You guys have been great! I've really enjoyed logging in and reading all the wealth of knowledge that is shared on this site. I started on pestering ya'll with questions late last summer- I think. Since then, I have gone in a million different directions with what I was going to do. My last question- "lose the lugs" has cleared everything up! Here is my plan. Swap the front to 1/2 ton axle with dropped leafs if Eaton ever returns my questions.... (This next one will make a few happy) I will KEEP MY SWEET RUNNING 228!!!! (I know I once promised this to Nate, but I'm sure he understands and supports this direction.) Thanks to the weatlh of info in reguards to a T5 swap- that's what will be hooked to my 228. The two piece drive shaft is still in question- either way, it'll have to be altered. The ending is a 4wd with discs! This allows me to drive semi original until the 6 just can't do it anymore. By the time it EVER craps out, I'll have a built 8 ready to take it's place. Not that I'll have to worry about that any time soon. BUT! I really want to thank ALL of you that have put up with me and gave me your honest 3 cents +. I feel so excited about things now that I have a plan I know will be perfect! This also includes some time spent with my very sharp, very capable 83 year old father and me "setting things right" and building a 228 that will be nothing but great memories! Not that I won't still have questions! I'll have a boat--load! I haven't a clue as to how to take apart a front end. However, I know which way to face when I yell for help! Thanks Thanks and ummm- THANKS! Zig
Hey little bro... That sounded so final! If you leave us, i'll track you down and do what i've wanted to do for years! KICK your butt!!!!
sounds like you've got a solid plan now paul. I know you and your dad will definately have a great time building it together. If and when you get that 8 built let me know if you have any questions. As far as the original I'm not the man but a lot on here are, so you'll be just fine.
I talked on the phone with the Eaton folks last fall. Their tech support people were VERY knowledgable, polite and quick. One phone call did it all. They even knew (without me asking) that there were 3 different springs that were available for the front of my '57 GMC 1/2 ton. They had patterns for all 3. They quoted 2 weeks until delivery, but the springs arrived in 6 days.
Thanks Bill. I'm sure I tried the worst way to get ahold of them- an e-mail. I thought I had too many questions to tie up their lines just for info, not a sale. I know that's the way I want to go though, so when I get closer to that point, I'll call them. I love it when you get things BEFORE you're supposed to! Were your springs lowered or original?
Ha Zig, you are not leaving us are you ? Whom would keep us in line related to the "GMC" side of things ? I am Happy to hear you are staying original as least some what. Me & my 235 cui 6 volt '54 Love it While I respect the Hotrod guy's and like looking at their toy's. I just like my old truck to be just that a old truck.
Never fear! The only thing that is final is my path for my rebuild! (And that is a HUGE relief!) I'm just really glad I found this site- had all the input from you guys- more than enough ideas to make the way I chose a TOUGH one. My dad's said more than once that he'd love to have a car to rebuild, but he can't do that anymore. He already said he'd be happy to be a good super though! As I've said- I'll have a brizillion questions more, so I'm not going anywhere!
That's Good to hear. Would be funny to watch Ken track you down. Maybe we could call it the battle of GMC & Chevrolet trucks owners. Hopeful would not turn into a one round knock down-(Or in Ken's case a slap down ?). My money would be on neither of you. First of all I don't Ken could found KS to start with. 2nd thing would be as both you entered the ring would probably get hooked up in the ropes. Would not be pretty.
You've been watching too much WWE! Next you're gonna tell us that the loser has to shave his head, right?
Hey Steve- thanks! Don't forget, I have a fellow GMCer in Chris (411). He's going to turn his yard-art into a living, breathing street pounder also! I gotta go outside and throw snowballs with my daughter! April friggin' 14th, and we have SNOW on the ground in Pittsburg, Kansas!!! What the $%#@$# is up with that?!
Zig, don't forget to check your junk e-mail folder for a reply. That is where my reply from Eaton Springs ended up. Good luck on the build....Mike
They offered lowered, but I chose the "softest" of the 3 original 1/2 ton '57 GMC offerings. The springs on mine when I bought it in 1990 were 8 leaves. The GMC Master Parts Book claims the 8 leaf springs were used on Suburbans or with front wheel damper option only. I had neither. The 7 leaf front spring was for 4wd only. The 6 leaf was for all others. That is what I went with.
Progress Made VERY good ! . You'l love that 228 once you're zooming down the road @ 85 MPH with the original 6 banger whirring away under the hood.... There's rule I forget as to one or two piece (articulated) driveshaft , your driveline guy will know , don't sweat it . The 5 speed will really make it a sweet driver . Keep us posted ! .
