My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Well I have added another project to my list of things to do!

I just bought a 1994 Chevy 2500 W/T. 2wd. SRW. It currently has a longbed on it of course but that is gonna change just as soon as I get time.

In addition to that I have a few parts ready to install; Drop Spindles and a Rear Hanger/Shackle kit.

I also will be updating the grill to the composite headlight front end, and updating the dash and interior to the 95-Up style. I think this newer interior that they put in the 95-Up Trucks looks so much more appealing. I already have the rear power window & lock parts off two rear Suburban doors ready to install.

I bought this truck for $900 so I guess I can afford to mess with it a little!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Forget that short bed, long bed crewcabs ride better than any other truck I've ever ridden in. Also, your frame isn't easy to shorten, the rails aren't straight.
Find a dually bed and rearend, then lower that. They're baaaaad.

I have a crewcab SRW now, like it a lot, but I wanted a dually, so I searched until I found a '97 with a 454/4L80E and 4WD. If you're gonna build a work truck, might as well go all-out, I think I may drop a 489 stroker in mine. I already have the shortest wheelbase truck made that year in my 2-door Tahoe, I'll also have the longest with this crewcab dually.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Definately dont want a long bed sport truck! This truck is going to be used for light work as a daily driver.

Yeah I knew about the frame difficulties. I think I can make it all work hopefully. I should have some time to mess with it this weekend!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

So, lemme get this straight....you want a 3/4-ton swb truck for your use? Would it be easier to get a 1/2-ton swb chassis and swap the suspension?

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I still want a crew cab and I was given drop spindles and a hanger/shackle kit to install but they are only for a 3500 truck. I dont have the money to buy almost $500 worth of lowering parts and I have seen several nice sets of 8 lug 20-22" wheels out there now.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Cool man nice score on the truck!! :metal:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

:wop:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I know. I know. I started taking the rear bumper, hitch, and the bed bolts off today only to realize that some of them wont come out and I dont have a torch right now!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I just took my bed off my crew today too, lots of PB blaster :lol:

The worst part was the bumper was welded to the frame and plasma had a helluva time because i need to get some more tips for it... wasnt much fun :lol:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Signing on for the Ride, I agree with you on the 95 & Later Interiors.........

Someday i hope to have a Stepper Crew in the 88-98 Model........

Rick

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

:wop:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Sweet sounds like its going to be an awesome project. Can't wait to see some pictures when you get time. Nice score on the truck too :metal: :smoke:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Ok ok. Just had someone come and get the bed. It was mangled and I didnt want to full with hauling it off.

Here's what the frame rails look like so we can get a plan on how to shorten it. Best way I can tell is to move the hanger and rear hanger forward to the short wheelbase location.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Here is some pictures of my junk.....4-6 bell-tech, crew-cab long bed, now short bed, cut underneath the cab..

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Good looking truck man, not junk!

Do you have any pics of how you shortened the frame?

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I dont have any pictures of the frame, It was done by somebody in Owasso I think before I got it. Looks like they just cut it straight accross and put some plate inside to einforce it....looks good and strong.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Thats cool, im going to cut mine where your is, i think that it is the best place and would look a whole lot better. You have a good looking truck, hope mine looks half that good ;) mine is labeled crew cab build in my signature.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I just dont see how that would work taking a section out of the frame. I will have to look at my frame again soon. Wouldnt the back of the cab hit on something when you move the frame forward.

Could you take some nice pictures of the underside of your Truck, ksbrktracer?

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I will see what I can do....

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

This frame issue is specifically why I sought out a cab & chassis frame for my prostreet build. The cab & chassis frame rails are straight and 34" apart, no fishmouth welds or anything else, just cut the sucker off where you want and go to town.

By the way, unless you're dropping a 540 in it, I don't know that it's proper to say "sport" and "crewcab" in the same sentence :D

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

If i measured it right it will be close but it wont hit the cab before the frame moves up.

Why when you have a frame already there is a driving truck? If you had a wrecked one and was going to swap it all over then yeah i could see how that would be easier.

Oh and does it really matter what you call it?? :smoke:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Truck looks good!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I think this looks pretty sporty to me! And besides the LS1 that I have to go in it gets better gas mileage than an old-school gas guzzling BB 540 anyday! And may, just may be more dependable!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

:lol:

Yeah thats an awesome truck there!
Im not sure if i want to keep the BB in mine or just go with a small block.. decisions decisions.. :lol:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

This project is a '95, started as a long bed, so I was facing the same thing with the frame. With the C&C straight frame rails, I can put 7" tubs in each wheel well, notch the frame and install a 4-link kit with a minimum of fabbing and NO frame welds. I bought the truck as a project for $400 with a good 4L80E, a 4-bolt 350 and completely straight front sheet metal. The frame donor had a 5-speed stick that I sold for more than I have in both of 'em, so I'm starting this project in the black. Never done that before, sure feels strange.

One of my other projects is a '97 crewcab dually 4wd. I'm actually thinking of lowering it about 4/6 just to get the stance more were I want it, I don't need to clear anything high. As for what he wants to call it, it doesn't really matter, I just don't think of anything with 4-doors as "sporty" myself.

Well, maybe an old Delta 88 with 22's :D:D:D

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Whoa, I like that red truck a lot. Needs to come down like another inch in the back, but other than that it's the perfect family vehicle.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Hey what engine/trans you have in your 94 wildmanaaron? I was looking but if you did say i must have missed it..

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Its got a 350 and a Turbo 350 transmission. The motor needs a tune up. I have been trying to sell it around here so I have an even better excust to put the LS-1 in it.

Bought a bed this morning for $100 and going to look at a tailgate tomorrow for $75!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Cool! :metal:

Im tossing up throwing a 350 in mine... has a 454 but its just about worn out and these years are really expensive to rebuild. I have a couple 350's, i may just sell the 454 and that alone will pay for my 350 but i dont know. :smoke:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

go with the big block, everyones got a 350, dare to be different!

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

:lol:

Yeah, plus its already in there, ill save my pennies for a rebuild ;)

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Any updates?

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Finallt got a lot of things done on my Truck recently. I am going to cut my frame underneath the cab instead of moving everything forward. I think the cab will slide back on the frame without hitting the frame rail or on the gas tank. HEre are some pictures:

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Thats cool, getting there :metal:

I bet the cab was a bad mofo to get off huh?

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

bigblock your going to lower a 4wd? that pretty much defeats the purpus of having a 4wd!


if you do end up cutting the frame underneath the cab make sure to Z it, dont cut it straight down. even with plate Z'ing it is way stronger and the corrct way to do it

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Not really in this application. One of my favorite body styles is crewcab dually, lowered but not slammed. If the streets are slick - light rain is enough - you can lose steering with a 2WD, it's generally gonna go in the direction those 4 rear tires are pushing it regardless of what the front wheels - or driver - wants. With 4WD, you get that front end control back. I won't always need it, so it won't get that much wear and tear.

Besides, I have a '97 2-door 4WD Tahoe and one other project is a '77 K-5 4X4 that's getting a 454/4L80E/NP205 combo. I don't NEED 4 wheel drive anything, but it sure makes me feel better on days like the one we're having today, we have a few inches of ice on pretty much all the roads.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I cut out 14" of the frame today.

There is 5" that has to come out behind the rear shackle bracket, so that would add up to 19" total that has been removed from my frame. Where not done welding it all back up yet. I am going to reinforce the insde of the frame with a diamond design, kinda like this <>. This allows for a full weld around the perimeter of the cut.

FYI-The front bed mount brackets are really hard to cut off of these Trucks. The welds are really thin making it hard not to cut into the mount itself. Luckily most of bracket that had some burn thru on it must be cut off anyways to reuse. Its alot easier if you can get access to regular shortbed cab/bed mount which is one piece.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

Cool looking good! I would cut another inch out, your wheels may not be center of wheel wells at 13in.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

There's gotta be a REAL mechanic there somewhere, I clearly see a can of PB Blaster on top of that frame!
Not raggin' you, I'm never without the stuff.

Re: My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW
 

I definately dont consider myself a mechanic, although I would say I've done better at wrench turning than some that consider themselves one.

I like the PB myself pretty well.

Update:
Got my rear DJM hangers and shackles installed and getting ready to weld the rear cab mounts, and the front bed brackets back on. Moving along but just really slowly.