85 Chevy SWB

[softballnrd27]

It is actually a GMC not a Chevy. Not alot planned for the near future, get it running and driving for the time being. I have to sort out the wiring harness under the hood and a few other small projects. The ultimate goal is to put a trailing arm suspension under the rear and a nitrous motor (big or small block) and take it to the track. I have alot of small projects that I will keep this thread updated.
Started the wiring last night, holy sh!t is this a nightmare!!

[softballnrd27]

Here are the pics of how the truck sits right now. I need to level out the stance.

[softballnrd27]

I have been slacking on getting some updates on the project. It has been slow going but I am getting closer to firing it up and getting it on the road!! I fixed the wiring for the motor, i still have to work on the rest of the accessories under the hood but that will come after it fires when i can test stuff. There is a big change under the hood from when I got it:



I also put on a sport bumper from the junkyard. It is in decent shape and is good for a driver. when I get more involved on the looks then I will replace it with a new one.
Before:


After:


I took some more pics of the truck to show what i am working with. I will add more pics as I do work to it, but here is what I have for now:
Interior:






Front end:

[softballnrd27]

The bad spots on the body:
Fire damage on the hood from the underhood fire.


Pass side door:


Driverside rear wheel well:

[Rollinsqrbdy]

nice truck. whats the plans for it?

[softballnrd27]

For now, clean up the interior, replace the hood, get it runnig and drive the s%$# out of it. Long term calls for flat black paint and a 383.

[softballnrd27]

Got some more work done to the truck. Got my new carb and put it on only to have fuel spewing out of the vent tubes. Come to find out the business that I got it from has some sh#$^y quality control and left off the little c-clip that holds the float on the rod. Had to replace that and the fuel bowl gaskets and it works great now. Then I had to replace the flexplate because it was bent and hitting the starter on each revolution. After that it fired up and ran. I have to dial in the timing and carb some more. Here is a short video of it finally running:

http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s241/softballnr...

I also replaced the plain GMC grill with single headlights with a quad setup from my old 82 I had and in the process I went ahead and sprayed most of the engine compartment in flat black.

Before:





After:









I have to finish the wiring for the quad headlights. I also took the driveshaft that I got from Fat Hoe and had it cut down only to be off on my measurement by 1.5". It was too long so I have to bring it back to have it cut again.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by softballnrd27

I also took the driveshaft that I got from Fat Hoe and had it cut down only to be off on my measurement by 1.5". It was too long so I have to bring it back to have it cut again.

doh...I'm glad I finally found your build thread...I really need to get one started on my crewcab....how much did it cost to get the d/s shortened...I need to get mine done on the crewcab now that the frame's shortened for the shortbed...btw it looks like it's coming together good...

[softballnrd27]

I actually had to get it cut twice but the guy that did was real cool and did the 2nd cut for free bc I told him that I screwed up the measurement. To do the initial cut, balance and to replace the u-joints it was $160. A new driveshaft is about $100 more through them and if I had the extra money, I would have went that route.

[softballnrd27]

I polished the center caps on my wheels and also stripped and primed them all. I actually painted 1 to see what it would look like and I can't wait to get them all painted and installed. I even replaced the faded center sticker with an eagle globe and anchor sticker. Here are some pics:
Beginnig:

After:

Side by Side:

New stickers:

Painted Wheel:

[Cherub]

those came out pretty trick. id take those rallies in 20X10

[Steviebinmiss]

very nice And im curious as to where you found the marine stickers? seem to be a perfect fit

[softballnrd27]

Wow, I pulled this up and realized that I haven't updated this in a long time. The truck has changed alot since the last update. i am going to try and upload some pics but I don't think i will be able to while I am deployed. I will definitely have to update it when i get back home with new pics.

For now I have a 2004 6.0l, and a Ford 9" sitting in the garage for when I get home. I also have a 73 grill and some other parts to start the 73 front end swap. For now I will just beable to update what I have bought for the truck and what my plans are.

Motor Plans:
Rebuild 6.0 with forged FT Wiseco Pstons, Texas Speed V.2 Torquer cam, and 150 shot of nitrous for now to hopefully get me into the 12s.

Drivetrain:
Built 200-4r PI Vigilante torque converter
Ford 9" with 4.11 gears, Yukon Grizzly locker(just like detroit), Strange center section, 35 spline moser axles, disc brakes, and a back brace.

Supension:
Drop it the right way w/ spindles springs up front with a poly graphite rebuild kit, and a good set of shocks. Throw a c-notch in the rear, rebuild leaf springs, and throw on some cal-tracs.

I am basically building all the drivetrain and suspension 1st and then I will focus more effort towards the body. Also going to go through the truck and shave and shift weight where I can. If I find a way to load pics I will get them loaded.

[softballnrd27]

Found some pics of what she looks like now:

[softballnrd27]

Here are some of the pieces at the house.

[softballnrd27]

Here are a couple of shots of the 6.0 that my wife picked up for me:




Also the wheels I am looking at:

With a green pinstripe around the chrome accent:

[silvereagle07]

They look awesome! I love the green accent around the chrome.

[softballnrd27]

Doe anyone know what it takes to get a 20x12" wheel on the rear? Will I just have to widen the tubs?

[justpball]

I think you could just bolt it on with a 5 in BS
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[softballnrd27]

After much internal debate and going back and forth, I finally nailed down my build plan for the 6.0l. I am stroking it to a 390ci with an AES kit Callies crank and rods, custom dished CP pistons, and clevite bearings. I got a custom cam spec'd for the motor from Patrick G over on LS1tech.com:
230/234 .600”/.602” 111LSA +4 advance

Once I get the motor in I will start to gather parts for the turbo build and will eventually have an 88mm turbo and either a th400 or a 4l80e. I have wanted a turbo motor from the beginning so I said to hell with it, why not build the shortblock to handle it and get it done a little at a time. AES has had this same kit in a stock iron block up to 900rwhp so it will handle more than what I plan to throw at it.

[softballnrd27]

Bad news is that the 305 spit out one of the freeze plugs and I have decided to start the teardown/clean up process for the 6.0 swap. The old 305/th350 combo is out of the truck and it is just waiting for mw to get going on it. Now that hunting season is winding down I will have more time to work on it. I should have it done by the summer time. Here is a pic of how she sits:

[made2drag]

nice start!

[softballnrd27]

It has been awhile since I posted here in my build thread so I figured it was time for an update.
I have been working on re-assembling the the 6.0 in order to prepare it for mock up when the new mounts get here. I basically put all the accessories on the empty block and when the mount get here I can get the placement of the engine where I want it and also figure out how I am going to run the engine harness. Here is a picture to satisfy the masses:

[softballnrd27]

My mounts came in today and I put the 6.0/th350 in for mock-up. I am picking up my new(to me) 6.0 that is a runner next week. The new motor is a stock bottom end LQ4 with 241 heads which should put it about 10:1, GM ASA cam, TBSS intake and 30lb injectors. It sounds sick and runs great. Any way here is the mock pic with my 6.0(not the new one) and the mounts

[softballnrd27]

I did a little more work last night. I pulled the huge air conditioning/heater unit off the firewall. I am going to patch the holes and use a smaller under dash heater until I get A/C from Vintage Air.