The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

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- - 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=654053)

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

Thanks ! Really like those headers, considering some for my '79 K30.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

We built an 86 chevy crew cab short bed out of a long bed too in 2003

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

Shocks are all mounted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psf0phdvr9.jpg

I decided I wasn't digging the race cut bed sides. Thought I'd go with a more trimmed stock bedside. It just slow going with time and bodywork.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps4l4rp1ck.jpg

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

It's looking good. I like the stock type bed sides too.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

I talked the wife into giving me a few days to work on the truck during my vacation. Its been more difficult do get outside with a newborn and a 3.5 year old. At least I have two boys to help me and enjoy the adventures we will have with this truck.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps9ruk4w7g.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psfdcnrpx5.jpg

I started putting the truck back together and mounted the bed sides.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psssmjkaa8.jpg

Mounted the new fenders and fiberglass cowl hood.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psoxztbaj9.jpg

I finally got my custom built grille mounted.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psv3kdb6ov.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psfot99ix1.jpg

Now I just have to finish up a few more things and bodywork.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...pscs8eahmh.jpg

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

She's a beast! Loving the build.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

looks great! nice job.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

That looks killer! Great color choice.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

So I gave in a bought a PSC full hydro kit. I took some time off from work to get the truck to the point to where I could take it out and start testing it for bugs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psk7jvwcol.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps7vwuwasj.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psphte9aec.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psa2xycj21.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psyjax5mf8.jpg

Arms were ordered from Four Wheel Supply. They are awesome and beefy! They are half the price of anyone else on the market.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps4q23dqis.jpg

I ordered .250 wall tube and ended up getting shipped .375 wall. Since time wasn't on my side, I went with it. I ended up breaking the strap tab off my die and bent the bolts on my buddy's bender. It was a funny sight, we were all hiding behind shop equip while my buddy was running the bender. In the end we made it happen and no one was hurt.
Here is a pic of my die.
Bad cold weld. Talked pro-tools in to warrantying the repair since it was bad workmanship.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psrt0prwma.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...pss0kikzsu.jpg
And after protools fixed under warranty

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psv6bx0zye.jpg

Since the tube was 3/8, I decided to go with 3/8 plate for the mounting surface as well. Took my templet over to a friends house for him to cut out on his 4x4 table. Welded in with triple passes. I don't thinks its going anywhere.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psuctol8wt.jpg

Here is the final product. I am very pleased with out it turned out for my first hydro install. Over all with all the double and triple checking all my numbers and measurements it took me about 7 days of time to install.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

So to get you all caught up... I finished all the little details to get her all ready for our trip to Pismo CA for 4th of July.

I have officially named the truck - Goliath. Hope you enjoy looking at her as much as I do.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psfbl2ba2q.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psoiqvsvtv.jpg

Found a few bugs, but nothing I couldn't fix back at camp. I took it really easy to ensure we had fun and get everything tested. I was most pleased with how soft the suspension was. This truck will for sure be a dune truck as much as a mud truck.

I still have more to get accomplished before she see mud later this year.

Re: 1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

Wow, Goliath looks awesome! Is the full hydro steering legal for street use in CA? I don't believe it is here in IA.