No Regrets - The Rebuild post

[Dinos63]

man how did i miss this thread, i love the chop and a good call on the wheels nice job very slick

[dubdeuce80]

i love everything about your truck but the chop...personally never been a fan of them on square bodys, but other than that it's pretty much been one of my favorite trucks since i saw the pics a few years back

[85sqbdy]

Can You Build Another On Of Those 180 Degree Brake Master Cylinder Brackets? If So, How Much?

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by 85sqbdy

Can You Build Another On Of Those 180 Degree Brake Master Cylinder Brackets? If So, How Much?

I could someday, but right now I have way too much on my plate to start doing work for other people... I do this for fun you know! Get with me over the winter and maybe we can work something out. As it is right now I have two project trucks and my motorcycle has been siting waiting to put back together for more than a year now!!!

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by dubdeuce80

i love everything about your truck but the chop...personally never been a fan of them on square bodys, but other than that it's pretty much been one of my favorite trucks since i saw the pics a few years back

thanks Dino... you've got some pretty cool toys as well.

Still working on shocks. Finally got them from Doestch (sp?) and they are really nice; and have the stroke they said they did. Still had to rethink my mounts and I'm still not done with the lowers, as the lower mounts I made just turned to temporary until I pull the axle out and build one last set. I overlooked the overall diameter of the lower shock mount and it is just too close for comfort. The uppers are in place but still need a gusset. With the shocks outboard the frame I will now be able to tun full exhaust. Also Got most of the mid crossmember done. Just have to add a few gussets on the hoop, and flip the frame upside down to do some final welds.


also got some dollies from autobody parts USA that are going to come in very handy when this thing starts to get heavier again. They were very handy for resetting the panhard bar... which is another story I will skip for now.

here is some midweek pics to show what I've been up to over the last few weeks. Please excuse the mess as I am in mid mock up/ build...

[smashingchuck]

one more of the upper shock mount... (with said gusset).

[Rollinsqrbdy]

Man I just read the tread. That truck is sweeeeeeeeet. Luv the choice of wheels,and I was never a fan of the chop on a square body but u pulled it off and its kickin. Cant wait to see more pics.

[smashingchuck]

Well in the middle of the week I got the frame flipped upside down to do some more welding. It's sooo much easier to weld when you're not doing it upside down, so since I have the advantage of being able to just turn it over, I did. I put another matching gusset on the underside of the shock mount so it was "boxed", laid down the rest of the welds on the crossmember, Touched up a few other spots, and have just been doing some general clean up of stuff that's not so noticeable with the frame right side up. I also Boxed the frame in between the notch and the new crossmember, and added some braces on the hoop. Hopefully by next week end I can start throwing some paint on it. I'm almost there, but just keep picking at it and changin stuff. I could easily spend three more mounts filling holes, boxing the rest of the frame... but I have to draw the line somewhere!!! Here's some pics as always... and remember, the frame is upside down!

[ca180]

I must say, those are some fine welds for a MIG! You got skill man! Any advice? I've been playing with my lincoln welder (running flux) for about a year now, but I'm not half as good as that!

[smashingchuck]

They are ok... still kinda "bugery" in some spots but definately strong. I'm by no means a pro... but I tend to run the heat a little hotter than I think it should be, and also run the feed slow. For example: On most of the welds pictured I ran the feed around 50-55 and the heat on 5 or 6. I'm still learning with the MIG... but it definitely is easier to get a nice looking weld with it... it's just not as gratifing as when you knock the slag off an arc weld to expose a nicely laid bead. I will say this though - it is way faster, and a lot more forgiving! I guess the only real advice I could give you is to ditch that flux core and get a bottle! It really does make a difference!

Also it always helps me alot to keep the gaps very small between the two pieces I'm welding, but I suppose that is a given.

[N2TRUX]

They may not be Porterbuilt tig beads, but they do look clean. Nothing that an abrasive wheel won't clean up that's for sure. Keep the progress pics coming...

[smashingchuck]

My next big tool purchase is either going to be a plasma cutter or a TIG welder. Both are inevitable. I definately want to learn to TIG weld... and I think I would be good at it once I got it down.

[82ZZZR]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

And here is how I solved the problem of the transmission cross member bolts hanging below the frame. First I welded tabs to the original crossmember and used two 3/8 bolts though the side of the frame. Then, I countersunk the original holes and used the proper bolts so they were flush with the bottom of the frame. Then I bolted in the other two pieces for rigidity. I still have to sand blast one of the upper pieces, but it is strong as hell and doesn't drag the bolts on the ground now.

how many cross members was that made from? I looked at mine and it has the big hump in the one side...sorry about the noob question

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by 82ZZZR

how many cross members was that made from? I looked at mine and it has the big hump in the one side...sorry about the noob question

All 3 pieces are completely factory with the exception of the tabs welded to the ends of the bottom piece. My truck (when I got it) only had a brace on the passenger side, but it should have had them on both sides... The rusty looking one is just one I robbed off of a spare frame that I have. Which for some strange reason only had the brace on the driver side.

So to answer your question... it was made from two, but it should only be one. I've seen the trans crossmember you are talking about - I think they came on newer trucks - I have the one you describe on my suburban which is a 91.

[Rollinsqrbdy]

those are sum bad welds. My welds are getting better. Not only r u a good welder but fabricator also. Awesome job. The truck is sweet!!. BY any chance does anyone know where a tread for changing over a 86 long bed into a shortbed is? Keep us posted on ur truck chuck.

[smashingchuck]

teach 'em young...

[northeimcustom]

GREAT thread! keep us updated !

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by northeimcustom

GREAT thread! keep us updated !

thanks. Need some help here guys... check out this thread-

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...90#post2869990

[smashingchuck]

well, more boring stuff. Got all the cab mounts replaced today... old ones had already been repaired once, the others were rotting away to nothing. I scabed some new ones off a spare frame I have and sandblasted them before I put them on. All four got the treatment.

[smashingchuck]

Also remembered today that I didn't have the intermediate brake line mount redone on the frame. I kinda forgot about it the second I cut the old one off the frame. Anyway here is what I came up with.

[smashingchuck]

Moving forward instead of backwards (at least for the time being). I finally got the first (and only) coat of black primer on today. Tomorrow I get to spray the real paint.

The first pic shows everything ready with zinc chromate primer... second and third pics are with the Eastwood Chassis Black primer.

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by smashingchuck

well, more boring stuff. Got all the cab mounts replaced today... old ones had already been repaired once, the others were rotting away to nothing. I scabed some new ones off a spare frame I have and sandblasted them before I put them on. All four got the treatment.

I don't know if this matters for what you are building, but those front mounts are 81-87 mounts..

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

I don't know if this matters for what you are building, but those front mounts are 81-87 mounts..

Yes, they are. Other than the different opening, is there a reason this should matter? From what I saw they are both the same overall dimensions....

[Captkaos]

It matters for the bushings. The fronts are probably ok (if memory serves me right) , but the cab ones you don't want to mix match. The cab won't mount Level on the frame.

[smashingchuck]

Originally Posted by Captkaos

It matters for the bushings. The fronts are probably ok (if memory serves me right) , but the cab ones you don't want to mix match. The cab won't mount Level on the frame.

the new mounts that are from the newer frame are the same distance form the top of the frame as the old ones, but the bushings from the newer frame are a little taller. I think I'm safe, as long a use the bushings that go with my frame and cab.