86 1 ton, my current project

As many of you may have already read I recently purchased a clean 86 1 ton. Since buying it I've been doing some stuff to it.
I got it running right away after buying it. I got it started at the auction so I could get it loaded on my trailer easier. It runs surprisingly good for the length of time it had been sitting. As far as I can tell I'd guess sometime around 2009. It has new tires that have a build date of 04/08. Tires have zero wear, but are junk from the cracks. I will put two new tires on the front while running the tires that are on the rear and keeping the front tires mounted as spares. I have some extra wheels laying around. I feel with dual tires on the rear I'll take a chance and run them for a while. I removed the box on the back. I wish I would have cut the sides off of the bed. It would have made an amazing flatbed. Been doing lots of cleaning on it. Scratch sent me an aircleaner for it. I removed the air pumps, replaced the ps and alternator belt. I've also installed a big heavy duty Curt hitch on it. Also hung 2 led tail lights and brackets. I had to replace the brake caliper on the driver's side front. I bought both sides, just haven't got to the other side yet. I'll be ordering rotors and ceramic pads from Rock this week. I'll be changing the plugs and fuel filter Monday, then taking it to get a tag on it. I also need to replace the wiper motor and bushings. Everything else works good on it. Going to get some channel for the flatbed next week also. Wish me luck!

man, you be busy. cool to have new projects.

share some pics plez. I like to see progress pics.

X2!

X2!


x3

Here's the new muffler.

THRUSH! the sound of performance.

love the art on the muff case.

I don't care for the sound. It's as quiet as a stock muffler. It looks just like a flowmaster but was only $34.00

Fixed the wipers today. Needed a new ground and new bushings along with new blades.

Started on the new flatbed today also. Using 6inch c channel and 1/8" diamond plate.

Here's my new 16k Curt hitch and LED'S

I'm thinking of shortening the frame a foot. The plus is it would fit better in the garage, and it would tow better. It won't take so much weight off the front wheels when towing. The bed would then be 10ft instead of 11ft.

Gooseneck hitch will be added as well. I have to do some work on it. I bought it used and it's kinda bowed in the middle. It's a flip over ball.

going for tags and more steel tomorrow.

I cleaned out the cowl, man was it packed with sand and leaves. Thanks god it has NO rust in there. I'm going to try and get this thing finished up before winter gets started. Anyone out there that could decode the fender tag for me?

Hey scratch, you got a windage tray in that 440?

yes, it was on it with the front sump pan so I kept it in there with the rear sump pan.

that's a hefty rear axle in that pic....I just picked up that same rear axle with 4.56 gear to have on hand.

It's a dana 70. Not sure what gears but When I pull the cover off of it I'll check. I can't read the data tag. I hope its a 4.10. 4.56's won't hurt me either. If it has 56's It may get a 518 trans.

I made the same mistake on my jeep. Did a 5.2 magnum swap, straight dual exhaust into thrush mufflers, dumping in front of the rear axle. Idle sounds like a stock dakota/ram.

Man, that's HD! Like the hitch!

Might as well make it to last. I had most of the 6in stuff already. Figured I would use it first. I bought the hitch off craigslist back in the spring for 50.00. It's been taking up valuable space.

drove it for the first time today. Went to get tags for it. I call it Mr. Shaky! Wow. I'll be buying new tires ASAP. Going for 3 u-joints now. At least I'll get rid of the vibration today. It runs great and drives very good with the exception of the shake.

that's a lot of spring on that chassis front and back. maybe it would be better with some weight on the back rails.

what psi in those tires? and no weight might be a factor.

6 new shoes might solve the issues like you say though.

how do the shocks feel?

I checked tire pressure, checked rear shocks. The right front tire is separating. The rear ties are flat spotted. The u-joints are loose. I'm going to get my spare wheels from the mother in laws today. Going to get 2 new tires for the front and the joints. It has a vibration in the driveline at about 45. The tires shake is terrible at 15 mph. It will be smooth by the first of the week. I'm changing my plans for the bed. I'm going with a 4 inch channel instead of the 6 inch. I big on saving weight. It rides pretty good considering there isn't any weight on the rear.

man, your on the job!

Bed is mostly finished!

For some reason my camera makes the bed end piece look warped but it isn't! I spend 2 hours making this thing square and level.

I bought this before I started. I was kind of tired of the cheap welder I was using.

It welds pretty good.

Got new tires also. Here are the old ones.

Nice!

Look, new bed and new tires!

another

I need to cut about 8 inches off the back of the truck frams and move the hitch forward.

It's getting 2 48 inch underbody tool boxes as soon as I get all of this finished.

sweet! nice lug tred on the tires.

your camera does do funny things.

in all the pics the bed frame looks to be touching the cab but the last pic clearly shows a large gap there.

I welded the bed to 2 pieces of 3x4x3/8 angle that run from front to back. They will also serve as a mounting point for a gooseneck plate. I have 2 pieces of 6" channel on the front part of the frame and 2 pieces of 4" on the rear that give the angle a level surface to sit. It's coming together. Got to finish welding today and drive about 12 holes for bolts. I'm an over doer so I will weld and bolt both. I used 6" on the sides and 4" crossmembers and with the bevel on the channel the 4"sit perfect for the lumber to sit level with the sides. Got to order some stake pockets for the sides and build a headache rack. Wish I had a bigger garage.

I've been busy! Bed frame is very close to being ready for some paint.

I've been busy! Bed frame is very close to being ready for some paint.

3

Well, been having some issues with my new Hobart welder. As you can see in some of my pics the quality of the welds suck! I figured it out this morning. It wasn't getting any gas out of the nozzle. My fault. When I put the hose assembly on I didn't push it in far enough and it was covering part of hole that feeds the gas up through the hose. DUH. Now the welds are looking like they should. Guess I'll be going over some welds. I'll post some pics later today.

Be sure to check the factory set up of the polarity too. DAMHIK

I changed that already. I usually don't read the manuals but I did on this thing. It works very good now after fixing the gas issue.

Got some paint on it today.

another

and some wood. I'll paint the underside and stain the top side.

wood also

Looks really nice! How much do you think that bed weighs and how much will you be able to carry on it payload wise? How thick is that plywood? Looks like it's about 1" thick lol! Should be very beefy, a truck like that would be very handy

That ain't plywood. It's 2x10's untreated.

I'd say it weights close to 800- 1000 lbs. 6inch channel with 4 inch crossmembers. Also has a 6 inch channel for a bumper under 1/8 diamond plate. Also 2 3x4 angles that run front to back that sits on 2 4ft long 6 inch channels on the front part of the frame. Lets just say it's over built. The 2 angles are thick so I can mount a gooseneck plate on it.

Should tow nice with the long wheelbase. Any plans for a power upgrade?

Never know. I think it has 4.56's in it so towing shouldn't be an issue.

I spent Easter Day building the headache rack for the flatbed. I like it. It will bolt on. After the truck is painted It will get welded on also. I will nee to take it off to get to the back of the cab so that's the reason for bolting it on now. I need it to be useable for now.

another

painted