinner and will finish the cab tonight. I also picked up some steel I can build a set of bumpers.

Kevin