2004 6.0 NV4500 Tahoe

[Rocket Man]

Can I get an official rocket man certified sticker?

Aw man I just sent my last one out. I’ll have to get more printed.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Honestly If you made some cool little ones I would totally put it on! Make it look like an official seal of approval like they put on transcripts and other important things.

Got it back together and I will probably have to pull that bracket again. I never even looked at what was under it and it's likely the U joint with hit that now. Guess I'll find out tomorrow. Sometimes the struggles of doing stuff that's not a cookie cutter mod gets annoying.

Oh well got soaked on my bike ride so that was fun!

 

[Dantheman1540]

First round of testing on my way to work went well no U-joint snacking on the bracket. However I need to test a few more things still.

1) Hard launch aimed up hill to provide maximum weight transfer.

2) 4 people and trunk load of gear ( Helper bags empty)

3) Loaded trailer launching

I should also probably get whatever tools are required to check pinion angle.

 

[iamdub]

First round of testing on my way to work went well no U-joint snacking on the bracket. However I need to test a few more things still.

1) Hard launch aimed up hill to provide maximum weight transfer.

2) 4 people and trunk load of gear ( Helper bags empty)

3) Loaded trailer launching

I should also probably get whatever tools are required to check pinion angle.

One of these are all you really need:




But these are even cooler:

 

[Dantheman1540]

One of these are all you really need:




But these are even cooler:

Well I like cool stuff so I'll have to get the digital one! Honestly I don't think it's at a bad angle but I like things to be right and I've put a lot of effort into this things drivetrain.

 

[Dantheman1540]

Well test one passed but also failed. It didn't hit during the 1-2 shift or on a hard 2nd gear launch while facing up hill. But it did hit during a hard 1st gear uphill launch. So I went back to El Chopo.

Also raced a good looking lowered regular cab truck all stickered up and rowdy sounding. From a 45roll in 3rd gear I was on his back bumper until about 75 when he started pulling further and I let off knowing when I shifted to 4th at 85 I would really lose steam. Truck sounded great I'm thinking it was a cammed 5.3 with some trans work and a deep gear like 4.10s. Didn't get to talk to him but it was a good thrill.

Heres more chop pictures that aren't really fun to look at or educational but I like archiving stuff here so I can delete them off my 4 year old phone and keep limping it along forever.

 

[iamdub]

Well I like cool stuff so I'll have to get the digital one! Honestly I don't think it's at a bad angle but I like things to be right and I've put a lot of effort into this things drivetrain.

I agree! For their cost, the digital one is a solid investment. The big expense is adjustable upper control arms to set the angle. It should be good, though. It's set from the factory with the arms at engineered lengths and it's designed to maintain proper angle throughout it's range of motion.

For high-load situations (clutch dumps, etc.), about the worst that would happen is worn stock bushings deflecting enough let the pinion angle change too much. Then you'd have high load on misaligned U-joints. Any other time, they should be fine.

 

[Rocket Man]

Be aware there have been issues with the Spohn adjustable control arms coming apart under high HP applications. The Del-Sphere pivots came apart on a couple guys. Just a heads up to do some research if you go that way.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I agree! For their cost, the digital one is a solid investment. The big expense is adjustable upper control arms to set the angle. It should be good, though. It's set from the factory with the arms at engineered lengths and it's designed to maintain proper angle throughout it's range of motion.

For high-load situations (clutch dumps, etc.), about the worst that would happen is worn stock bushings deflecting enough let the pinion angle change too much. Then you'd have high load on misaligned U-joints. Any other time, they should be fine.

The only stock bushing left in the rear is on the upper control arms as they are the only stock thing left in the rear however they looked good no cracks or anything. Before I did the 9.5 swap I did a decent amount of research and it seemed guys with a 2/4 drop typically didn't have any pinion angle problems which is why I didn't check the angle yet and skimped on adjustable UCAs. I really don't think its a problem with pinion angle or deflection I think its just too much shaft and rear end banging around in a small area .

Be aware there have been issues with the Spohn adjustable control arms coming apart under high HP applications. The Del-Sphere pivots came apart on a couple guys. Just a heads up to do some research if you go that way.

I actually did not know that. I really don't want any spherical joints on anything if I can help it. They work great and have virtually zero deflection but this is not a race truck and I hate that they develop squeaks when dirty and wear out much faster than poly or rubber.

I can't remember if you did adjustable arms or not. If so what did you go with or what options would you consider?



Also morning update..... it still hits. Probably going to order some bump stops that are taller than the half inch gummy pad I have now. I don't think I will even notice an inch less of uptravel especially with good double adjustable shocks in the future.

 

[Rocket Man]

I did not go with adjustable arms. I went with AC Delco uppers and Spohn boxed lowers for more rigidity.