'81 Chevy: 2.5 tons, 53" Michelins - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

DriveTime · 10-05-2009, 07:48 PM

I built this thing about 6 years ago when I was in high school. It had 18" of lift and was riding on 48" Michelin XLs. Now it has about 30" of lift and is sitting on 53" Michelin XZLs. It's mainly just a street queen that we use to get kids to come to our student ministry at church.

Motor is a mild 350 bored .030", TH400 transmission, 2.5 ton air shift case, 2.5 ton axles, 20x11" MRW wheels, 16.00R20 Michelin XZL tires.

Gutter Runner · 10-06-2009, 04:51 AM

Any plans for a front driveshaft?

DriveTime · 10-06-2009, 06:38 AM

It's got one, just didn't have it bolted in yet when I took those pictures. The transfer case wasn't even in yet for that 3rd pic. As you can see, the shackle angles were off from the springs settling, so I had to relocate my hangers before I did my measurements on the driveshafts.

ManofSteel · 10-06-2009, 09:05 AM

wow... thats one big @$$ truck

MUD SLUT · 10-06-2009, 01:31 PM

Been a long time since I saw a thread on your truck. How's your custom brake setup been treating you over the long haul?

DriveTime · 10-06-2009, 04:08 PM

It's not nearly as big as some of the guys in Florida, even some of their DDs. I only know of one truck in Arkansas that is taller than mine that sees the street, but I know their are some on tractor tires that are taller.

The brakes have been great. I'm still running a pinion brake in the back with a proportioning valve, but I will convert the rear to wheel brakes eventually. The only problem I have encountered was the Ford dealership told me the caliper bolts were 5/8" when they are actually M18. studlybilly gave me a heads up on that, but I am going to drill and tap the holes for 3/4" bolts in case I ruined some of the threads.

VHD44 · 10-06-2009, 10:55 PM

Glad to see a thread on your truck, that thing is sweet. What backspacing are your wheels and do you have any pics of the front of your truck? also if it isn't too much trouble do you think you could post up the overall width? Thanks

cslimfu · 10-07-2009, 12:37 AM

sweet, i cant sip on too much hateraid but, please trim those front u bolts. i love the flat paints. i dont care what color, just flat, its cool.

DriveTime · 10-07-2009, 08:26 AM

Backspacing is 5.5". I ordered 20x10 wheels, but MRW was out of those shells at the time, so I got 20x11s for the same price. Overall width is 97"

cslimfu, I hear ya on the front U bolts. I ordered them thinking I was going to weld 4" perches to the front axle, but I didn't need the extra height. The paint is actually super faded black epoxy primer for 2 years ago. Looked satin black when I sprayed it, then it turned to a chalk board. I'll probably just rattle can it or roll some Rustoleum on it this time.

Front shots

Primer before it faded, when the truck was on 48s and 18" of lift.

VHD44 · 10-07-2009, 09:11 AM

cool deal, thanks for the pics and info. I'm currently rebuilding a set of 2.5tons for my k5, and i have been in the process of putting wheel discs(following your write-up) on it and now i'm getting ready to order wheels and your pics will help greatly for reference.

10-05-2009, 07:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
DriveTime Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16582 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 1,281	'81 Chevy: 2.5 tons, 53" Michelins I built this thing about 6 years ago when I was in high school. It had 18" of lift and was riding on 48" Michelin XLs. Now it has about 30" of lift and is sitting on 53" Michelin XZLs. It's mainly just a street queen that we use to get kids to come to our student ministry at church. Motor is a mild 350 bored .030", TH400 transmission, 2.5 ton air shift case, 2.5 ton axles, 20x11" MRW wheels, 16.00R20 Michelin XZL tires. __________________ '81 Chevy - 350/TH400/T-136-27/Rockwells/16.00R20 Michelin XZLs/Wheel brakes

10-06-2009, 06:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
DriveTime Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16582 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 1,281	It's got one, just didn't have it bolted in yet when I took those pictures. The transfer case wasn't even in yet for that 3rd pic. As you can see, the shackle angles were off from the springs settling, so I had to relocate my hangers before I did my measurements on the driveshafts. __________________ '81 Chevy - 350/TH400/T-136-27/Rockwells/16.00R20 Michelin XZLs/Wheel brakes

10-06-2009, 01:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
MUD SLUT HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 66936 Location: Illinois Posts: 524	Been a long time since I saw a thread on your truck. How's your custom brake setup been treating you over the long haul? __________________ 95 Chevy "THE JUGGERNAUT" 74.5x30.5x32s "cut" 16 ton's BIG Inch BBC PG 2-SCS's 4-Wheel Steering 14,000lbs 2008 GMC 3500HD CCLB SRW 6.6 LMM DURAMAX ALLISON EFI LIVE Pro Rock D60

10-06-2009, 04:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
DriveTime Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16582 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 1,281	It's not nearly as big as some of the guys in Florida, even some of their DDs. I only know of one truck in Arkansas that is taller than mine that sees the street, but I know their are some on tractor tires that are taller. The brakes have been great. I'm still running a pinion brake in the back with a proportioning valve, but I will convert the rear to wheel brakes eventually. The only problem I have encountered was the Ford dealership told me the caliper bolts were 5/8" when they are actually M18. studlybilly gave me a heads up on that, but I am going to drill and tap the holes for 3/4" bolts in case I ruined some of the threads. __________________ '81 Chevy - 350/TH400/T-136-27/Rockwells/16.00R20 Michelin XZLs/Wheel brakes

10-06-2009, 10:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
VHD44 Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2005 Member # 42423 Location: Reno/Gardnerville, NV Posts: 626	Glad to see a thread on your truck, that thing is sweet. What backspacing are your wheels and do you have any pics of the front of your truck? also if it isn't too much trouble do you think you could post up the overall width? Thanks __________________ 1982 K5, with some minor mods.

10-06-2009, 09:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
ManofSteel Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Member # 123268 Posts: 48	wow... thats one big @$$ truck

10-07-2009, 12:37 AM	#8 (permalink)
cslimfu GREEN BASTARD!!! Join Date: Nov 2008 Member # 123458 Location: amity, oregon Posts: 1,594	sweet, i cant sip on too much hateraid but, please trim those front u bolts. i love the flat paints. i dont care what color, just flat, its cool. __________________ It's a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away all he's got, and all he's ever going to have.

10-07-2009, 08:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
DriveTime Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Member # 16582 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 1,281	Backspacing is 5.5". I ordered 20x10 wheels, but MRW was out of those shells at the time, so I got 20x11s for the same price. Overall width is 97" cslimfu, I hear ya on the front U bolts. I ordered them thinking I was going to weld 4" perches to the front axle, but I didn't need the extra height. The paint is actually super faded black epoxy primer for 2 years ago. Looked satin black when I sprayed it, then it turned to a chalk board. I'll probably just rattle can it or roll some Rustoleum on it this time. Front shots Primer before it faded, when the truck was on 48s and 18" of lift. __________________ '81 Chevy - 350/TH400/T-136-27/Rockwells/16.00R20 Michelin XZLs/Wheel brakes

10-07-2009, 09:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
VHD44 Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2005 Member # 42423 Location: Reno/Gardnerville, NV Posts: 626	cool deal, thanks for the pics and info. I'm currently rebuilding a set of 2.5tons for my k5, and i have been in the process of putting wheel discs(following your write-up) on it and now i'm getting ready to order wheels and your pics will help greatly for reference. __________________ 1982 K5, with some minor mods.

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