Project Grasshopper

[doug70]

Ok, I had a thread started, but things have changes so much and I now have a
name for the truck so I am starting a new thread.

Beginning vehicle
1971 K20

donor vehicles
1995 k3500 cab and Chasis
1991 suburban

Plan
1970 Chevelle 454
Nv4500
Use 95 dually rear end and drive line
Build drivers side drop solid axle TBD
Western hauler bed

[doug70]

Went to the wrecking yard today and looked at the donor truck. Bought the NV4500 and all associated parts, flywheel to rear bumper. Dually axle and all. Bought a bunch of 454 parts too. Got the serpentine belt system, a/c compressor,alternator, ps pump, exhaust manifolds, valve covers... Got the clutch/brake pedal assembly and hydraulic clutch parts, Western Hauler bed.

So now the 71 will become a K20 dually with a western hauler bed.

I will post some pics when I get back tomorrow.

Doug

[BLAZERMAN]

Looks like a cool project..will be looking forward to more pics.

[71blksuper4x4]

do you have a 1970 Chevelle 454 engine??? Trevor

[doug70]

I do have a 70 chevelle 454. It is a CE motor. I am going to use my corvette 427 for this project since I couldn't get some of the parts I wanted from the 95 truck 454.

I have not registered to sell here yet, but intend to. I have 4000 sf of parts from old projects that I am going to eventually get around to selling. Also lots of 67-72 truck parts. Corvette, Camaro stuff... I only have one camaro left. It is a 71 RS. 1 corvette left, a 71 BB. I have some more 4x4's and some stepsides, 1 longhorn, 1 k5.

I'm not trying to sell these yet, I will be getting them out and getting them ready to sell. I am getting to old to play with these. I am building this 71 k20 as my daily driver.

I just put the dually rear end under it yesterday to mock it up. I have to move the rear spring hangers to use the later springs. The spring purches lined up perfectly since the 95 was a CC. Cleaning up the NV4500 and misc parts today.

Going to look at a dodge drivers side drop front axle monday. I want this truck to be as modern as possible while looking stock 71. Well except for the cowl hood left over from an old project.

Doug

[doug70]

picture of mockup of dual rear. I will do all the mock up first before removing the rest of the body and blasting the frame and painting.

Doug

[msgross]

welcome back and nice project... some guys use the advanced adapters for the NP205 transfer case.

please subscribe if you would like to sell any items as stated above, much more discussions on the parts will probably cause posts to be edited... thanks...

[71blksuper4x4]

Sorry about that guys, I was snooping. Along with these trucks, I am into Chevelle stuff in a big way. Sorry Doug, didn't mean to interfere with your build thread. Trevor

[doug70]

Not a problem Trevor, I think they understand I am not selling anything here until I get subscribed. I should take time to do that, but to busy getting things together for the build. I pressed subscribe button at the top of this screen and it wouldn't do anything. Is it not working? I still don't know what I am going to need for my other projects so I don't have anything for sale right now..

My paint scheme is just like your sig except the blue will be green. I don't have the trim and don't want to drill holes for it. Thinking about the double sided tape like newer trucks. What do you think.

Anxiously awaiting the transfer case from justchevytrucks. I got the spring packs built and have to move the rear hangers back 4"s. I asked the wrecking yard to cut the back half of the frame from the 95 and they agreed. I am using the cab and chassy fuel tank, mounts and the 95 shock mounts. Got Rancho shocks to fit the 95 so I needed those mounts. I have to move them in about an inch on the dually axle. The spring purches were just right.

I have read about moving the front xmember forward for big block installs. I am planning to use clamshell mounts on the factory 400SB purches. I plan to do this by using a 1/4 piece of plate with a bolt throuh the original mount hole. This will give me some movement on the engine location without moving the xmember. If that doesn't work, I will use the mounts from the 91 suburban and notch out the purches to fit the 4x4 xmember.

Ok, how do I put my other vehicles in my signature?

68 CST 396,th400 buddy buckets,tach dash,PB,PS,A/C Overloads...... 60K original miles unrestored still has factory assembly marks on firewall
70 Longhorn project (thats where the 70 in Doug70 came from) I would be doing this one except I want to drive the 4x4.
72 Stepside (150% complete) if they are ever complete(I am done working on this one)
67 Stepside project powdercoated frame nice cab 72 front spindles and rear end Rally wheels.
71 RS Camaro 90% done
71 L88 Corvette 50% complete
78 K5 project 91 doors, front clip,ps,pb,tilt,power locks and windows
89 Camaro parts car for above projects
74 Caprice parts car for above projects
91 Suburban parts car for above projects
many 67-72 parts trucks for above projects
And this is the short list I sold about a dozen like these last year to make room.
?? RV6 stage 1 complete(yes, that's an airplane but still a project)


Doug

[msgross]

in your User CP (control panel) there should be a link to edit signature... you can add your garage there...

[doug70]

Well, I moved the 71 to the other shop today. Removed the front clip and started looking at options for the SB400 to BB427 swap. I know the camel back springs have to go. Any Ideas?

My new rear springs are 54" from a 81 1 ton. Possible diy shackle swap there.

What about the motor mounts. The truck came with new SB mounts. Should I use them bot the BB? I am concerned about tearing them apart with the torque. This is a hot 427/nv4500 combo.

Doug

[doug70]

Well, I moved the 71 to the other shop today. Removed the front clip and started looking at options for the SB400 to BB427 swap. I know the camel back springs have to go. Any Ideas?

My new rear springs are 54" from a 81 1 ton. Possible diy shackle swap there.

What about the motor mounts. The truck came with new SB mounts. Should I use them on the BB? I am concerned about tearing them apart with the torque. This is a hot 427/nv4500 combo.

Doug

[71blksuper4x4]

You can always put a 73-87 4x4 crossmember in and use the motor mounts off of it. I know the Big Block will bolt up to everything and the design of motor mounts is superior to the 67-72 style(s). You would have to move your engine forward I think an inch or 2" to get the motor from hitting the firewall though. It would probably be better to get the premade 4x4 crossmember. I would be afraid to use the motor mounts you have because of h.p. and torque. Did they make a 71' L88 vette? I was always pretty sure that they stopped making 427 vettes in 69'. The LS6 was the biggest in a 71' vette. We almost had a 72' 454 ls5 vette about 2 or 3 years ago, and we had owned a 70' lt1 car years ago. A buddy of my dad's owns a 66' 427 435 project that has been stuffed in a rail car box for about 35 years. It's sweet to see that, wish we could do that one, but it's the guy's retirement project. Trevor

[doug70]

You are probably right about 69 being the end of the L88. Mine had the ls5 454. With the L88 hood, everybody calls it an l88.

Doug

[doug70]

Went and looked at my 78 k5 project and I think I will use that crossmember for now. I will have to find one to replace it when I get around to that one.

Have been sick so haven't gotten much done the last few days. I took the dually rear back out and put new bushings in the 56" springs. I have a question in the suspension section about a shackle flip, but no responses so I will figure it out on my own. I have the rear half of the 95 frame so I may use the front spring mount from it for the new rear. I like the ord and diy kits, but should use what I have.

I need to replace the front springs due to the added weight of the BB. I may use the old rear spring pack and move the hangers. I think I saw a post here about that somewhere.

Doug

[msgross]

diy4x makes an engine crossmember too...

[doug70]

Here is the color and trim planned for grasshopper. I found this picture here, it belongs to dean. Great looking truck dean.

[special-K]

I`m liking it.I`m liking it.You`re just going ahead and puttin`this thing right together,aren`t you?

[doug70]

Some progress yesterday. Got the cab off and the dana 44 removed. Started the dis assembly of the 44 for rebuild. Ordered some 4" lift front springs so I don't have to move the hangers.

Possible color change. I have some of this garnet red left from a 69 camaro project. Sold the Camaro and still have the paint.

Doug

[silver7]

Good progress and keep the pics coming.

[doug70]

Should have more to post by the end of the week. Have been blasting small parts and painting them. Cleaned up the hubs and have them ready to go back on. Got all the tie rod ends installed. To wet to blast the dana 44 outside today, so cleaning it as best I can in the shop. I plan to re-install it before I put the axles back in reassemble it on the frame. Much easier to handle lighter.
I am hoping my springs get here today.

Doug

[special-K]

Take pictures of these steps,you won`t regret it.Look at all we`ve done that we can only tell about.So Doug,what`ll the name be now?Project "Red Hopper","Red Snapper","Red Ox",or?:

[doug70]

I was thinking "red @$$". Ha

Here is one with some of the small parts.

Doug

[Chevy1TonFun]

Nice progress. Looking forward to the end result. I wish my wife would let me have another truck...

[doug70]

Thanks, the progress will slow for a week or so. Cold weather is coming back in and the fire truck needs to come inside. Back to cleaning and preping small parts.

Doug