Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Well almost another month has went by and no dang progress. So..................................... I bit the bullet and am taking this thing to the body shop and my old boss is going to finish the body work and paint the cab and front clip. Then we'll set the box on the truck and he's going to fix the big dent in the RR box side. Once he has that done I'll have to get the steel floor installed and then he can paint it. Here's my dilema now. Seeing how this truck will have a steel floor and this truck will be used for real work, what do you guys feel about the box sides and floor being all welded together? I'm liking the idea of line-xing the entire inside after the box is painted and then the box will be done for good. The only real down side is if I ever need to replace a box side it'll be a real big PITA. But then again, it isn't like I can't just patch it or skin it like newer trucks. So what do you guys think about that?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

He's doing quite well. I just posted up some pics in my build thread of what we've been doing lately.

Glad to hear she is doing great. It's amazing what they bring to your life. :)

Hope to meet her either this summer or fall.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Yes it is Nate. Hopefully we can meet up at Riverside or GG's or some thing. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

maibe you can just line x the bedsides and make a piece of daimondplate fit verry tightly on the floor and intoo the sides so theres no gap and make an inch high standing edge on it
that way when stuff rolls through the bed during cornering it will hit the daimondplate first and when you get damage you can take out the floorcovering and still get at the bolts and seperate the pieces with the line x on them and repair / replace it without it looking ugly at the seams

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Hopefully by Thursday the truck will be going to the body shop. I'm waiting on a stall to open up before it can go there. Now I'm trying to decide if I want to go back to trim in the windshield rubbers or not. Hmmmmm................................

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I'd just add a few bolts to the perimeter or invest in some tie down straps;) Damage to the sides will probably be halfway up the inner wall and not overload the bolt joints anyways?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I was really thinking it would just be faster to weld it all up and be done with it. But I might just bolt it back together just in case. You never know.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

well ryan hows the hugger orange christmas coming along????

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

It's off to a rough start. I was going to take the truck to the body shop today, but of course it's raining so I haven't decided if I will or not yet.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

It's at the body shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I removed the engine, cleaned it out, hung the new RH fender, put on a different cowl, and Mathew helped me hang the hood. Then we took it to the body shop and pushed it inside. We talked to my old boss and then I removed the wheels and tires. One so it can't be taken out side, and two so I can mount some 305's on the steel wheels. I'll try to get pics tomorrow.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

dont forget to give him the longhorn emblems so he can fill those in with the same paint hes putting on the body

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Why's that? They're black and chrome.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

oops didnt seen the black must've been the light in the picture

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Besides, the bed will have to wait until I get it put together. I have to get the floor and sides assembled so he can fix the big dent in the RH side.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I borrowed some 305's from my little brother for now so I can see what this truck will look like. I'm planning on going to the body shop and putting these on tomorrow so I'll get some pics of the truck tomorrow.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00365.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00366.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

hmmm, I might just have to read through this thread. lol

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I made it over to the body shop and got these tires installed. Also snaped some pics of the truck. No progress has been made and I'm not surprised. :lol: Hopefully by Christmas it'll have color on it. Hopefully..............................................

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00374.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00375.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00378.jpg

It looks like I got my LH fender worked around ok. It matches the contour of the RH behind the wheel.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00376.jpg
http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00377.jpg

I finally found my missing pieces to get a steering column back in it. Dang, I hope I can find the rest of this truck! :lol:

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...n/DSC00379.jpg

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

That's sit n nice. It will be sweet when its done.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Hey dude :

So this is where your hanging out huh .....Truck looks great and being a 69 Z/28 kinda guy i dig the hugger orange. It's alot of work building one of these things but it sure must feel good getting it to the body shop. I know for me thats when you start to realize wow there is a end to this thing......lol
Your build looks great make's me think my prostreet truck could use a transfer case.....I will be sure to be back and watch you complete it

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Thanks guys. Hopefully it'll have something done to it by Christmas..........................

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Ryan,
I'm not sure what happened to my subscription to your build. All my posts and subscription vanished. I've been following along for over a year and never got any updates. So I just thought I would check in. Not sure how I could lose a script and all my posts?
Anyway, glad to see all the last few months worth of progress. Hope to see some paint shot on this puppy pretty soon too.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

At one point he started a new thread(this one) and didn't say anything to us watching the old thread... ;)

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Mike, no problem. I'm glad to hear you found a better radiator support too. Your truck is coming along awesome! I also hope my Longhorn has color on it soon, as I am tired of all these new parts laying here. :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I did start a new thread a long time ago, but this thread is the one and original. I started the other to get more exposure because hardly anyone ever had anything to say about it. :lol: I haven't updated the other thread lately either. I might later tonight. Here's the link to it:
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=372717

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Doh! Why do you have to go confuse everyone like that! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/i...milies/lol.gif

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Okay, I understand now. I thought this was that thread because of some the exact same pics. I was like wth happened to all my posts?

Yep, the core support is either a NOS or aftermarket unit. More than likely a repop.? IDK, it looks like the surface rust from an oem though I will be using it though regardless. I actually scored a whole parts truck. More on that in my thread soon.

Thanks and your truck is coming along awesome too. I love those nice tires. Those would work great on my suburban, well maybe with just a little lift on it. I love the agressive tread.

I got a crap load of new and used parts to put on mine too. Can't wait till I get where you are. Keep rocking bro:chevy:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Are you feeling truckless now with your truck at the body shop , or did you keep enough parts back to work on ? Mine has been gone for awhile and to keep busy i have been working on a shop addition and organizing parts.....Don't get me wrong i now drive to the body shop everyday i can and do what ever i can to speed up the process

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

His stuff is in the way...

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

If you don't have stuff in the way......you ain't building trucks.....LMAO

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

No, not quite yet. I still have the 76 sitting behind the shop, and Mathew's 88 was in the other bay. And yes, I kept plenty to work on but I have no spare time at the moment to work on my stuff. I'm trying to finish a PITA 04 F-250. :lol: I'm going to bring that thread back from the dead here shortly.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Your truck has gone through quite the transformation. Excellent work. How did you determine where to mount the rear springs on your truck? I'am coverting my 72 swb 2wd truck to 4x4. The front spring swap is easy, but i don't know where to start for the rear. My truck has trailing arm suspension. Any advice would be appreciated. What grade, size, and length of bolts did you use to put 4x4 parts on your 2wd frame?

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I thought we were going to see some Christmas present pics:)

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Ryan,
Wow! Where have I been? I can't believe I never ran across your build thread. Awsome work on the ol' girl. I think you will be done with yours before me. Keep it up buddy! Someone's 'gotta' get some work around here. And since it isn't me, I glad that you are making such good progress. :metal:
-Richard

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

My truck had leaf spring rear suspension since it was a Longhorn. But I hear that you can mount the spring hangers on the coil spring frames with out much work. Best bet would be to put a bed on your frame and mock everything up to get the rear axle placed there you need it. I used 3/8" grade 8 bolts for my spring hangers in the rear. I think the bolts were no longer than 2", maybe shorter.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Believe me, I was hoping so too. He hasn't gotten anything done on it. I'm not surprised. I'm going over tomorrow to start sanding on it since he hasn't. If I have the 04 F-250 done before he's done with body work, it's coming back home and I'll just do it myself. At least right now it's sitting inside for free while it collects dust instead of rust. :lol:

Richard, You haven't missed much. :lol: All I've really gotten done was take a truck close to being able to drive and made it into a huge project! :lol:

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I almost forgot, I did get some more parts for this truck. Today I got some 6x9 speakers for it for Christmas, and a 67-72 chevytrucks decal and wall clock from my wife. Pretty sweet! And I will be once again changing the drive train of this truck. My bro and dad will be taking the drag car to Texas for a race in April. I can't see taking this truck apart in March to remove the engine for the corvette since the Longhorn might get painted. I'd rather put it together and keep going. Not swap another engine in and scratch it all up. With that being said and done, I'm going back to the beginning (Kind of) of this build. I'm going to use my 99 NV4500 and more than likely rebuild a 5.9 for it. Which one is unknown right now. I can go 12v but would rather go 24v just because. :lol: A 12v would be cheaper so IDK yet. I did get a ValAir DD clutch last weekend for it. I ordered a hardened big input kit and a cast tail housing for the NV4500 Friday. I have to fix 3rd gear in the trans and then it's done. Now I'm debating using my NP205 from a dodge or just using a 241DHD or DLD. The 241 has a lower low side and is stronger for what I may do with the truck. The only real hard part will be modifying it to be a RH drop instead of a LH drop. We shall see.

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

I can say one thing for sure, I'm getting really tired of looking at the parts mess I have for this truck. It's every where..........................................

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

Sounds like you have a plan for the drivetrain. You better get it installed before you change your mind again. Looking forward to some pics. You can't just talk about cool parts on here you know that:)

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

When they show up he will probably have pics and then have to find a place to store it til the trucks out of the body shop and whichever engine is put together for it...

Re: Finally starting my Longhorn 4x4 conversion
 

No progress but I did land a floor shift column. We cleared the shop of parts for this truck to be able to try and use the south bay of our shop again. :lol: Here's some wall art for now.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...0/DSC00387.jpg