1972 GMC Shorty Conversion

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by bluex

Hey,

I've been following your build and your doing some awesome work. If you want a different header and are not looking for all out performance try some 3/4 length chevelle headers. I have a set from dynomax on my '78 and they fit great and keep the exhaust up off the ground. I got the idea from a build Sport Truck did in Nov 1999 on a '68 C10. The part number is 85118. This thread has more details:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...evelle+headers

Thanks for the feedback Paul!

The headers you recomended appear to be for a small block. My truck has a big block in it. I found some shorty's made by Patriot that I'm considering purchasing.

Thanks,
Miles

[rondog4416]

this is something i have been wanting to do for quite awhile ! looks like you are doing a great job ! it takes some melons to cut up a super nice truck like that !hats off to ya ! now maybe i will get started on mine .hope to see more pic's . great job!

[bluex]

Originally Posted by 72Cheyenne454

Thanks for the feedback Paul!

The headers you recomended appear to be for a small block. My truck has a big block in it. I found some shorty's made by Patriot that I'm considering purchasing.

Thanks,
Miles

Ya they are for a small block. Completely missed that one, sorry. They do make them for big block chevelles though. Its just a pet peeve of mine to see a really nice lowered truck and then see the exhaust hanging visible below the frame.

Keep on keeping on, I'm sure whatever you get will be done with all the same attention to detail you have used so far.

[fbird68]

Your project is coming along nicely! Wish I could say the same about mine but customers come first.
Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to go with the gear vendors unit rather than a 700R4. I think that is a 400 pan I see there. Sorry if you mentioned it before but I am feeling too lazy to go back and look for it. lol

Once again great work!

Richard

[72BlckButy]

Great looking new project, and the old one is coming together nicely; any updates?

[mcbassin]

Just got through the whole thing.....WOW! awesome skills! subscribed.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by fbird68

Your project is coming along nicely! Wish I could say the same about mine but customers come first.
Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to go with the gear vendors unit rather than a 700R4. I think that is a 400 pan I see there. Sorry if you mentioned it before but I am feeling too lazy to go back and look for it. lol

Once again great work!

Richard

I've never had much luck with 700R4's holding up behind big blocks. Plus, my truck already had the TH400 in it which works nicely. When I ran across the Gear Vendor on Craigslist it just made sense. Should be bullet proof.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Great looking new project, and the old one is coming together nicely; any updates?

Hi Nate,

Not a lot of progress lately.. been side tracked with life. I've been plugging away at the wiring. I cleaned up the rear brake/tail harness and installed it. Also installed a new harness from the cab to the rear harness. I'm getting ready to pull the headers off to replace them with something shorter. I'm going to fab up some new shift linkage so I can get rid of the cross shaft between the TH400 and the frame. Once the shaft is gone, I'll have more room to tuck my exhaust up inside the frame. May have to fab up a new tranny crossmember for additional clearance, we'll see.

Did you get your center caps yet? If so, lets see some pics.

Thanks for looking, more to come - soon I hope.

Miles

[72BlckButy]

Miles... I finally did get the caps on and not 70 miles later the water pump blew so, needless to say, I learned my lesson from the truck gods...

Here's two quick pics of what the wheels look like on my truck; couldn't be happier..., well, other than the water pump.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Miles... I finally did get the caps on and not 70 miles later the water pump blew so, needless to say, I learned my lesson from the truck gods...

Here's two quick pics of what the wheels look like on my truck; couldn't be happier..., well, other than the water pump.

Attachment 591497

Attachment 591498

Wow, I love those wheels. Your truck is looking very nice. Good luck on the pump replacement.

Miles

[72Cheyenne454]

Some new headers from Summit Racing showed up today. The Doug Thorley headers I currently have hang way too low for my comfort. These should provide plenty of ground clearance and allow me tuck the exhaust pipes up inside the frame after I redo the shift linkage. These headers are Patriot Clipster headers that I've seen others on this forum use. Should get them on this weekend.

Here's a few pics.

Miles

[72Cheyenne454]

Got some new tires mounted up. 275/60/15 on the rear and 245/60/15 on the front.

Here's a few pics.

[butternut1972]

Your truck is looking great. The wheels and tires are perfect, i love ruck rally's. Nice job.

[VA72C10]

very nice!!!

[mcbassin]

Must be nice to just "pop" for new meats like that? They look really good!

[72BlckButy]

Originally Posted by 72Cheyenne454

Wow, I love those wheels. Your truck is looking very nice. Good luck on the pump replacement.

Miles

Thanks Miles!

The wheels/tires look good mounted and on the truck.

[72Cheyenne454]

Well, my truck is finally out of the garage - under its own power!!

In fact, I drove it around the block over the weekend. I still have a lot of stuff to do before it's road ready (bleed the brakes again -pedal is a little soft, mount the rear bumper and hidden hitch, redo the shift linkage for exhaust clearance, get new exhaust, alignment etc). It feels good to at least have it out of the garage.

I pieced together some exhaust just so I could go for a spin, so don't knock me for it hanging down so low. I'm hoping to get the truck in for a new exhaust system late next week. Need to get the bumper, spare tire and hitch installed first.

Here's a few pics of it out in the sun. Thanks for looking.

Miles

[mcbassin]

Looks great! What mods did you do to your suspension? Love the ride height and stance. Those rallies look killer!

[lolife99]

Looks GREAT!
Nice choice on the tire sizes.

[67cheby]

Awesome work and good , classy looking truck, i really dig the color

[72BlckButy]

Can't wait for paint!

Looks amazing Miles, nice work!

[fencepost]

Nice stance

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looks great! What mods did you do to your suspension? Love the ride height and stance. Those rallies look killer!

Hey, sorry for not responding earlier.

Mods are -

Front

2" big block drop springs
2.5" drop spindles

Rear

6" drop spring
Adjustable panhard bar
C-Notch

All ECE parts.

Thanks,
Miles

[72Cheyenne454]

I got the rear bumper and hidden hitch mounted up this weekend. Also got the new shorty headers installed and modified the shift linkage to clear the new exhaust that's coming on Wednesday.

Had some trouble fitting the drivers side header. I had to pull the motor mount out (the bucket portion that bolts to the block) and grind away some meat in order to clear the header. Also has to re-rout the oil dip stick on the passenger side in order to clear the header.

As far as the shift linkage, I got rid of the cross shaft (cross shaft between the tranny and the frame) in order to make room for the exhaust.

I need to replace the new Napa master cylinder, it's leaking brake fluid around the piston. So much for the "get the good stuff at Napa".

A few odds and ends to wrap up before the truck heads off to the exhaust shop on Wednesday. I'll post some more pics after the exhaust is complete.

Here's a few pics of this weekend's activities.

Thanks for looking, Miles

[lolife99]

I really like your shift linkage mod!
I may have to "borrow" that idea.