69 Gladiator - before and after lift & axle swap

[Gambler68]

Ahh yeah the skinny tires and shallow offset saved ya. I'm doing all my planning around 38x15.50 super swampers.

Good luck on the front! You should be able to find the sag by measuring down to a level floor from frame corners, then from body points. Should be obvious quick where the problem is. Great build!

ps..I sit in mine and go vroom vroom too

[Gambler68]

ps..could you share exactly what you ordered from Parts Mike on that steering setup (minus the 2" arm). I have a 74-75 GM HD44 I need to order one for as well, and would like to see how close it is to yours, and have an idea on the cost. Appreciate it if you can.

I see you havent done the front shocks either..when I was eyeballing it, it looks like taller shock mounts off the frame need to be made. Thought any on it yet?

[Jeepguy77]

ps..I sit in mine and go vroom vroom too

Thats the way to do it, thats what I did before i finally got mine running.

[elkhntr121]

About tme you got that thing in rolling shape. Get the rest of it together so I can talk you into heading over to Tillamook to get a "shake down" run in!

[CutterN55]

Man thats lookin great. I dig that pinion guard. I think if you flip those shackles on the rear you can get those blocks outta there and get some of that pinion angle back.

[Cappicaper]

Man thats lookin great. I dig that pinion guard. I think if you flip those shackles on the rear you can get those blocks outta there and get some of that pinion angle back.

Problem with flipping the shackles is you get the wrong angle on your shackle mount. For the rear to work properly you need that rear shackle to ride about 6 o'clock. If I simply flipped it I would be more like 3:30 or 4 and the spring would fight the shackle before flipping.

If I have suspension issues with this thing I will be removing leaves and placing the springs under the frame - getting rid of post mounts all-together.

Gambler - I bought 2" high steer arms, 2 TRE (one for tie rod & one for drag link) 1 TRE adapter deal for passenger side of drag link that allows a TRE to be installed into it that attaches the drag link and one other TRE type deal that hooks to the pitman arm...and I had them make the Tie Rod and Drag link tubes themselves..and a proper drop pitman arm - not BJ's style - I have one of those as well.

You don't need a full 4" drop for the high steer and Parts mike has the correct pitman for high steer set-ups.

ElkHunter - yeah, Tillamook would be awesome but your detroits are going to kill me

[Gambler68]

Any rough estimate on all that minus the arms? all GM 1-ton TRE's, right?

[Elliott]

Gambler - I bought 2" high steer arms, 2 TRE (one for tie rod & one for drag link) 1 TRE adapter deal for passenger side of drag link that allows a TRE to be installed into it that attaches the drag link and one other TRE type deal that hooks to the pitman arm...and I had them make the Tie Rod and Drag link tubes themselves..and a proper drop pitman arm - not BJ's style - I have one of those as well.

You don't need a full 4" drop for the high steer and Parts mike has the correct pitman for high steer set-ups.

Yep, high Y. That's what he built me for my J200/D60. I guess the only disavantage really is that you have all your steering loaded on one hole in the high steer arm. Looks like you'll have all the clearance you need. I've got the same pinion guard for my 14 bolt and they are wide enough for 1410 joints. Now... I'm about 10 years behind your progress but I'll get there... I think. Love seeing these old trucks built up like this!

[Cappicaper]

Any rough estimate on all that minus the arms? all GM 1-ton TRE's, right?

Not sure - don't have the receipts in front of me. I dropped over 3 bills with them.

[skeletor]

looks good, nice and clean axles. dont forget to get that diff vent hose up out of the way...

[Tigger4X]

Full awn subscribed !

Keep the updates and technical info coming ... of course more pics sure dont hurt!

Thanks for sharing all of the great info!

[Gambler68]

Not sure - don't have the receipts in front of me. I dropped over 3 bills with them.

Yeah I think the TRES run 25-40 each, and the y-steering adaptor thingy about 50ish, so that with the lift knuckle sounds about right. Tube is another 30-50 iirc but you said you made your own. I would too if I had left and right hand taps for it

[Cappicaper]

... but you said you made your own

Nope - bought from PM as well. i don't have taps or a lathe to cut those threads either.

[gotgas]

That's one of the nicest trucks,I've ever seen.

[fireman91186]

That truck looks awesome. Thanks for the show and tell.