49/54 LS driver

[chev3600]

Heres a couple, I'm not an expert here and there may be a few things that I will change to make it better/safer/prettier. The first pic is looking down into the left side cab corner. box is bolted to a piece of angle welded to the floor.

[chev3600]

Seats in action, #2 and #4 are mine!

[mercuryman788]

Thanks for the updated pics and information. I'm about to get my truck back from the body shop and have been stressing to figure out what to do for seats before I start modifying the floorboards. Only difference I'll probably do is include seat adjusters in the seat base, mainly because I'm a foot taller than my girlfriend and I'm determined that she'll drive it one day, lol. Hopefully I'll be able to put up some pictures of my ride in the next month or so.

[chev3600]

So, it's been a really long time since an update. Here goes: Ive been having some vibration issues with no real success in fixing/finding it. Before I go too far throwing money at it, I decided to head down a path I've been dreaming of. Went from this-leaf spring rear with standard explorer 8.8

[chev3600]

To this-4 link with coilovers and a widened 8.8. Speedway motors offers a reasonably priced bolt in kit, and I never thought I could afford one on my budget. As much as I'd like some Porterbuilt coolness or those fancy heidts.
I've never attempted to widen a rear end, so my fingers are crossed. Added another long section of tube from an 8.8 to basically center the diff. Also re-drilled the lug pattern to a chevy pattern. I did all this to eliminate the spacer adapters that were used previously. I haven't driven it more than a half mile yet, but it rode so nice! Couple more details and I can hit the highway.

[chev3600]

Can't seem to post two pics at a time, keep getting duplicates. Anyway couple more

[chev3600]

Given the opportunity to be spoiled, so I ran with it.

[99 to Life]

congrats, looking real good. lucky you with the lift!!! So the first pic (could just be the pic, but your pinion angle looks a tad off) could have been some of your vibration issues. but again, could be the pic. An old used DS could be out of balance. That kit looks good.
What is that gas tank out of? Reminds me a little bit of my blazer tank but its not it.

[oldman3]

Like the new set-up...Jim

[chev3600]

Thanks. Part of that is the pic, I went round and round adding shims under the leaf packs and raising/lowering the trans mount. I can get the angles to match but I didn't like the look. Basically the trans was pointing down at 4* , the driveshaft was at 2* and the pinion pointed up at 4*. not sure if that's ok or not. Thoughts?
The only correction I see to make it like the books show is to raise the engine and trans a lot.
I've got three of those driveshafts now. Got new u joints and yoke too just to be sure.

[chev3600]

Tank is a 89 Jeep Wrangler. They came fuel injected so hooking up a newer in tank GM pump is easier. Size is nice too, maybe a little small.

[99 to Life]

if your setting your rear off your trans at ride height, with the vehicle on its own weight, you should be good. I aim for a zero setting. with the coil over its gonna give you a more consistent torque than with leafs. make sure your angle finder is on the yolks of trans and rear as you measure.
3 driveshafts, and still didn't fix the problem?

[chev3600]

I bought an extra just in case. I realized that the rear was too soft after the first driveshaft hit the frame x member under the cab when I had the truck loaded. Didn't trust it after that. Thanks for the thoughts.
Strange that I put 2k miles on the truck in that exact configuration before it started vib. It just has a whole truck wobble right at 52 mph. Only while cruising. But changing the driveshaft didn't help.

[IWanna49]

Chev3600, I borrowed your idea for seats and picked these up last week. Hope you get your vibration issues worked out soon!!

[chev3600]

Iwanna49- nice seats! I bought my first AD parts truck in Murfreesboro.

[IWanna49]

Isn't it crazy how such a small world it is sometimes???

[w70442]

Just wanted to post a BIG THANK YOU to Matt.

I noticed in post #79 that he was going from leafs to the 4 link and pm'd him offering to buy the S10 forward leaf spring perches since he wouldn't need them any longer and I needed some. He said sure so I gave him my address and asked him how much he wanted for them. Next thing I know, they show up on my doorstep. And he wouldn't let me pay for them or even the cost of shipping them!
Thanks again Matt. Best of luck with your truck.
I will do my best to pay it forward.

[STOCKISH]

Awesome work man!

[chev3600]

You're very welcome.
And thanks. Hope you're making progress on something cool, Josh.

[lower50's]

Great build So nice to hear of ppl helping one another. Keep up the good work.

[chev3600]

I haven't been making really any progress on my truck because of another project that is "almost" finished. Put together a daily driver truck for my dad as a surprise.

[chev3600]

Oh, it used to look like this....need all new rockers, corners, floors, cowl, drivetrain, rubber, seats, wiring, interior, bed, and an air freshener.

[54 LS-3100]

Which coilovers did you go with on the 4 link?

[chev3600]

Qa1 7214855 (US402) through speedway motors. Went pretty light on the springs, 350# if I recall correctly. Im not going to haul much.

[tlorber]

Did you ever get those seats mounted? I bought the same ones and I'd like to make them adjustable. The base is kind of strange so I'm not sure how I'm going to adapt it.