1976 CCSB Duramax Project #trucknamedsue

[MTCK]

Originally Posted by RADustin

Thanks guys! It's yalls support that keeps me moving.


yes I am keeping all the GMT900 BCM, EBCM and the pitch/yaw sensor. So the truck will have ABS, stabilitrak, integrated trailer brakes with trailer sway control and anything else a 2014 has. I will be keeping onstar as well and using the newer style rearview mirror with backup camera in the glass.

One of the reasons I chose the LML duramax was the body electronics side of things. I could have much easier and cheaper used the LBZ but the older ABS was crap compared to the GMT900 LML.

This truck I'm building will have all the safety features a new truck has minus airbags and restraints control. The goal is to stuff all this new technology under the cover of the '76. I want the dash to remain as stock appearing as I can. This is why I worked to hide the wheel angle sensor, and the brake position sensor. If the average person doesn't notice anything out of place, that would be perfect.

If later I feel like drilling the bumpers for the sonar systems I can custom flash the BCM and do adaptive cruise like the tahoes have. That would be pretty cool as well.

Holy cow. Nice work. Great fabrication, system integration and attention to detail.

[83GMCK2500]

With your desire to have a stock looking interior will you be painting/coating that shiny steering column? What was the reasoning behind using that aftermarket column as opposed to a late square column with the wiper controls on the lever?

What are you doing for the dash bezel with regard to wiper switch hole?

[RADustin]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

With your desire to have a stock looking interior will you be painting/coating that shiny steering column? What was the reasoning behind using that aftermarket column as opposed to a late square column with the wiper controls on the lever?

What are you doing for the dash bezel with regard to wiper switch hole?

yes I'm either painting the column black like factory or maybe an alternative interior color.

The factory column is made of pot metal and not easily modified. I needed the aftermarket column so I had materials that can be cut, welded, modified, etc. I also wanted to start with new parts. The IDIDIT is based on 70s-80s technology/design anyways, so its a 1 for 1 swap.

I'm using the late model turn signal stalk for several reasons. First it gives me cruise control that will interface my BCM, as they are resistor ladder. They aren't discrete switches. The wiper controls are on the stalk as well, which again will work with the LML BCM and the LML wiper motor, which I also will be using.

The previous location in the dash for the wiper switch will probably become the integrated trailer brake controller, which can look very similar at first glance.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by RADustin

yes I'm either painting the column black like factory or maybe an alternative interior color.

The factory column is made of pot metal and not easily modified. I needed the aftermarket column so I had materials that can be cut, welded, modified, etc. I also wanted to start with new parts. The IDIDIT is based on 70s-80s technology/design anyways, so its a 1 for 1 swap.

I love heavily modified builds that look as OEM as possible, I figured the column would be black...but now that you mention a custom interior color I dig it.

Makes sense, I haven't looked into or seen anyone analyze the materials used in the earlier columns.

Originally Posted by RADustin

I'm using the late model turn signal stalk for several reasons. First it gives me cruise control that will interface my BCM, as they are resistor ladder. They aren't discrete switches. The wiper controls are on the stalk as well, which again will work with the LML BCM and the LML wiper motor, which I also will be using.

The previous location in the dash for the wiper switch will probably become the integrated trailer brake controller, which can look very similar at first glance.

The electronic needs make sense. In the original GMT900 column was high beam push forward on the lever with a momentary pull back to flash? It's been a while since I was in a 900, I don't think my dad's '11 is but I can't remember.

Oh, the ITBC...that is f***ing genius. I bet a billet slider (or stainless (easy polishing)) could be machined for the controller that looked like the wiper switch. Know anyone with some tiny end mills?

[RADustin]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

I love heavily modified builds that look as OEM as possible, I figured the column would be black...but now that you mention a custom interior color I dig it.

Makes sense, I haven't looked into or seen anyone analyze the materials used in the earlier columns.



The electronic needs make sense. In the original GMT900 column was high beam push forward on the lever with a momentary pull back to flash? It's been a while since I was in a 900, I don't think my dad's '11 is but I can't remember.

Oh, the ITBC...that is f***ing genius. I bet a billet slider (or stainless (easy polishing)) could be machined for the controller that looked like the wiper switch. Know anyone with some tiny end mills?

I'm not settled on steering column colors yet. But I am thinking about it. I'll have a billet steering wheel and a lokar floor shifter for the allison, so the interior won't be completely stock...but I want it to be pretty close. It's a fine line to walk.

I've thought about doing a medium tan leather seats and wrapped dash cover with a matching painted dash/column. But then I wonder what to do on the doors. With the smaller door panels, much of the door is left visible to the interior. I need to search around and look at some more pictures of the early trucks with different interiors and make some decisions. This is something I want to do sooner than later so I can paint the column and finish it out. Right now it is primed though.

the original turn stalk did go forwards/back for high beams. I thought about making mine do that, but gave up on. I'll keep the stock foot high beam switch or I've thought about redesigning the factory headlight switch to have a 3rd detent and high beams be there.

The trailer brake controller should be fun. Haven't started on that at all and won't for a while. Not until after the truck is driving anyways.

[tinydb84]

I hope I have skills like you one day...

[Feel the 'Pane]

Incredible build!! ������

Ever have any thoughts on going solo & building aftermarket parts for John Q. Public?

[RADustin]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I hope I have skills like you one day...

it's easy- mess up alot and over think everything

Originally Posted by Feel the 'Pane

Incredible build!! ������

Ever have any thoughts on going solo & building aftermarket parts for John Q. Public?

thanks. Every day. Literally. Everyday I dream about how I can do what I love and carve out a good honest living. The problem is John Q. Public is lots of one off single order parts typically. Hard to make money. John Q. Company is much more lucrative. When I feel like I can secure a few commercial/industrial fabrication contracts to supplement any automotive(Public) orders, then I think I will try.

At the price point many people are willing to pay, a shop is barely paying for labor and materials. There is essentially nothing left over for a $500k laser or $200k brake or $100k shear or $60k VMC- all tools required to really compete with the big boys. Sure you can outsource but there's no money for that either. I've done the cost analysis for the parts I've made in this thread. Although I feel someone will pay for them, most will not.

[Devilman]

I'll pay for em for sure!!

[RADustin]

No I’m retaining all source files. Parts will be made available though.

[RADustin]

Update Time.

finished out turn signal- I think it came out nice.


worked on finishing up the metal work on the core support for now. To get it ready for blast and prime.

Had to make some tabs to attach the rear of the hood latch header panel since I cut off this area earlier on.









filled a bunch of holes. cut out these tiny fillers, numbered to their respective hole.







flipped the frame and mounted the trailer hitches I made earlier-






I then started the process of taking the frame apart and finishing out all the pieces. Not a ton of pics from this process as from a birds eye few nothing changed. Just alot of detail work, final welding, grinding, etc.

pallet of parts-




welded out all the 4 links. 7 passes on each end. took a while.







vid on the positioner- (not sure if it'll work?)



using the trailer hitches and some scrap pieces I made a little rotisserie to flip the frame. I was able to finish filling holes and gouges very quickly, and used this system to paint the frame.




metal finished everything and sanded the remaining primer to get ready for more primer to seal in the metal. primed up frame-




sanded the frame back out and got it ready for paint. Satin Black. My Dad sprayed it for me, I'm very thankful for his help. I stress out far too much to paint large items.












got the finish pretty close to the powdercoat test card-


cleaned and painted the real axle. This AAM is massive. What I started with- already cleaned and primed the axle tubes-




cleaned, wire wheeled, sanded, and metal prepped-




primed-






painted semi gloss black-






sent the parts out to powdercoat. This run was a total of 59 individual parts.


took a little over a week to get them back.


started reassembly- front crossmember first-




engine mounts-




transmission and front 4 link-




front crossmember and sway bar mounts-


rear link mounts and crossmember-


rear section-


front coilover bucket-


the whole thing, excuse the messy work area-


spent a little time designing on the fuel tank/fuel system. The passenger tank will jockey into the drivers tank via an ecm controlled transfer pump. So I will use a standard 2 line sending unit in the passenger tank, a feed and vent.

The drivers tank will need several inputs/outputs. I'll use a 3 line sending unit, with the factory feed made into the engine return by removing the filter sock. The vent will be the vent and the factory return will be the fill from the transfer pump. I will add two bungs to the top of the tank for the feed and return for the lift pump. The feed will draw down into a sump on the bottom of the tank, that also has a small drain. While I'm at it, I'll probably weld a drain in the passenger tank as well, they are just nice to have.

I crudely modeled the tank and sender. Stock setup-


modified-






Let me know what you guys think. I'm real happy with the way things are turning out so far.

[Jkwood_80]

Originally Posted by RADustin

No I’m retaining all source files. Parts will be made available though.

Even better! Say when, I'm ready to buy them

[83GMCK2500]

This is, hands down, my favorite thread to see updates in. Loving all of the 21st centruy tools you're using to accomplish this build. Turn signal lever is one of my favorite small items, but I recently bought a 3D printer, so...

[RADustin]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

This is, hands down, my favorite thread to see updates in. Loving all of the 21st centruy tools you're using to accomplish this build. Turn signal lever is one of my favorite small items, but I recently bought a 3D printer, so...

which printer? I need to get one.

[daddyjeep]

It certainly is exciting to see things after paint starting to come together for the last time. It is almost a shame to see them all the same color blending together into an unassuming mass. Of course it would be hideous to paint the pieces different colors to give them the attention they deserve.

[Low Elco]

Great to see it coming together!

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by RADustin

which printer? I need to get one.

Flashforge Creator Pro. The short story is a friend of mine and I each bought one from someone we know who has a dozen or so printers setup in his garage for his small business. These two were matched and work well, they were one of multiple different pairs he was trying out to see which model he was going to go with. My introduction to 3D Printing came in college at the end of the Solidworks class, this was several years ago and the school had a uprint and a uprint plus. I wish these had larger build volume, at least on one axis, the idea I've got brewing could be done in one piece if one axis was 12".

[RADustin]

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500

Flashforge Creator Pro. The short story is a friend of mine and I each bought one from someone we know who has a dozen or so printers setup in his garage for his small business. These two were matched and work well, they were one of multiple different pairs he was trying out to see which model he was going to go with. My introduction to 3D Printing came in college at the end of the Solidworks class, this was several years ago and the school had a uprint and a uprint plus. I wish these had larger build volume, at least on one axis, the idea I've got brewing could be done in one piece if one axis was 12".

that printer looks like it has a heated bed and build table which is awesome.

12" on an axis is a fairly big printer. If you don't need one piece parts I've seen about using TIG rod as alignment pins to stick smaller blocks together or dove tailing.

I dont think it'll be long before I get one. Biggest thing holding me back is this project, only have so much cash to spread around.

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Great to see it coming together!

it is!

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

It certainly is exciting to see things after paint starting to come together for the last time. It is almost a shame to see them all the same color blending together into an unassuming mass. Of course it would be hideous to paint the pieces different colors to give them the attention they deserve.

it's almost fun to make things disappear. I think it adds levels and depth of details. Makes it more fun to look at as you discover details first overlooked.

[LT7A]

I agree with you and daddyjeep on the intricacy of your parts and the related benefits of exposure and layering. Just glad I got to see it go together and view the detail up-close. Great progress!

[GT0B0Y]

This build is truly impressive! I am dying to see this all put together.

[cable666guy]

Amazing build !! Certainly on par with any of the big tv/ magazine builders !!

[Devilman]

Its update time sir!!!

[RADustin]

Originally Posted by Devilman

Its update time sir!!!

I'll work on getting something put together.

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by RADustin

I'll work on getting something put together.

I don't remember where you asked, but regarding the holes in the doors that someone hacked into yours...I would be bothered knowing they were there. You separated the fender skin and straightened them out...I can't imagine that knowing those holes were there wouldn't bother you.

[RADustin]

It bothers me really bad. But I don’t have a patch for it. Wanna mail me one? Lol