Spankbomb's '79 SWB

[spankbomb]

Last summer I was shopping for a new project. I bought it from a young guy who had lost interest in it and needed the money. It came as a roller, with a 454, TH400 and TH350, all which needed rebuilding. The truck was bagged in front and rear, as well as C-notched in the back and Z-ed up front. It came with bags and lines installed, 17" Cragar soft 8s, an air tank, compressor and lots of odds and ends. For the most part, the panels were in decent shape and most of the glass was good. So, we haggled a bit and I was able to get a fair price which included it being delivered to my house. Here are some pics from when I first looked at it.





After getting it home, I decided I wanted to clean up some of the PO's work. Mainly, the welds on the c and the z, as well as possibly do some much needed boxing/plating to the frame. So off came the bed and the front clip.

[1LoC10]

Looks like a nice project

[spankbomb]

So, after pulling the box and clip off, I decided that I needed to go further. As I started cleaning out the cab, I realized that the floorboards were shot and the PO had really done a number on the firewall clearancing for the motor and transmission.

About this time I had started routinely searching CL and had stumbled across an unluckly seller whose rolling chassis had been stolen out of his shop and he decided that moving forward on his project was not what he wanted to do. So, I picked up a '79 cab with a clear title that already had most of the firewall smoothed, the drip rails removed, and rust repaired in the floorboards. In addition to the cab, I got more odds and ends, including brake lines, NIB trim pieces, weatherstripping, etc. Quickly, my attic was filling up.

So, now it was time to pull the cab from the frame, too.

Here's the PO's front Z and rear suspension setups.






I also started a thread in the suspension forum and began taking notes and advice there.

[spankbomb]

Here are pics of the new cab.




Since I know I'm not going to get to this cab anytime soon and some surface rust is starting to show on the bare metal, what product do you recommend to protect it from any further damage? I'll need to spray it where it sits and it will probably need to be in a rattle can if possible.

[spankbomb]

I decided to clean up the rear suspension, which entailed unbolting everything as well as removing the leaf hangars and what remained of the original x-member. Those rivets were a complete PIA. After that I went through and ground down/cleaned up the rear C itself.

I went from this...





to this...







I then began figuring out what I wanted to try and accomplish on the rear suspension. Frankly, that was six to eight weeks ago and I still do not know what direction I want to go in. From a budget perspective, I'm going to try and re-use everything I can from the PO setup, but use some recommendations which were made to me prior.

What I need to figure out now are two things? First, what kind of shape are the links that I took off in and can they be re-used? They may not be long enough, but at least I need to go through them. Second, what do I want the new x-member and bridge to look like? I was thinking using one 2x4 of rectangular tube across the middle of the C. It should be plenty strong and I already have the material

So, I hope to begin getting back to work on this thing in the coming weeks.

I moved the bed back in and mounted it to the frame so I can mock up my rear axle. This is how she currently sits, patiently waiting.




Later,
Jon D.

[AusTx68]

I remember you telling me all about the truck when you came to help lift my cab. Now I can put photos to the story Looks like you have a good starting platform. Please keep me in mind if you need a hand.

[Rollinsqrbdy]

Wow nice progress bud. Nice scores also. Cant wait to see what else u do. Subscribed.

[spankbomb]

A little progress. The rear axle mocked up and waiting for fab parts...





I found these on eBay. Pair of Shockwave 9000s.



These are from Ruffstuff Specialties and I bought through Krawltex. The heims came with the jam nuts, tube inserts and misalignment spacers and the frame brackets are adjustable and threaded. These brackets will be used on the inner frame rail (after I box it) for the upper rear links.

[Chlsnk]

Can't wait to see more!

[palposity]

Great work man!

[spankbomb]

The lowers are in.

[JCampbell]

Subscribed. I want to follow this one.

[spankbomb]

Update finally. Sorry guys. Trying to get a new business started, paint the exterior of our house, celebrate one year wedding anniversary, etc...

Sorry for the quality of the pics. I'm tired and it is dark out...

I installed and I mocked up my upper links tonight. I cycled the suspension and nothing appears to bind. The pinion angle seems to stay constant through the suspension cycle. I'll finish weld everything as well as flip the frame over once I complete the front suspension.

The first three pics are at full stuff and the last three are at my target ride height.













Next up, these...



And the wheels I'm thinking about running. I have 9 sets of these but I may do some horse trading for Dodge 20" spares since my Ford 9" is already the 5x5.5 bolt pattern...

[silvereagle07]

Looks good man!

[Da88burban]

Updates???

[N2TRUX]

The progress was great. What happened next?

[spankbomb]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

The progress was great. What happened next?

Life.

But really, I started a job where I worked Monday thru Saturdays and didn't get home until after 7 PM. Plus, I wasn't earning enough to stockpile parts for the project.

It pretty much is sitting like it was a few months back.

I just started a great new job and will be getting both my weekends and income back. So, as soon as I begin hitting it hard again, I will post updates.

Thanks again for the interest!

Jon D.

[breeze85cten]

Looks like the four link that was originally on the truck wasnt even triangulated! Did it have a pan har rod at least? I bought mine 2 years ago and it had the same type of set up, no triangulation so the axle would move back and forth. scary. Now I have a wishbone setup me and my buddy built. Your set up is looking sic! Keep the pics going!!! We all love pics!

[made2drag]

updates?

[spankbomb]

Sorry, no updates.

I ended up traveling way too much for work and didn't have weekends to fab and wrench. Unfortunately, where it is at is where it will stay until a new owner takes it to completion.



Thanks,
Jon D.

[Corts60]

That's too bad man. Looks like it would have been a killer build.

[JCampbell]

Yeah, bummer.

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by spankbomb

Sorry, no updates.

I ended up traveling way too much for work and didn't have weekends to fab and wrench. Unfortunately, where it is at is where it will stay until a new owner takes it to completion.



Thanks,
Jon D.

Hey Jon, sorry to hear you don't have the time to finish it. When it comes down to it, I'd rather have a good job and no time than no job at all.

[spankbomb]

Joseph,

Thanks man. Your project came out great by the way. You put a lot of effort into it and it definitely shows. Congrats and maybe I'll see you at one of the shows this year.

Later,
Jon D.

[spankbomb]

Joseph,

Thanks. And thank you to the other guys as well. It sucks. I was laid off earlier this month so now I'm back to plenty of time but no coin. Joe, your project came out great by the way. You put it a lot of effort into it and it definitely shows. Congrats and maybe we'll see you at one of the shows this year.

Later,
Jon D.