Blue Beast: budget Chevy build

[jsudar]

Just a quick update: I have some high steer arms ordered from Highonda on PBB which should be here Monday. I got some super cheap, made in the crappy part of China tie rod ends on Ebay. They were like $8 each. I know they won't last, but I am on a budget and it's easier for me to justify expensive Moog parts to my wife when we're stranded on a trail with exploded TRE's. A local guy hooked me up with a ZJ pitman arm, but thanks to all those who posted up on my wanted ad.

Hopefully the weather will hold out so I can get this stuff installed and get some pics up. I still can't fit my truck in the garage, even though I swapped the 6" lift for a 4". That's with 13 lbs of air in the tires (no beadlocks and kind of narrow wheels). I guess I can air down some more, since there are worse places to loose a bead than the driveway.

 

[jsudar]

I stopped by Ben Hanks Racing this afternoon to pick up my new tie rod. Didn't have a lot of time or a camera, but they have some sick stuff going on there.

Just when I finally thought I was starting to be cool since I have a front Dana 60, they had to show me the jeep with the front and rear Dana 80's whose owner can't decide between a blown 502 or an LS2. I have a leaky 350 that runs on 6 to 7 cylinders depending on the weather.

Then they showed me the Cruiser with F&R Spider 9"s and another jeep with Rockwells, rear steer, air bumps and remote resi coilovers-- and I thought I was being extravagant spending $80 on a tie rod for my pile of rusty metal. How do people afford this stuff?

I had to go back to wrenching part time (in addition to my full time job) just to put high steer on my $1k truck. Maybe someday I'll have the $$$ to get a dimple died hole on my truck.

Kinda puts a damper on my whole King of the Hammers 2012 dream. I guess dreaming is most of the fun anyway.

 

[4554x4]

I also went to ben hanks and saw the mega bucks jeep. I am severely depressed now. If you are still thinking about the doubler setup let me know.

 

[jsudar]

Hi steer pics

I got all my high steer parts installed, I just need to trim the drag link to the proper length. I stopped by Teraflex plus today and picked up some tapered inserts for my right side tie rod and pitman arm. They are pretty cool inserts for $9. Lots cheaper than a tapered reamer. Just drill out the taper to 7/8" and tap in the insert and you have tapered holes for one ton TREs. Plus, since it's already drilled to 7/8", just pound out the inserts and you're ready for rod ends. The only thing that sucks is that my 4" drop YJ pitman arm drops too much and I only have 2" of uptravel. My draglink is almost horizontal, but I think I'll need to find a 2" drop or a stocker.
Anyway, here are some pics for those of you who don't know what a rusty Chevy with high steer looks like:

 

[Tacoma]

Hmmmmm those inserts sound interesting.

Thank you for not posting the front clip of that thing.

 

[mesha]

i'm going to come and check those out.

 

[I Lean]

One thing to add: those inserts are 7/8" O.D.

 

[jsudar]

This morning I scored an 89 Blazer for a disturbingly low price, considering I drove it home under its own power from SLC to Pleasant Grove.

The purchase of the Blazer officially ends the Blue Beast project, since all the one ton crap will find its way under the Blazer. The Blazer is much more family friendly (kids) and now Tacoma will never have to see my ugly front clip again. And now I have a TBI 350 so I can drive upside down again

There should be some 1/2 ton chevy axles for sale in a little bit. cheap.

 

[cuban b]

Nice score. Will it be ready for KOH 09?

 

[jsudar]

Since I just spent a bunch of money I technically didn't have, I'm not sure I will be ready for KOH 09, let alone the Blazer.

 

[Tacoma]

The Blazer is much more family friendly (kids) and now Tacoma will never have to see my ugly front clip again. And now I have a TBI 350 so I can drive upside down again

You've brought a little light into my dreary day, man, you really have. :busted:

I had a front clip for you, too.