1977 Chevy K30 Crew Cab Build

[my4by2]

Mario Novelli - from Novelli Rod & Custom - is supposed to be going up to the shop sometime this week to look over my truck & see if he wants to take on the paint & body details for the project. He has a relatively small shop about 25 miles south of WFO, but they do some VERY nice work there - mostly pro-touring cars & stuff. Will keep you posted on what he says.

[MadManAndrew]

I love your truck! Almost more than mine, haha. Can't wait to see it done.

[my4by2]

Thanks for compliments man! I can't wait to see it done too - hopefully July as planned....

[my4by2]

Here's a few shots of Novelli's work from other projects. He does some awesome paint & body work!!! Not looking to get too carried away on that side of the project, but do want my body panels nice & straight and well aligned before a good paint job. Not looking forward to the cost though....

[MTCK]

WOW, that looks nice! Man, make sure you have some good insurance when this is all said and done... Progress looks great.
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[my4by2]

Yeah, that was one of the VERY first things I went over with my Allstate agent!!! I have to bring in the truck as well as ALL the receipts for the project & then we work up an "agreed value" policy to protect it. Probably won't cover what I paid in labor, but my main concern if I were to hit a deer or something I didn't want the thing totaled out... These trucks are fairly easy to repair body wise & the only true "custom" sheet metal work is the new gas door so should be safe.

[my4by2]

Here's a few shots of my rear axle being final assembled prior to installation. Yes that's a new POSI unit in there!!! Gonna look a lot better once they button it up with the new Mag-Hytec cover to match the front!
Still no clutch pedal assembly from the powder coater - he swears it'll be complete tomorrow, so hope to have pics of that too.

[my4by2]

BTW - here's what this axle looked like before any work had begun & it was sitting on the shop floor... It's out of a 2005 2500HD truck as we wanted factory disc brakes not some "bolt-on" kit. It's come a long way & has a whole new life ahead of it!

[jbclassix]

A lot of people (mostly ford and dodge guys) don't like that factory GM limited slip. I have had one in my diesel 14b ff, my Yukon 10b has one, and my 91 burb 14b sf has one! The one in the Yukon functioned the best, but I have no complaints about them. They are great as long as you keep the fluid clean and serviced when needed. Also, make sure you get the GM limited slip additive from the dealership, IT IS WORTH IT! That is the diff I am using in the 14 bolt I am building.

[my4by2]

This one's not a factory unit although the stock 14-bolt had a posi as did the 2005 14-bolt when we bought it. This one however is an aftermarket Eaton posi. I really wanted the TrueTrac from Detroit, but it isn't available for this axle... The Eaton will perform well though - especially for what I need out of it!

[jbclassix]

OK... the "dimples" threw me off, so I went out and looked at the one in the garage. There are some differences!

[my4by2]

A few better shots for you guys of new engine out of the plastic wrapping.

[my4by2]

Here's some better shots of the rear end after assembly. Should be getting installed onto the truck shortly. Looks SOOOOO much better with that new cover on it!!! Factory parking brake set-up is a WHOLE lot better than the aftermarket caliper style!

[my4by2]

A few new shots of the front axle area. Tie rod isn't powder coated yet, but you can see the cross-over steering arm mount on the knuckle & the front cover to match the rear!

[my4by2]

Thanks man! Wish I could take credit... The shop building my truck specializes in off-road trucks, so they are freakin' AWESOME at building axles!!!

[my4by2]

One last shot of the motor just cause I am so excited about it!

[my4by2]

Another pic of a little different angle that shows the whole the rear axle. Had someone on the GM Square Body forum point out that the axle ends where the backing plates & caliper mounts attach were not aligned with each other. You can see it in the first pics I posted of the rear axle laying on the shop floor after teardown & prior to powder coat. Had me even a little worried until I looked at these pics - just the way it's made & everything is aligned when all the parts are bolted up.

[my4by2]

Here's some pics of those parts I posted on previously at the powder coaters as he was picking them up! Look GREAT!

[jbclassix]

they are lookin good!

[my4by2]

Thanks man! Think the lucky part though is mostly with my patient wife!!! I am considering this my mid-life crisis - even though I am only 38...

[my4by2]

I am going to have to find all the brackets & accessories (including A/C) for the front of my motor now... Can't seem to find any complete kits for this either - Pace Performance sent me some info, but they were all designed for the Camaro or Corvette set-ups. I want the same accessory drive set-up that the 08 engine I started with would have had (except all new) to exactly match the 3-pc VortecMAX engine covers I have already. Sent an email out to the Chevrolet dealer there in Auburn, so hoping they can help out by piecing it together. Will keep you posted on what I find.

[MadManAndrew]

Lookin' good, can't wait.

[my4by2]

"Old" 6.0L engine is getting pulled back out finally. Now they can swap over the clutch & flywheel to the new Mast motor! Progress is always good!!!

[my4by2]

And some new pics of the clutch swap stuff.

[jbclassix]

What year did AAM start using the U-bolt style yokes on the 14Bolts instead of that junky strap type?