71 cab on 79 frame

[j.burton50]

Seen several posts talking about the differences and wanted to share a little. Let me start by saying I'm at the point of no return. Lol. Ibam putting my 71 cab on my 79 frame. Due to the work that was already done to the frame, im sticking with it. Currently the bed is still factory mounted, and will be removed at some point. The cab I removed yesterday and set down in the newer frame.

The front cab bolts are about an inch too far outboard. So I cut new holes for the 71 to set down. The back as some already know will require notching. In pics I will attach (struggled last time) the end result is the front cab mounts loosely bolted, and the rear of the can resting on the frame. Next step is checking how much notching I will have to do to get the cab to set down.

The original 78 mounts are inboard and have been removed. I took those mounts, shortened them almost 3", and drilled new holes for the mounts into them so I can weld them outboard once it sits down.

To back up my reasoning, my 71 was a long bed fleet side, and I wanted a shortbed stepside. My buddy had one that the cab was rusted clean out. Much worse then my 71.

[j.burton50]

Pics of the move and the cab resting on the frame rail

[j.burton50]

Pic of the cab resting on the cab mount bolts prior to drilling the front mounts out. Still resting on the rear frame rails.

[Andy4639]

Looks good so far to me, a lot of work but as I always say my labor is free for my own interest's.

[j.burton50]

Agreed. Its already gonna be custom, but based on findings and the requirements to make it fit, there may be a lot more that goes with it.

[Andy4639]

Iron Station HUH! I graduated from East Lincoln in 78.
We lived on lake in Denver of the East.

[KSCHEVYUP]

Thanks for sharing Interesting project
Subscribed

[j.burton50]

Figured I'd try to share, seems a lot of ppl convert the 4x4 version but give up on 2wd.

[j.burton50]

Sitting on all 4 corners. The mounts sit lower so I had to cut about an inch to inch and a half off the bottom of the mount so they wouldn't jang too much lower then the frame.

Ignore the mess. The bed is holding most of my potential parts.

[Andy4639]

Good job sir looks good and level also. That bed looks much better than the 90's bed on these.

[j.burton50]

I cant stand seeing 90s beds on the old square bodies and older! It really looks pretty good. The other issue that might come up will be the wheel base difference. Right now it looks like its just the bed to cab gap. But we shall see. Ordered some new cab bushings for it, and waiting for some sheet metal to make the tunnels for the floor.

Gotta get my engine from my buddies house so I can plop it down in there as well.

[68Gold/white]

I agree. The bed on yours looks like it belongs there. Sometimes folks use what they have on hand (earliest hot rodders did this, because they had NO money).
Tell us more about the engine. That intake looks like a GM piece, iron?

[j.burton50]

Lol, let's see.

The top end is gm 034 bowtie heads that have been shaved and milled for 2.05 / 1.60 valves with dual valve springs, 7/16 screw in rocker studs, and guide plates. We put in some 1.5 roller tip rockers. The intake is the cast high rise mariner intake port matched to the heads.

The bottom end is the 010 4 bolt main block with a comp 286ah8 cam. Standard bore with standard stroke. Stock crank, with crower rods and Manley pistons. HV oil pump. Double row timing chain. The oil pan is a hamburger 7.5 qt ( i think) oil pan with internal baffles.

Gonna be running the cheapo summit brand long tubes into some 3" "mufflers". Havent decided on the carb yet, probably going with a stock q jet 650 until i decide if imma go turbo or not.

The top end came from dirt track where I think it.ran on a 383, and the bottom end came from a circle track race truck. The sm465 that will be behind it is from an old bread truck. Lol. I drove this truck in high school (graduated in 08) and had a ton of fun with a lot less modification and the stock 3 on the column. I can't wait to get it back on the road again. Its sat for the last 6 years, and hasn't held up very well, but im bringing it back.

[j.burton50]

Found another engine pic.

[j.burton50]

New cab bushings and bolts on the way along with pressure plate bolts. The next updates I predict will probably be a- patching the gas filler hole, b- making the notch tunnels, c- engine/trans tunnel install items, or d- cab bushing install.

[j.burton50]

Got some parts in today. The inlaws came today so no work done, but the gas filler fits perfectly straight out the mail. Lmc FTW! Can't wait for more parts and time. Smh.

[LockDoc]

-
Way to stick with it. A lot of these type of projects are abandoned before they get as far as you have. Looking to follow along.

LockDoc.

[j.burton50]

Thanks! Unfortunately it had to wait before it really started taking off. Started a family and the usual story. Finding some balance now. I've hurt my back doing 99% of this by myself. Lol, but hopeful ill be on it again tomorrow. Updates to come soon!

[68Gold/white]

Those heads resemble the Brodix heads that were used in Nascar, years ago. THe flat areas would have had "Pontiac" on them. I could understand a Chevy enthusiast grinding that off...

Keep after it man! Wacky weather season is here. Got sleet, snow and ice here in Oklahoma.....in October, no less!!!

[j.burton50]

Its been almost perfect the past couple of days. These heads were def. Not Pontiac heads, but good to know! I'm hoping the nice weather holds up. I'd like to get my engine set in place so I can start fitting wiring, brake, and fuel lines. Doubt imma be using much of the factory equipment unless I can find a way to route it without piecing it together.

[j.burton50]

Well, weather is still holding me up. But I've been researching in the mean time. I think I have decided to try to build a remote shifter similar to the picture here so shorten the throw of the shifter since im going to be "hotrodding" with an sm465. Anyone played with this? What inwas reading is 4x4 guys like them for 430 gearboxes, so I figure the change should be similar. I plan on running some type of bucket seat and would likely build my own center console. (Still weighing options)

What I've seen is that the first pic is in 1st gear, and the second one is in 2nd.

[j.burton50]

Planning and gathering parts to go hydraulic clutch now! I think I've found parts to do it for less then $50!

[j.burton50]

Had a long productive day today. Finally got my engine and trans in. Only got 1 pic in the daylight. Gotnthebnew pilynengine and trans mounts in and a universal trans crossmember. Everything is loosely bolted in right now, and I gotta fit the trans tunnel cover. So plenty of updates to come.

Also got the tilt steering column from the 79 installed. It is NOT a bolt in by any means for anyone curious about it. But my plan is to use itnfornthe tilt factor and use the original in dash key for ignition. Ill probably have to create my own turn signal harness because the plugs are so very different.

Lastly, I got thenfiller cap welded in.

[j.burton50]

For those interested. I have reached the point that the wheelbase has become the issue. Yesterday got the alternator and mechanical water pump installed. Today, I decided to see how the front end fit. I have some issues to adjust with the front drivers side cab mount, which I don't suspect will be too much of an issue. It just isn't sitting evenly at the moment.

To the point, the radiator support mounting points are about 4.5 inches too far forward to mount the rad. Support, and the steering box wants to share the same location. As the drivers side mount would. Loosing light I have not looked much into it yet, but am considering chopping the frame rails, making my own mounts, and possibly even the rad. Support. As it has the usual battery tray cancer.


I would share pics, but there does not appear to be as much interest as I thought there may be, and because I had to have help resetting my password, apparently now I am unable to post pictures. Maybe I'll mess with it and figure something out to share. But as for now, I'm going to keep digging on ole girl as time and light allow