Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Here is my 88 crew cab pickup as i bought it. Still 3/4 ton with cut coils and dearched rear springs. Have it on jackstands pulling the crossmember out to change it with half ton including drop spindles springs and shocks.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Anyone know how to upload a jpeg picture on here

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

While typing your post you will see a "Go Advanced" button next to the "Post Quick Reply". Click that, then you will see your reply box for typing in, a box of smiley faces on the right, and a bunch of options below. One of those options is a "Manage Attachments" button. Click that. Then you will be able to browse your files to attach the right picture. Upload them and you will be good to go. Just continue to post your reply as you did before.

By the way: Sounds like you have a fun build getting going. I look forward to the pictures. And welcome to the greatest board on earth! :welcome2:

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Glad to see you finally made it! :metal: Theres TONS of good info on here.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Thanks a lot man. Here are a couple pics

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Welcome to the board! Cool truck. The Ford in the background looks cool too.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Looks freakin sweet. Any pics of the bagged 81 in your siggy?

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Thanks Here are some pictures of the 81 it is a project i started several years ago. I had it bagged for a daily driver then decided to body drop it now its body dropped and stock height to start the frame over again. Has a 91 gmc front clip Doesnt have body mounts in the stock height picture the cab and bed is just sitting on it. Once i get my crew cab driving again i think ill try to focus on getting the 81 a bagged roller again and sell it

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

That is a sick crewcab! I like it with those 3/4 wheels!

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Thanks man i just sold the wheels yesterday to fund my 1/2 ton conversion

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Truck looks really nice. I am excited to see a crew cab long box stay long. Should be cool!

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Welcome aboard Will!!!!

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

I got the 3/4 ton crossmember out tonight. Next is to sand and paint the frame rails, section the half ton crossmember paint it and put it all back together. Here are some pictures from tonight!

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Damn you work fast! Looks good...Are you going to keep it slammed? What are you going to do with the 3/4T parts?

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

O ya its definately going to be slammed and I have the 3/4 ton front suspension on craigs list right now. Try and get some more funding

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

:metal:

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Ok guys a quick question i am wanting to section the crossmember before i put it in. Do i have to pull the motor out to put the crossmember back in after its sectioned?

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

By sectioning you mean to take the 1 inch or so out to lower the truck right?
I would say yes you would have to pull the motor to swap if im understanding the question right.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Well i have the other crossmember out already and the motor is still in it but i read on a forum that you have to pull the motor. I just took the two lower motor mount bolts out and suported the motor with my cherry picker and the crossmember came right out so im not seeing why you would have to pull it out to put the new crossmember in even after i section it

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Oh I see what your saying. No you wouldn't have to pull it all the way out. But i think you do have to get new motor mounts. Maybe someone else can chime in on this??

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

badass

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

I don't think you need different motor mounts with a sectioned crossmember.
The only problem I know of is the steering shaft, you'll need some u-joints.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Thanks guys i just decided not to section this crossmember and get the truck going again. Save my money for a dropmember :). I was able to get the frame all sanded down as well as the crossmember and painted black so hopefully it will be going in tonight and sitting back on the ground.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

awesome build! love the 1st pics!!!

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Im happy to see your not sellin my truck right off the bat and also that you have taken care of it and actually have some good plans for it. I did the crossmember thing on my 81 woked like a charm and you dont have to pull the motor. Its a good idea to do it though especially if you plan on bagging it as the front will always sit higher than the rear until you either notch the member or Z the frame up front.

I really wish we could have gotten that tire deal worked out im still needing rear tires for the burb. The steering is fixed now picked up a used gear now its driveable LOL! Wife still wont drive it though LOL!

Let me know if you need any more help man Ill be more than happy to lend a hand. God I miss that thing LOL!!!!

Jim

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

You have a Cool project!

There are a few easier ways to accomplish the 1/2 ton conversion.

Actually you could have left the crossmember in.
Just swap everything from the a-arms out.
I see alot of people "dead set" on pulling the crossmember. It's not necessary.

Another option would have been to swap just the lower a-arm and install a 1/2 ton upper balljoint in your upper a-arm.

3rd option would be to use the "conversion" spindles from ECE that will work with your original balljoints and tie rod ends,... and allow you to use 1/2 ton rotors and calipers.

Either way,...
Love your truck. Keep up the good work.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Thanks a lot, that info is very helpful and will have to remember that the next tim i do one of these. By the way im diggin your blazer that thing is sweet. Here are some pics of progress on my crew cab. Got the crossmember completely in and a wheel on it for mock up. Next is to put new ball joints, brakes and cut one coil out of the stock springs. With the 3inch spindles im hoping it will set it down nicely. Also im throwing in a pic of my 71 jimmy that i just sold, not pretty but sure was fun.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Oh and by the way its an 87 ;)

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

:haha:

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Hey jim title says 88 and so does vin

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Wow , nice truck . Mine is flletside also , only dually

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

are you guys related? you sure are cracking me up! :haha:

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Truck looks good from the first pics.

One question: Why convert it to 1/2 ton? It looked already lowered and very cool as a 3/4 ton and the wheels were cool too!

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

No not related lol thats the guy i bought the truck from. and with half ton it will ride smoother and more wheel choices

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

I was just going to ask the same thing, why go through the work to unlower an already cool and unique lowered truck?

Do you have to make any adjustments to the driveshaft when changing from 3/4T to 1/2T?

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

The truck rode like crap in the front is the main reason it will still be cool and unique when im done with it and will ride like a caddy! By the way jim Bharrison1 has the wheels and tires off the crew cab you might still be able to get them!

And i havent gotten to the back yet to find out. I will keep you posted

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

I think I can answer these two!

1. Willie's never happy with a vehicle thats not scraping the asphault!;)

2. Conversion U-joint is all I know of.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Anybody know if there are any 1 ton 3+3 crew cab duallys out there? Been looking to see what other people are doing to them , but I seem to have the only one I can find.

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

Were just too much alike could have been related in a past life he could be my little brother LOL!!!! My damn insurance said it was an 87 LOL!!!!

I was just going to change the rear gear out to a 3:21 that would have put the speedo right on and I wouldnt have had to do anything with the suspension but that was just me. I personally liked the wheels god knows they looked awesome, hell the wife even liked them and she doesnt like any wheels I pick out LOL!!!! It would have looked awesome pulling this around!!!!

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...00/Mazda-1.jpg

Your gonna have to come by and check it out Will, In fact I think you may have owned it at one time or another from what I hear???? Oh well the Burb will look bad ass pullin it to shows ;)

Re: Buildin my 88 Crew Cab long bed AKA STRETCH!
 

HMMMMM..... Maybe this will give you a little insight????

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/c...llydraggin.jpg