70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi guys, I been hanging around the 60-66 forum messing with my 64. But it is my mission to collect a Chev or GMC truck from every generation.

Meet the second in the fleet, my new 70 GMC. Its got a 1976 305 w HEI, a 2 barrel carb, 3 on the tree, Leaf springs in back on this one, so I got to get a flip kit to take it down south. This one wont go all the way down for now, going to just drop it cheep and drive it. Ill probably bag it later.

Now I wasnt too happy to hear it had a transplant 305 in it, that is until I drove it, Now Im amazed how much poop that thing has, and all is forgiven,

On to the pics.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

It came with no headlight rings or front bumper, and since the front of these GMCs are my favorite part, I knew right where to start.

New rings
New bumper *(only hanging there in the pic, waiting on new boltz)
Fresh flat black on the grill,
Shaved drivers mirror, installed a peep.

Im not gonna lie, I got it bad...... I just got another 69 GMC 1500 too! You see her in the background next to my 64. It wills stay stock height for now with the stock 350 automatic and 350 CI.

Roll pan inc next!.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Rear bumper removed, Roll pan installed, bullets, licence plate lights, Flip kit with blocks in back, front springs cut, rims satin black, Large moons installed,

YEA!

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Got to love those 4-eyed projects!!! :gmc2: Oh! just checking, you like the 72' grill look on your 70'? Keep the pics coming.......

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Howdy Tex. Thank you and I didnt even know it had a 72 grill in it !

I been focused on chevs all my life and still dont even know the diff between the GMC grilles, I will be doing my home work on that for sure, Thank you for pointing it out.

Im headed to your build thread now to check your ride thank you for your interest,.


Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Heres a pic of the DJM flip kit I put in, They sent the U bolts about 1.5 inches too long, so I made up some lowering blocks out of some super hard plastic I had and got all the drop I could out of it. They should hold up but if not Ill keep ya posted.

I also removed the thick bottom overload spring on each side and that gave me another 5/8 of U bolt/Drop to play with as well as letting the springs relax a bit more,

I removed the bump stops in back and wrapped an inch thick strip of rubber around the rear end on each side for now ( not pictured) to keep the axle from banging on the frame, It sits just barely above the stops all the way around so the ride is not smooth for now.

I got a large step notch to put in the back asap, and Ill get some bags up front with a few more mods.

Have a good week.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Ha damn, I lost a hose the other day and overheated er, Pluming white smoke..... Hope its just a head gasket. If not..... Ill slam a different motor in asap.

Thanks for the feedback Tex.

Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Pulling the hood and getting ready for a change.

Have a good weekend.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Love the truck. And that its a GMC. Whats the new motor going to be?

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Any progress?

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi and thank you for your interest,

I actually just got the 305 back together today, I ended up puting new head gaskets on it, found a small crack in the center of the head on one side but it does not go into the firing chamber, It goes from a water port to a head bolt. Its running now, Ill put the short headers on it and get the exhaust done, then drive it like I stole it. If something breaks again ill just bolt a new motor in there.

Got upper bag plates, compressor, 4 bags, Drop shackles, Step notch, and a few other things for it on the bench. Ill post pics asap.

Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Great. I'll be watching

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Howdy, Ok so the 305 runs but Im unsure of it, so I bought an 85 chev 350 for $300, Im almost done cupping the lower control arms, Tomorrow Im mounting upper bag plates and getting the front bags mounted.

Soon as the front end is done Ill get on the motor change asap. Ill get some pics tomorrow,

Nothing special but heres a shot of my new to me 350 and other parts Ive got waiting,

Have a good week

Andy

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

After I got done cupping the lower control arms, and had the motor out, I was looking at the crossmember and could not think of a reason not to pull it out at this time for a 1.5 inch pancake. There would never be a better time to do it so I did.

This one went smooth compared to the first one I did on my 64. I installed rubber grommets for the air line to pass through in this crossmember.

This time I assembled the LCAs and bags/bag plates before I mounted the crossmember back up.

Have a good weekend

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

After I mounted up the front end assembly, I figured Id notch out the upper left control arm so it doesent rub on my steering shaft when its dropped all the way down.

The bottom pic here shows the truck lowered down to where the wheels hit the inner fender wells, It will go lower after I cut the wells out but ill focus on the back before I make the front go any lower, also shows the beauty rings I found in the back of my shop, So happy they fit!

I still need to make a switch plate, and put a compressor onboard. then back to the back...

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

So I mounted up a small compressor in the bed and installed a new aluminum radiator, also installed some kevlar heat shields *not pictured) for the plug wires.

I made a switch plate that covered up where my dash was butchered out for my 2 switches,

This truck has leafs in back so only 2 front bags for now, Ill see how low I can make it go with leafs in back for now.

Next step is to remove the bed and install a 10 inch step notch, some drop shackles, and to move up the stock leaf hangers 4 or 5 inches.

I bought some Mickey Thompson Sportsman tires with deep dish rims to run on it, they are made to tuck all the tire up under the vehicle but after looking closer I see the tires will hit the leaf springs because they are so deep.

I may have to run em on my 64 that has coils in back, we will see.

Have a good week,

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Very sweet truck and I'm liking what you are doing with her! Keep it up!

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Looking Good! Do you mind sharing the part number of the flip kit you used?

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Thanks fellas.

Mike I done know the part number of the kit I used but if you search DJM Flip kit you will see it for sure, they were one of the few peeps who carried the 67 72 kits.

No new progress I been changing the motor on my geo tracker, and fixing the front end on my Moho.

I hope to be back on my green machine within a few days.

Have a good week.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi, I finally got the bed off my GMC and am getting ready to put a 308 rear end in it, Install the large step notch in the frame, extend shackles, and raise spring hangers.

I cant wait to see if I can get the back down to a ride height I like.

Did I mention I picked up a few more trucks recently in my mission to have a chev or gmc truck from each generation>>?

Ol Yeller, 69 GMC LB1500 350/350
Big Red, 79 GMC LB 3500 454/400
(No Name Yet :o) 97 Chevrolet SB 1500 350/5sp

Im excited and cant wait to play with em some more, Now looking for a 47-53 Chev or GMC truck in the Oly Wa area.

Ill post pics of the rear mods on the Green truck asap,

Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Big Red

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi Guys, MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Ok time to focus.

Been working on my Green Truck.

Got the step notch welded in, Came up with a plan to remove the leaf spring and shackle perches and raise them 6 inches. This mod cost 40 dollars at the local fab shop, they cut 4 6x8 plates, and 8 2x6 plates for me out of 3/16 steel and I welded em up. This gave me 6 inches, the flip kit gave me 6 inches, and the blox added another 1.5 inches, for a total of 13.5 drop from stock. I think the blocks will have to come out but we will see.

You see them clamped on the raised area of the frame in the last pic, and my new 308 rear end lurking down below,

Got to replace the pinion seal, and switch out the 5 lug axles with the stock 6 lug ones out of my old rear end.

HAPPY HOLLIDAYS

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Dude seriously cool build!!!!!!

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Thanks Man! Much apreciated.

First pic here shows the perches dialed in and bolted up solid,

Last few pics show the lowering blocks removed because the truck sat too low, and they were made of plastic.

The 308 rear end installed, the overload springs put back in place...

And me dreaming about running huge tires on one of my trucks...... They would have to be run on a truck that has trailing arms, the leafs get in the way of em.

I had to change the yoke on the pinion so it would work with my U joint on the drive line, still need to switch out the axles to the 6 lug, Should have it all done tomorrow,

Replace cab corners next, Then cut the bed floor out and mount bed, then cut out or remove inner fender wells in front so it drops all the way down,

Happy Hollidays

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Wicked !!!! :metal:
I love the stance and the way you made the Leaf brackets.
Keep up the good work. That sucks you cant run the Fatties on the back though.
Maybe the Yellow one? :devil:

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Happy New Year Guys,

Thank you Big Daddy! I am looking for some trailing arms so I can get the leafs out of the way to run the fatties. Anyone have any for sale? Please contact me.


Ok so I found another mod I need to make to get the driveline back to a straight line.

Im cutting the rivets on the huge carrier bearing mount you see on the crossmember.

Then Ill flip it over and bolt it back up, probably have to drill 2 new holes, no worries. This should raise the carrier about 3 inches.

If this does not raise it up enough Ill weld up a flat plate above it and put a series of holes in it so I can adjust the drive line to whatever height I need.

On a side note. The brackets I made to raise up the leaf springs will also get a series of holes in them, making the rear suspension highly adjustable,

My good buddy Dennis is coming over tonight to help out so Ill get more pics for sure.


Have a great year everybody, Be safe out there.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

That thing is sick. How did you cut the front springs? how many coils?

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Thank you Crimespree, I cut out ALL the coils, Cupped the Lower control arms, Notched out my left upper control arm for the steering shaft, and pancaked the front crossmember 1.5 inches.

So I got the carrier bearing loose, and found that Ill have to remove the crossmember to give it enough room to move up. I thought Id be able to just notch it.

So I welded in a bar above it and cut it out, I left the sides in place for added strength. I will probably add some angled supports fromt he remaining crossmember stubs up to the bar I welded in.

Looks like I may have to cut out the top of the main crossmemer to alow even more room to lift it up. You see the piece of steel sitting in place at the back of the cab.

Last pic shows the brake line I re routed and clipped to the notch.

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Howdy, I finally got the Carrier bearing cut loose, flipped over and bolted back upside down, this raised it up about 3 inches and set my driveline straight.

I also got the shock mounts cut off the rear end and ready to re locate,

I still have to cut out holes in the TA crossmember for the exhaust, weld on shock mounts and install shocks, and cut out the bottom of the bed and get it mocked up,

Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Been too busy,,,, lost a head gasket on my motorhome 454, and all the batteries,, and the rear U joint on my Tracker,,, and half the electrical sockets in my shop,,, and,,,

anyway after I got done whining I got the torch out and cut the holes in my TA crossmember for the exhaust, also got the upper shock mounts rough cut and tacked in place. They are the stock ones I cut out of the frame, I think they will work good there, they look like sour owl ****,,,,,but they will work fine.

Need to weld on the bottom shock mounts and cut the bottom of the bed out still to mock it up, then exhaust, then small fun stuff like, heater, seat cover, door sill plates, compressor, cab corners, rocker panels, blah blah,


Have a good week!

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Howdy, I finally got my lower shock mounts welded to the rear end, brake lines all tuned up, and the cab corners done.

Next ill be cutting out the bed floor and setting the bed in place for now.

Have a good weekend

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi, Ok I got the cab corners done and primered, Then I made measurements and cut the hole out of the bed, then I made the right measurements and cut it again,,,,

Next I need to install a battery isolator for the sencond battery Im putting in the bed for the Compressor, Rocker panels, seat cover, exhaust, front shocks, cut out the tops of the front wheel wells, remove rear wheel tubs, raise bed floor and tubs,

Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

one more

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

OK so I got the front wheel wells, fenders, and hood hinges cut out and notched so my front tires have full range of motion.

Im also in the middle of patching up the firewall by where the heater was, and installing a battery isolator to keep the spare battery in back by the compressor charged,

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi, I got the drivers side inner fender well cut out and the bottom of the hinges trimmed off , My friend came over to weld, and we got the back of the passenger fender patch panel done also.


Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Hi, I cut the transmission crossmember out where It used to hang down, Oo also got new high dome bumper bolts and mounted the bumper solid. Installed an overflow tank,

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Had a stripped out window crank on the passenger side, tried to work out the screws and broke most of them off,....then found the bottom of the door was gone anyway.

So I mounted up a white door that was solid and worked good, painted it green,


Put a new green seat cover in it, Getting ready to weld in frame supports under the cab and then remove the belly out of my trailing arm crossmember that hangs down,


Have a good weekend

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Howdy, I finally got the TA Crossmember trimmed up and welded, Then I scrounged up some metal pieces and installed a hidden hitch on my GMC, I want to be able to pull my one man sleeper I made with it and go places overnight.

The hitch was fast and easy, I think it came out nice,

the plate mounts up and can be moved with a magnet made for plates from a car dealer,

I pin striped the passenger door and fender also, just to make it match a little better,

Have a good weekend

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

Pinstripe shown here, and also a shot of the trans x member I cut the center out of,


Have a good week

Re: 70 GMC in progress.
 

I dont know if I mentioned it, or if anyone is actually reading this stuff, but Im getting this green truck in driveable condition for this summer since my 64 is torn apart getting a new frame up restoration,

I just need it to drive and look cool so stuff wont be done perfect,,, After my 64 is done Ill tear this one all the way apart and do it right,


Have a good week,