Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

I got over the Air ride pretty quick so the truck has been sitting for a while tucked away in my backyard. Its time to move it so we can start swapping parts over. The motor has always ran pretty well and hasn't really left me stuck recently BUT from sitting the battery was toast, so i thought. Left it on the charger and it actually held a good charge. Win.
Attachment 1638937
Had to do a fuel pump before it could be pulled out. From sitting the seal must have gone bad and it was pouring gas everywhere and even though it is only about a 5 mile drive i didnt feel it was worth catching it on fire. 20 bucks to drive it 5 miles:lol:
Attachment 1638939
I insisted my brother be the one to drive it to his house since he helped me bag it and has never once driven it. So i felt like he had to since it was the last time it would cruise as a bagged vehicle.
Attachment 1638940

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

After pulling two separate Silverado tanks in the junkyard this weekend my brother and I came across a brand new Delphi Fuel pump that someone must have just installed before the truck was sent to the yard. The truck it came out of had a V6. . I thought that might be an issue but did some reading on some forums and found a bunch of guys that swap the 5.3 into S10's run the stock pumps for V6's all the time so i guess well see if that creates an issue. If so an aftermarket pump will fit this bucket nicely. Any experience or opinions here?
Attachment 1638944
Since we moved the motor mount back it caused the mount itself to hang off the cross member so we made an extension tab to add to the back of the crossmember.
Attachment 1638945
Finished cleaning the rest of the frame. Glad that is done! U can see the little ear on the cross member. i think it looks pretty good and now the motor mount has a solid piece to bolt to.
Attachment 1638946

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

You can see how far back the motor mount had to move to clear the AC. Well worth the work to keep the low mount compressor.Attachment 1638949

I also ordered an electric speedo conversion kit from LS1Nova on the forum so unfortunately i gotta say goodbye to my white gauges. but its for the better and will look more original so no big deal.Attachment 1638950

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Finally got to see the two frames next to each other. Gonna be fun to see how tall this thing will actually be once i get some 33's or maybe even 35's on it. Keep in mind the back is still stock height at the moment.Attachment 1638951

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Started the weekend by gettin the fuel tank out of the truck to go into the new frame. Had to come up with a way to make this pump fit into the tank. Also, found out that this pump works with a 5.3, 6.0, 8.1 etc so it should work just fine with my 5.3...While I worked on the tank opening my brother modified the sending unit/fuel pump to work with my original 0-90 ohm gauge.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

I washed the tank out several times and let it hang upside down in the sun to dry.
Attachment 1638971
After thinking about it we decided it wasn't worth welding on in case something went wrong. So I made a mounting ring out of a piece of 6x6 square aluminum I picked up. With the mounting surface flattened out and the ring installed it should be good to go once i get a gasket for under the ring.
Attachment 1638972

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Once we decided on the mounting we started working on gettin the tank in the frame. Moved the stock cross member back to the rear of the frame and made some upper straps. We used ratcheting straps to hold the tank from the bottom in place so we could get a measurement for what size straps we need for the permanent install.
Attachment 1638977

Bumper brackets had to be modified slightly but we were able to keep the class V-5 hitch that came with the frame.
Attachment 1638978

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Now that the tank is figured out, next on the list is gonna be plumbing brakes. . Got a kit delivered on Sunday that should do most if not all of my lines.
Attachment 1638979

Also received my electric speedo conversion face template. More progress shortly.
Attachment 1638980

Thread should be up to date now. gonna see if a mod can delete all the double posts. annoying but oh well

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Im thinkin your right, it'll be worth it. Hoping it wont be too bad though haha have you done it? if so how many hours would you guess it took

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Yes, I did it. It depends if you bought the plate to mount the speedometer, or if you build one. I built mine, and of actual work working just on the speedometer, I think I have about 12-15 hours, trying to make everything perfect (I'm a perfectionist). If you bought the bracket, it would cut down on probably about 3 hours not having to do a little bit of trial and error to make everything fit correctly, not to mention I think the plate would make for a better finished product.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Wow that sounds like a ton of work. I did buy the plate and box from Captianfab on here so hopefully that cuts down on the install time.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

It definitely is! And I know for a fact that buying that plate will save on install time, at least 3 hours of my install time was making that plate, and doing little modifications so it would fit like I wanted it to.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Good to hear, thats exactly why i bought it. figured by the time i make it im loosing money and time lol. any tips would be appreciated. Did you use the HP 4060 lights that were mentioned in that thread?

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

yes I did, and they go in with minimal modifications, just cut 2 of the 4 tabs off, and trim the other 2 and they go right on. One tip that will save you a lot of time, would be on the trip reset, instead of taking a screw to lengthen the trip reset button, just build up the "ramp" that moves the metal rods that reset the trip with some epoxy, so it moves those rods sooner.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Nice, thats what i was hoping to hear. Gonna pick up a few of those sockets so im ahead of the game. how many did you end up needing? Thanks for the tip on the trip reset. looking forward to having one of those in this truck

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

I used 8. I agree it will be nice having a trip!

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Wrapped up all the brake lines we could this weekend. Made a tubing straightener from some wheels from Lowe's. worked decent.
Attachment 1640857
We Decided to run the proportioning valve on the frame rail rather than off the master cylinder. My brother had these nice little stainless clamps that make the lines look really nice and uniform.
Attachment 1640858

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Pulled the front clip as a complete piece
Attachment 1640859

Attachment 1640860

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Set the front clip on the new frame to see how it was gonna look.
Pretty happy with the height at this point.
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Attachment 1640862

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

I can't wait to see this done! Bad ass

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Awesome project!!!

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Thanks guys!

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

What's the height from the bottom of the fender to the ground?

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

I didn't measure it when i had it sitting on the frame. I will get a measurement next time we set it on.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Looking good, excellent job on the brake lines. :chevy:

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Thank you :) Im happy with how they turned out!

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Well this weekend started out with a disappointment. We had our hopes set on getting the motor ready to go in. I ordered an AC-Delco transmission filter/gasket and had a corvette shift solenoid for the 4l60E thats goin. Everything was good until we pulled the pan. There was a Ton of what looked like clutch material in the pan. I knew this was a possibility considering I got the motor from the junkyard but i was optimistic. So now we either have to try our hand at rebuilding it or have it done. We've never done one before so any tips are appreciated.

This is after we wiped most the junk out. the whole pan was covered
Attachment 1650172

Attachment 1650173
holding up the whole project now
Attachment 1650174

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Since the tranmission is now gonna need some attention we finished up the brake lines. For anyone doing this style lift you'll quickly find that routing the rubber hoses for the caliper is a bit tricky. We went to the front of the control arm which required the hose shape to be slightly modified.
Attachment 1650175
The hose still has slack at full droop and is out of the way of any steering components
Attachment 1650176
The hoses ran through an existing hole in the frame and meets up nicely with the brake lines we made a while ago. using a horse shoe clip to retain them.
Attachment 1650177
The rear end brake line also completed and has plenty of slack. We figured out a way to use the stock 2001 silverado brake cables in the factory brackets for the 69 so that should be an easy hook up also.
Attachment 1650178
The frame is basically done. if only the transmission wasn't an issue, it'd be time to really start the swap!
Attachment 1650179

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

when you wrap up the park brake cable setup, make sure you post pics. I hope to be able to do something similar with the rear end of my truck one day.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Will do. I was surprised it looks like it should lay out pretty nicely.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

On your first page you had a picture of this reinforcement bracket you found on the later front end. I found the same reinforcement on the '76 C30 SRW that I took the disc brake parts from for my '67. I believe they added the reinforcement, because the brackets on the outside of the frame that the upper A-arm bolts to is a lighter weight pressed steel piece, rather than the former Forged Steel bracket, riveted to the cross member.

I used my '67 cross member with the Forged brackets and added the inside reinforcement brackets as well. I used the six cylinder coil springs, but everything else including the brake lines and forward mounted Combination Valve is from the '76.

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...pswaim4xm9.jpg

http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/l...psqk4pwkcp.jpg

I realize that you are well past the cross member, but the original, later Combination Valve mounting on the small cross member, under the radiator might be worth considering. It is hardly noticeable down there and there is already one usable mounting hole. Later you will need easy access to it, to hold the Metering pin in for bleeding.

Just a thought.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Hmm ya I had wondered why it had that bracket. So that must mean these springs are 1 ton as well would you say?

as far as mounting the prop valve down there, we had considered it but ended up mounting it just behind where the motor would sit because I want the lines to go right up as close to the firewall as possible. hopefully keep it clean. Im hoping, like the front mount that it too is easy to get to. I appreciate the suggestion though.
Attachment 1651202

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Nice work on your new frame. Sorry to see about the trans. Could you find a decent used 4L60E to keep you going for now?

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Thank you sir! For now as suggested by a few members im going to try and run it. worst case, im out fluid. . best case it works. lol. but yes if it comes down to it not working, I will look for a solid used one I think.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Well this weekend was a ton of work. Started by getting the cab off the bagged frame. was a bit sketchy because we had to do it in the dirt but it was surprisingly sturdy.
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Attachment 1652174

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

The Cherry picker sank into the dirt when the cab was lifted which actually made it vary sturdy and easy to roll the new frame under it.Attachment 1652175
With the cab on we set the front clip on just to see how it was gonna look. Pretty happy with it.
Attachment 1652176
My brother is 6'2" so you can compare how tall the truck is to him.
Attachment 1652177
Im thinking this will come down slightly when the motor is dropped in and when the rear is raised to match the front. But for now on 29" tires the fender opening sits at 42-1/8".
Attachment 1652178

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

what are you going to do about the bed, since the floor was raised to fit the bagged frame?

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

Well thats been kinda a headache as of recent. I want to save the original sheet metal because my dad gave me the truck when I was young. The bed was only really modified on the inner walls but it was somewhat a lot. Been looking for patch panels but cant seem to get a deal on anything. A buddy has a complete bed that I might just settle on for $250 bucks.

Other option is to just run it as a raised floor for temporary. Not ideal but it would match and still function.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

If it's important to you to keep the original sheet metal then you could always cut the bedsides up from the bed you have now and the bed your buddy has to make your bedsides good. Not ideal and would certainly make the purists on this site go crazy (especially if the other bedsides are in good shape), but would most certainly work.

Re: Complete build change. Lifted 2wd
 

I've considered it. Just not sure what to do there. For now its last on the list. I can run it without temporarily while I work that out. Still need to get it running and driving first haha