Project Cowboy Cadillac

[GmtGmt]

Finally getting back with a Crew Cab like I have been dreaming off since i had to part ways with my 84 Crew cab diesel 8 years ago, I have a 82 GMC C30 Cab and chassie single cab that i was putting back together but that will be parts truck for this

I did some trades and got this 1981 Chevy Crew cab dually for very cheap
missing engine and transmission,

little back ground info

Came from Pomona CA back in 2005 was used as a hauler for a private drag racer that did alot of racing at Pomona drag strip, (alot of time slips, parking cards etc was found when cleaning out)

Was imported to Denmark for the Engine and transmission (454/400 and just spares. thats way the left Dually fender has been cut off as all the bolts are spinning and they dont fit in the container
Has been sitting in at a storage yard since 2005 and was sold in early 2023 to the guy a bought it from.

It was born a 1981 Crew cab Dually with a 350, AC, power steering, Power windows and locks, No gauges only idiot lights, No tilt or cruise and in Soild white and Tan interior with bench seats

Now has a 89-91 Front clip, Lowering springs in the front, I think the rears have had removed a few leafs and diffrent shackels too.

The Plan: This wont be a restoration Like David Freiburger says dont get it right, just get it running

Drive train
Cadillac 500 with a TH400, I have plans for Fuel injection and a 4L80 later
down the road, might try to save for an LS 5.3 or 6.0 insted
2 new fuel tanks and sendering units, (plans are getting the TBI tanks so its ready for EFI)
Rebuild the brakes and front suspension/steering and new shocks
all 6 wheels blasted and powder coated white and 6 new tires
want to lower it in the back, looking at switch suspension air ride with C-notch

Exterior
Mount the rear fenders and paint the left rear dually fender to match the truck
New Mirrors
New head lights, all 3 on the right is busted
source a new tail gate and rear bumper
Onboard Air tank for Service jobs
Fix the rust in the rockers and pop out the dents in the fender and doors


Interior:
Fixing the AC (hate vehicles with out AC)
Cruise Control, not sure how hard it is to retro fit a later tilt and cruise collum with the wiring and delay whipers or else im just going to find a aftermarket cruise set up
New seat covers
Tinted rear door glass (front tint are illegal her in Denmark)
Full gauge cluster with gauges insted for idiot lights and I have a Mint 89-91 Wood grain bezel thats going on as I cant stand the alloy one
New stereo, it has a 90s stereo with Amp and aftermarket speakers behind the rear seats but I want new speakers and bluetooth and hands free

This going to be a Service truck for my company (mechanic work shop) and Hauler for our Drift car





the 500 thats going in

[GmtGmt]

New Radiator arived friday, Was looking at a used OEM 3 row cooler but when the price was higher than a new aluminium rad I rather wanted a new one.
I have used these rads on other high horse power cars and never had a problem.



Rockauto Brake parts, new hoses, wheel cylinders, Caliber Rebuild kit, Tempsensor and some gaskets for the rear axle.
Still wating on a new Mastercylinder, Pads and Brake shoes


Did some cleaning and quick vacum


Found this old relic under the seat


Found this behind the rear seat, an old G&S Design Comp 150 AMP


Waiting on a few parts so i can get the Engine and trans put in

[GmtGmt]

Oldschool Belltech drop spindels




Engine and Trans are in, Lined up and boltede down, have to drill some holes in frame for front engine mounts but its in at sitting

[kitsbeach]

Originally Posted by GmtGmt

Engine and Trans are in, Lined up and boltede down, have to drill some holes in frame for front engine mounts but its in at sitting

What did you use for frame and engine mounts? Cadillac engine mounts with truck frame mounts?

[GmtGmt]

Originally Posted by kitsbeach

What did you use for frame and engine mounts? Cadillac engine mounts with truck frame mounts?

Stock Caddy mounts and the stock frame mounts, drill new holes and moved them forward

[LT7A]

Cool! Keep us up to date. Where are you in Denmark? I'm guessing somewhere in Jutland.

[GmtGmt]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Cool! Keep us up to date. Where are you in Denmark? I'm guessing somewhere in Jutland.

Kalundborg, Sealand

Its Running and driving under its own power

https://youtu.be/9z6iC76YfOU

Driven around the shop under its own power for the first time in 19 years

Radiator Mounted, Heat core vacumed testet and passed, Holds coolent and no leaks.

[GmtGmt]

Update

I didnt replace the rear main seal before installing the engine sadly it started to leak quickly :/ Not a fun job to do in the truck




Outer Dually rims back from the paint shop just got to get the front ones done and then the inner 2


Bought a new carburator as the old Quadrjet wont work proberly and leaking


Drove it the 15miles from the shop home where it sat for a mounth waiting for a Drive shaft to be rebuild as it was shacking so bad at 30mph


New fuel tank for EFI and had to put it in the bed at home to get it back to the shop as old tank was full of junk


Found a used tail gate not perfect but can be used


New used front lower door cards as the driver side was trashed


New Rear Bumper and hitch as the old one is booger welded to the inside of the frame



Best off all EFI! got a very nice deal on a Holley Sniper setup that a friend didnt like on his hot rod so has maby 5hours of run time
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Mounted



Standalone Relay and Fuse box for Fuel pump, Holley and Eletric Fan.


HEI Distributor and New leads



Old tank removed

New Fuel Tank and in tank Fuel pump a Decent Walbro pump




New Fuel Pressure Regulator and EFI Fuel Filter

[GmtGmt]

[GmtGmt]

Finally roadworthy and new rockers and floors and have gotten it Inspected so now im just wating for the Goverment to come back with how much registration tax i have to pay to get plates

New Borgesson steering shaft as my old was worn out, Rebuilding the steering box and new rag joint

[bnorth]

Looks awesome with that old sleeper on there. I can imagine it pulling an old bumper pull horse trailer while a team roping pair sleep in the backseat and sleeper.