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Thank you! Picture of the front, fitting GMC headlights to a chevy core support.

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very nice build!

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I really like where this is going. I'm in to follow along. Details details details!

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Thanks for the comments guys. No work lately on it...I did buy a 4wd truck and a couple 4wd frames, I’m building a new frame for it now.
The current rear end is 4.10 gears which is a bit too much gear so I picked up a 4l80e and then decided to go 4wd so I’m in the process of building a new frame.
The new frame has 3.73 dana 60 and Dana 44 front both with posi.
The 3.73 gears along with some taller tires will give me a much lower cruise rpm and I can delay installing the 4l80e.

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Frames....

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Frames....

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Randy I admire your work and yr way of thinking this build through,
Awesome work...
Keep us posted on progress,

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Thanks for the nice comments big orange.

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One side of frame ready to weld....here you can see a simple step cut and that the front and rear frame sections are on the same plane. I use that 24” precision flat bar to ensure both frame sections are on the same plane. The upper frame sides are on the same plane too so I will weld the top and upper section then pry the lower section into plane and weld it. I have also verified the lower flat part of the frames are on the same plane and it checks out.

Repeat the same operation on the other side which is real close right now.

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That is looking very nice! It will be sweet as a 4x4!

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Thank you, I agree it needs to be 4wd.
So here is the parts list...
3.73 Dana 60 rear and Dana 44 front, both with 4 pinion power loks.
Th400/np205.
The frame was set up with those parts and he was running a big block set forward about 3” which seems about right for firewall and heater box clearance with a big block. I will leave it that way since it came with a front driveshaft for that setup.
I picked up a 454 so will run that instead of the current 396.
It has 3-4” front lift springs and I will do a shackle flip on the rear to match the front lift.

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It's coming together!

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Subscribe

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I don't know how I missed this build but I'm subbed now. It's looking great.

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Thanks for the comments guys.
Been working on the 4wd frame everyday, getting close to swapping. It’s been a challenge though.
I had 2 - 68 3/4 to. 4wd frames, one was wrecked in the rear and the other was bare.
Found out 68 rear springs are not like any others, longer, wider and not readily available new or used, so that took some work.
Then I find all kinds of problems with the components on the wrecked frame I bought.
The guy had a big shop and had the frame out in a pasture, said he had a towing accident which wiped out the rear end, rear frame bed and cab. Said it used to be his driver until the accident, seemed the truck was restored st one time, etc. I opened the diffs and they had posi units and gears like he said on the phone, had the broken th400attached to a np205,story all checked out.
The rear end was newly set up, gear marking compound, clean and in the shop, he explained the old housing was damaged, etc. so he had the rear end revuilt with a donor housing. Seemed like a good deal.
Well the rear end was 2wd so all the mounts were wrong, then I check the brakes, bad drums, stuck wheel cylinders, bad adjuster, etc. then I go to put wheels on it after moving he mounts and installing it and the lugs are 67-8 1/2” studs instead of the later model 9/16 or so which are on the front, now it needs rear hubs too....

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New tires arrived today. BFG mud terrains, 255 85 16's there about 33" tall and fit my 16x7 wheels and stainless hubcaps.

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The stance I am looking for...with the 33" tires and 3:73 gears should give me a reasonable cruise rpm of about 2500 rpm at 65 mph.
The picture is of our member "outfield"s truck, his truck has the same tire size with a 1" lift. I'm guessing my lift is about 2.5" or so.

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Just drill out the existing 1/2'' stud hole and install the 9/16s, no need to waste time looking for 71-72 hubs. I did this very thing to my 68

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Coming together nicely. Next time I have to roll down to Olympia for something Ill have to stop in to your place and check this cool ride out in person.

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I have a set of hubs, luckily. I was just writing about when you don’t ch cr out what you buy it causes you a lot of work. Also if I had noticed the rear was a 2wd it would have given me serious negotiation power for a lower price....

The seller though that bent up frame and parts were gold, if I would have noticed the rear was 2wd it would have given me serious negotiation power, I paid $1400 for that frame and rear end....

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Stop by anytime, I'm right off the highway, take the first exit off highway 16 from I-5 and your at my place.

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So here is my latest update, I made an offer on a 1993 dodge 4wd with a cummins and AT which he accepted. Its 4k and he is 90 miles away. I don't really want the project of installing the cummins right now but at the same time it makes sense to do it now instead of doing the big block 4wd engine, trans and driveshafts and then having to do it again with the cummins conversion.
I'm really up in the air about buying it but it does make sense, here is my cost breakdown.

Dana 60 front axle $1200, I would love to just buy the axle for $1200, haven't seen any available lately so I am buying the dodge for at least the dana 60, that leaves me with a
Cummins engine and Overdrive trans with NP 205 for $2800
I guess that's real cheap, the truck has 154k miles on it and the trans was recently rebuilt, no brainer right?

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That's a pretty good deal. 1st gens are bringing a lot these days. The last one I parted out for a swap was 250k+, had rust, and it was $3500. I'd say you did pretty good.

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I'm up in the air about this purchase, I think its a bunch of money but overall cheap....considering the value of the front axle value that I put on it.

Anyway, its all set up, going to look at it, 10am tomorrow morning...with an empty trailer so I guess its purchased.

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Went and looked at the truck today, it’s veterans day so the banks were closed and I didn’t realize that until I got there, poor planning on my part I guess...it was a long drive. I do think it will work for my needs so I’m pretty excited. Probably go pick it up during the week.

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Wholly fabrication. Looking forward to this one Randy.

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Randy, Since the 93 you looked at is only a running driving chassis with a steering column and dash, IMHO think $4k is bit much,
Take a look at this craigslist add, its a complete running/driving and licensed nice looking truck for $3700 https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/...366339909.html

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thanks for your advice on these diesel cummins trucks Mark, I appreciate it!

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Dropped the body on the 4wd frame today to check the wheelbase and lift. I do need the rear flip kit so ordered that today to level it out. Should be driveable again tomorrow.

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Another pic

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Looks great Randy. Did you already get the Cummins in?

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That Cummins deal went south, had it all arranged to pick it up on the following Wednesday, kid calls me Tuesday night and says he sold it to someone else...typical craigslist deal from a dumb 21 year old kid. craigslist people seem to have no morals...a deal is a deal. I drove 90 miles each way with my trailer through Seattle traffic and he was offended I was an hour late.

So I am still looking for a Cummins truck, I have my eye on a 96 2wd 5spd truck, the 5 speed seems pretty easy to adapt to the NP205 with the advance adapters kit.

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Dang Randy! Your doing a fine job. I would love to check it out in person some day when I'm on that side of the mountains if you were ok with that.

Keith

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Thanks for the compliment. I'm really excited about this change to 4wd, I love the new look and the 4wd will be useful too.

You can stop by anytime, send me a PM when you know your coming over this way and I will give you my phone number, I'm right off I5 near the Tacoma Mall.

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I just ran across your thread. Nice work! This is a well thought out CC conversion.

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Thank you.

I got the tires mounted yesterday, rear is exactly 4”lower than the front, so I ordered the ORD flip kit yesterday and they shipped it today...happy about the quick shipping.

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IMO they just look right as a 4x4. But I'm biased. :lol: Keep up the great work, it's looking killer. In a few years hopefully I can start mine. The project list is too big right now.

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I agree too, they look much better sitting high and level....

Quick tool review, I bought this bed handler last year, it works ok but is very difficult to set up and get it balanced with just one person. I set this up the other day with my son and it works ok, last year I did it by myself and it was a nightmare.
I also recently put a air/hydraulic ram on my engine hoist and that helps a lot too, no pumping that throws off the load. I do think you would have to have a hoist with the extendable legs to use the bed handler.

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Strange anecdote, clutch linkage lines up real nice...I bought this 68 frame without an engine and the guy said he was running a big block, I bolted my big block up where he had it set...the clutch linkage holes looked close so I mounted up my linkage....
The engine appears to be mounted 3 1/4” forward of the factory 4wd location.

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Looking good! Quite the undertaking, I guess you ment to have it ready summer of 2018 right?? Ha! Worth the wait no doubt