Greg's 50 Build

[Root2812]

Yesterday I opened all the boxes that Fatman sent me. It looked like everything was there but I was disappointed that they didn't send boxing plates for the frame rails. I have to box the frame where the cross member mounts. I suppose making them will be easy but I really thought they would be included. I was really impressed with the quality of the parts.

I've been traveling a lot for work lately and have to go to Kentucky and Ohio again this week. I really want to get the ball rolling on this project so I took 5 days off in a row so I can get this IFS in. My goal is to have a complete suspension on the frame, engine and trans mounted, and frame painted by the end of winter. Look for details by the end of December.

[Angryman117]

Sounds like a plan. Take some good pictures and good luck!

[oldman3]

It will be like you giving all of us a Xmas present doing this at the end of December...Jim

[99 to Life]

sounds like a good plan, hope you hit your goal. I'm looking forward to a couple extra work days this xmas too. Managed to sneak 2 extra days in this thanksgiving. good luck.

[Root2812]

Some work happened this week. I spent 3 straight days working on my IFS and got pretty much done with it.

I started by dragging the frame donor 53 chevy into the shop and using the ole' fire wrench to cut the cab mounts off. Since the cab was a rusted piece of junk I just pushed it off the side and let it fall on the floor.



It took a while to grind all the rivets off but I got the old suspension freed.


I boxed the front 3rd of the frame and ground the welds.




I got the new stuff welded in. I think one of the upper spring mounts is off about 1/32 of an inch but that should be minor enough to not cause a problem. I'm sure people have been further off than that.


Lastly I hit it with some el cheepo spray paint to keep it from rusting. Once the entire chassis is done I'll send it to the blaster before I coat it.



I didn't get all the stuff bolted on yet but I will next time. I think I'll work on installing the engine next and box the middle third of the frame. Then later I'll do the rear suspension and then box the rear.

Wow its so exciting to finally get somewhere.

[99 to Life]

I'd buy that cab in a heartbeat if you were closer.

[Root2812]

That cab was rusted beyond repair and then had a hack job of repair done at some point. The dash was rusted out, the floor was gone, the floor braces were gone, the cowls were gone, most of the holes were patched with tin screws and bondo. It was amazing that someone would even try and pass it off as a repair. I can see why they gave up and put the truck in a field 2 years ago.

I saved the frame and the bed for my truck. As bad as the cab was it is amazing that the bed it really nice.

[99 to Life]

I brought this dash back to life, pics don't even do it justice on how bad it was. again, if you were closer, I'd buy that cab. Thats actually somewhat normal for stuff around me. should post it on CL I bet someone would scoop it up. Congrats on the IFS. I'll be getting into some of those on some future builds.

[oldman3]

Frames looking good...Jim

[skymangs]

Looking good Root. subscribed

[Wybrow]

Frame looks great, it's nice that you got/get to drive your truck in "stock fashion" before you went with your build. That's something a lot of us aren't fortunate enough to get.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by Wybrow

Frame looks great, it's nice that you got/get to drive your truck in "stock fashion" before you went with your build. That's something a lot of us aren't fortunate enough to get.

I'm glad about that too. Somedays I worry that I will miss the way it drives. Its like a time machine now and when its all upgraded it will be fun but different.

[Root2812]

Today I ordered my Dirty Dingo adjustable motor mounts. I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I can't figure out what I want to do for the rear suspension so I decided to move on to motor placement for now. Since the cab is off I think I am going to install the radiator support, measure for Radiator/fan width, and place the motor off there. The Dirty Dingo mounts are adjustable so I can fine tune placement later. I'll just have to move the tranny cross member if I don't adjust.

On a side note, things just got real. My wife told me that we are having our first child. That's been occupying my mind the last few weeks. I set a new goal of having a rolling chassis with the LS motor running by fall. Its lofty but a reachable goal. Then I can start the fuel system and brake system plumbing over next winter and the body swap in 2015. Wish me luck.

[99 to Life]

congrats on the baby man. def life changer. My first is turning one this feb. Keep your head up and roll with the waves. Seems like you got a good plan and a realistic time frame laid out, thats great. enjoy man life did just get real!

[LEEVON]

1/32"? I'd call that good enough for the girls I go out with or as I once heard a crusty old painter say "We ain't takin' it to the World's Fair".

[Root2812]

The Brown truck came this week and dropped off my TCI rear leaf spring kit. I should hopefully get the IFS finished and the rear suspension on this weekend. Next I have to start thinking about engine placement. I'm pretty sure there is no way I can make the 5.3 fit with the truck accessories since I don't want to recess my firewall. Using a pusher fan may do the trick but then I don't know how I will attach an AC condenser later. Once I get this suspension on I'll start tranny shopping

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by Root2812

The Brown truck came this week and dropped off my TCI rear leaf spring kit. I should hopefully get the IFS finished and the rear suspension on this weekend. Next I have to start thinking about engine placement. I'm pretty sure there is no way I can make the 5.3 fit with the truck accessories since I don't want to recess my firewall. Using a pusher fan may do the trick but then I don't know how I will attach an AC condenser later. Once I get this suspension on I'll start tranny shopping

My 5.3 fits with a puller fan and no recess on the firewall. C4 ifs on stock frame. 53 AD

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by not2oldchevy

My 5.3 fits with a puller fan and no recess on the firewall. C4 ifs on stock frame. 53 AD

I'd love to see some pictures of your set up. What radiator and fan did you use? Did you have to modify the radiator support to make it fit? What clearances do you have from the tip of the water pump to the radiator and from the back of the engine to the firewall?

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by Root2812

I'd love to see some pictures of your set up. What radiator and fan did you use? Did you have to modify the radiator support to make it fit? What clearances do you have from the tip of the water pump to the radiator and from the back of the engine to the firewall?

Don't know how to put pictures on here [to old to learn] champion radiator and fan combo from Ebay [$185 I think. I will have to go check clearances they are close but I have had no problems.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by not2oldchevy

Don't know how to put pictures on here [to old to learn] champion radiator and fan combo from Ebay [$185 I think. I will have to go check clearances they are close but I have had no problems.

I plan to get the same radiator. How thick is your fan? I was thinking maybe a really slim fan would help. If you were about to give me your fan thickness and the clearance waterpump to fan and engine to firewall you would help me a ton.

Thanks

[not2oldchevy]

Originally Posted by Root2812

I plan to get the same radiator. How thick is your fan? I was thinking maybe a really slim fan would help. If you were about to give me your fan thickness and the clearance waterpump to fan and engine to firewall you would help me a ton.

Thanks

Fan came with radiator; haven't had time to look but on the firewall I can put a finger between the head and firewall. Water pump is about 3 inches I think. Fan motor has to be above the threads on the water pump but it clears the blade part of the fan. I will try to find paperwork on rad&fan to see where I got it if that will help.

[Root2812]

Success. Well for the front. The TCI Rear leaf kit is for 3 inch axle tubes and my 8.8 has 3.25 inch tubes so I ordered U-bolts. I was pretty stoked to get the front end all bolted on. Fatman makes a good kit but the instructions kinda suck. The instructions are great for welding in the cross member and the upper hats but when it came to bolting on all the goodies we were pretty much on our own.

So tell me what you guys think. I left the shocks out since there is no weight and its all coming apart to have the frame blasted. I sure hope the front end settles, I know it will but it just feels high and the lower A-arms are no where near level to the ground. its sitting on 215-70-15 in the front.

[99 to Life]

IMO something looks off. Are those reg spindles or drops? The springs look problematic as if they are too long. Def seems like that spring should be more verticle and the lower arm more level. Engine weight doesn't make move springs as much as people think, esp not in your case. I'd hit fatman up and make sure you got all the right parts.

[Root2812]

They are regular spindles not drop spindles.

Here is a pic from 48ChevBagged's thread and he had a different manufacturer's kit but the springs look similar.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...85&postcount=4

If it still looks like this when I get the motor on there I will call and get the smaller springs. These are supposed to be v6 springs.

[rusty76]

I just sat here and read through this build and I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing and I will be offering this one up to the low buck build threads......