Extreme Xtreme

leadfoot

leadfoot

Member
I thought I would share my project with anyone interested.

I am putting in the AWD turbo 4.3 into my '02 Xtreme. -But you contest, the AWD/4X4 frame are entirely different form the 2WD frame! This is true -which is why I procured a 4X4 frame. (It has the dual piston front calipers, disc brakes in the rear and a 3:42 posi)

Ever since I bought the clone several years back I have been in love with it. However, the truck was aging and I needed a larger capacity vehicle for work/play. So I bought a used '02 Xtreme. So I though I would merge the best of both together:

Donor truck: AWD 4.3 turbo engine/700R4 (66Kmiles;1992) in a 1987 2 door S10 blazer.
Recipient truck: '02 extended cab Xtreme (4.3 auto)
Common denominator: '99 extended cab 4X4 frame (ZR2 optioned with regular frame)

First I will strip and POR-15 the frame. The frame was in a flood, so it had advanced rust.

Then install the engine/trans/tranfer case ( The front axle is already there, but I am not sure if the 'phoon front shaft will bolt up)

Then remove the cab and bed from the Xtreme and drop them on the restored frame.
The wiring should be the *fun* part :)

I will be power washing,cleaning and painting as I go along.

It's a good sized project and I hope to get it up and running before swapping out suspension components and upgrading the engine.
 
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BigBadSmoosh

BigBadSmoosh

Picking fights on I-65 since 2013
Re: Extreme Xtreme

wait, if I read that right, you are using a zr2 frame for this!?

you do know the zr2 frame is wider than a regular 4x4 frame, right?

yes the ball joint suspension issue was resolved with the zr2 frame design, but i believe that frame is ment to be lifted, not lowered..

eitherway, it turns out you are quite close to me, I'd be interested in checking this project out at some point..
 
C

Captain Morgan

Moderated User
Re: Extreme Xtreme

smaug said:
wait, if I read that right, you are using a zr2 frame for this!?

you do know the zr2 frame is wider than a regular 4x4 frame, right?
Click to expand...
quit smoking crack Eric, thats the most retarded thing ive ever heard. Do you really think GM is going to make a whole new frame, mounts, cab, ect for one specific model truck that sells for $20K, just so they can put bigger tires on it?? I hope you answered NO to that.

You would have been better off arguing that the conrol arms are longer and the rear axel is wider, that would be something believable at least :lol:
 
leadfoot

leadfoot

Member
Re: Extreme Xtreme

smaug said:
wait, if I read that right, you are using a zr2 frame for this!?

you do know the zr2 frame is wider than a regular 4x4 frame, right?

yes the ball joint suspension issue was resolved with the zr2 frame design, but i believe that frame is ment to be lifted, not lowered..

eitherway, it turns out you are quite close to me, I'd be interested in checking this project out at some point..
Click to expand...

It has the ZR2 dual piston front calipers, rear disk brakes and 3:42 posi. It is not a ZR2 per se. I think the ZR2's had a wider track & lift due to the suspension. You can read that here: http://www.zr2.com/

You're about half an hour away from me, so if you area in the area, then stop in.

I'm waiting for this humidity to lift, so I can start painting the frame!
 
BigBadSmoosh

BigBadSmoosh

Picking fights on I-65 since 2013
Re: Extreme Xtreme

NJTy180 said:
quit smoking crack Eric, thats the most retarded thing ive ever heard. Do you really think GM is going to make a whole new frame, mounts, cab, ect for one specific model truck that sells for $20K, just so they can put bigger tires on it?? I hope you answered NO to that.

You would have been better off arguing that the conrol arms are longer and the rear axel is wider, that would be something believable at least :lol:
Click to expand...

you should do some research.

IT is a different frame. jackass. :D

"
  • RPO ZR2 only full ladder-type frame with modified suspension mounting points which provide:
    ​

  • 100mm wider track (3.9 inches wider than regular S-10)
    ​

  • Three-inch suspension height increase"
    ​
 
C

Captain Morgan

Moderated User
Re: Extreme Xtreme

smaug said:
you should do some research.

IT is a different frame. jackass. :D

"
  • RPO ZR2 only full ladder-type frame with modified suspension mounting points which provide:
    ​

  • 100mm wider track (3.9 inches wider than regular S-10)
    ​

  • Three-inch suspension height increase"
    ​
Click to expand...
no, im still correct. The frames are the same, the brackets and mounting points are different.
 
supersports10

supersports10

New member
Re: Extreme Xtreme

zr2 had the same frame...... but longer upper/ lower a arms. 4 inch wider axle than the reg 4x4 axle,

modified spring mounts, that move the springs down, creating more lift,

rear track bar to prevent side to side movement, ( this is a very good thing)

re-arched rear leafs, different rate front torsion bars,

all zr2 trucks had the 8.5 rearend, (good news)

and all were 3.73 gears not 3.42

so im gonna say he has a reg 98 and newer 4x4 frame.

SS
 
Raist103

Raist103

Engine Killer, iPhone Killer, Lawnmower Killer
Re: Extreme Xtreme

i am up in bloomfield often i do work at treetop apt right west of the center of town. i would also like to stop by one day and check it out.

later
'don
 
leadfoot

leadfoot

Member
Re: Extreme Xtreme

Yeah no problem. Not much to look at right now, but hopefully I will get some good progress done soon.

I think I want to pick up the POR 15 etching chemical, becauase I don't want to go to all this trouble of stripping this frame just so the paint won't stick. That would blow...

FWIW I'm close to the Nevada Diner...
 
warmpancakes

warmpancakes

New member
Re: Extreme Xtreme

Not rying to sway you but I por15 a ranger frame and the stuff peeled off after 2 years then again the truck was a daily driver.
 
leadfoot

leadfoot

Member
Re: Extreme Xtreme

Did you degrease and use their metal ready ??

There is a big debate on the POR-15 Vs. Eastwood's encapsulator on the Hotrodders board. Some guys swear by it and others swear by other methods...

POR-15 is local to me, so I will eventually get some of their metal prep to do it "by the book"

POR also claims the paint is not UV stable, so if you leave it in the sun it will turn colors, but they claim it will not affect the bond. :dunno:

Believe me, if I had the cash I would be taking another route.

Maybe it was because it was a Ford? :D
 
leadfoot

leadfoot

Member
Re: Extreme Xtreme

Added a few more finished pics of the frame. (See link on first post) Just started to assemble it this month.

I'd like to go right into the coil over front suspension, but not sure if the cost warrants the mod for a street truck -although the weight savings would be welcomed.

The Hellwig rear bar should be in this week. -along with the Moroso solid motor mounts.

I can start to prep the engine pull and label everything soon although the POS Pep boys engine hoist leaked all the fluid out of the cylinder and I didn't even use it yet! Looks like a bad seal...
 
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