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Old 03-31-2017, 07:56 PM   #1
cooperhw
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78 downlow-littledough

Well howdy there fellas. Name's Wayne and my new project is a 78 Chevy 1/2 ton, fleet-side, short bed pickup.
By my title 78 downlow-littledough, you have probably already guessed that I am planned on putting her a little closer to terra firma and hopefully do it without buying a bunch of big ticket items
Last year I built (not 100% finished yet) a 72 El Camino that I have in the "Alternate Tinkerings" section. The year before that I built a 68 Chevy 1 ton dually short bed step side in the 68-72 section called "Meet Homer".
Anyhow, I mention these past projects so you will know a couple things about me before looking at this current project.
I have been going back and forth on whether to build a 63 GMC I had or do a square body. Well about a week ago I finally came to terms with this pickups former owner so a deal was struck. I put my 63 on Craigslisssss and on down the road it went. Went and picked up my new to me and brought it home this morning. It is a pretty straight and almost entire rust free truck. The former owner had pulled the rearend out to install new disk brakes along with engine upgrades and that was where the project met a timely death.
I had been trying to buy this truck for about the last 2 years off and on for a one of these days project, but felt he was asking too much money. I finally decided that his asking price was fair, so here she is in all her "glory",,,,,
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Old 03-31-2017, 07:58 PM   #2
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

A few more of this "clean" interior.
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Old 03-31-2017, 08:30 PM   #3
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Looks like a great start! Congrats!

I'm in for the build.
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Old 04-01-2017, 01:21 AM   #4
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

I am in.
Congrats on finally getting it.
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Old 04-01-2017, 12:32 PM   #5
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Quote:
Originally Posted by Derek@AccuAir View Post
Looks like a great start! Congrats!

I'm in for the build.
Thanks Derek.
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Old 04-01-2017, 12:36 PM   #6
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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I am in.
Congrats on finally getting it.
Thanks. I appreciate it. Plan is to strip the doghouse, cab, & bed off ASAP so I can get started cleaning the frame & making plans.
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Old 04-02-2017, 07:50 AM   #7
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Wow Coop ,that is a very nice truck to start with ,you know Im going to follow along .
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Old 04-02-2017, 09:49 AM   #8
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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Wow Coop ,that is a very nice truck to start with ,you know Im going to follow along .
Right on. I appreciate the kind words. It is a pretty nice hull to start out on. Not what I'm used to starting with.
Oh well, let the games begin.
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Old 04-02-2017, 03:42 PM   #9
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Well, not getting around very good right now as I had a little knee scope operation last week, but, was getting around good enough to help my "helper" Chuck get started tearing this dude apart.
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Old 04-02-2017, 03:45 PM   #10
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

A few more. I know most of these pics are boring, but for me it is invaluable when it comes time to put it back together and I can go back and look at these pics and see what part bolted together into what hole. Great storage pics.
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Old 04-02-2017, 03:47 PM   #11
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

last ones today, I promise.
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Old 04-02-2017, 03:48 PM   #12
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

last ones today, I promise.
Took Chuck 2.5 hours, I paid him for 3, and we all know who got the better end of that deal?
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Old 04-02-2017, 05:53 PM   #13
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Wow ya'll dont waste any time .
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Old 04-02-2017, 06:54 PM   #14
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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Wow ya'll dont waste any time .
Right on. I love the "honeymoon" phase of a build.
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Old 04-02-2017, 06:57 PM   #15
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Had a little lunch and sat and watched about 30 minutes of the toob, and had to "go back out in the garage just to check it out".
Well, about an hour later I had the rearend, springs, and e-brake cables out. Inch by inch.
That's it for today. Back to work tomorrow.
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Old 04-02-2017, 11:58 PM   #16
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperhw View Post
last ones today, I promise.
We like pictures, don't worry about it.
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Old 04-03-2017, 09:57 AM   #17
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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We like pictures, don't worry about it.
Cool.
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Old 04-03-2017, 01:38 PM   #18
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

Quote:
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Well, not getting around very good right now as I had a little knee scope operation last week, but, was getting around good enough to help my "helper" Chuck get started tearing this dude apart.
We are going up similar roads here with kinda lower bucks low builds and nursing a bum knee. Hats off to you on your builds.
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Old 04-03-2017, 06:11 PM   #19
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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We are going up similar roads here with kinda lower bucks low builds and nursing a bum knee. Hats off to you on your builds.
Right on. We just keep plugging along. Keep up the good fight.
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Old 04-03-2017, 07:02 PM   #20
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

I'm following. Cool truck
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Old 04-03-2017, 08:23 PM   #21
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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I'm following. Cool truck
Glad to have ya. Thanks
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Old 04-04-2017, 09:19 PM   #22
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

I'm down for lowbuck builds.
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Old 04-04-2017, 10:49 PM   #23
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

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I'm down for lowbuck builds.
That makes "MANY" of us. I would only do high buck builds & have nothing but the best parts installed by the best shop, except, (wait for it) hard to teach this old dog that trick.
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Old 04-04-2017, 10:56 PM   #24
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

How about a total of 9 inch drop in the front after installing 3 inch drop spindles?
Actually thinking about a hybrid rear suspension? I have a 66 1/2 ton frame at my cabin property that was hit pretty hard in the front. It has trailing arms. I am thinking I can do an axle flip with a lowering block & have a good place for my bags to sit?
What do u think?
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Old 04-05-2017, 06:32 PM   #25
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Re: 78 downlow-littledough

lurk
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