Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton

[Tow Me]

The front tires are pretty narrow... But the height is right. I found a set of 20s for a good price so I may just go that route... Well see. I think my rear tires are 245/75-15, but that's just a guess. As for the headlights.... I have everything wired up and I did notice a parking light was not working... I was hope it was burnt out but I didn't check. I ordered some relays and a dual harness to boost my lights and so I can wire up all 4 lights on high beam.

[Tow Me]

The engine is mostly wired up, but I need to bolt on the headers and get an exhaust made. I'm waiting to put the inner fender wells in along with the battery tray. My radiator had some damage but we had it tested and it works fine. I Photoshopped Crewella lowered on rallies and blurry 20s.

[WillieloRidez]

That is looking sweet man. I like the stance...makes me want to shorten my truck... Keep us posted

[Tow Me]

We are getting closer on getting Crewella on the road and I have some updated photos.

A few hours ago, we got the motor started and it sounds really good. The headers are installed and I see they hang down very low. I may cut the flanges off and have the exhaust welded on with reducer. The collector diameter is only 2.5" so it will transition into the exhaust just fine. Getting the headers on was a pain in the ass. My dad actually had the task of doing that. He had to jack to motor up to get the driver side on.

My OEM grill was cracked and didn't look real good up close. So I ordered a new reproduction grill and bezels a while back. I'm pleased with the fit and look. I used a file on in a couple spots on the new grill to make everything fit nicely. I had to do some trimming to make the emblem fit too. I think it turned out pretty well. See the photos below. Also, after doing the '91 Suburban grill swap, I just realized the lower metal piece (between the bumper and grill) is different than the stock '81 piece. Previously I had the grill set in place, but when I finally screwed it all in, the bottom didnt look right. I found the '91 piece in my barn since I was planning to use the red one that matched my truck. I sprayed it semigloss black and it is hardly noticeable.

Since I bought some new rims for my bagged '83 SWB, I have a set of Centerline 20s for Crewella. They didnt fit right on like I thought them would. The centers of the wheels don't work with the heavy duty brakes, so we did some grinding on the wheel bearing and the inside of the wheel center cap.

Added the stainless trim around the turn signals and fender opening.


New grill in place, but it still needs a bowtie!


I had to modify the grill to get the emblem to fit the way I thought it should.




And after all the trimming the bowtie looks like it should be there.



I robbed the fan shroud off a parts Suburban and it makes it look a little better.


Got the overhead console too from a Suburban.


Powder coated the battery tray, and the inner fenders (not shown)


New bed bolts and weatherstripping from www.classicparts.com


Hidden hitch is permanently in place now. This hitch originally hung down below the bumper, and my dad modified it to fit inside the frame rails.




I got the 20s to fit after a bunch of grinding.

[menace121978]

looks sweet man! i like the wheels

[BGRAFX]

The crew looks damn good glen. I like the newer grill setup and the wheel fender trim looks perfect.

[joe231]

very nice!
I like the wheels and that new grill looks killer. I need one of those. Where did you get it?
I have the same overhead console but in blue, I haven't figured out how I'm going to mount it yet though....have you come up with a plan?

[Tow Me]

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by joe231

very nice!
I like the wheels and that new grill looks killer. I need one of those. Where did you get it?
I have the same overhead console but in blue, I haven't figured out how I'm going to mount it yet though....have you come up with a plan?

Joe, the overhead console has a metal bracket that you bolt to the ceiling, then the console bolts to it. If you don't have one, I would get it to make installation easier. I can get a picture of the bracket next time I'm at the shop.

I got the grill and bezels at www.classicparts.com. $98 for the grill... and I think the bezels were $20-30 each.

[BGRAFX]

I'm going toi the junk yard later, maybe I will find myself a console so I can be cool like you guys

[joe231]

Originally Posted by Tow Me

Thanks guys!



Joe, the overhead console has a metal bracket that you bolt to the ceiling, then the console bolts to it. If you don't have one, I would get it to make installation easier. I can get a picture of the bracket next time I'm at the shop.

I got the grill and bezels at www.classicparts.com. $98 for the grill... and I think the bezels were $20-30 each.

I have the bracket for the console, but it doesn't fit the crew cabs ceiling very well, the burb I got it from didn't have the double skin ceiling like the pickups. It had exposed supports that te bracket was riveted to. I'm thinking I might cut some keyholes in my inner roof skin for the console to slip into and just run self-drillers in the back two holes to hold it up.

Thanks for the info on the grill

[Tow Me]

I haven't test fit the console in the crew cab so hopefully I dont have issues too.

[qu1cks1lver56]

Those mirrors have me thinking. Where'd you get them? And do they come in chrome?

Nice looking truck btw, I wish I had the time/money to put together a CCSB, I love the look.

[Tow Me]

I bought the power mirrors off of Craigslist. A guy was parting out a Suburban and he was willing to ship me the mirrors, harness, and switch from Washington. I have been tracking some on eBay and haven't seen them under $250. I got mine for $200. I'm not positive, but I think they were only available on '89-'91 Suburbans. Maybe Blazers and Crew Cabs. I've only seen them on a Suburbans.

Check this LED signal conversion by BLE 'BURBAN.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=389166&page=2

[BGRAFX]

I've got a pair that I may not use. Bought them 6months ago from another board member.

[Tow Me]

Originally Posted by BGRAFX

I've got a pair that I may not use. Bought them 6months ago from another board member.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you give for them? Did it include the harness and switch. I'm wondering if I got a good deal or not.

[BGRAFX]

I didn't get the harness or switch, I got a hell of deal on them since I trade some other parts I had layin around. I do know they are very hard to find which makes the price so high. I was going to put them on my suburban but never took them out of the box, then I sold that and just got my dually home this past weekend so I'm not sure if I will use them or not. Right now its all stock farm truck with the exceptoon of a cowl hool, so mirrors might be the change it needs lol. Your truck has come along way and looks good.

[qu1cks1lver56]

Originally Posted by Tow Me

I bought the power mirrors off of Craigslist. A guy was parting out a Suburban and he was willing to ship me the mirrors, harness, and switch from Washington. I have been tracking some on eBay and haven't seen them under $250. I got mine for $200. I'm not positive, but I think they were only available on '89-'91 Suburbans. Maybe Blazers and Crew Cabs. I've only seen them on a Suburbans.

Check this LED signal conversion by BLE 'BURBAN.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=389166&page=2

Yeah that conversion is awesome. I've been thinking of new mirror ideas because my crappy ebay ones are rusting and theyre brand new. I like the idea of those because every set of dumbo's that have been on my truck move in a little at highway speeds and everytime the door is shut. Drives me crazy, and I kind of like the idea of those off the suburban. I don't know how they'd look on my truck, but I have to at least try it, do they bolt in the same holes as the dumbo's?

[Dieselwrencher]

I love that grill! And $98 bucks seems dang cheap too. You guys keep up the nice work! It's making me want to get my 76 done or atleast running.

[Tow Me]

So.... today was the first time I have ever driven Crewella!!! Runs great too!

Granted, I didn't have brakes and it was just on my dad's property, but I drove it. I got my Centerline caps to fit on the front after a little more grinding on the wheel bearing area. I cleaned and mounted the washer fluid tank, replaced the heater hoses, cleaned/painted the hood hinges, and pulled out the old flooring. There is some rust I need to address but it was expected. I have OEM rockers and floor panels out of a Suburban so I have everything and more for when repairs are needed!

Inspected the rear brakes and everything looks good, but my dad and I couldn't get the brakes bled. We may have a problem with the master cylinder, but we have to try again tomorrow since we ran out of brake fluid.

Here are some updated photos.

[BGRAFX]

Looks Good!

[menace121978]

sweet man! looking good

[WillieloRidez]

Freakin SWEET!!! How soon till you get the bed back on and pictures????

[scotts62]

Awesome!!!!

Love the looks of it with those wheels!!

[Tow Me]

Thanks! I need to cleAn up the under side of the bed and have some tack welds repaired on the fenders before I put the bed on .... So hopefully next week it will be on. Thanks for all the feedback!

[joe231]

On second thought Glen, those wheels are just horrible!
You should box them up and send them to me for proper disposal