'65 SWB Patina Build

[Bomp]

What a Score!!!!!!!
Wish the yards here would do stuff like that.
Makes me wanna move.
Any houses with large shops for sale in your parts???

[w00dst0ck]

Well we were supposed to take my Buddies TBSS to go pick it up today, but that didn't happen.

Hopefully I'll be able to get it Wednesday morning. Would like to start raising the bed floor and start working on the bag setup.

First time ever working with bags, and I plan on building most of the stuff myself as usual (unless I find a really good deal on some pre fab parts).

[w00dst0ck]

Picked up the truck today!

Towed it behind my buddies built TBSS. Thing hauls 80mph like nothing.


I need to work on my 3spd shifter linkage. They aren't crossed or bent like in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b14guWxbSn8, so my pattern is funky:

2
3
R
1

They "fixed" it at Painless (I didn't ask them to), but what they really did was rotate the linkage until the U bolts weren't in the spline grooves, so my linkage fell apart during the test drive and I got to drag it down the block. That was awesome. I fixed it when I got home, but it's still not right. The rods aren't bent or crossed, which makes it bind from 1-2 shifts (I imagine rods are hitting eachother as they are nearly touching one another).

Probably going to have to bend some new rods, but I'll deal with it for now.

[w00dst0ck]

I haven't had a chance to snap any pictures of the new Painless harness, but it's pretty nice. They didn't loom it which is really disappointing as they were supposed to, but I'll do it eventually.

Back on 15's until I finish the suspension. Plan is to order PB level 2 stuff probably. My trailing arms are on their last leg, someone welded them back together at some point which is starting to rust again, so I'll probably do the rear first.

Best place to order patch panels? Heard good things about LMC, but their website is pretty terrible.

Need both rockers (inner/outer) pass cab corner, some floor board patches, and bottom of both A pillars.

[Pro Performance]

Subscribed..... cool build!

[Ryguy442]

Awesome projects! I have a cl450 chopper myself. I look forward to see progress on the truck! Subscribed

Ryan

[w00dst0ck]

Well unless a few of my other toys sell, nothing major will happen anytime soon. Back in school so funds are tight.

Picking up a nice hood in San Antonio on Wednesday for $200. Supposedly mint, just rusty. -Just the way I like it.

Also ordering a bunch of cab patch panels.

[w00dst0ck]

I keep forgetting to snap some pics of the harness/fuse box. But i'm sure there are others on here running their old harness.

[w00dst0ck]

[w00dst0ck]

Almost ready to go in. Rear end nearly locked up tonight. I've never seen it even drip fluid, but I'm assuming that both gears and trashed and probably the carrier.

I'll probably take some flack for this, but debating on rebuilding the 12 bolt, or just swapping in a posi 8.8 31 spline that already has disc brakes for like $150.

[w00dst0ck]

On a side note, does anyone make ls mounts for these trucks? No biggie if not, I will make my own, just curious. Kinda wanted to take the lazy way out on the mounts for this truck.

Sadly, I won't be able to run the 22" smoothies any longer so I'm going to sell them.

[joesscamaro]

Sounds like you've already ordered your patch panels...but I'm using LMC and have had pretty good fitment with them. A little massaging here and there, but nothing major. Good luck and keep the pics coming.

[w00dst0ck]

I haven't yet. Since the rear end **** itself last night I'm pulling it apart and starting with the drivetrain.

Just need to order mounts and seal the motor back up tonight.

[w00dst0ck]

Started pulling it apart this morning. Taking a bit longer than I expected due to rusty bolts. Having to soak them a lot longer than I thought.

Motor is back together, waiting on ECE mounts. Picked up a local 4l80 for pretty cheap.

Found at least 6 3.73 lsd 8.8's at the pick-n-pull the other day. Going to snag one sometime this week.

[scuderia]

What heater box is that? Looks different than the ones I usually see.

[w00dst0ck]

To be honest, I'm not sure.

[w00dst0ck]

Front end is off. Pulling the motor later tonight.

Surprisingly, it's not nearly as rusty as I thought. Although the entire frame/suspension is caked in 1-2" of dirt. Frame rails under the cab are completely packed with dirt.

[w00dst0ck]

Old motor/trans are gone to the new owner. I spent a good hour power washing under the truck. Pretty much the entire frame was caked with dirt all the way back.

Ok onto my first question.

Is there any reason to keep the factory cross member and just run PB control arms/bag setup?

2nd:

What are the chances of me fitting a 4l80e behind the 5.3 with a factory low hump?

[w00dst0ck]

Trying to determine the best PB setup for the LS motor. I would really like to do their front drop member to be able to switch to a manual rack and pinion. But I don't really need to get the truck that low.

[timmytimm3]

Coming along. You can pancake the stock crossmember and run forward arms which will solve your ground clearance issues, center the wheels, and give you caster, but you still need to fab up a way to run a rack.

If you have the money (and can wait for build time) go with the PB crossmember. They have multiple versions (ride height, bag/coilover), it's also lighter.



I would call Porterbuilt and talk to them. They know their stuff and will be able to tell you if the 4l80 will fit.

[w00dst0ck]

I'm just wondering if having a rack and pinion is worth the swap and $$$.

Steering in this truck doesn't seem that bad, nothing compared the to dead spot in my '31 Chopped/channeled Model A.

Basically i'm thinking about just running their control arms up front, with my my factory crossmember.

Rear I am doing full PB because my trailing arms are rotten.

[w00dst0ck]

After crunching some numbers, I just can't justify $6k+ in suspension.

I'm going to pancake the front crossmember, put their level 1 kit on the front ($500), and do CPP disc brakes, and PB tubular trans mount.

I can always add the No Limits power steering setup later if I decide to ditch the steering box for ~$800.

[w00dst0ck]

Spent last night blasting the control arms, and this morning wire wheeling the front portion of the frame and crossmember.

I bet I emptied 15-20 industrial sized dust pans of dirt/grime.

Tossing around the idea of z'ing the frame. Undecided yet.

[tinydb84]

I never think to powerwash anything...I even have one in my garage too...There is a place down the street from my work that does steam cleaning. Around 100 bucks and it is spotless...next time.

I like Z's over sectioned crossmembers. I have done both and I would rather not make the steering in these old trucks worse (with the sectioned crossmember). How low you plan on going also plays a factor as you can only go so far with a crossmember.

Luckily the body on these trucks can be lowered about an inch without significant work. The bed mounts will need work but you are going to have to do that with your mods anyway.

Here is a nice build with a mild Z: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

[whitels1]

I did a 700R4 swap on a 66 and we had to do alot of cutting.... Good luck with your build!