Crew Cab build preview...

[randy500]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Nice plan there. Corvette you say. What year?

That one is 71 454 4spd, forgot how much I liked driving it's been so long...

[Blue GMC]

Originally Posted by randy500

Weird frame, never seen one without a vin number, it's missing front and under the cab too...

My 67 Chevy swb frame is unmarked as well.

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by randy500

That one is 71 454 4spd, forgot how much I liked driving it's been so long...

Oh yeah! I'm sure it is a blast! I keep wanting to put a 6.0 and 6 speed in mine some time.

[randy500]

I got the frame lengthened, actually 2 frames strategically cut so there was only one seam. I did a stepped cut, turned out spot on, so my math was good. I lengthened brake and fuel lines, installed the cab mounts. Then fit the cab and bed, I'm happy with the fit.

[bill3rail]

A thing of Beautiful Craftsmanship!

Bill

[randy500]

Originally Posted by bill3rail

A thing of Beautiful Craftsmanship!

Bill

Thank you! Picture of the front, fitting GMC headlights to a chevy core support.

[winslowgoodwin]

very nice build!

[chewychevy67]

I really like where this is going. I'm in to follow along. Details details details!

[randy500]

Thanks for the comments guys. No work lately on it...I did buy a 4wd truck and a couple 4wd frames, I’m building a new frame for it now.
The current rear end is 4.10 gears which is a bit too much gear so I picked up a 4l80e and then decided to go 4wd so I’m in the process of building a new frame.
The new frame has 3.73 dana 60 and Dana 44 front both with posi.
The 3.73 gears along with some taller tires will give me a much lower cruise rpm and I can delay installing the 4l80e.

[randy500]

Frames....

[randy500]

Frames....

[BIG ORANGE]

Randy I admire your work and yr way of thinking this build through,
Awesome work...
Keep us posted on progress,

[randy500]

Originally Posted by BIG ORANGE

Randy I admire your work and yr way of thinking this build through,
Awesome work...
Keep us posted on progress,

Thanks for the nice comments big orange.

[randy500]

One side of frame ready to weld....here you can see a simple step cut and that the front and rear frame sections are on the same plane. I use that 24” precision flat bar to ensure both frame sections are on the same plane. The upper frame sides are on the same plane too so I will weld the top and upper section then pry the lower section into plane and weld it. I have also verified the lower flat part of the frames are on the same plane and it checks out.

Repeat the same operation on the other side which is real close right now.

[Dieselwrencher]

That is looking very nice! It will be sweet as a 4x4!

[randy500]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

That is looking very nice! It will be sweet as a 4x4!

Thank you, I agree it needs to be 4wd.
So here is the parts list...
3.73 Dana 60 rear and Dana 44 front, both with 4 pinion power loks.
Th400/np205.
The frame was set up with those parts and he was running a big block set forward about 3” which seems about right for firewall and heater box clearance with a big block. I will leave it that way since it came with a front driveshaft for that setup.
I picked up a 454 so will run that instead of the current 396.
It has 3-4” front lift springs and I will do a shackle flip on the rear to match the front lift.

[71blksuper4x4]

It's coming together!

[bigmac73]

Subscribe

[Ol Blue K20]

I don't know how I missed this build but I'm subbed now. It's looking great.

[randy500]

Thanks for the comments guys.
Been working on the 4wd frame everyday, getting close to swapping. It’s been a challenge though.
I had 2 - 68 3/4 to. 4wd frames, one was wrecked in the rear and the other was bare.
Found out 68 rear springs are not like any others, longer, wider and not readily available new or used, so that took some work.
Then I find all kinds of problems with the components on the wrecked frame I bought.
The guy had a big shop and had the frame out in a pasture, said he had a towing accident which wiped out the rear end, rear frame bed and cab. Said it used to be his driver until the accident, seemed the truck was restored st one time, etc. I opened the diffs and they had posi units and gears like he said on the phone, had the broken th400attached to a np205,story all checked out.
The rear end was newly set up, gear marking compound, clean and in the shop, he explained the old housing was damaged, etc. so he had the rear end revuilt with a donor housing. Seemed like a good deal.
Well the rear end was 2wd so all the mounts were wrong, then I check the brakes, bad drums, stuck wheel cylinders, bad adjuster, etc. then I go to put wheels on it after moving he mounts and installing it and the lugs are 67-8 1/2” studs instead of the later model 9/16 or so which are on the front, now it needs rear hubs too....

[randy500]

New tires arrived today. BFG mud terrains, 255 85 16's there about 33" tall and fit my 16x7 wheels and stainless hubcaps.

[randy500]

The stance I am looking for...with the 33" tires and 3:73 gears should give me a reasonable cruise rpm of about 2500 rpm at 65 mph.
The picture is of our member "outfield"s truck, his truck has the same tire size with a 1" lift. I'm guessing my lift is about 2.5" or so.

[kwmech]

Just drill out the existing 1/2'' stud hole and install the 9/16s, no need to waste time looking for 71-72 hubs. I did this very thing to my 68

[CG]

Coming together nicely. Next time I have to roll down to Olympia for something Ill have to stop in to your place and check this cool ride out in person.

[randy500]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Just drill out the existing 1/2'' stud hole and install the 9/16s, no need to waste time looking for 71-72 hubs. I did this very thing to my 68

I have a set of hubs, luckily. I was just writing about when you don’t ch cr out what you buy it causes you a lot of work. Also if I had noticed the rear was a 2wd it would have given me serious negotiation power for a lower price....

The seller though that bent up frame and parts were gold, if I would have noticed the rear was 2wd it would have given me serious negotiation power, I paid $1400 for that frame and rear end....