Leadfoots build thread

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I found this truck on Craigslist for $200 I wouldn't have bought it but I love the look of a short fleet side. I've been tinkering with this truck for two years now, mostly gathering parts and thinking about it, I did drop a motor and tranny in it so I could yard drive it while I work on it. Here's the day one pics

[Leadfoot Lambert]

There's plenty of rust, no engine or trans, It's had a front frame clip from a 73-87 welded on the front so it has power steering and 5 lug disc brakes on the front and someone has converted the rear to 5 lug as well

[Leadfoot Lambert]

So here's the motor I picked up off Craigslist of course, mid 80s 350, notice all the emissions crap! I removed all the crap cleaned the motor, replaced all the leaking gaskets gave her a paint job threw an Edelbrock intake and carb on it as well as a set of headers, found a NV3500 five speed tranny on you guessed it Craigslist so in it goes!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

So now the engine is in and running, I bought a hydraulic clutch setup from Captain fab, so the clutch is working, I only had to change the yoke on the drive shaft to get that to fit again. I also got a brake booster and master from a mid 80s c10 and bolted that on.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

The radiator that came with the truck was junk, I took it to the radiator shop and they wanted over $400 to fix it so I found this aluminum one on ebay for $250, works great!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

While I was under the truck putting the drive shaft in I noticed both of the truck arms were bent bad, so I found a set on Craigslist in Georgia, had them sent up and replaced them

I also had a decent grille support shipped in from California, and I found a dent free hood and a right fender in a local junkyard, the hood has a little rust on the front edge but it's repairable using part of the old hood. The fender needs a patch on the lower part by the door but the inner structure is nice and solid.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

[Modges'66]

Nice!
Welcome to the addiction!
I love these trucks!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I've been on the board here for a couple years now, I just decided to start a build thread like everyone else, don't want to feel left out, but thanks for the warm welcome!

[LostMy65]

Thanks for posting your project.
Fun stuff.

[Ta2Don]

Welcome Aboard... What year Truck did you get the 5 speed out of?

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Tranny is from a 94 c1500

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Next came a set of Jeep TJ springs for the rear and I found a set of 3 inch drop lower control arms on CL for the front. The new wheels, 18x9 Riddlers, and Goodyear 255-55-18 LS2 tires came next

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I also found a set of doors [guess where] and put those on, they need work on the lower corners but the rest of them are near perfect

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Here's how the engine looks now with most everything hooked up and the engine compartment cleaned up a bit

[Ta2Don]

Thanks for the info, and the stance is sweet!!!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Started grinding on the bed, found some bondo over a quarter inch thick but not much rust, Time to get out the dent puller, Cashew is not impressed with how much time I'm spending on the truck and not with her.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Here's a couple shots of the tranny installed

[Leadfoot Lambert]

This is the hydraulic clutch setup I got from Captain fab. and the stock GM slave cylinder, Capt supplied a Wilwood Master cylinder for me also. With this setup the clutch feel is as light as a new car, Great for me as I have lower back problems. I still have to make a bracket for the hose.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I decided I liked the GMC grill the best so I swapped my 61 grill with a board member for this GMC grille, I'll be doing something in the future with the gap where the letters are supposed to go.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Seat finally came back from the upholstery shop!

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Scored a tach and gauge cluster from Craigslist

[Leadfoot Lambert]

I'm bouncing around a lot but its because I'm trying to get this thread up to where I am currently. Here's hoew much of the tranny tunnel I had to cut out to repair previous owners work and also to switch over to a high hump.

[Leadfoot Lambert]

Here's the new pieces all mocked up, but not welded in yet.

[LT1 Burb]

Looks good so far, I dont envy your eastern salty roads and know how hard it is to break loose those bolts.