Up and running

[JKreiss]

Well it's been about 8 months and i'd say i'm about 60% done with the 93. I've done a lot in the last few months and have actually got a little burnt out. Just got the exhaust finished today and she's running good. All in all i've done misc parts under the hood (KDP, belt, tensioner, water pump etc. ), new battery cables, HTT manifold with a 4" diamond eye straight pipe exhaust, new alcan 4" springs, very crappy skyjacker shocks, ORD crossover steering kit, borgeson shaft with redhead box, new power steering hoses, new rear axle seals, bypassed ABS, rebuilt front and rear hubs, longer brake lines, and i'm sure a couple other things.



The inside got completely gutted and gone through. New ACC carpet, sound mat, marathon seat covers, i re stuffed the seat with some dense foam. Kind of did the same thing on the 3rd gen and it worked out good. Cleaned out about a trash bag full of leaves from the AC/Heat box and again some other stuff i'm sure i'm forgetting.



First impressions: She is a SLUG, might be a gearing/35" tire thing, or it might be time to get to bombing, either way somethings gotta give or i'm not going to make it up the mountain. There seems to be some electrical gremlins, mainly overcharging sometimes and the speedo stops working if i hit a big pothole... so i just hit another one and it starts working again. It needs paint bad but after having to put a new clutch in the 3rd gen, and the jeep needing new suspension and tire, i'm completely tapped out for a while. So it might wait till next summer. I don't think one more winter will do it in. It's leaking break fluid out of the master cylinder but i've already read some good stuff on that. The new bumper is in a box in the garage waiting for some body work on the front drivers fender. Other than that i'm going to start daily driving her to get the bugs worked out. Once she's running good and all painted, i'm going to start on a complete Autometer custom dash with all the gauges that SHOULD have come stock on these trucks. Then i'm looking for about 300hp.



Here's a picture from the day I rescued her to how she pretty much sits now minus a couple things. I've been working on her nearly every day after work and burning up my use-or-lose vacation days trying to get it done. And though i've gotten discouraged more than a few times, i'm getting excited again.

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[HHhuntitall]

OH yeah!! Little paint, some TLC, and she's ready to go!! On your guages, are you going to do your own panel and wiring?



On the power, has the pump been touched? My '93 was pretty sluggish and seemed like it was working all the time until I cammed it and installed some POD injectors, which I'm not sure I like just yet, but were what I had. I runs like a champ, now. I don't know how much the open road mileage has increased, but towing it's gone from 10-11 to 13-16. Mine needs some paint and body work, too. Dang headliner is coming down the rest of the way this weekend... ... . I love old trucks!!! I never have enough to do, I guess!

 

[ENafziger]

Wow! I love the stance with the 4" lift and new old-school aluminum mag wheels! I know what you mean about a slug... I don't know if its because I'm used to the '06 with 625+ horsepower, or what, but the '91. 5 is a little lacking on the it's-a-thrill-to-drive department. I need to get it turned up before I run it into the ground. I actually had to drive 25 miles in low range just to have enough power to make it up the hills with a load a few weeks ago.

Can't wait to see some more pics! How bout a couple of the ORD crossover steering setup? That's on my to-do list one of these days...

--Eric

 

[JKreiss]

Thanks guys, i'm starting to like her again haha, there were times when weren't on speaking terms:-laf

On your guages, are you going to do your own panel and wiring?

I'm basically wanting to start with a plain template. Cut holes for small boost, pyro, ammeter, and fuel level gauges on the left side, big speedo and tach in the middle, then fuel pressure, oil pressure, water temp, and something else on the right side. I don't have the capability at work to post pics but i think you get the idea of what's in my head. Pretty much a full gauge panel to replace the one that's there now. Except for the info center, it think that's too cool to let go of. There definitely needs to be some fuel thrown to the fire, i'm going to hold off until i get gauges though.

Wow! I love the stance with the 4" lift and new old-school aluminum mag wheels! I know what you mean about a slug... I don't know if its because I'm used to the '06 with 625+ horsepower, or what, but the '91. 5 is a little lacking on the it's-a-thrill-to-drive department. I need to get it turned up before I run it into the ground. I actually had to drive 25 miles in low range just to have enough power to make it up the hills with a load a few weeks ago.



Can't wait to see some more pics! How bout a couple of the ORD crossover steering setup? That's on my to-do list one of these days...

Thanks bud, yeah i really wanted to keep the look 90's ish. Like somebody flipped through a JC whitney back in 93, bought a few things, then parked the truck for 20years. I'm going to keep the factory paint color wich looks AWESOME when the sun hits it. It's the dark spectrum blue metalic, can't wait for it to get painted. It's going to be a LONG winter:{. I can only imagine what it was like for your to switch from the 06 to this, my 3rd gen is just a bump over stock but would whip this poor 93' somethin ugly. We'll fix that soon enough though:-laf As soon as i get home today i'll snap some pics of the steering, worth EVERY penny. I had an old Power Ram in high school and it was a workout keeping it between the lines. I can steer the 93 with a finger, it's nice. You could probably do the steering yourself, the tie rod ends are 70's GM i think and the only thing you'd have to buy from is the steering arm, then find a something to make drag link out of. Some guys say after all is compiled though it's cheaper to just buy the kit. Will def post some pics... or maybe start a new thread on it, it really is one of the better mods for these trucks. I'd say top 5 easy.

 

[RedRamAndy]

Hey Joe, Love the stance on that! Still makes me want a 4x4...

I noticed something: you going to run without the aluminum bedrails and tailgate cap?? I need a gate cap. I got the rails on my truck already.

Just asking...

 

[JKreiss]

Hey Joe, Love the stance on that! Still makes me want a 4x4...

I noticed something: you going to run without the aluminum bedrails and tailgate cap?? I need a gate cap. I got the rails on my truck already.

Just asking...

Sorry but i got rid of those, and now i'm regretting it. I think they would have accent well.



As far as the steering goes, here's a couple pictures of the kit, like is said earlier worth every penny! Install runs about 2hrs.



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[HHhuntitall]

... ... And I'm guessing that'll clear a 37" tire?

 

[JKreiss]

There shouldn't be any problem clearing 37's, unless maybe full lock while compressed. To run this steering kit they strongly recommend a minimum of 4" of lift. You can see how there would be interference with the crossmember. That's the only reason i lifted it really. I honestly just wanted a set of Alcans with maybe a 1" lift over stock and run 33's, oh well.

 

[HHhuntitall]

LOL, I'm sure it broke your heart!! I can see how it would cause a problem, I was just wondering if it fixed the rubbing tire on the arm problem... . looks like it would. I'm sure they'll still hit the springs, but some is better than none.

 

[ENafziger]

You can see how there would be interference with the crossmember.

Thanks for the crossover pictures. I guess you took the gearbox off of the bracket and bolted it directly to the frame?

It's hard for me to tell from the pictures... would the crossover setup have any interference at full suspension compression? Reason I ask, is you said there would be interference without a lift. I have a 6" lift, but I'm pretty sure I have even MORE compression travel than when stock height. In fact, I have a sizeable dent in my exhaust downpipe from the front driveshaft yoke slamming into it on compression after a hard hit.

--Eric

 

[JKreiss]

The gearbox goes straight to the frame. They make a kit for up to 12" of lift, you shouldn't have a problem as long as you get the right set up. I'd just call them to verify, HERE'S the link.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Lol. You weren't on speaking terms for a while... :-laf

Been there before. Several times intact with mine. Yeah. I know the burnout feeling too well. My compliment for keeping it going.

Looks good. Should not be too much longer and you will be rolling just the way you want it.

 

[JKreiss]

Yeah i can definitely see the finish line. I'm keeping it parked for a couple days until the front bumper gets here(don't want to risk it). Once she's complete i'm going to daily drive her and get all the bugs out. Paint will be first thing this spring, after that she should be looking pretty good. Then onto eBay to trade for an A-body Mopar:-laf

 

[RSchwarzli]

Yeah i can definitely see the finish line. I'm keeping it parked for a couple days until the front bumper gets here(don't want to risk it). Once she's complete i'm going to daily drive her and get all the bugs out. Paint will be first thing this spring, after that she should be looking pretty good. Then onto eBay to trade for an A-body Mopar:-laf

Dont let your truck hear you say that! It will make sure it NEVER works!



Although I am partial to A bodies myself..... and B's... ... and E's are also good... ... And I kinda have a thing for the C's too... ... Not so much on the Ds though..... :-laf

 

[JKreiss]

So after a few back n' forths to work and some running around town i've made some observations. I got the overcharging thing stopped by adding the ground wire from the battery to the radiator core support. When i had new battery cables made i must have forgotten that one, oops. Every thing seems to be running great, just DEFINITELY need to get this pump turned up, i have a gov spring and a fuel pin, i'm just waiting to do the new dash with gauges. The ride is akin to taking a chuck wagon on the Rubicon doing 65mph... i forgot how much fun these truck were I'm seriously thinking about going and picking up a couple yards of road base or anything heaving to help break these springs in. I told Alcan i'd like little to zero rake but it definitely has a towing stance to it. Which is fine, even though she'll maybe tow an aluminum boat, topps.



Now to the scary things, how much noise is the Getrag supposed to make. It does howl and growl, however it does them when i'd expect it do i guess? When i downshift and sometimes when starting out. I am very aware of not lugging it but my 2-3 shifts she just falls flat on her face. There's a little fella on my shoulder saying start looking for a NV4500. Any thoughts?



I'm also getting a harmonic "wump wump wump wump" at cruise between 50-60mph... Ooh i hope is the rear end!:{ I'm going to change the rear diff fluid this weekend and see if that helps. I know the quantity is good, i topped it off after doing the axle seals.



And lastly, when i drove it home the AC worked great, of course the last couple days of near 100 degrees the AC blow nice and hot. The heater on the other hand doesn't blow at all, time to get that one figured out before winter. Got the windshield resealed today, this one didn't have any adhesive on it, just the rubber seal so it shouldn't leak anymore. All in all i'm happy again, and after being very disappointed in the drivability of the 04. 5 after the new clutch, it's nice to have the back up. I get a lot of looks and thumbs up even though she looks like a mess:-laf Definitely can't wait for paint. Thanks guys for all your help!

 

[HHhuntitall]

wump, wump - check tire balance, bad u-joint, hubs locked, tire separation, bent wheel, bent axle, midget car caught inside the rim... .



Check the heater hoses and make sure they're routed to the heater core, and not bypassed, and that you have vacuum to the shutoff valve. Also check the cable adjustment behind the glove box. It may be disconnected or the arm broken off.



Umm, Gutbags make a lot of noise, especially after they get a few miles on 'em. But if it's gone, you should see some shrapnel when you drain the oil. As for the NV4500 conversion, I did the Blumenthal's on my '93, and I don't regret it, at all. Parts are hard to come by for the Gutbags, but they can be good trannies if you don't overpower 'em or lug 'em too much. I think I spent $2800 on the Blumenthal kit, and you don't have to change your clutch or driveshafts. You do have to cut your floorboard and move the shifter back around 4-5 inches. It was worth it to me, but some won't think so..... I've got a lot of 4500 parts laying around, and several trannies running, so it was worth it for me. Still need to weld up the hole in my floorboard... ...



Lovin' the way she looks, I'd give you a thumbs up, too!!

 

[JKreiss]

Thanks for the compliments HHhuntitall! Let's see, tires and wheels are brand new, maybe 300 miles. I sure hope it has nothing to do with that, when i rotate next i'll re-balance them. I really hate weights, i use media in the 04. 5 and love it. There could be a midget car caught inside the, however do to the air soft ride i think i would have noticed it:-laf I might throw some u-joints in it this weekend just to rule that out. I talked to the differential shop today, going to schedule an apt for the gear swap so that should eliminate that. I'm going to 4. 11's from 3. 55's which should definitely help.



As far as the heat/AC goes, it worked well when i bought it, now it doesn't do anything really. It doesn't do anything on heat, hot air faintly comes out but nothing is blowing. The A/C blows hot air, definitely not worried about it right now with winter around the corner. Plus didn't have A/C in anything i owned until 2002 so i'm sure i'll live. My 84' used to blow fuses every now and then and the heater would stop blowing. I'll look in the book tonight for where that might be. As far as i can tell, the plumbing all looks good and i was just behind the glove box the other day to disconnect the ABS and didn't notice anything, i'm going to double check that though too. Where is the shut-off valve? Is that what it's called in the book?



As for the transmission swap, i'm just going to use it till she grenades. I'm looking everyday however for a 4500 in the local ads, craigslist etc. Every now and then they come up being parted out. I don't mind cutting and patching the floor, there's been so many that have done this swap that i shouldn't really have any issues. I'm actually looking forward to it. You know, the more I dig into this thing and explore the possibilities, the more i want to sell the 3rd gen and just get an old 60's car to drive around in. I love the simplicity of perfection in the early model Cummins and early cars. I can't stand a mountain of wires and sensors and a price tag that reflects it. Should have an update with one of these issues soon