Re: Project "Popeye"
 

good thing he was the designated driver. we wouldn't want you to wreck it befor it is finished :haha:

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

That's how my wife learned to drive stick too. :lol:

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

thats awesome.....although there is an awful lot of dust on the hood of the blue truck...shame on you !!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I know it's aweful but we're having an argument about leaks and she just won't give in. :waah: The engine has about 2K miles and the trans about 500 miles but both are leaking I guess from lack of use. I replaced seals, gaskets, the rear main a couple of months ago and fired her up and....more leaks. So there she sits.

On a happy note, it is very apparent that the 5.3L oil pan is way too low in the '50 frame so I went in search of an LS1 pan figuring it would cost me another $2-300 for everything. Then I got in touch with a local guy who says I can have his for $20 :uhmk: so that kind of made my day!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Score !!!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

What axle are you using in the back.you going to a 4 link with bags.what brand.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Opened my mouth to soon.i am also thinking about using the rear suspension from a spare 63 pickup i have.keep us posted.front kit looks great.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

That's alright, I'll have some more pics of the trailing arms soon to show how easy it really is. The rear end is a '79 camaro z28 3.42 posi, 8.5 ring gear. Cost me about $250 and they're about 61" wide.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I don't here any engine noises between shifts !!!!

I have a 61 2door BelAir I will trade you for that "old" truck that is making a mess of your garage floor!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I am thinking of using the trailing arm suspension also. I thought about getting the used parts locally then using a CPP coil-over spring kit instead of airbags or original coils. From your measurements do you think that would work or do you think it would require a notch.

Keep up the great work!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Don't tempt me!!! Good thing your across the country!


I say go for it. I haven't fabbed bag mounts yet but I can tell you the coil spring locations are farther inward and don't fall right under the frame rails on these trucks. If you're comfortable fabbing some mounts it's very doable though for cheap. Coil overs would be nice and eliminate the extra shock mounts.

Thanks!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

love what your doing there with your frame. i was wondering if you could tell me more about your sway bar up front. i have the same setup up front so i hope it tranzlates
GT

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks! I'll get some better pics for you but I think it is supposed to go on top of the lower control arm instead of on bottom. As long as it doesn't interfere with the bags I'll move it. If you're retrofitting they're pretty simple I think you will just have to drill 2 holes on each side of the x-member and 1 in each lower arm.

I picked up an LS1 oil pan today and met another very nice car guy! He also threw in a bunch of usable parts, enough to convert to f-body accessories if I want to. I've met some great people buying, selling and trading parts on Craigslist of all places. Bill if you read this, thanks again!

Here's a little preview. The door graphic was borrowed from a very nice truck on the board, hope the owner doesn't mind and the wheels won't have center caps but they will be blue...you get the idea!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1275011894

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

That looks awesome. I love the one piece windows. Any updates on the trailing arm rear. Looking forward to pics.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

[QUOTE=LEEVON;4010889]Don't tempt me!!! Good thing your across the country!



I will drive the 61 half way and meet you !!!!!!!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

It feels like I'm going soooo slow but I feel better when I take pics. I managed to get the rear suspension blasted yesterday, then painted and fit-up tonight. I attached some pics so you can see what I did. Basically just chopped the ends off the x-member and welded to some channels.

Right now it does not go as low as I want, mainly because the u-bolts are right under the notch. I think with a couple adjustments and maybe some 2" blocks I can get it close though. I'm pondering where to place the bags and shocks right now too.

The white walls came in tonight, my boy Tanner was digging them big time. I'm actually building the truck for him, hoping that he catches the bug. At first he wasn't into it much and now he wants to know about everything I do and how soon I can take him to school in it. :lol: He's even made a couple of cool suggestions.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/...cc7272e93c.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/...556903e1b5.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1283/...ddb0933a_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1275/...dacb9fec_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/...69cfdb89_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/...60211128_b.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/...0432240e34.jpg

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Suspension looks killer. What height do you think running boards will be sitting at aired out.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

right now it looks like about 4" which is waaay higher than I planned. I've got to sleep on it but right now I'm not sure what to do. Any ideas?

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

It would be a lot of work to do a body drop. Do you have any room to cut some out of your air bag cups up front.sounds like your already up into yout notch in the back.bigger notch with blocks? Theres allways a way. It will come to you when you sleep.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

yes i have an idea...... LAY IT OUT !!!! CUT CUT CUT WELD WELD WELD

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I'm thinking about this notch:

http://www.*****************/notches/...step-notch-kit

I managed to mess up my back canoeing this weekend and all I can think about is that I can work on the truck! I hope it's back to normal soon.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I hope that is for a pair.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Good thinking, pretty sure they are since they list them as 8 pieces.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Project is lookin killer. Looks like the trailing arm suspension worked out good. Is the bigger notch going to effect that rear crossmember.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks! At full drop right now there is probably about 1.5" between the top of the arms and the factory mid-crossmember. I think that will translate into the 4" I need at the axle, plus I can add blocks. Worst case I could lower the arm mounts a bit but I don't think that will be necessary.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Are you going to run the bags on top off the trailing arms. Are you going to be able to use a one piece driveline.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Yes I can run the bags on the arms, but a little farther forward than stock. I might put them over the axle now though since a notch might be in my future. I plan on running a two-piece driveshaft, there is not enough clearance on the top for a 1 piece.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

very nice job i like the old school look u went with me and my wife says keep up the good work

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Hope the back is doing better. Cant wait to see more.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Thanks! The wheels are supposed to be here Friday. If I can find a way to elevate them to work on I'll be able to prep and paint. Getting them mounted and the chassis rolling will be a big milestone!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

I also have a set of 69 series deluxe for my 66.great price

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Chizzler, that's a beautiful truck!!! How I missed seeing it before I don't know. Do you have more pics or a build thread or anything? That's the first set of the Cragar Delux 69's I've seen mounted and I'm glad I picked them.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

no build thread. here are a few pics.before and after.i have a set of 20" dodge spares on my truck right know.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

not tryin to hijack your build.here is my newest project.future MII kit with either 4 link or trailing arm rear.still knocking out rivets.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Yep, I've been watching the 'burb. What a nice find, it's gonna be a really nice family hauler. Who knows I might be wanting to trade you when we get done!

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Sure would be a killer drive for a trade. Lookin forward to more progress on your build.im trying to get stuff done but work is slammin right know. Got to chase the almighty dollar to get more parts.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Dangit. Got a little setback on my hands. I took one of the tires (205/75/15) and had it mounted on my 15x7 wheel today and it looked aweful as I suspected it would. So I've got to return my tires to Diamondback and get another set.

I was hoping to have a roller this weekend but this is going to take another few weeks and cost me about $160 in shipping :banghead::dohh::censored::cuss:

Oh well, guess you gotta pay to play.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Hate to hear that man, but I am sure it will be worth the wait.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Well on the plus side my back is feeling 90% better (or the drugs are working) so I'm pretty well back in action. I finished dismantling the truck last weekend and mounted the cab on the chassis for mock-up. I've got an entire trailer load of scrap, really I'm just using the body and title. My neighbor is taking the old chassis for the running gear to transplant onto his 3/4 ton '49. Nothing from the original chassis or drivetrain remains except for one running board support because of a missing one on my donor chassis. :lol:

Diamondback was very gracious, Bill the owner ansered the phone. Offered a 100% refund even though I mounted one of the tires. I still have to pay shipping both wasy but for a made-to-order product that is very nice. Hats off to them.

When I ordered the wheels and caps through Summit I also ordered lug nuts. The caps arrived by themselves from wheel vintiques and the lug nuts came with the wheels from Cragar (Carlisle Wheel and Tire)...in a big box...and there were only (4) as in 1,2,3,4 rolling around in the bottom of the box. Laughable but frustrating. Summit at first said they were all shipped, then backpeddled and said they are on backorder. Nice to know, what is a guy going to do with 4 lug nuts? My #1 rule of retail customer service (as I see it) is never take money up front and tell you something is backordered later.

Re: Project "Popeye"
 

Not bad at all. There are some really stand-up ones out there still.

When I order from the company I a small sponsorship from for rc racing, they have been doing that backorder thing lately. It will show in stock when I order but they then set on the order for a week. When they process it is out of stock and I have already paid for it. It kinda messes things up somethings, cause I tend to wait and order at least 50 bucks worth so I get free shipping.

Who had the best price on your wheels?