Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

there's a few of us iowa folks here

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Yes there are. We need to try to all meet up with our trucks or not this summer somewhere.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

interesting!!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks alwaysbroken. Tonight after the get together my brother and I pushed the truck back into the shop. We had it in there last week but the first part of last week got ate up by a 07 dodge. The last portion was gave up to a new addition that took priority. Now I have to get busting nuts on this thing so I have a 2nd vehicle. My 05's trans is getting mad, and I'm too fat too be walking. :lol: I have been acquiring parts, and here is a list off the top of my head that has shown up and some stuff that is on its' way.

Chrome NP205 shift handle boot and knob. Thanks Sharpie!
Chrome short bumper gaurds. Thanks Frank!
Park brake and brake pedal assemblies with trim. Thanks Teeitup.
Auto trans linkage parts. Thanks Brothers69c10.
Stainless hub caps. Thanks Toomuchstuff.
Trans shift kit
Trans rebuild kit
Lokar throttle pressure cable
Trans oil pressure switch kit
Rough Country steering block
Pro Comp shocks
Chrome diff cover for D80 rear
New group 31 batteries
Outer rockers
All new brake parts for the D80
Used empty gas tank. Thanks Brothers69c10

Tach drive parts for the engine

And the most unique part for this truck to me, the 3600 red line diesel tach gauge cluster complete with a vacuum gauge and a 80psi oil pressure gauge. I'm sure I left out some stuff. It's hard keeping track of all of it. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

how's the new addition?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

She's doing better and with any luck will get to come home tomorrow night.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Well our baby is home now! No real progress on the truck, but I did start putting some emblems on the rh fender so I could see how they looked. They look awesome! I just need to get the measurements for the super emblem holes so I can mount them and take some pics. :lol: I also put 2 of my hub caps on and it is looking like it could be a truck one day again. I also got my tach drive and put it together. I have an electronic cruise control kit coming now, as well as a pair of rockers to make the cab look decent for now. I also made my most favorite purchase for the truck that makes it complete. A diesel tach gauge cluster. Now this build is getting somewhere!:lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I hope the little one is doing good! Now the fun begins! Coffee will be your friend! I wanna see that tach dash! That should be a unique touch for sure! could that vacuum gauge be making its way to becoming a boost gauge?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks! The little one is doing much better again. It is a good feeling to hear her crying right now.

I'll get pics of the tach dash when it gets here. I'll be keeping the vacuum gauge a vacuum gauge to monitor the vacuum just for kicks. The amount of boost this thing will make will blow that vacuum gauge apart I'm afraid. :lol: I'm sure this turbo will make 55psi + without an issue. For now I'm thinking I'll install a 3 gauge pod behind the dash pad directly behind the steering wheel. In the future I'd love to get one of the dash pads with 3 gauges built into it. We'll see how things go. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

got pics of the young un?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

congrats on the baby , time to pamper the lady leave her seaten with her feet up for a couple of weeks as whell as do some chores around the home , prepare yourself to sleepless nights and dirty daipers for the next year or so

you could mount the probe of the vacuumgauge between the filter and the intake of the turbine , a nice added advantage is that you can see when the filter starts to get clogged
there are combined vacuum boost gauges available for turboaplications as whell

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

There are pictures in this thread below:

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=442037

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks! That's a great idea, but I'm going to keep it a regular vacuum gauge for now.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

did you end up keeping the 4 inch lift or getting rid of it?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I ended up keeping it and probabaly will. I like the way it sits so far.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

looking good,
I may be calling you befor too long, I'm helping a buddy with the cumming conversion in his 79 F350 extended cab highboy showtruck

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks Tex.

I did make some progress on the truck and hope to make more tomorrow. I removed the bumper, grill, and radiator support. Cut the old engine cross member out, repositioned the engine and trans. Installed the tcase for a test fit, and also got the rear drive shaft to see if it needed lengthened or shortened. Luckily it just needs shortened. I also found another trans cross member so I will have an option for clearance on the front drive shaft and exhaust if needed. I also put my modified exhaust manifold on and put my new turbo on to see if it would fit. It did, but unforutatley my smaller exhaust housing won't fit. I guess I'll have to run this one until after I get the truck running. I'll try to get some pics tommorow of the progress!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

This truck should definitely be on the cover of my diesel power mag in a few more issues! I'll be looking for it in the next year or so! The only comparable truck I've seen in there is Matt (UFC Fighter) drawing a blank on the last name but he has a 65 GM with a Duramax,

Hughes! Matt Hughes!:sumo:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks man! :lol: I don't know how soon it'll get pretty. I will get it running and driving and then see if I'm going to build a crew cab for it or not. More to come once I get the pics to upload..............................

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Here is a more detailed progress report. This past weekend was pretty progressive. I dug my NP205 out of the snow and put it on the trans to mock up the engine this time. Man that SOB was a PITA because I left the carrier bearing cross member in the frame. There isn't a lot of room for the tcase to go straight up, then in. You have to put the tcase up and rest it on the cross member first, then lift it up and stick it on the trans. I had to get my brother to help me the second time. :lol:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2077.jpg
Next up was to build a new engine cross member. I used 4" C channel and boxed the ends. I added a 1/4" plate on the top to attach the channel to my old cross member mounts in the frame. Welded it all up, ground it, and primed and painted it. I wish it went as fast as it reads. :lol: Next I had to drill out my axle housing vent because coming back from KC last fall, my old cross member was too close to the diff and smashed the vent. It broke the end of the fitting off in the housing. I got it drilled and tapped, now I just have to get a new fitting.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2081.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2082.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2078.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2079.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2080.jpg
I installed a different exhaust manifold and put my new turbo on. I don't like how close to the heater box it is, so I'm thinking about going a different route. I'm thinking about going back to the industrial manifold but I will need a T4 to T3 adapter.

I also had my brother help me put the 04 dodge seat in the cab. It actually fit better than I figured it would. I will have to modify the brackets so i can get the seat where I want it.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2085.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2084.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2083.jpg

One other thing I did do last week and I haven't posted the pics of, is the emblems. Here is the RH fender. I haven't done the LH yet.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2087.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2088.jpg

Now for the good bad and ugly. My drear drive shaft will only need shortened and maybe a different weldment installed for a bigger rear u-joint. My front shaft from the 92 dodge is really bad. It will need totally rebuilt. I have one from a chevy but it will need to be lengthened. The real bad deal lies in the transmission. I decided to go ahead and have my Dad rebuild it. We tore it apart, and it is a good thing we did. The trans was initially assembled incorrectly and did not have enough end play. This caused the front drum to put a lot of pressure on the intermediate shaft and it ruined the intermediate shaft and thrust washer. The low/reverse clutches are fried, and numerous other thrust washers are worn severely, a sun gear and drum is bad, and 2 planetary assemblies are bad. Yee haw.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2086.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Here we go! The long lost vac tach cluster. Wait a minute, it only goes to 4,000? What the heck? :lol:
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/586_0012.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/586_0013.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

All you guys with your awesome 67-72 projects have really got me wanting to get one!!!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

:lol: I only have 2 of these 67-72's. I'll sell you my 2wd.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

As much as it sucks, I can only seem to get myself to own 4x4's! The fact that your in Iowa dont help much either. On the other hand, My name is Mitchell. So i could fit right in out there? Maybe?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Yes, I'm sure you could. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

This morning it was dang cold in the shop and took a little while for the lights to kick on. I had to open the walk in door for some light, so needless to say I didn't get much done before I had to come to work. Once it got warm enough in there for my compressor to fire up I did get a little done. I cut the seat brackets on the dodge seat, and I removed my gas tank. I'm going to take the tank down and have it checked and cleaned before I try to use it. I thought it had to be half full with as bad as it smelled of varnish. I was wrong, it was empty. :lol: Tomorrow I'm going to try and get the seat brackets welded and get the seat bolted to the floor. I also need to try to get my green seat belts out so I can decide if I want to use my black ones or these green ones. Big decisions. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Hey, I finally got around to digging the wheels out from under my burb. Turns out the ones on the 91 square are the same as IFS trucks... I have 4.25 back spacing and 2.25 front... both are 16X6.5

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks. I need to remove 2 of my wheels and see what they are.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Yesterday I started making my 04 dodge seat fit in the 72 cab. I cut the bottoms off the dodge brackets and used some original bolt holes for the seat and started building the brackets. I have half of the LH side done. I'll have to remove it to finish weld it all.
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2096.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2095.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2100.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2094.jpg
Rear seat brackets
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2098.jpg
Front
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2099.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Looks really good! They look like they fit well and the frames look stout!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Seats look good in there!!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

as far as hanging the suspension to your frame were there any existing holes to use as starting points or were all holes added by yourself? I will also be using mid 70's 3/4ton chevy 4x4 gear on my 71 swb 2wd frame.

Thanks,
David

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks guys. I wasn't happy with how far back I couldn't get the seat due to the gas tank. But for now I will have to keep the in cab tank until I do my crew cab build. Then I plan on putting a big tank under the cab and box mid frame inside the frame rail.

David, The only holes I was able to use were the radiator support mount holes and the shock mounting holes. All the shackle mount holes I had to drill. You might be able to use some stock holes for your engine cross member, but IDK since I built a different one to fit my engine.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

as for the shackle mount holes what's the best method to find their home? have the cab and front clip on and center in the wheel well? didn't know since my frame is completely stripped.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

When I did this truck, I used 73 up front springs. I placed a front axle under the springs and mocked the shackles in coordination to my marks from my 72 Blazer frame. I ended up moving the holes back about 1" so the shackle geometry was better. I can measure mine for you if you'd like.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

No real great progress this week. I have been busy with the super cold weather, work, and I got a cold that has been slowing me down. But I did manage to go get some paint for my gauge cluster needles. I tore apart my cluster I got from Toomuchstuff. He included some nicer gauges than what some of the ones in the cluster were. I cleaned everything up, and man were the tins nasty due to a leaking oil pressure line. I had my wife paint the needles while I repaired my odometer. She even painted the red line areas because they were faded really bad. She did a great job! Then I polished the lens a little bit. I tried not to ruin the markings on it because I'm pretty sure no one has any of these in stock anywhere. It came out pretty good. i will install my new repop wood grain bezel when it gets here and then this cluster should be done until I get some LED bulbs for it.

Before
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/586_0013.jpg

After
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2133.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2132.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2134.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/IMG_2135.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Looks great Ryan Im hoping to get something done this weekend now that it's going to be above 0 but I also have a bad cold and it's kicked my ass
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Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I know the feeling. It sucks. I hope you get well soon Joe!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

you can do my gauges next ;) they look great!

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Send them up if you want. It will give my wife something to do. :lol: She's going to love that.:mm: