1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Hey guys, I just picked up this truck the other day and started tearing it apart. It is a 1970 but has a 67-8 front clip on it. I need some help with this build and some direction as I cannot make up my own mind on a few things. I hate chopping things up (which I will explain later) so I wanted to at least put the right front clip on. And I like the 69-70 front end anyways. The other issue is that I have to find a cab as this one is not in the best of condition. Lets just say the other guy who did it was not a body guy. I will post some pics so you can see. Now for some decision making. I know I want a 69-70 front end. I know i want to do an ls and I know what colors I want. My big delima is I have anther 1970 c20 2wd stake truck that I can use for parts. Why I don't want to do this is because I would hate to ruin a perfectly good truck by parting it out to use a cab and front end. Maybe I am over thinking this and maybe the truck isn't that rare. It has the raised hats for the cab lights and is a dually. Please help so I can get this build started I don't know what to do. Please chime in with ideas and thoughts. I am also new to the site so I am not to sure how to post pictures.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Truck pic on trailer when I got it home

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Side pic

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

More pics.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Linden California? If yes I'm right close work just down the road from you.

Welcome

First off you will likely want to rethink the LS. Since it's a 4x4 it's much more complicated requires a new front crossmember. I would consider bolting on a FITECH efi unit $800. Plus LS motors don't come cheap in our area like they do in other parts of the country. I have researched this to death when it comes to this as I have a 72k10 I want to do.

Has the front axle been swapped for disk brakes yet? This would be high priority for me.

Can swaps and vin numbers can be tricky so I would exhaust the options of repairs first

Good luck

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Linden Michigan. I am on the phone as we speak for a crossmember. Dirty dingo carries them for around $400 I think. I already have disc brakes on the front and plan on doing the rears.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Here is my engine. Which I will get into later as I need to make decision on a t case.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Wow!!!! That is a beautiful truck. It looks perfect the way it is. I also like the 69/70 front end. You know how hard it is to find good cabs up here in MI, but I think there is one on CL. You'll probably have to pay a lot for it. I bought one a few years ago from a guy here in MI, and paid good for it, but its a nice cab also. You other truck does sound nice, I'm not sure it 'super' rare, but the bubble's on top are 'rarer' I believe. Maybe you could sell that one all together to help finance a new cab and front end. LS's in a 4x4 are doable, I know of one around here, but I don't think the guy is a board member. I'm over in Oakly, by Chesaning sort of. Good luck on your build.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

5.3?

I love my L33 swap...but it always could use more POWARRRRRRRR

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Thank you. It is far from perfect. Whoever did it before was not the smartest and painted over everything including bees nests. Yes bees nests. overspray everywhere. I am willing to spend some money for a cab. Or the one I have is good. I just didn't want to part it out if I could build that one up. Also the roof cab lights would look cool on a 4x4.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Yes it is a 5.3. I figured it would be plenty for the truck but you never know. Maybe a cam in the near future.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I agree, the cab lights would look great on your new 4x4 truck. If you are not really emotionally attached the dually, I'd use the cab and front end from it. Put the ones you take off the 4x4, back on that frame, and send it on its way.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I wouldn't say I'm emotionally attached I would just hate to chop up an all original truck. And the other thing is that i'm not restoring a truck to its originality, Its not going to have stock color and its not going to have anything else stock. So I don't know what i'm worried about except for the fact that I would hate to ruin an all original truck.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I just got off the phone with dirty dingo and they just shipped out my front crossmember. $345 shipped.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I agree, It would be a shame to tear apart an original truck,nice truck you picked up there, I am going to follow your build.....

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Thanks. It should be a good one. I still don't know what to do about the other truck. I will post some pics tonight of the dually

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

There are several cabs for sale on the Flint area CL page.

Edit and note: non are mine or do I have any affiliation to them. ��

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Yes I noticed. I would like a rust free can if possible. I would pay good money if I could find one.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Here is my cab that is all jacked up. Cab corners screwed in over the old cab corners. The rockers are worse. And my firewall and cab mounts and support are completely shot.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Can corner

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Here is my 70 c20 all original that I can take parts off of.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I wouldn't ruin a good truck to fix the other. So what if the previous owner did hack body work. Just cut it out the same as you would if no one touched it and fix right. There's something to be said for saving a good truck as well as for keeping VIN-plate unmolested. You can mount factory clearance lamps on any top.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I agree with you. The firewall is so bad it will cost more in parts than it would to just buy a rust free cab. It is the cab corners. Rockers. Entire floor. All floor supports. Cowl and firewall pieces. And the cab lights that are on my c20 have the raised hat on the roof. The roof panel actually had a raised panel for the lights to sit on.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Update. I got the trans and t case out today. I started to take out the front engine mount brackets. Does anyone know how to remove those easily. They have bolts from underneath that are hard to get to. I also cut off some brackets that the previous owner made for nerd bars.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Should I take every bracket off before it goes to sandblaster or just leave them on. For instance bumper brackets and everything that bolts on to the frame?

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

First off, welcome to the truck forum!
Nice looking project!

If it was me, I would strip everything off of the frame, then sandblast it.
Can you lift the whole chassis with your cherry picker high enough to reach the lower bolts?
If not, you can use a cutoff wheel or a heavy duty air hammer to cut the bolts....

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Tony, looks like you found a good start !
I was speaking w Brad the other day about this project, keep me in mind if I can help out...

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I will try that thank you. This truck will be a driver and did t want to tear it down completely but I know it will bother me info don't. So I might just do that. I didn't want to forget where everything goes.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Thanks Dave. I do need your help. I need everything lol. If I get all my parts from you maybe we can cut some kind of deal. I need box sides. Gear box. Body mount bushings. And all the above.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

Got the bed disassembled today. Getting new bed sides installed. Floor, tailgate, and front of bed are going to the media blaster as soon as the frame is completely stripped. All that is left is the rear axle to be removed.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

I wish I knew why these photos upload sideways on my phone and on my computer they are straight.

Re: 1970 4x4 ls truck build
 

My I phone is picky like that, i have to hold the phone sideways when i take a pic. If i hold the phone straight up, take the pic and download it it will be right side up, but when i upload to the forum its sideways...

All ya go to do to fix any pic that does that is open photoshop, file, open, then pick a picture, hit open, then once its in Photoshop all ya got to do is click file, save as, then the same folder comes up, rename it and save. then use it and it should be correct on the forum.