Leadfoots build thread

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I found this truck on Craigslist for $200 I wouldn't have bought it but I love the look of a short fleet side. I've been tinkering with this truck for two years now, mostly gathering parts and thinking about it, I did drop a motor and tranny in it so I could yard drive it while I work on it. Here's the day one pics

[Leadfoot Lambert]

There's plenty of rust, no engine or trans, It's had a front frame clip from a 73-87 welded on the front so it has power steering and 5 lug disc brakes on the front and someone has converted the rear to 5 lug as well

[Leadfoot Lambert]

So here's the motor I picked up off Craigslist of course, mid 80s 350, notice all the emissions crap! I removed all the crap cleaned the motor, replaced all the leaking gaskets gave her a paint job threw an Edelbrock intake and carb on it as well as a set of headers, found a NV3500 five speed tranny on you guessed it Craigslist so in it goes!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

So now the engine is in and running, I bought a hydraulic clutch setup from Captain fab, so the clutch is working, I only had to change the yoke on the drive shaft to get that to fit again. I also got a brake booster and master from a mid 80s c10 and bolted that on.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

The radiator that came with the truck was junk, I took it to the radiator shop and they wanted over $400 to fix it so I found this aluminum one on ebay for $250, works great!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

While I was under the truck putting the drive shaft in I noticed both of the truck arms were bent bad, so I found a set on Craigslist in Georgia, had them sent up and replaced them

I also had a decent grille support shipped in from California, and I found a dent free hood and a right fender in a local junkyard, the hood has a little rust on the front edge but it's repairable using part of the old hood. The fender needs a patch on the lower part by the door but the inner structure is nice and solid.

[Modges'66]

Nice!
Welcome to the addiction!
I love these trucks!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I've been on the board here for a couple years now, I just decided to start a build thread like everyone else, don't want to feel left out, but thanks for the warm welcome!

[LostMy65]

Thanks for posting your project.
Fun stuff.

[Ta2Don]

Welcome Aboard... What year Truck did you get the 5 speed out of?

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Tranny is from a 94 c1500

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Next came a set of Jeep TJ springs for the rear and I found a set of 3 inch drop lower control arms on CL for the front. The new wheels, 18x9 Riddlers, and Goodyear 255-55-18 LS2 tires came next

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I also found a set of doors [guess where] and put those on, they need work on the lower corners but the rest of them are near perfect

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Here's how the engine looks now with most everything hooked up and the engine compartment cleaned up a bit

[Ta2Don]

Thanks for the info, and the stance is sweet!!!

[LT1 Burb]

Looks good so far, I dont envy your eastern salty roads and know how hard it is to break loose those bolts.

[DoubleL]

That seat looks awesome! Good find on the Tac cluster those are hard to find. Looks like you are getting a lot done!

[McMurphy]

Nice build so far!
Looks like you have a vision for this build, I like it.
Where did you get your tranny crossmember, I need to find one.

Good to see another manual transmission going in too!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Tranny cross member is a CCP piece

[Leadfoot Lambert]

So as promised I did something with the grill gap, Some of you may have seen pics of this already because I posted some when I actually did this, remember I am still trying to get this build thread up to current, The grill bar is from a 1955 Buick, and I pounded a horn button from one our trucks in the center, let's say its a perfect press fit, as far as mounting the bar I used the stock GMC letter bracket and only had to oblong 2 holes and it bolted right up!

[Ta2Don]

Nice grill treatment, Markeb01 has one just like it, looks like it was made for the GMC Grill. I really like the Horn Button addition.

[northern 85]

Love it i think it looks great

[Ta2Don]

Patiently waiting for more progress, keep up the great work!

[Bomp]

I felt the same way about my diamond in the ruff. I blasted and blasted and am glad I did. You'll be so glad too. Great start to a awesome project. The Chevelle ain't bad either.
subscribed.

[allaboutchevelles]

Nice build you have going, Oh and I LOVE that elcamino. I should be getting one in the next couple of years. I have my 69 chevelle and my uncle just finished his 68 elcamino and has decided to sell his 69 elcamino. I told him I want first dibs on it.