My new project-1994 CrewCab SRW

[wildmanaaron]

Well I have added another project to my list of things to do!

I just bought a 1994 Chevy 2500 W/T. 2wd. SRW. It currently has a longbed on it of course but that is gonna change just as soon as I get time.

In addition to that I have a few parts ready to install; Drop Spindles and a Rear Hanger/Shackle kit.

I also will be updating the grill to the composite headlight front end, and updating the dash and interior to the 95-Up style. I think this newer interior that they put in the 95-Up Trucks looks so much more appealing. I already have the rear power window & lock parts off two rear Suburban doors ready to install.

I bought this truck for $900 so I guess I can afford to mess with it a little!

[BigBlocksRule]

Forget that short bed, long bed crewcabs ride better than any other truck I've ever ridden in. Also, your frame isn't easy to shorten, the rails aren't straight.
Find a dually bed and rearend, then lower that. They're baaaaad.

I have a crewcab SRW now, like it a lot, but I wanted a dually, so I searched until I found a '97 with a 454/4L80E and 4WD. If you're gonna build a work truck, might as well go all-out, I think I may drop a 489 stroker in mine. I already have the shortest wheelbase truck made that year in my 2-door Tahoe, I'll also have the longest with this crewcab dually.

[wildmanaaron]

Definately dont want a long bed sport truck! This truck is going to be used for light work as a daily driver.

Yeah I knew about the frame difficulties. I think I can make it all work hopefully. I should have some time to mess with it this weekend!

[ChevLoRay]

So, lemme get this straight....you want a 3/4-ton swb truck for your use? Would it be easier to get a 1/2-ton swb chassis and swap the suspension?

[wildmanaaron]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

So, lemme get this straight....you want a 3/4-ton swb truck for your use? Would it be easier to get a 1/2-ton swb chassis and swap the suspension?

I still want a crew cab and I was given drop spindles and a hanger/shackle kit to install but they are only for a 3500 truck. I dont have the money to buy almost $500 worth of lowering parts and I have seen several nice sets of 8 lug 20-22" wheels out there now.

[scotts62]

Cool man nice score on the truck!!

[toomanytoyz]

Signing on for the Ride, I agree with you on the 95 & Later Interiors.........

Someday i hope to have a Stepper Crew in the 88-98 Model........

Rick

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Sweet sounds like its going to be an awesome project. Can't wait to see some pictures when you get time. Nice score on the truck too

[wildmanaaron]

Ok ok. Just had someone come and get the bed. It was mangled and I didnt want to full with hauling it off.

Here's what the frame rails look like so we can get a plan on how to shorten it. Best way I can tell is to move the hanger and rear hanger forward to the short wheelbase location.

[ksbrktracer]

Here is some pictures of my junk.....4-6 bell-tech, crew-cab long bed, now short bed, cut underneath the cab..

[scotts62]

Good looking truck man, not junk!

Do you have any pics of how you shortened the frame?

[ksbrktracer]

I dont have any pictures of the frame, It was done by somebody in Owasso I think before I got it. Looks like they just cut it straight accross and put some plate inside to einforce it....looks good and strong.

[wildmanaaron]

I just dont see how that would work taking a section out of the frame. I will have to look at my frame again soon. Wouldnt the back of the cab hit on something when you move the frame forward.

Could you take some nice pictures of the underside of your Truck, ksbrktracer?

[ksbrktracer]

I will see what I can do....

[BigBlocksRule]

This frame issue is specifically why I sought out a cab & chassis frame for my prostreet build. The cab & chassis frame rails are straight and 34" apart, no fishmouth welds or anything else, just cut the sucker off where you want and go to town.

By the way, unless you're dropping a 540 in it, I don't know that it's proper to say "sport" and "crewcab" in the same sentence

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by wildmanaaron

I just dont see how that would work taking a section out of the frame. I will have to look at my frame again soon. Wouldnt the back of the cab hit on something when you move the frame forward?

If i measured it right it will be close but it wont hit the cab before the frame moves up.

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

This frame issue is specifically why I sought out a cab & chassis frame for my prostreet build. The cab & chassis frame rails are straight and 34" apart, no fishmouth welds or anything else, just cut the sucker off where you want and go to town.

By the way, unless you're dropping a 540 in it, I don't know that it's proper to say "sport" and "crewcab" in the same sentence

Why when you have a frame already there is a driving truck? If you had a wrecked one and was going to swap it all over then yeah i could see how that would be easier.

Oh and does it really matter what you call it??

[BigBlocksRule]

Originally Posted by scotts62

Why when you have a frame already there is a driving truck? If you had a wrecked one and was going to swap it all over then yeah i could see how that would be easier.
Oh and does it really matter what you call it??

This project is a '95, started as a long bed, so I was facing the same thing with the frame. With the C&C straight frame rails, I can put 7" tubs in each wheel well, notch the frame and install a 4-link kit with a minimum of fabbing and NO frame welds. I bought the truck as a project for $400 with a good 4L80E, a 4-bolt 350 and completely straight front sheet metal. The frame donor had a 5-speed stick that I sold for more than I have in both of 'em, so I'm starting this project in the black. Never done that before, sure feels strange.

One of my other projects is a '97 crewcab dually 4wd. I'm actually thinking of lowering it about 4/6 just to get the stance more were I want it, I don't need to clear anything high. As for what he wants to call it, it doesn't really matter, I just don't think of anything with 4-doors as "sporty" myself.

Well, maybe an old Delta 88 with 22's

[jb1016]

Whoa, I like that red truck a lot. Needs to come down like another inch in the back, but other than that it's the perfect family vehicle.

[scotts62]

Hey what engine/trans you have in your 94 wildmanaaron? I was looking but if you did say i must have missed it..

[wildmanaaron]

Its got a 350 and a Turbo 350 transmission. The motor needs a tune up. I have been trying to sell it around here so I have an even better excust to put the LS-1 in it.

Bought a bed this morning for $100 and going to look at a tailgate tomorrow for $75!

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by wildmanaaron

Its got a 350 and a Turbo 350 transmission. The motor needs a tune up. I have been trying to sell it around here so I have an even better excust to put the LS-1 in it.

Bought a bed this morning for $100 and going to look at a tailgate tomorrow for $75!

Cool!

Im tossing up throwing a 350 in mine... has a 454 but its just about worn out and these years are really expensive to rebuild. I have a couple 350's, i may just sell the 454 and that alone will pay for my 350 but i dont know.

[scotts62]

Thats cool, getting there

I bet the cab was a bad mofo to get off huh?

[70duramax]

bigblock your going to lower a 4wd? that pretty much defeats the purpus of having a 4wd!


if you do end up cutting the frame underneath the cab make sure to Z it, dont cut it straight down. even with plate Z'ing it is way stronger and the corrct way to do it

[BigBlocksRule]

Originally Posted by 70duramax

bigblock your going to lower a 4wd? that pretty much defeats the purpus of having a 4wd!

Not really in this application. One of my favorite body styles is crewcab dually, lowered but not slammed. If the streets are slick - light rain is enough - you can lose steering with a 2WD, it's generally gonna go in the direction those 4 rear tires are pushing it regardless of what the front wheels - or driver - wants. With 4WD, you get that front end control back. I won't always need it, so it won't get that much wear and tear.

Besides, I have a '97 2-door 4WD Tahoe and one other project is a '77 K-5 4X4 that's getting a 454/4L80E/NP205 combo. I don't NEED 4 wheel drive anything, but it sure makes me feel better on days like the one we're having today, we have a few inches of ice on pretty much all the roads.

[wildmanaaron]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

By the way, unless you're dropping a 540 in it, I don't know that it's proper to say "sport" and "crewcab" in the same sentence

I think this looks pretty sporty to me! And besides the LS1 that I have to go in it gets better gas mileage than an old-school gas guzzling BB 540 anyday! And may, just may be more dependable!