Gene's shorty 4x4 conversion

[Gene]

Well, here's my progress so far.... Got the diy4x front brackets installed, and am 90% finished with the front suspension. Moving to the back now, got deals for some GMC brackets and springs, along with some 4 inch lift blocks in the works!

[70 beast]

are you using 52's in the front or stock length springs?

[Gene]

52's although I havent installed all 5 leafs, because of my limited u-bolt length.

[07lbz2500]

So you are putting 2wd spring hangers and shackle mounts on the rear of your truck. was your truck originally coil rear? beacuse I am doing a 4wd conversion as well and heard that the frames were the same for leaf and coil trucks and that I could use the hangers off a 2wd leaf truck on mine but I wasnt sure.

[71blksuper4x4]

well, you are on your way to being a shortie 4x4 owner. Keep up the work, it will pay off. Trevor

[Gene]

Originally Posted by 07lbz2500

So you are putting 2wd spring hangers and shackle mounts on the rear of your truck. was your truck originally coil rear? beacuse I am doing a 4wd conversion as well and heard that the frames were the same for leaf and coil trucks and that I could use the hangers off a 2wd leaf truck on mine but I wasnt sure.

From all I have read(please someone correct me if i'm wrong) these should allow you to run leafs on a coil frame.

PM sent, I have these parts listed on the parts board seeing as how I no longer need them.

[Gene]

Well, just got her back from powdercoating. I am very pleased with the results! It's a little dusty but you get the idea. Can't wait to get the lines run and get started installing the suspension so I can get it on the ground.

I'm on dial up or i'd put more pictures up

[1985-GMC]

Looks good!!! How much did the sand blasting and powdercoating cost you?

[Gene]

Well, plans have changed. Found a 4x4 SWB rolling chassis with dana44 front and 12 bolt rear. I will be using this instead of the 2wd converted frame. The PO must have had a flatbed welded to it in the past because of all the crasy welds on the mounts, i've been spending the past couple of weeks out in the 190 degree heat working on this thing!!! Getting ready for blasting and powdercoating. Wish me luck!

[Gene]

It was really reasonable, compared with sandblasting/painting. I have 400 bucks in the sandblasting/powdercoating. I am very pleased that I went in this direction. I just finished installing all new brake and fuel lines I got from inlinetube.com.

[Gene]

Looks like 4 inches 7/16th. Lemme know if you need any more measurements.

[msgross]

love the SWB 4x4's...

monte0185, There are multiple threads on cutting down frames, I know they take 8" and 12" out, but not sure which is middle and which is rear. Be sure that your welding is up to snuff if you go that route. I need to get back to work on mine.. this weekend is garage cleaning..

[Gene]

12 under the cab and 8 off the back

[monte0185]

I have read every thread I can find but I have not seen any 4 wheel drive ones. I read something on the two wheel drive ones about the leaf spring perch interfears with cutting 8 off the back. Welding isnt really a problem. been welding since i was like 12. Dad was a certified welder and taught me. He also was an underwater welder. That would have been interesting. but anyway. Im gonna find out next weekend for sure when i pickup my long frame. Sorry for hijacking your thread. Looks great. keep up the great work.

[msgross]

how did the inline tube work out? mine are still in a box

[Gene]

Originally Posted by msgross

how did the inline tube work out? mine are still in a box

Overall they fit pretty well, I messed up and ordered a set for a 71 and my frame is a 72, there is a difference. The rear where the line that runs along the frame bends down and attaches to a bracket on the frame, evidently 71 didnt have that bracket??? So I will have to run a short line to there with a union. But up front everything fit nice.

[msgross]

you might be able to find someone with that bracket...

[Gene]

Originally Posted by msgross

you might be able to find someone with that bracket...

The 72 has the bracket attached to the frame with rivets, here's what i'm working with

[argonaut]

Originally Posted by Gene

The 72 has the bracket attached to the frame with rivets, here's what i'm working with

I've had this same experience with inline tube. Their parts are fine, but orders are often mixed up and don't realloy fit perfectly. I recommend buying some straight lengths of tube a bender and a flaring tool. Pretty cheap and you can make lines that fit perfectly!

Sweet Truck!

[THE BOSS]

the previous owner/s of my truck had the lines hooked up backwards, they had the front feeding the rear and rear feeding the front.

that caused a few extra hours to figure everything out. i assumed the truck was hooked up right.

[6BT 56]

Super build . Love these trucks. my next build for sure .

My Build

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556908

[msgross]

you already powdercoated the frame didn't you? If not you could just make this little angle bracket like my 68 has.

[Gene]

Yep, already powdercoated it. I think i'll just extend the line down to the bracket, because i'm lifting it and that way the rubber line will for sure reach the main line.

[Gene]

Here's a couple of updated pics of my project. The garage is an absolute mess, I had the truck sitting on sawhorses, but the suspension proved to be more than it could handle so now it's sitting on the floor waiting on my new BF Goodrich 35 inch Mud terrain KM2's. As soon as they arrive I will get to work on trying to locate a body shop near me that specializes in these old trucks!

[my67chevytruck]

looking good.