Long Awaited Transformation
 

Before my deployment, I had bought a 1978 Scottsdale for 4500. I know most will think I over paid, and maybe I did. But I love this truck. It's pretty mint, clean all around. I finally drove it for the first time in a year since I bought it. Now that passion for modifying vehicles has once again been lit. So I have a few questions in reguards to suspensions components and body parts.
I wanna lower the truck a tad and want to know the best way to achieve this as well as who makes good parts.
And I need to do a bit of work on the stepside bed. New wood, and a nasty dent on the driver stepside fender.
Does anyone know if it's possible to install a six speed into this truck?
It was originally a 305 switched to a 350. The transmission from what the list says, was a 3 speed on the column? Now it's a 4 speed with that pita mechanical clutch I fear of breaking. Anyone make a hydraulic clutch or should I stick with mechanical?
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Re: Long Awaited Transformation
 

howdy Scottsdale, Welcome the the board.
Show us some pix now that the square truck bug has bit you.
as for the tranny questions... the pat answer is:
" anything is possible, it just depends on the heft of your wallet!"

Re: Long Awaited Transformation
 

Pretty sure you can find a hydraulic set up in the parts yard, 85 or 86 they switched over to hydraulic.

Re: Long Awaited Transformation
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=300087
The T-56's are hydraulic clutch. I sort of used this article as the basis for my hydraulic clutch T5 in my '78. Basically you need to mount a master to your firewall and connect it to the slave on the trans. You just need to look at it a little bit. I used an '87 bellhousing and the master cyl from an '88, i used the line from an '88, but I had to bend it up something ugly. If you are near any farm supply places, they can whip you up a hydraulic line, or by the same token any place that services AC or 18 wheelers can make you a custom line for a few bucks. The clutch in my truck feels like maybe it doesn't completely disengage, but then again I'm using a beat up original 1983 camaro T5.
I think shifting gears is pretty cool, but to be honest with you...on the next one I'd probably plop in a 700r4...these trucks aren't sports cars, and I live in the city with lots of traffic, so a automatic, while losing cool points, would be a lot easier to drive.

Re: Long Awaited Transformation
 

I'll post pics soon, I wanna get those questions figured out first. I'm overwhelmed to be home finally and can't wait to work on the Scottsdale.
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Re: Long Awaited Transformation
 

From one veteran to another, "Welcome home and a heart felt "Thank You" for your service.

Hope all works out on the Scottsdale, mine is an 83 3/4 ton Scottsdale with a little of a 100K on it. It has the 350 HD engine and the TH400 tranny.

Re: Long Awaited Transformation
 

Thanks terryj and others for quick responses. Who makes a good product in regards to front and rear suspension components?
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