69 GMC Build, 20s, Full Frame, LS, Bagged, Bodied
 

Hey everyone, great site here with lots of good info and builds. Posting this up for my buddy Jason because he tells me hes no good with forums haha. Anyways here's the project we have been working on since the beginning of December, a 69 GMC longbed that he traded his 03 for. Nothing too crazy, just make something that he wouldn't be afraid to drive anywhere with a full frame, LS engine and 20s.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...25171128_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...19244771_n.jpg
Here it is in all its glory when he brought it home.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...91423596_n.jpg
This was something I was tinkering with in my free time and made changes from here.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...66907484_o.jpg
Modified the design to fit the truck, make it a shortbed and come up with the lengths and all the pieces we would need to cut. Over 35 individual pieces to make the frame since mandrel bent rails were out of the question. To make all the needed curves, we ordered a bunch of frame curves from Paul Hortons Welders Series.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...02224885_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...01059142_n.jpg
Good quality parts, would definitely recommend them!

Jason started tearing down the truck so the cab could be removed and the stock frame rolled outside so the rust repair on the cab could be done when waiting for parts for the frame.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...34287330_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...74989625_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...27069996_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...14306319_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...79109619_n.jpg
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...13533078_n.jpg
As you can see it will be no small task.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...04011604_n.jpg
Some of the replacement metal.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...21546115_n.jpg
The replacement heart, it will be getting a carb and front drive distributor.

Jason started on the cab when he got bored one day.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...33320958_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...19716540_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...09292974_n.jpg

Jeff tore all the accessories off the engine to see how it looked, not bad.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...08752182_n.jpg

So with the frame out of the way we got a frame table built with some new angle iron and some left over adjustable legs from my 3/4 frame build for my Mazda.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...17253575_n.jpg

And got started on the rear of the frame rails. 3/16" 2x4 tubing. Beef.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...05241473_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...66272905_n.jpg
We dont have a ton of fancy tools, but we make it work.

Some other parts for the suspension came in from Nfamus, I think theyll be strong enough:lol:
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...64900922_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...93885349_n.jpg

With the over the axle sections of the rails built we threw them up on the table to get an idea of how it was looking.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...24958300_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...65033233_n.jpg

Next up was to build the rails under the cab. We pie cut sections of the 2x4 tubing to get the bends and welded it up.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...82392999_n.jpg
Me doing some welding.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...90581055_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...71105315_n.jpg
The rails attached, starting to look like a frame!

Of course we had to set the cab on to check out how it looked.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...46975073_n.jpg

Next up was the front clip section.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...11521858_n.jpg
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...70376248_n.jpg

With both sides completed, we began to put them together after lots of measuring, tweaking, measuring, leveling and more measuring.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...90392981_n.jpg
Front crossmember in.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...68466803_n.jpg
All tacked together!

Threw a rim up there just for kicks.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...76720266_n.jpg

With the frame basically done, we got started on the rear suspension.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...91130229_n.jpg
Jeff and I measuring for the crossmember.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...22678781_n.jpg
Half of the crossmember and link mounts.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...52663585_n.jpg
Installed.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...68938785_n.jpg
Me welding the upper axle mount on with the supervisor watching haha.

We wanted to have square upper link bars to match the lowers, but we couldnt find anyone that could bend 2x2x1/4 tubing. So I just designed some flat plate arms and we built them.
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...82401026_n.jpg
Parts back from the laser.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...98820296_n.jpg
Clamp, weld, clamp, weld....
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...89104093_n.jpg
One halfway finished, bushings installed. Lots of welding left.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...44839006_n.jpg
Jason doing some welding on the bars.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...36829626_n.jpg
Bolted up.

With that done we welded the axle tabs on for the lower link bar.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...82957061_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...58159165_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...92217107_n.jpg
Jason has been keeping busy getting everything welded on the rear suspension and frame.
The rear is on hold now until we get the bag mounts for the lower links.

Now we are working on getting the front suspension mounted.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...39517158_n.jpg
New 13" rotors, and 2.5" drop spindles.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...15584707_n.jpg
Michigan Metal upper control arms!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...12750709_n.jpg
Getting the upper control arm mounts and the lower control arm design figured out.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...12064646_n.jpg
And making sure its going to work in the real world haha.
Just waiting on the parts from the laser now and we can start to get the uppers mounted.

Ill keep this updated as we make more progress, we are trying to get it to a rolling chassis for a show at the end of June.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Nobody likes?

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Just read through the thread! It's looking good! Keep up the good work

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Awesome work.... Subscribed and waiting to see more

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Dude, I'm floored! Great work, I'm in for the duration keep up the great work...

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Looks good, thanks for the pictures.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Thanks everyone, hopefully we get more parts this week to get back at it.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Wow, its been a little bit since I updated this so here it goes.
After working on the cab for a bit, the farther we got on it the worse it looked. Jason decided that he would rather get a new cab and one was found down in PA that was in much better shape and needed rockers and a floor.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Also picked up a new aluminum H.O. 5.3L from an SSR instead of using the 4.8.
We got that mocked up and mounted in the frame last weekend.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

We picked up a 4x2 sheet of 3/4" steel last night to make the control arms and transmission crossmember out of. More updates soon!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Wow, wow, wow.
Not sure how I missed this thread.
Keep the updates coming.
Killer frame!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

That is phenominal work gentlemen.

Subscribed.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Thanks guys!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Jeff got the control arms cut yesterday with the CNC plasma, going to get at lease one side mounted this weekend!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

This is the most recent rendering of what it will look like.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Looks like your on your way to having an amazing truck.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Jason got a little bit done on the control arms last night, tried out his new TIG to weld them.

It looks like the upper tabs need to be taller as the ball joints don't get as much travel as we were expecting. The taller tabs will help with the camber gain so its definitely not a bad thing. Still looks cool finally having a wheel mounted up though!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Very cool a-arms.
What do you have planned for the steering rack mounts since your engine is mounted in the frame so low?

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Thanks, it took a few tries on a design with the arms but I'm pretty happy with how they turned out.

We're going to use a mustang II rack and build some mounts off the front cross member. There is about 6" under the front of the motor, it will be tight but we shouldn't have a problem making it all fit.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

I'm watching, looking good.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Great fabrication on your frame. Looking good.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Thanks for the good words guys.

Picked up some new ball joints and wow do they get a lot more travel as you can see. Now everything bolts up just fine and lays out on the stock wheel and tires. We're going to try one of the 22's and make it lay on that which is still probably going to require taller mounting tabs. More to come soon!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

:jdp:





Awesome work!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

We got a little bit more done yesterday. Mocked up the upper control arm tabs to figure out what the new ones need to look like. Hope to get those this week.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

bump:lol:

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Been a few weeks since I posted an update, we've been working on getting the rear bags mounted, should have that finished up and supporting itself this weekend.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Also, Jeff got us the transmission cross member and the new upper control arm tabs cut on the laser, so we might have the whole suspension aired up this weekend!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Got a lot done last weekend, the rear bag mounts are finished and we got to air it up for the first time!

Attachment 1230040

Attachment 1230041

Also got the upper control arms on and the bag brackets tacked in, they still need to be moved down as we spaced the wheel up too high during setup, but its looking more and more like a truck all the time!

Attachment 1230043

Attachment 1230044

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Just a few more pics, thanks for looking, comments are welcomed!
Attachment 1230051

Attachment 1230052

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Got more done last night, mounts welded on the fuel cell.
Attachment 1234494

And we also got the transmission crossmember in and the engine out.
Attachment 1234492
Attachment 1234491
Attachment 1234493
Attachment 1234495

Next up is get the air tank mounted, the steering rack in and body mounts on.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Nobody likes?

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

I love it! Can you build my frame next!?!?!

Wade

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Killer project ! love all the custom fab work:metal:!!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Haha, we've got two mazdas to build after we finish this.



Thanks guys!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Update!

We went to the swap meet at Carlisle a few weekends ago and picked up a mustang II rack and pinion and a few other odds and ends. Worked on getting the rack mounted last weekend, and threw the front suspension together just to get a look. Need to order some heim joints and get some tie rods machined to get it all hooked up.
Attachment 1250353

Attachment 1250354

Attachment 1250355

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

bump!

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Been quite a bit since I've updated this. The frame is a roller, we took it to the Carlisle truck Nationals in the beginning of August and a local show. Picked up a LS1 intake too that makes the engine look way better.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Looking good! Let's see some sheet metal now. You guys are doing some excellent work

Wade

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Killer frame.

Re: 69 GMC Build
 

Ask and you shall receive. Started working on the cab probably a month ago, someone had attempted to replace the floor with another original rusted floor and jammed it into place. It was about 2 inches back from where it should have been, so everything was out of wack. The floor, bottom of both pillars, inside of the footwells, door skins and bottom of the doors have all been replaced at this point.
The first picture shows the first time the new floor was in, as well as the passenger rocker mocked up.
The second picture shows the door on with the cab corner mocked up and fender on.
The third picture shows the passenger side almost completed.
The fourth picture shows the driver side rocker in.