My '87 SWB Project w/pics!!

[JohnC]

On your bolts. Check with your local Ace Hardware. I'm an Ace store, and I can sell bolts cheaper by the box, than I can per piece.

[dropd80s]

That’s weird, here they'll sell you one bolt even if its $.03. Still might save money buying extra, even if you don’t need them. It’s a huge difference in price. Anyway, It’s something to consider.

[twoodson]

JohnC - I will check into that since I need to get some on Wednesday.

dropd80s - Yeah when I called one Fastenal store they told me that they sale them by the qty. and not by .ea; It could have been just that store, thanks gents.

[1986swb]

A few questions for you regarding the Hellwig 7549 rear sway bar that you installed:

1. Per the Summit Web application site notes, the sway bar will fit stock applications or up to 2" lowered application using shackles. Did you lower your rear axle using 2" shackles on the back of the leafs and also 2" hangers for the front of the leafs? It appears so in your photos but I'm not sure. Please verify.

2. Have you mounted your bed onto your frame yet to check for suspension clearances? i.e. drop shackles may need to cut bed support member.

Thanks.

[twoodson]

1986swb - 1. Yes, I used the lowered Western Chassis hangers & shackles.
2. Yes I had to cut the bed support so the shackles would clear.

[1986swb]

Thanks. I called Summit Racing's tech group yesterday but they couldn't confirm the application note listed earlier. I tried calling Hellwig to verify but just got voicemail.

So based on your experience with the 4" rear drop, the Hellwig rear sway bar should fit and have enough clearance for the bed. I plan to order it but the sway bar is backordered until July 20.

[Low87]

Originally Posted by twoodson

Guys here are some more pics, maybe boring to some, but here yo go. The first 2 pics were requested by WigglesTheHoly. 1st one is bed without fuel filler and the 2nd one is how it will look with the fuel filler installed.

twoodson, do you have a zoomed out shot of the fuel door in the bed? I'll be swapping out my poly cell for a Burb tank in the next couple weeks and I'm wondering if my existing hole will work.

[twoodson]

Low87, pardon my ignorance, can you give me a little more detail about the pic you want?

[SevenSeries]

Twoodson he's asking were the fuel cap whole in your bed is located. He wants to see a full picture of your bed to see if his is in the same spot

[twoodson]

SevenSeries - Oh okay I just got in so I will get one up 1st thing in the morning. Thanks!!

[SevenSeries]

Yeah np man. Also I love what you have done with your truck! Its makin me want to do all the work to mine as well its just lacking........$$$

[twoodson]

SevenSeries - thanks for the compliments, yeah it's slow going at times. Your father is definitely right abut time & money..

[SevenSeries]

You are welcome, Yeah also I am young and inexperienced. My father is the one who can build extremely custom vehicles I am still learning. Also I just put down less then 2500 down for a new engine

[1987GmcSierra]

Awesome pics u have givin me some ideas as to what i might do to my 87GMC again great pics man hope to see more as time goes on

[twoodson]

Low87 - Here is the pic you requested, I hope it's what your looking for. sorry it took so long.

SevenSeries - Yeah I have had to learn from everyone on this board on how to do things myself and save some $$$.

1987GMCSierra - Thanks for the compliments Boss; yep the project snowballed; as soon as I get all the suspension & drivetrain back together, pending saving some pennies then it will be downhill after that.

[1986swb]

Originally Posted by twoodson

1986swb - 1. Yes, I used the lowered Western Chassis hangers & shackles.
2. Yes I had to cut the bed support so the shackles would clear.

I just ordered the same Hellwig 7549 rear sway bar kit from Summit Racing this morning. It'll drop ship from Hellwig in CA so I'm guesstimating about a week to deliver via ground service.

In the meantime, I'm sending my bench seat out for reupholstering on Thursday so I'll be gutting my OEM interior and replacing it with OEM/NOS/Replacement black interior parts/trim.

I'll try to post some pics as appropriate -- before and after shots.

[twoodson]

Not much done but I did bolt up the motor mount brackets and finished up the gear box, attaching the cover and touching up the paint. I'm just waiting on some $$$$ to purchase the energy suspension bushings and all new Moog tie rods, ball joints, etc to complete bolting up the front end suspension. Patience, sucks sometimes

[1986swb]

Originally Posted by twoodson

It's been about 3 months since I posted but I have been working on the truck. I got my new doetsch tech shocks (no pic) in, I finally got all the rear suspension back together minus the shocks which I will bolt on this weekend. All the leaf springs were powder coated black and the silver items were powder coated silver. All new grade 8 and some stainless hardware were used. I will get new brake lines and hopefully be able to order the rear disc brake from blackbirds in a couple. The drive shaft (no pic) is powder coated silver as well. I used all energy suspension bushings in the leaf springs, shackles and on the sway bar. Enjoy. I will post a pic of the drive shaft later tonight. Enjoy!!

I received my Hellwig rear sway bar kit last week from Summit Racing and decided to install it today. By looking at the kit components, the install would be quick. I was wrong.

I followed their cryptic installation instructions as well as used your install photos for my reference. For some darn reason, my end links do not bolt up vertically or easily. Keep in mind, all of the bolts are loose and are installed for fitment prior to final torquing. Also, the truck was resting on the garage floor so full weight of the truck was on its suspension. The way links "flex" when I torque everything down doesn't seem correct. I'm thinking that one of the three holes in the frame preceeding the hanger will need to be drilled to accomodate the angle bracket and end links. I've tried to install the sway bar two ways: bottom and top of rear axle and the results were the same.

Is there something special you did to install your rear sway bar. This install should have been a no brainer so this is killing me.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[1986swb]

twoodson. I think I figured out why I am having installation issues with my Hellwig rear sway bar. I have a 4" total drop (2" hangers and 2" shackles) in my rear while you have a 2" drop (2" shackles). I revisited your photos and the hangers stood out (OEM). I guess this is why Hellwig noted in their application info. that the sway bar would fit up to a 2" drop.

For me, I just need to reposition the angle brackets on the frame, drill some new holes and fiddle with the shaft length of the end links. Now I just need to be patient and measure 3 times and drill/cut once.

Now I can sleep. geezus.

[twoodson]

1986swb - Sorry it took me so long to respond; Actually I do have a 4" drop, my hangers are 2" and my shackles can be either 3" or 4" depending on which hole in the shackle I use. I had my mechanic some years back install mine and so when i started tearing down my truck and putting it back together I just put everything back like it was. However he could drilled some holes in the frame to make it work but I don't think he did.

[1986swb]

Twoodson. No worries on the reply. So you do have a 4" total drop in your rear and you can still use the regular set up to install the Hellwig sway bar. This installation issue bothers me again. I called Summit Racing and Hellwig this morning and neither were of any help. They both said "no problem." This is such a simple installation which is why this is bothering me so much.

In any case, I'm redrilling holes in the frame for the angle brackets so that they are straight and perpendicular to the ground. Additionally, I am using shorter end link bolts and spacers as well. I'll post some pics when I'm done later this week.

You cannot imagine how frustrating this is. The only thing more frustrating is awaiting for my bench seat to come back from the upholstery shop.

Ok. I'm done venting. Thanks for your feedback. Breathe .... Serenity Now ....

[SatisTraction]

nice build so far!!

[twoodson]

SatisTraction: Thanks for the compliments, it's been a slow go with the shortage of $$$, but we know how that goes and plus working outside in 100+ degrees is not good but hopefully things are tapering off and I can order some bushings next week and get the front suspension bolted back together..

[menace121978]

good talking to you last night Triveno!! your build is awesome bro going to be magazine worthy for sure!


just wondering if we can all get an update on the change of plans!!

[palposity]

Great build man!