[JJorgensen52]

I failed to meet my desired deadline, but made tons of progress - frame is now a roller.

All the parts ready to go together


Just an example of the hardware. These are grade 8, flange head bolts with "keps" (self locking, distorted thread nuts), which are what GM used to install bolted in parts in the later truck frames. Never, ever coming loose!



Frame complete


With full suspension



To be honest, I didn't do much to the engine other than clean/paint and a tune-up, this truck already ran like a top. Original 350 mated to a late SM465 and NP205 combo.


To make the rear driveshaft work, I did a combination of things. I shortened the spline and yoke of the slip section from the '87 driveshaft, installed the short front section from the '87, and swapped the shortened slip yoke onto my original '72 driveshaft. Wala!



You can also see here, I had to move the center support bearing rearward about 2.5"


PTO details. Trimmed the rear muffler hangar to allow the PTO shaft to pass through to the hydraulic pump. Also shifted the exhaust relief in the '87 transmission crossmember outboard, towards the frame rail, to clear the PTO. This is a rare Chelsea driver's side PTO unit with the extended drive, to clear the reverse idler rib on the SM465




Oil pan to axle clearance still decent. The original exhaust still fits, too


All SS brake lines, new prop valve





Using the original PS pump requires some slight tweeking of the '87 PS lines, and clearancing the engine cross member where the pump sits. I may pull it back out and box this notch in, eventually.


And the finished roller, ready for the body



The stance is just killer, I'm loving it. Going to be quitting this project for about a week or so, life and all. Enjoy the update!