'89 D100 shorty build

[tiny2085]

So a little history. I've had 3 1st gen 12 valves 1 2nd gen 12 valve and 1 2nd gen 24 valve cummins. But now I have none. I picked this truck up for $500 from a little gas station car dealership. They said it had a bad U-joint. It did, so $15 dollars later she was up and running. It is a 1 owner 65K with the TBI V6 5 speed. Pretty solid except for the doors ? and the drivers rocker panel. This thing is a base model with factory radio delete plate and air vent delete plates. Is that normal ? I told the wife this will hold me over till she graduates from college and I can get another 1st gen C. The plan is a daily driver, bagged front and rear, re do the interior and fix the rust. Any and all comments and questions appreciated. Thanks Caleb. The night I brought her home Interior

[tiny2085]

I pulled the bed and decided on a 3 link with a pan hard bar. It's so weird. The underside of the cab is so clean, but the frame has an inch of rust built up on it ??? And there is a hole in the front of the bed where it is rusted through, but the rest of the bed has primo paint and no rust, go figure. I pulled out the 'ol plasma cutter, and made short work of the rear spring hangers.

both rear hangers gone now - no turning back

[tiny2085]

I built some links, 3 of them 24" eye to eye, 3/4" QA1 heims on one end and bushings on the frame side. Traced out some brackets and cut them out with the plasma. The lower links will go in the front factory spring hanger location. I need to finish grinding the old spring hangers off the axle and pressure wash it. the trac bar will go from the inside of the C notch to under the passenger side frame rail.

[tiny2085]

here is the start of the C notch, It was for a 90 S-10, but will work just fine. Found it in the local classifieds for $25 ! The rear bags are from a semi that was parked down back, They have 9-10 of travel in them and should work well. This pretty much brings us up to speed.


first notch all in and looking pretty
I will use this as the spreader bar, but it's tacked in right now to keep every thing from tweaking.
she's ready for a panhard, some bags and plumbing ! right now the bumper is on the ground with 2-3" between the top of the axle and the bottom of the notch, perfect

[RumbleFish]

i like it, definitely a different direction for these trucks. what are your plans for the front?

[tiny2085]

The front will also be bagged, I already have the bags and brackets cut out, I hopefully can put them in tomorrow, it's my day off, but I have to work on a 48 suburban, so we'll see how much I get done. I should have the panhard in tonight. I'll post some pics if I do.

[tiny2085]

is it just me or does it look like it is cutting half of the picture off ? maybe it's my browser here at work. Weird

[RumbleFish]

pics look ok on this end, keep em comin!

[dpuckett]

Looks like a good candidate for a 4BT conversion.

Jeff- I saw the snaggle toothed drunk I sold our 90 2wd to at the gas station. Says he's thinking of selling it. Told him to come see me if he gets serious. Another 4BT/Getrag conversion candidate......

[jdslucky]

very cool project. I love anything that's a reg cab short bed

[louis c]

Any progress? you got hanging by a thread! Literally

[SuperiorRam]

Lets see some more

[762frmafr]

Not my style but you're doing good fab work. I'm with everyone else. Throw a 4bt in that baby.

[Remps]

I didn't think they made dashes with a speaker as late as 89? Hmm...learned sumthin new!