RSK planned?

[rusty1161]

Tom,

Too bad this guy "Shannon" isn't easier to reach. I was very interested how he did this swap. http://www.thedieselstop.com/archiv...161&page=4&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1.htm

Rusty

 

[Hotrodtractor]

I'm interested in seeing where this goes. I need to do an RSK on my '68 Chevy (sitting on a '97 F350 chassis) - and I need to keep the lift as low as possible because the cab ended up sitting a bit higher than what I wanted - but I needed to do it in order to get the body lines to all line up and mount nicely. Its definitely shaping up to be a winter project for me though....

 

[genie144]

I have a Dana 60 all cleaned up, resealed and repainted now. I will be buying parts for Cary either way I go with on all of this. I just have not figured it all out yet on how I want to go. You, Cat and Brad are the reason I decided to go hunt down a Dana 60.

Tom

And it is purrrtyy.... With my '96, the RSK was always on my list but I didn't like any of the kits due to the bumper issue. I think if someone had a RSK option that did not require cutting the bumper it would out sell all others 2-1.

Sam

 

[Tom S]

I talked to the place I had in mind on the phone last night and sent in some drawings for a start. Right along the lines of that photo Cary posted with the boomerang shaped front brackets. He seemed interested and we talked about getting a junk yard frame for mockup.



I thought about this some more and if the lift was just even a tad less lift if possible that would be nice however I could be OK with dead level with SD springs front and rear and 4inch rear blocks. Now if the kit was 100% bolt on using SD Springs that would be the way to go for a lot more people then a kit that requires cutting off welded on brackets and rewelding plus notching the bumper. Thoughts?

I am going to look at the neighbors truck today to get an better idea on that post by Shannon. I am not leaning that was because virtually every truck with a tube step on it uses the rear spring hanger bolt to mount off of. Mine included.

 

[zilla68]

Tom,
I'm all about cutting welds etc. but I'm not confident in my welding abilities to sacrifice family riding in it, lol. I'd be all about a bolt on deal though.


quick derail, but what do you get with an rsk kit and stock springs, without doing the v-b codes? any improvement at all?

 

[OBSWIZ]

IMO not worth the effort if you don't use SD springs..

Shannon never explanded how he did his mod or provided pictures and hasn't posted since then...

 

[Tom S]

If the front SD springs are as nice as switching out the rears was to SD springs on mine I will be happy. I trust Cary on this if you are going to do the RSK invest in a set of SD springs.

FYI I am shipping off my track bar bracket today for mockup work on it.

 

[Dirt_99]

3 things I do not like personally about the SKY RSK. Number 1 being the having to cut and hack something that should come ready to go, paying $ for something that should be ready to go out of the box. Number 2 is the rear shackle, it hangs so low that is it unsightly in my opinion. Number 3 is the bumper notching, not at all appealing to me since I like clean lines. So for me, you order a powder coated rsk kit then hack it with a sawzall to make it work, not at all appealing in my world. So if there was a way around everything that I listed, I am all for it.

 

[Tom S]

The idea of being able to maintain the powdercoat finish is really nice other then maybe a couple of short stitch welds if you want in a concealed area. I had not thought about it but the RSK powdercoated in black chrome to match my differential cover might look cool on the front of the truck

 

[Hotrodtractor]

3 things I do not like personally about the SKY RSK. Number 1 being the having to cut and hack something that should come ready to go, paying $ for something that should be ready to go out of the box. Number 2 is the rear shackle, it hangs so low that is it unsightly in my opinion. Number 3 is the bumper notching, not at all appealing to me since I like clean lines. So for me, you order a powder coated rsk kit then hack it with a sawzall to make it work, not at all appealing in my world. So if there was a way around everything that I listed, I am all for it.

But isn't all of that only necessary if you want to use the RSK with SD springs? If you install the RSK as originally intended - I don't think you need to do any of that. Remember - we are now taking an aftermarket modification and further modifying it to suite our needs.

 

[Tom S]

But isn't all of that only necessary if you want to use the RSK with SD springs? If you install the RSK as originally intended - I don't think you need to do any of that. Remember - we are now taking an aftermarket modification and further modifying it to suite our needs.

I think you are 100% correct. It is just time for a RSK kit built from the start to work with SD springs is what I am saying and wanting.

Putting B codes on the back was enough to convince me I want SD springs on the front.

 

[Hotrodtractor]

I think you are 100% correct. It is just time for a RSK kit built from the start to work with SD springs is what I am saying and wanting.

Putting B codes on the back was enough to convince me I want SD springs on the front.

I completely understand what you want - in fact I'm looking for something similar - I want to use SD springs and I NEED to keep the height as low as I can because of the way the body needed to be mounted to the frame on my '68 Chevy project.

 

[superduty4x4]

He seemed interested and we talked about getting a junk yard frame for mockup.

Where is the shop doing the fab work, AZ? I have my wrecked 96 frame, it would have to be straightened out considerably though as it took a real hard front end impact.

 

[Tom S]

Yes, Tuscon it sounds like he might have a Phoenix truck lined up for mockup. I am going to pull the bumper off mine probably so we can cross check some measurements.

 

[Hotrodtractor]

Yes, Tuscon it sounds like he might have a Phoenix truck lined up for mockup. I am going to pull the bumper off mine probably so we can cross check some measurements.

When you do that - I could use a double check on the frame that I am straightening at the moment.....

 

[Dirt_99]

HRT, if you need any measurements, send me a pm with what you need

 

[Tom S]

Jason same here or make a post with what you need for measurements.

 

[Hotrodtractor]

HRT, if you need any measurements, send me a pm with what you need

Jason same here or make a post with what you need for measurements.

I'll get some pics and dimensions I am looking for up over the weekend. I started the frame swap on the '68 - and once I had the body on it I realized the front of the frame was tweaked - thanks to the use of chains, ratchet binder, and a porta power - I now have it close - but I want to finish dialing it in so I can finish up the front cab mounts and drop the engine in.

 

[AZStang]

Pics of Shannon's setup did eventually surface.

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562117055yQSzfi

Not sure I'd trust taking that big of a chunk out of the frame though.

Shawn

 

[Tom S]

That is a pretty healthy piece to take out of the flange of the frame. I am glad you tracked down those photos though. I have made my mind up to accept some lift up front to be closer to level with the rear. I also ordered the SD springs today so it is game on. Next up is measuring up a couple of trucks.