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-   -   1972 Chevy 4wd Longhorn Project: Never Ending Changes (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=310493)

watahyahknow 10-31-2009 10:20 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
you might be able to adapt the engine and trannymount on the chevy chassis though

dunno if you will do a bodylift on the truck but if you do you could make new crossmembers above the ford chassis and mount the cab on that
it would look a little better

Dieselwrencher 11-02-2009 08:03 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
This truck more than likely won't have any gas engine. LOL I plan on installing a 5.9 cummins in it.

stllookn 11-03-2009 02:07 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Dieselwrencher, I was just checking my 4x4 frame against my Longhorn frame the front is exactly the same width. It looks like an easy swap on front spring hangers and frontend. The transfer case mount looks to the be the same sort of easy switch. If the rearend remains the same you would only have to lengthen the driveline by about 8". What did I miss?

Dieselwrencher 11-10-2009 06:46 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by stllookn (Post 3600108)
Dieselwrencher, I was just checking my 4x4 frame against my Longhorn frame the front is exactly the same width. It looks like an easy swap on front spring hangers and frontend. The transfer case mount looks to the be the same sort of easy switch. If the rearend remains the same you would only have to lengthen the driveline by about 8". What did I miss?

I was thinking of putting the longhorn body on a 89 F-350 frame, but that idea has went into the trash.

Dieselwrencher 11-10-2009 06:49 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Well this morning I moved the old truck out of the weeds and got it back on some stands. I dug out my donor frame and started cutting hucks or rivets to get my 4wd brackets off. I got the RH side off and tomorrow I plan on getting the LH done and try to get the shackle hangers installed. Here are a few pictures of tear down.

http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...10-09_1218.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...10-09_1219.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...10-09_1220.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-10-2009 06:51 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
I'll post some pictires of the front frame section from the donor and of the cleaned up bracketry later. I just realized today that since I am installing the steering box brace in the longhorn frame, I have to cut the rivets out of the front cross member on the Longhorn frame and remove the front cross member to get the brace in there.

watahyahknow 11-10-2009 10:06 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
http://chuckschevytruckpages.com/ this one hold a lot of tips and dimentions on the frame you might get some use out of it during the conversion

Dieselwrencher 11-11-2009 04:07 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
This morning I got the front bumper off, the front clip is off, the radiator support mounts are off, and I started removing the manual transmission cross member. I put a brace in the middle of the frame to help keep it together so I can remove the front cross member to install the steering box brace later.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...11-09_1238.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...11-09_1239.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...11-09_1240.jpg

Dazn9796 11-11-2009 08:18 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Subscription done. Looks good I will be doing the same thing shortly. Just a quick questions, did the 3/4 ton trucks have or use more than one axle. Did they use d44 or d60 or both? just curios so i can start looking at what i need to find here at the junk yard.

Dave

dammitmitchell 11-11-2009 08:51 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
seriously MITCHELLville iowa...
i would give you money to buy me mitchell ville memorabilia and send it to me..

Dieselwrencher 11-12-2009 12:12 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dazn9796 (Post 3615057)
Subscription done. Looks good I will be doing the same thing shortly. Just a quick questions, did the 3/4 ton trucks have or use more than one axle. Did they use d44 or d60 or both? just curios so i can start looking at what i need to find here at the junk yard.

Dave

They only used D44's until 75 or 76 then they had D60's in the K30's. And I think 78 or 79 is when the switch started for the corporate 10 bolt front. Just try to find a big hub D44. I have a closed knuckle D44 from my 69 K10 I would sell cheap if you want.

Dieselwrencher 11-12-2009 12:13 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell (Post 3615139)
seriously MITCHELLville iowa...
i would give you money to buy me mitchell ville memorabilia and send it to me..

Yep, Mitchellville, Iowa. The town has less people in it than the prison has inmates. LOL What kind of memorabilia are you looking for?

Dieselwrencher 11-12-2009 12:32 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Here are the fromt spring mounts cleaned up a little bit and painted.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...11-09_2159.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...11-09_2200.jpg
Here is a shackle mount in case you don't have one. And the 73 ups aren't the same as the 67-72 ones just an FYI.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...11-09_2201.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-14-2009 12:56 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Well I got the shackle bushings replaced with energy suspension polyurethanes, also installed the rear bushings in my 6" lift springs, got the front cross member reinstalled, got the steering brace installed and found out the 4x4 frames and 2x4 frames aren't exactly the same in the steering box location. I also cut the e-brake mount out of the frame and installed a flat piece of steel there, and removed the original manual trans cross member. Next week I will install the shackle mount and then move to the RH side.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/DSC00050.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/DSC00051.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/DSC00053.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/DSC00054.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-14-2009 12:57 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Check out the steering box holes. They don't exactly line up. I guess that just means more work for me.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/DSC00052.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-17-2009 12:26 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Some more progress, but not much. I have been working on putting a shop up on the weekends and using this as fill since I can't work on the building alone.

Here is the RH frame after I cut out the ebrake mount.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0573.jpg
Cleaned up, ground and beveled, with plate in place getting ready to weld.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0575.jpg
Partially welded. I couldn't finish because the wind was blowing 30-50mph and it kept blowing my gas off the weld.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0578.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-17-2009 12:29 AM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
I welded the inside of the LH rail as well. Hopefully tomorrow I can get the welds finished and ground down and install the shackle mounts in the frame.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0576.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0579.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-18-2009 05:32 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
More progress. Yesterday I ground down the welds I did on Monday and I rewelded them. Today I put one of my leaf springs on and started preparing to install the shackles. I don't exactly like where my spring is going to put the shackle in the frame. My leaf springs are for a 73 up and are a little bit longer. I did check and the center pin is in the same location so I might just use my springs I have, but I would prefer a set of 4"ers. So now I have to make the descion to use these or find some 4" 67-72 springs.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...17-09_1225.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...17-09_1226.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...17-09_1227.jpg

Dieselwrencher 11-18-2009 05:38 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
I did also go buy some goodies for this truck too. Last night I picked up a rust free radiator support, decent tail gate with no large dents and one bad rust spot, new black high hump carpet, new sound deadener, used sill plates, a new glove box, a used wood grain gauge bezel, reconditioned hood springs that are zinc plated, and new heavy duty radiator mount bushings. This weekend I am getting rust free inner fenders from Brother's69C10. Hopefully by the end of the week I can get the front axle under it and get the front clip mocked up in place.

Dieselwrencher 11-18-2009 06:11 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
I forgot to add, I decided what powertrain I am going to use. It will be a 1990 5.9 cummins with a 1998 NV4500 and a NP205 from a 92 dodge. I'm still undecided on the rear end. It might get a D70HD from a dually, or a D70 from an 84 ford. I need to measure the dually rear to see how far the wheels will stick out on these style trucks.

Dieselwrencher 11-19-2009 05:15 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Finally some real progress! :lol: I put a front fender on and slid my extra D44 in to see if the wheel was in the center of the wheel well before I installed the shackles in the frame. What do you think? I think it looks fine.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0580.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0581.jpg
Here is the RH shackle installed.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0582.jpg
I am going to have to notch my body mount braket so the bolt will be flush, but I can do that later. I have to finish the LH tomorrow and get the front clip in primer. I decided to install a 2 1/4" cowl scoop on my hood so hopefully I can get the hood close to done tomorrow. Once I get the clip back on it I will install my D60 and start mocking up for the powertrain.

BLAZERMAN 11-19-2009 08:27 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Looks like your really going to town on it now! I'm not much on the 2 wheel drive stuff and having a hard time understanding what those e-brake mounts are for?? Keep up the good work!! will be watching this one!

Dieselwrencher 11-19-2009 09:17 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
The ebrake mounts are for the park brake cable system. The LH one is for the cab pedal assembly cable and on the RH frame the end of the cable is secured by a bolt through the frame mount. It is like a big horse shoe set up.

Dieselwrencher 11-20-2009 04:28 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Well I got the fenders primered after work last night. Today I drilled and bolted the LH shackle to the frame, and I installed the trim back on the LH fender. Tonight I have to go get new poly bushings for the support so next week I can put the front clip together to start mocking up the engine.
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0583.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0584.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0585.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0586.jpg
http://i957.photobucket.com/albums/a...l/IMG_0587.jpg

roger0080 11-22-2009 03:07 PM

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 
Those are some damn nice heavy duty jack stands there. Are they home made?


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