Tue May 19, 2020 11:09 am by Buzzman72
Starting to get things ready to build something. Going to start with the idea of getting the "rolling stock" under the truck first. I have the Explorer 8.8 disc brake rear end, and I have the Pacer front suspension clip. I recently purchased the Chassis Engineering AR-2340 kit for installing the Pacer crossmember in a '40-'54 Chevy pickup, so with their instruction sheet, I know what to cut off the Pacer cross-member [brackets used to mount it in a Pacer, not used in the truck applications], and I have the pieces from the kit that I can weld together to make it fit my '52 Binder.
To get to the install point, I need to remove the driveshaft, T-98 transmission, and BD-264 engine in that order so I can have an unobstructed view of the front axle area. Once the frame is supported on jack stands, I can start removing the steering linkage from the pitman arm, and then remove the front leaf springs from the hangers...and hopefully roll the old straight axle out as an assembly. I'll probably have that Pacer crossmember under that frame a dozen times to make sure my measurements work out, and that I get the tires centered in the wheel openings. I haven't taken the suspension parts off the Pacer crossmember yet, so that will likely be the FIRST set of measurements I take. Then I'll remove the suspension so the crossmember will be easier to handle [probably still won't be a picnic]. I have all the ball joints and control arm bushings to rebuild the front suspension, all in either TRW, Moog, or McQuay-Norris brands that I found over the years on eBay. Since the springs are the same as Camaro or 4.3 V6 Caprice [Moog 5596 or 5598, depending on how heavy a spring I decide to go with], if I need to replace the springs, they're available.
When I get started out back, I'll get some help to set the currently-unbolted bed on some sawhorses so I can have an equally unobstructed view of everything. The spring hangers and shackles look suspiciously like GM...so I've been researching. '73-'87 Chevy C10 rear springs are made like the original IH springs, 26" from the tie bolt to the front eye and 26" from the tie bolt to the rear eye. But where the IH springs are 1.75" wide, the Chevy springs are 2.5" wide. So I'll have to check the width of the Explorer axle to see if I can use springs that are 3/4" of an inch wider on each side. If I can, I'll buy replacement springs and spring brackets and shackles for a '75 C10...which will allow me to install a set of Caltracs if I find my truck having traction problems with a V8. If the Chevy stuff won't fit, guess I'll keep the stock Binder springs, minus some leaves. I mean, the only thing I'm gonna be hauling in that truck once it's finished is a** [I hope]. I want to research other builds that have used the Explorer rear end in a spring-under-axle configuration to determine whether I'll need to C-notch and box the rear frame in the axle area. But I suspect that will be necessary; if not, that's one less step.
Removing the original steering column will probably be a pain, but I have a '79 Cutlass tilt column to replace the stocker...and nearly every hot-rod joint on the planet carries steering shaft and u-joints to make everything align.
The goal is to get the front and rear axle upgrades installed by the fall, so the truck can at least roll and be steered. The plan is in place, as written in this post. Plans, of course, are subject to modifications as necessary. And I'm sure there will be modifications as I go.
But I already have my Novak adapter kit to install either a 700R4 or a 200-4R behind my AMC/Jeep V8. And while the engine is out, I'll have plenty of room to climb into the engine compartment and try to engineer a set of forward hood hinges, moving the hood in front of the grille when it's open. Got a line on an '88 Buick Lesabre hood and hinges, so that'll be a starting point. Hope springs eternal...
My posts contain my own opinions...your mileage may vary, void where prohibited, objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear, and alcohol may intensify any side effects.