Bartman's Build Thread
 

I'm fairly new to the forum. I hope I'm going about this the right way. This will be my Build Thread although the progress will probably be very slow.

Here are some pics of my 1951 3100.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1264.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1263.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1262.jpg

[IMG]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv46/av8tr33337/100_1266.jpg
[/IMG]

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1260.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1259.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1258.jpg

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I've been pouring over posts on the subject of IFS for an AD truck and I decided to go with this option. I know it's not that popular here but I'm not looking for a lowered truck, just something that rides nice and is dependable. I put an add on craigslist for a 73-87 chevy 1/2 ton front suspension. I got several responses one was for a free 3/4 front clip wich I thought would set way too high and ride too stiff. The best one was from a guy here in Wichita. Complete hub to hub with disc breaks. I also got the power stearing box and column which is a column shift and even has the key. The breaks look good and the stearing seamed tight with no play.

Here some pics of what I got

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1275.jpg


http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1278.jpg

I got it all for $100.00. It is off of a 1980 scottsdale

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Here is the donor car. A 1984 Camaro with less than 10k on a fresh engine when it was totalled. it's a 305, not sure on the tranny yet. I'm hoping it's a 700 R4 but will likely be a 200r :chevy: I would also like to use the rear end but its abour 6 inches narower that what the front will be.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1267.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1268.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1269.jpg
I don't think these 14 inch wheels are gonna work for this project but they are nice!

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1271.jpg

[IMG]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1274.jpg
I found this Coke machine sitting in an old mom and pops grocery store in Napawnee Nebraska about 20 years ago when I was a delivery driver for Coca Cola. It was working back then and I gave $75.00 for it. I would like to restore it some time. It was made in the 50's I think.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I think you will find the trans to be a Turbo 350-C with a lock up converter

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

WOW that would be much better than a 200 r...thanks for the info.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Where were you last year? I couldn't give away my first 74 2wd donor, it had a recently rebuilt front end and great rearend. Guy ended up taking it for scrap to get it out of the drive way. I had pulled the engines, trans, steering wheel and steering box.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Seems like it's always a timing issue. Idaho would be just a tad bit far to drive to pick it up though LOL.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Got the engine and tranny out of the 1984 Camaro conor car. I'm thinking the tranny is a 700R4 but if anyone could tell me fore sure I would appreciate it. The pan is about a perfect square. I'll post a few pics here to.


http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1373.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1374.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1375.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1376.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1378.jpg

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I'm not sure if I'm going to have my old guages updated or just get some new ones. Will be a ways down the road so don't wait on me....

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Hey Bartman welcome to the forum looks like you ave a cool build going and yes it is a 700r4 you have there

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I'm diggin' the patina! Lots of guys kill for that kind of look....

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Welome to the forum Bartman, nice project you got goin.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Thanks guys, It's slow going. Patina????? I always called it rust! LOL it can look good but the body needs to be striaight. I have lots of "rust through" that I need to be cut out.

Just got the rear end out of the camaro . I has 10 bolts so I guess it a "10bolt" rear end LOL. Also pulled the front hub/rotors and calipers. Probably wont be able to use them but no need to junk them either. Going to try and get the brake booster and assy, foot pedal etc, steering column, all the ac stuff, might be able to use the compresser later with an "old air" setup, so I want to keep the system in tact so it doesn't get contaminated.

More to come

Bartman

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

lol, yah - if it's rusty but looks cool it's "Patina"

I dont get it, but lots of guys dig it

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

welcome bartman! your front clip is too wide by 6". they are even too wide for TF trucks so is the rearend. the camaro rear will fit better. do a little searchng here and also stovebolt.com. i have a 58' on a 70' frame (purchased that way) and front should be 2" narrower.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

55 Dude if you have a minute let me pick your brain and get your opinion. I knew it was going to be 6 inches wider but am building on no budget. I'm not going for something low. I want it to sit at about stock height or maybe a little lower. I don't mind if it is wider as long as the tires don't stick out of the fender wells. I've heard you can find wheels with enough backspace to make this work. I was hoping to use the 80 truck front end and the camaro rear end( putting some wide meats on the back to match the track of the front) A member called Mobilortho did one that looks pretty good. What do you think of it???? I put a link below so you could check it out and also some how too's I found on the web regarding this swap. I would really appreciate your input.

http://community.webshots.com/user/M...ms/most-recent

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/63-8...rade/index.htm

http://53truck.ez15loan.com/howto/ifs.htm

Thanks Bartman

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

use the original i beam it will fit your budget nicely.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

add some disc brakes to the i-beam and toyota ps. bartman i'm a budget builder. i have no less than 6 complete front suspension setups from 73-87 pickups that were free and will not use one in my 54' burb. ask yourself why people use s-10 chassis not c-10? because the track width is to wide. jig up the crossmember and narrow it up as you have nothing to lose.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Reposting some pics of the Donor Camaro. I moved some stuff on Photobucket and of course, messed up my build thread. Oh well.....

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/100_1267.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/100_1271.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/100_1382.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/100_1398.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...r/100_1400.jpg

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I got the cab off the truck and the engine and tranny out???

Any body need a good boat anchor???

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1401.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1402.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1407.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1412.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1409.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1415.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1418.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1419.jpg

[IMG]http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/vv46/av8tr33337/100_1431.jpg
[/IMG]

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1432.jpg

Sorry so many pics

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

looks like a good project. keep up updated!

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

nice cab lifter. i wish i had thought of that...
GT

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

It worked great. I saw it used this way on sombody elses Build Thread or I wouldn't have thought of it either. Just make sure you use a good 2 x 6 or 2 x 8. I used a pretty weatherd 2 x 8 but it never creaked or groaned.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

From the looks of things you are going to be a patch panel expert when you are complete.
I would re think that front suspension if I were you.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Yeah I know I'm cheeping out on the front suspension, I wish I could go with a MII but I'm a layed off aircraft worker. It's just not in the cards for the near future. I'm thinking I can get by for 2 or 3 years with the setup I'm doing and redo it down the road. Not the Mart play but they only play I can do right now

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Bartman I used the IFS from a '79 and had it narrowed about an inch & a half. I cut off about a coil & a half from the springs. I also put some 2" drop spindles I'm pleased with the results. I had 16 x 7 & 17 x 8 Torq Thrust II' but I just purchased 17 x 11 for the rear and looking for some 17 x 7's for the front. That front end will work with some tweeking.

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/23...600x600Q85.jpghttp://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Thanks Mobilortho.

I appreciate the information.

I looked your project over several times before I decided to jump into this with both feet. I really like the way it turned out.

I now have the old suspension gone. I'm using a 1980 IFS up front and on the rear I'm going to use Dodge Caravan leaf springs.

They are about twice as wide as the original and I can just bolt them on after boxing the mounting areas. (Just got them stripped off the sister-in-law's recently deceased Mini Van today) I also got the bucket seats(in great shape), seatbelts, emergency break system (hope it will be close enough in length), gastank (not sure if it will work). I'm tuckered out, did all that in one day!!!

I've been getting some "funny looks" here on the forum, but for good reason I suppose. Most guys don't like the wider stance and issues with wheel well clearence you have with this kind of and IFS swap. If I was financially able, I would definatley take the high road with a Mustang II set up, but like I said it's not in the cards for now and I NEED MY TRUCK ASAP. So I'm moving forward.

I've been working on this project every free day I can, over the last 2 or 3 weeks. Pretty much got all the major parts gathered and the truck stripped down to the frame. I took a few pics of my most recent progress, but haven't uploaded them to photobucket yet, but I will try to get them posted soon.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I've made a little progress getting the frame ready. Stripped off everything I needed to. Welded in a rear cross member. Got some rear leaf springs mouted.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1502.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1507.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1509.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1508.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1513.jpg

Because of the shape of the rear spring Shackle mount I decided to "pie cut" it to make it look better and fit the frame rail better

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1514.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1515.jpg

Not bad for my first time ever attempting this.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1516.jpg

I'm a novice welder but I think it turned out ok.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1517.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1521.jpg

I even got some help from my father in law!!! He worked for JT Transport here in Wichita back in the 50's and has a wealth of knowledge on modifying these old truck frames. Back then they had to adapt stock trucks for many uses. One of which was hauling aircraft parts for Boeing and others.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1526.jpg

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Sorry about the last post. I posted eveything as links instead of images. Oh well. Here are a few more pics of the leaf spring install

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1527.jpg

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1528.jpg

These spings are off of a 1994 Dodge Caravan. They are about twice as wide as original. I lined eveything up with the out side edge of the frame rails so as you can see, the front shackle mount hangs over the inside of the frame rail about and inch. I may add some gussets later for support.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/100_1529.jpg

After "pie cutting" the rear shacle mounts (see links to pics in previous post), they are the same size as the front shackle mouts but because the frame is wider toward the back, they fit fine with no over hang.

Since these springs are from a front wheel drive vehicle they were only designed for support, not for the torque they will see from the rear differetial under acceleration. In this case the main leaf is not as stout due this fact. I may have to build some tractions bars to keep them from "wrapping" under acceleration.

I found a good article and some measure drawings of these type of traction bars on the internet. I'll post the link and a couple pics.

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...rts/image3.jpg

This is what is likely to happen with out the traction bars

http://i668.photobucket.com/albums/v...rts/image2.jpg

Here is the link to the article.
http://www.hotrodsandhemis.com/Traction.html

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

You may want to consider putting your rear bracket on the inside of your frame and cutting a hole in the side frame. You would then be able to make a shorter shackle.

In the end it would likely give you a lower ride if that might be of interest.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Or you could flip the mount over, put it on top and then section the bottom of the frame. This is done a lot on 55-57 Chevy cars when the leafs are moved under the frame.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Lots of good ideas guys thanks

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

In case you have not learned this, the 700R4 units made prior to 87 are considered pretty weak. GM made signicant changes in the internal hard parts for the 87 and up years to resolve the problem.

Also the 84 camaro rear axle is a 7.5 inch ring gear which is also considered rather weak. The width will work well with suitable back spacing but the bolt pattern for the rims will be different than that IFS you plan to use. You probably already realize all this.

In my experience it is better to get the correct parts to do a project even if you have to wait longer for them. Your end result will be much more satisfying and you will only have to do the work once. It appears in your case you have plenty of cancer to fix first. It is not too late to trash that truck IFS and find a better solution.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

Yes I was already aware of those issues. Thanks for the info though!

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

This is correct it is done a lot on tri-5 cars. I have inboarded leafs on my 55 Sedan.

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

I am liking the build. I would leave it Patina for sure. Why because no other truck will have the same look, just like fingerprints. It makes it unique and I love the fact that it symbolizes it's age of almost 60 years. Just bag it and scrap the leafs!

Re: Bartman's Build Thread
 

awesome build bartman....wanna see some more in the near future!