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Shane's build thread
Hey all,
Just wanted to introduce myself & outline the build presently occurring in the garage. This is not my first go round with these trucks. Story time…….. For my first vehicle (1993 or so), my father & I restored a 1969 GMC pickup. It was a mutt. We started with 3 trucks & a pile of parts to end up with a ½ ton long bed, 4wd, sbc, auto. The frame started as a 2wd drive that we transferred the front leaf spring mounts. We rebuilt the 350 and installed it with the supposedly rebuilt trans & transfer case. The truck served me well through my last year of high school & into college. The trans crapped the bed & my father performed a swap to an SM465 & Rockwell T221 case. Not long after that the coupler between the trans & t-case gave up & I parked the truck. I had been looking for a first gen Camaro as a graduation gift (to myself) from college. Just before graduation in 1997 I found my 73 Camaro Z28(hence the screen name)locally. I had to fix some minor issues & daily drove it, except for winter. When I parked the truck I finally bought a true daily driver. My parents moved away from the house I grew up in & left the parked truck with a friend. Without our knowledge he scrapped the truck due to new city ordinances. I had worked on my 73 for the last 15 years…….but only mechanically. I enjoyed the car & built it to suit my tastes only. I intended for the car to be a great all around machine that could hopefully tackle an autocross from time to time. It certainly wasn’t the most comfortable car, but it put a smile on my face when behind the wheel. In those 15 years there were only a few instances of it being undrivable and it only ever saw a tow truck once…………due to a failed pressure plate. To the present… My father bought a 1969 GMC C1500 long bed a few years ago. About a month ago, he decided he was done with it & asked if I wanted to buy it. I didn’t hesitate for a second. I sold the 73 as a roller minus the rear axle. I intend for this truck to be my new hot rod, mostly for scaring little kids and making black marks here & there. I purchased a swb coil frame to put under it & am currently looking for a stepside bed. My next post will outline what is currently procured for the build. Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Alright everyone, here are the details of the parts compiled so far. This is mainly the parts list to get the rolling chassis together.
Early Classic Enterprises -Tubular trailing arms – modified for Hotchkis pivots & rear sway bar -Trailing arm x-member -Rear chassis x-member -Automatic trans x-member – modified to properly position TKO/SBC combo Hotchkis -4”/6” drop springs -Upper & Lower A-arms -Sway bars -Antisquat kit -Panhard bar kit -Steering centerlink & tierod sleeves -Shock relocation brackets & Bilsteins CPP -SBC frame towers -Trailing arm perches Junkyard -1981 G10 van steering box -1975 C10 Spindles Wilwood -D52 twin piston calipers -D154 rear parking break kit The following are parts my 1973 Camaro donated before it left as a roller -406 SBC with EFI -Tremec TKO600 with Hanlon motorsports mid shifter -GM passenger 10 bolt with Torsen helical diff & 3.73 ratio -Aeromotive 20 gal fuel cell with A1000 -Aeromotive pump controller -Electric fan/shroud/Spal controller -CNC Brakes dual master/bias bar arrangement Tires & Wheels -Blackrock 15x8 & 15X10 satin black -M/T Radial SR 26x10 & 26X12 Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
welcome to the forum, I think you are off to a real nice start, have fun and enjoy yourself
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Re: Shane's build thread
So I have been a bit lax on the project update. But I do have 2 things to share. Pictures & progress.
Here we go: This is the truck I started with on a trailer from my parents house. It turns out that I believe the truck is a 68 but has had the tag swapped for a 69. I dont care either way as this will be a keeper. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0e236c34.jpg There were some aspects that went beyond just bolting parts together. Here are a few that were required. The first was mods to the ECE trailing arms. With the Hotchkis parts I needed to add a mounting point for the rear swaybar drop links. Here is a mockup picture and the finished product. We used an 1/8" wall 1/2" tube for the thru bolt. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4b41377d.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc508d048.jpg We also replaced the bushing sleeve in the front of the arm to accept the Hotchkis spherical bushings. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps613e7bd3.jpg The next was making the ECE crossmember work for the TKO. This was rather simple really. The first picture shows it bolted into place in existing frame holes. The second shows the finished product. We simply cut the tongue from the low rear facing position. Next we cut 1/2" of length from it. Then we remounted it on the front side flush with the top of the tube. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps5299a513.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf56bc3f7.jpg Here are some pics of how I mounted the fuel tank. The first is the frame that we made. The second shows the frame bolted to the tank using the flange we added to the tank. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3cdf7ce6.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psff65bbf3.jpg Here it is mounted in the frame. I did have to section part of the angled crossmember for clearance. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps74ffbcd7.jpg Here are some pics of where the Energy Suspension motor mounts were clearanced to work with the CPP towers. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3b5d3dd2.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6e3b83a2.jpg Here is the clutch linkage area & my own ballstud bracket for the engine side. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7146b06e.jpg Here are the mods to the frame bracket to work with the Hotchkis shock relocation. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd391f2a8.jpg Here is my mockup zbar. It clears the header just fine at the tube but the straight outer arms just touches the header. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps355d3d6a.jpg Heres one of the parts that pleases me the most. The exhaust consists Doug Thorley or Stans 375y model headers. They are Tri-Ys that are meant to fit a second gen Camaro. It just happens they fit extremely well and offer great ground clearance even with manual clutch linkage. This is with the engine in the stock SBC location. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf06ad89f.jpg Heres the rest of the exhaust. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4e24530b.jpg Here is the fuel line plumbing. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb7933e23.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps9729f3d0.jpg Brakes http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2754764f.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps6499b780.jpg Hotchkis center link http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps167ee5ba.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps966fe3a8.jpg Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Last of the update for now.
Had some friends over to swap the cab from chassis to chassis. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7cf08a0d.jpg My $3 shift tower boot. Its a 3" temporary pipe cap from the hardware store. A slot for the shifter stub, a couple holes for the shift stop bolts, a zip tie & voila! http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps367ad4a6.jpg Shifter coming through the high hump with the shifter in the mid position. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse6fd60c5.jpg My next steps are to get the seats installed and figure out what I need for a column & shift lever. I am also working on getting the clutch linkage ironed out and the core support installed & radiator plumbed. Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Awesome job
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Re: Shane's build thread
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Hi Shane, and welcome to the board! Interesting background info. Why do you still use the 73Z in your screen name if you sold the car? What is your line of work? The reason I ask is your precision in your narrative and format, plus I like how you've marked the nut's relation to the thread in this pic: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps613e7bd3.jpg I'd guess an engineer of some sort. :) |
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I just use the screen name because it would be a pain to change it for all the forums I belong too. I can think of atleast 6 at the moment...lol. I started with an associates degree in drafting. I have basically been doing mechanical design ever since. For my present employer, I design subsystems for electric utility substations. The writing style comes from writing procedures in the office and reports when I do field work. I marked all the chassis bolts, as my projects tend to jump from different points. I dont like to forget chassis bolts... Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
It's difficult for me when I actually see punctuation and grammar! LOL
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Re: Shane's build thread
I like the build. The homemade items are the best. It only takes a little brain power and..... you know the rest. Happy building there guy.
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Re: Shane's build thread
Thanks Tom & gdavis,
I like solving the problems associated with using universal or repurposed parts. I also like making my own parts. That is half the fun of this stuff. Later, Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
More progress:
I failed to mention in the parts list but I decided to run Scat Pro 90 lowback seats. I felt that they will fit the theme Im angling towards. You can mount the seats 2 different ways. Scat offers a single frame that mounts both seats or you can run individuals like Subs/Blazers. I wanted the LMC repro console to sit higher in relation to the seats, so I went with the bench style bracket. I added a piece of angle to mount the front of the console. The rear fasteners go through the rear tube. I assembled the frame & seats temporarily to see how they were positioned. Of course I was unhappy with how they sat outta-the-box. I found there was enough room to shorten the frame legs 3". This puts the front cross rail almost right on the floor brace at the hump. This also allows the tops of the seatbacks to sit below the bottom of the window. Pics: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps0598222c.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps12d320b0.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps81df527f.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps8c45d37f.jpg I also was having trouble getting the clutch linkage right. I started with a L6 zbar that I had to shorten a little, but the upper arm hit the #7 header tube. I found that American Classic Truck Parts repros both the L6 & V8 zbars. The V8 has a dogleg that allowed the clearance, so I ordered one up. Only trouble.........the tube length was too long. So I had to have it sectioned between the arms. Now it works with the straight upper rod & I used a heim & cut off 3/8" bolt for the lower rod. Pics: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psd0ca7657.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps714bb79f.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1150d785.jpg Heres a link to the repro clutch linkage: http://www.americanclassic.com/asp/d...ype=to&exyear= Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
man this thing is SWEET !
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Re: Shane's build thread
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Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
You sure have a lot of good parts on that thing! Nice work!
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This is my first ground-up build and it is the sum of the last 15 years of upgrading parts and horse trading and killer deals and............ |
Re: Shane's build thread
Very impressive! Do you have a recommendation on where to buy one of those TKOs?
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After speaking with Bob Hanlon (Hanlon Motorsports), he is probably the only guy I would buy from at this point. He knows their weak points, he knows how to make them work for the conditions you intend to use them under, etc. There are a lot of people who bash the TKO because they dont inform themselves of their limitations. There are folks that complained that they wouldnt shift at 7500 rpms......they werent designed to do it. He also sold me on his mid shifter, the nice thing is he charges the same as the Tremec mid shift but it has some other features the Tremec doesnt have. He also will give you a credit for the included rear shifter that you wont need. Great guy to deal with all around. Shane |
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Re: Shane's build thread
The latest update...
Seat installation. Heres the one piece Scat frame lowered 3" with Pro90 Lowbacks. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2dac5d73.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2bae264b.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...pse92d90f6.jpg Heres a set of Modo Innovations aluminum pedals. Thanks to Shannon at Modo & Mike at Musclerodz for scrounging these up for me. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psca9b0fd9.jpg Radiator is an Entropy. Rad cover from Hotrod Dynamics. My own fan shroud with 16" fan. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7b6db238.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps32557e88.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psa6747a9e.jpg The steering column is in for good and I am getting the steering wheel finished & getting a shift lever figured out. Then we hang the sheetmetal and wire. Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
That's really coming along nice!
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Re: Shane's build thread
Thanks Steve!
Should have more in the next few days as well. |
Re: Shane's build thread
Looks great! Excited to follow along.
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Re: Shane's build thread
Nice build.
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Re: Shane's build thread
Thanks for the compliments guys. Heres some more to keep everyone lookin....
So I had a little hurtle to overcome for the shifter. I wanted something made of aluminum but everything seemed to geared towards a shorter application such as a car (some earlier pictures show the lever I ran in my Camaro). I found this setup from CV Products. It was the longest lever I could find and I liked the matching knob. Mockup pic: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfa15296b.jpg As you can see the lever pretty much ran into the console in the rear portion (2-4-R) of the pattern. Also most levers have 3/8" thru holes in them, but the stub has 8mm. So I had a friend make these pieces: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps488cf8e5.jpg This led to the final setup: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps51d03c5b.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4368ce98.jpg Next was some things that actually just bolted together... Steering wheel. Corvette reproduction. Canter emblem was a self adhesive deal found on ebay. Thanks to forum member Z10 for leading me to the wheel. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf5dbf6ee.jpg Throttle Linkage. 19.5" long 5/16" diameter swedged tube & 10-32 rod ends. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps454342ab.jpg Finished plumbing master cylinders. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psbd24fa57.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps11ec0244.jpg So I decided to mount the Holley ECU in the glovebox. This thing is rather heavy, so I knew mounting it to the original cardboard liner wasnt going to cut it. I opted for the ABS liner from Old Air Products. I mounted the ECU to the floor and cut an opening in the back for the wiring. I also decided to just permanently install the USB cable and routed it back into the box. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps033fa40f.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psae397d7d.jpg Next up should be the rest of the fuel system, wiring, guages and hanging the sheetmetal. Then finishing off the interior and figuring out the ebrake. Thanks for looking, Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Nice work !
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Re: Shane's build thread
Thanks cheby!
I fixed the pic links I blew up yesterday. Organize photos first........then post the update. Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Alright guys,
It has been too long for an update, so there will be a few new posts. This round shows all of my little additions to mount items, finish of fuel lines, and some other small details. Fuel lines to rails http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb31d07a1.jpg Fuel lines from tank http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps794b2f00.jpg Bracket to mount fuel filter & pressure guage http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps655fb8c5.jpg MAP sensor bracket mounted to gas pedal http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps42e05c7c.jpg Coil bracket http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1bf69b3e.jpg Here is how she sits at the end of April...... http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps5e25cefe.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfa10910c.jpg Thanks for looking, Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Nice!!
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I should be getting some more up in the next few days.... |
Re: Shane's build thread
What's the specs on them master cylinders? I'm real interested in them.
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CNC does not show the GM piece on the website, but they are extremely nice people to deal with. Hope this helps, Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
This update takes us from Labor Day weekend to the present.
My Dad comes into town for a visit while the weather is nice to help with whatever projects I have going. This year it happened to be the truck he started with. I was a little late in ordering my wiring harness so we started with the front sheetmetal & power center.... Inner fenders mounted: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps54137f27.jpg New battery box: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psfa0d0b4e.jpg The battery is a Braille Automotive AGM. It isnt much larger than a lawn tractor battery and weighs in at a whopping 17 pounds! The inspection tag in the box said it tested at 660 CCA. Under dash wiring - AAW Classic update kit: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psc7825902.jpg Super easy to install, tons of variations for whatever you may be needing in electrics. I am also extremely pleased with my VH Coachworks headlight relay harness. I also used the newer braided split loom from Jegs. Nice to work with this stuff. Guage cluster: I started with a stock 69 up idiot light panel. I then designed & had a friend machine the gauge carrier out of a block of wood. This picture shows how I modified the bezel. Both pieces are shown from the back. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps7bdf6869.jpg Here are both pieces from the front. I shaved the badges & smoothed the lip arond the gauge holes. I didnt do a particularly stellar job as this will get replaced by a more permanent solution. The lower switches are for speedo & clock. Lower right is the button for electric e-brake. Both shown from front. http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps2a8aa36d.jpg I then polyurethaned the wood carrier & painted black. The bezel was painted with Rustoleum Hammered black to match the rest of the dash. Gauges wired: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psb9a064c6.jpg Heres the view from the drivers seat: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps142b6d77.jpg The gauges are New Vintage 68 series. The tach & speedo are straight out of the catalog except I had the digits done in green instead of red. The center is a clock made to match. Interior shot: http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...psf92c5657.jpg I was going for an essentially stockish look with some billet/ custom appointments. I added the Scat seats & console. I replaced the metal door panels with 68 vinyl and included the early armrests. Door & window handles are Lokar. Headlight/wiper/doorlocks came from Ridetech. The shifter & knob are CV Products. Pedals are from Modo Innovations. Column is Flaming River with Ididit dress up. Here she sits at present... http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps3c5e5270.jpg http://i438.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps42b79f40.jpg Hope you enjoyed, Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Subscribed, per your post on linkages. Our uses couldn't be much more different but your attention to detail is astounding. I really do like your clutch linkage for its simplicity but your brake work and your ECM work is equally impressive.
In my daydreams, my work looks like yours but if I ever finish my army time and can work with more than a stone driveway and a Craftman tookbox, this thread will probably serve as a template. |
Re: Shane's build thread
Very cool truck! Great work on everything!
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Re: Shane's build thread
Thanks for the compliments guys. I really love these trucks & like to help when I can.
Don, I understand working in the gravel. I did it for ten years before I bought my house. It makes me appreciate the garage so much. Thanks for your military service! Shane |
Re: Shane's build thread
Nice build Shane.
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