Project Screamer - '72 GMC K2500 + DD 4-53T

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That turned out really nice. It's always something isn't it?

Yes, there is always something. In my experience, it is linkage. The linkage for the transfer case shift, clutch and throttle on this project are all going to be interesting...

[Average Joe]

Very cool project and nice work!!! I digg the sound of those old Detroits.

[burnitg]

A new definition of tedious...

I finally finished the weld-out and grinding of the welds for the firewall and high hump. Next to sanding plastic filler, grinding welds and finding/filling pinholes has to be the most tedious job in automotive repair.

Here's the firewall after the repairs:



Here's the inside driver's side:



Here's the inside passenger's side:



Here's the hump:



I will fill the weld seams with body filler and smooth them down after the cab is stripped and primed. The inside of the cab floorboards and firewall will be coated with Lizard Skin so that won't be a big deal. The engine side of the firewall will be visible.

I'm delighted to have that out of the way and have moved on to the transfer case. Here it is mocked-up in position:



Next I will have to make the cross member and brackets to support it. I am concerned that the front drive shaft may interfere with the flywheel housing at full articulation. If it does, I will have to have a carrier bearing and support or a suspension lift in addition to the body lift. I'm hoping that neither will be required...

[1947ratrod]

do you have a part number for the yoke for the rto6610 I'm working on a same set up I have a 1963 k20 with a 4-53n turn in to a turbo motor I have a 1 ton frame for mine with a Dana 60 for the front and a aam rear end out of a chevy 2002 diesel truck

[burnitg]

Originally Posted by 1947ratrod

do you have a part number for the yoke for the rto6610 I'm working on a same set up I have a 1963 k20 with a 4-53n turn in to a turbo motor I have a 1 ton frame for mine with a Dana 60 for the front and a aam rear end out of a chevy 2002 diesel truck

1947Ratrod: Sounds like a great build! The Fuller part number for the 1610 size output flange (companion flange) is 86734.

Fuller has a great website with manuals, illustrated parts lists, etc.
http://www.roadranger.com/rr/Custome...eratureCenter/
I recommend that you download the service manual for the RT/RTO-6610 (TRSM0515) and the illustrated parts list. They sure have helped me a lot.

Parts for our transmissions are readily available except for the overdrive conversion kit which I had a little trouble finding.

[1947ratrod]

thanks I found a few of the overdrive kits all depends what you want to pay for them

[burnitg]

Not much work on the truck lately.

I received and installed a new gear driven starter. The OEM starter is enormous and very heavy. I had difficulty getting it installed with just the engine and frame so I can't imagine having to remove/install it with the body on (without the ability to pull from above). The new starter clears everything and turns the engine over - success!



I received my restored & modified instrument cluster from Redline Gauge and Clock Repair. John did a fantastic job on it. It is gorgeous!

Here's the front:



Here's the rear:



After some measurement and trial fitting, I have determined that I will need a 2" suspension lift in addition to the 2" body lift. The 4-53 is so tall and wide at the rear that I will need the lift for all the hard parts to clear at full suspension articulation. The thought of raising the truck even higher put me into a funk and I decided to work on other things for a while.

I assembled my new blast cabinet from Eastwood. It took a couple of days - it only has 150 or so bolts...



I fixed my snow plow. One of the casters came loose and got very bent. I received the new part this week and got it back together. We live at 9000' and usually get snow into May. It's good to have the plow back to 100%