My 78 crew cab dually build

[77dwh]

Its been a busy last few days for me on the crew cab. I got the big block 4 speed and hydro boost out got the tbi 350 700r4 and vaccum booster swapped in. I got the wiring mostly sorted out and then fired it up for the time as a fuely small block. Very happy with that for sure.
Plus picker up an 86 3/4 ton suburban 2wd for parts. Its rusty in the rockers and quarters but the interior is near perfect. I am on the frnce about swapping the 86 front clip on to the crew cause the fenders on the 78 are aftermarket and fit like crap. Hoping to be driving it again in a couple weeks.

[Brockwaykid]

If it was me, i wouldnt swap the clips.... good looking truck, thanks for posting your progress!!
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[96twodoor]

cool build , thanks for posting it up

[Devillusion]

love it

[texassquarebodies]

Really liking your build. I'm building something very silmilar, but a single cab dually. Post some pics when you get the rear done.

[Urban Suburban]

Looks good!

[nekkidhillbilly]

i dont get the point of dually shortbed..... hell i dont get the point of a shortbed other than looks.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

i dont get the point of dually shortbed..... hell i dont get the point of a shortbed other than looks.

I don't get the point of your post

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by joe231

I don't get the point of your post

are you just trying to call me out or do you want me to explain? ill be glad too. a truck in general not to mention a one ton dually is for hauling big loads. by cutting it down to a shortbed your hindering it less useful. its like saying i want less money, smaller member etc.... i get that people love the look or a shortbed. personally id rather see a longbed. it is a great looking truck still but i just dont understand the hate of a longbed by ppl. it looks out of place on a dually to me. to each his own and im not trying to dis on the op at all but he wouldnt have posted it if he didnt want comments. thats mine not everyone likes what i like either. if he likes it is the thing that matters.

[SCOTI]

Why can't a short bed do the same work as a long bed? Other than the 2ft diff in bed length, cargo (weight) capacity is a wash when it comes to utilizing the strengths of a dually (towing stuff; hauling heavy loads). It would be the same for 1/2 tons too....

The big diff would be you cant put things that are 8' long inside the box w/the gate up on a short bed. I'm pretty sure you could put that same load on a trailer that the short bed could pull just like the long bed.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

are you just trying to call me out or do you want me to explain? ill be glad too.

Nope
Didn't want an explanation
I just wanted to point out the irony of your pointless post talking about short beds being pointless in the OP's build thread of his short bed.
That's a d**k move IMHO.
Feel free to start a thread discussing the merits of long beds versus short beds, don't post it in someone's build thread unless they are asking for opinions.
Seems like common sense to me...

Sorry for the derail 77dwh...
I'll gladly delete my posts if you like

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by joe231

Nope
Didn't want an explanation
I just wanted to point out the irony of your pointless post talking about short beds being pointless in the OP's build thread of his short bed.
That's a d**k move IMHO.
Feel free to start a thread discussing the merits of long beds versus short beds, don't post it in someone's build thread unless they are asking for opinions.
Seems like common sense to me...

Sorry for the derail 77dwh...
I'll gladly delete my posts if you like

then why did he make a post with pics if he wasnt asking for opinions or criticism? i said it wasnt my cup of tea and you had make the dick move and call me out. get over it.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Why can't a short bed do the same work as a long bed? Other than the 2ft diff in bed length, cargo (weight) capacity is a wash when it comes to utilizing the strengths of a dually (towing stuff; hauling heavy loads). It would be the same for 1/2 tons too....

The big diff would be you cant put things that are 8' long inside the box w/the gate up on a short bed. I'm pretty sure you could put that same load on a trailer that the short bed could pull just like the long bed.

well you get issues pulling 5th wheels and goose necks. also it will buck more on short bed. i got a short bed i really hate it. i didnt come into this to start a pissing contest though. ill just say its not my thing and leave it at that.

[joe231]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

then why did he make a post with pics if he wasnt asking for opinions or criticism? i said it wasnt my cup of tea and you had make the dick move and call me out. get over it.

Lol
It's a build thread...

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

well you get issues pulling 5th wheels and goose necks. also it will buck more on short bed. i got a short bed i really hate it. i didnt come into this to start a pissing contest though. ill just say its not my thing and leave it at that.

I'm guessing you are referring to a 1/2 ton regular cab?
A one ton crew cab short bed is a totally different animal. It has an almost 3 feet longer wheelbase. They make a fifth wheel hitch designed specifically for a short bed.

[mattcrp1]

Love the build. I had started on a 79 crew build years ago but was forced to sell it due to a job loss. I vote to keep thje 78 style front end, the fender trim looks good.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by joe231

Lol
It's a build thread...



I'm guessing you are referring to a 1/2 ton regular cab?
A one ton crew cab short bed is a totally different animal. It has an almost 3 feet longer wheelbase. They make a fifth wheel hitch designed specifically for a short bed.

no im talking about a 3/4 ton crew cab 4wd 04 duramax i own. they still do not do as good as the cclb trucks. you can get by with them but its still not i know i do. the slider hitches your talking about for a short bed bind like crazy. i get thats it a build thread but why would you post it unless you want ppl to look it. can we let it go though gesh.

[joe231]

So any new progress on this truck?

[TheChief]

any pics of the home made flip kit

[77dwh]

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply. With the girlfriend moving out and life in general just been busy.
I have made some progress though, I got both right doors swapped and got the other two prepped to install. All the wiring is buttoned up on the inside. I pick it up at the exhaust tomorrow got the flowmasters back on and has it aligned. I still got some work to do to get the camber right but I have all winter for that.
Now as far as the shortbed conversion argument that got started on here. I did it for looks this truck is a toy to cruise around in. It will be used to go to the local u pull its and swap meets. It's true working days are done. If I need to haul anything or actually work a truck I will use my 01 cummins. I did a dually to be different at cruise nights. In a nutshell it's a 4 door 6 tired toy.
I picked up a cam for the throttle body small block that's in it now. I have plans to make a fun cruiser for me my son and a few other buddies that want to go with.

[77dwh]

I will try to get pics of the flip for you. I simply cut the perches off the top of the axle and rewelded them to the bottom. I reused the factory spring plates also. New u bolts of course. The c notch I fabbed out of some 3x1/4 and some plate steel I had around I measured it out and cut it out then welded in the stuff. If I remember correctly I lengthened the shock mounts 2 inches and used front shocks on the back to get that working right. Fairly starlight forward to do. I probably went a little big on the notch but it shouldn't ever hit it.

[77dwh]

Here some current pics of my portly girl

[77dwh]

Here are bad pics of my c notch

[jitteryguy]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

are you just trying to call me out or do you want me to explain? ill be glad too. a truck in general not to mention a one ton dually is for hauling big loads. by cutting it down to a shortbed your hindering it less useful. its like saying i want less money, smaller member etc.... i get that people love the look or a shortbed. personally id rather see a longbed. it is a great looking truck still but i just dont understand the hate of a longbed by ppl. it looks out of place on a dually to me. to each his own and im not trying to dis on the op at all but he wouldnt have posted it if he didnt want comments. thats mine not everyone likes what i like either. if he likes it is the thing that matters.

my short bed trucks pull my open race car trailer fine .

[jitteryguy]

truck is look'n good . as far as the front clip upgrade keep in mind that the later style hood hinge from the cowl not the fender. it can be done but some weld'n involve'd.
I have always like'd the later style better but I'm grow'n found of the earlier style with all the trim. it would look good with white bumber's and white 19.5 wheel's.

[SCOTI]

I have a newer model because it was basically 'free' in the big picture. But... I like the older round eye years & their trim down the sides. They have a more classic appeal.