C 5000 build
 

Here it is, finally! A 79 Flatbed that was begging for a remodel! This is right after driving it home, nothing done to it yet.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Yep, drove it an hour and 15 minutes with that 2year old plate on it without getting stopped!!

Re: C 5000 build
 

First had to take off the bed and see exactly how bad the frame was. Surprisingly good shape, had to fill a few spots from water damage.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Put the plow on it, bed is just sitting there on wood spacers. Frame still original length. Looks great with a plow, but just too tall to avoid little pine trees in driveway!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Thats a small block chevy on the end of the frame rails under the tarp. Needed some weight! Shows the height difference pretty well.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Time to get serious with it and cut the frame. Made up the tools to hold the frame. They are slotted to allow me to slide the halves back together.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Nervous about cutting the frame even though I knew I could do it. So I put the visor on instead!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Frame is cut and truck is back together! You can see the 25" piece I took out on the floor. Had a heck of a time welding it because the frame was magnetic. Nobody can explain that yet. Best I can come up with is maybe it was hit by lightning! went through a lot of gas heating up that much frame!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Bed is on and bed supports made to bolt to original mounting holes. Still aligning everything.

Re: C 5000 build
 

It's together!!!! Time for cosmetics!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Think maybe that was before I finished lining up the bed. It matches the lower skirting on the cab now. And yep, that is a 9' door!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Added the roll-bar and stacks, painted the rims, and sort of hung a bumper from an 88.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Finished washing off debris from body work. Hood and fenders had been abused and repaired once already. Nothing like cleaning up a little rust spot and finding a 4" hole! Had to make a new lower fender, thanks to a friend that has the forming tools and press it went pretty well.

Re: C 5000 build
 

At the local car show, didn't win, but kids had a great time climbing all over it. Wasn't finished anyway.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Bumper is about to get put on right and a plate put behind it to fill the gap.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Had changed the stacks over to the flappers too. I like they way they clang around!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Just think it looks cool with the steam showing up! Still doing odds and ends to it, will post more when I can.

Re: C 5000 build
 

awesome

Re: C 5000 build
 

A 5000 long nose!

Want to do that to my 87 C6500 GMC? LOL! First you'd have to get the locked up big block out.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Very smart idea with the slots!!

How is it to drive now vs when it was a longer frame? Is it bouncy?

Re: C 5000 build
 

It bounces pretty well!! The flatbed was a lot heavier also. I'm going to do some suspension work to it, but started tearing apart my '70 and got deeper into it than I had planned. After I adjusted the steering slop it is fairly nice to drive, but if you have a bad back you wont make long trips!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Finally got around to putting in the gap cover above and behind the bumper! Vast improvement!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Thanks! it took some thinking but those slots made it so easy to roll the truck back together. all I had to do was lean on the tire and the frame came together exactly where I wanted it.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Reminds me of http://www.bigasstrux.com/
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: C 5000 build
 

When I lived in Michigan, I hated driving through speed trap infested ohio so much, i would go out of my way to drive through Indiana.

Re: C 5000 build
 

That is funny! When I lived in California I loved driving out there (except when it would finally rain) but now I'd avoid it. I think the entire country hates driving through Ohio and those traps. They nailed me for 96 in a 65 and took me to jail on the spot!

Re: C 5000 build
 

that is sweet!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: C 5000 build
 

I really do like these builds, but I am sorry I have to walk away from this one...

Bodylines don't match cab-to-bed, wrong generation bumper too, rain caps are backwards from every one I have ever seen... *shakes head*

I do like your jig for the frame, that was very well executed.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Well, Devin, it's like this. The bed was cheap. I spent a year looking for the right bed, before giving up hope. Another year went by before I got the right one. The rain caps are on correctly. If you put them on the other way, air flow while driving will either close them or be driven down into the pipe. This includes any water or snow that may be with it.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Thanks, Leon!

Re: C 5000 build
 

Nice build man.

Re: C 5000 build
 

Thanks for all the comments! I hope to either sell it or get back to it by spring. I've got several 67-72 trucks to get done first.