Review my checklist for LWB to SWB conversion please

[cochino12]

So I have decided to start working on the swb conversion on my 79 3+3 and want to make sure that I have thought of everything. Is there anything I havent thought about?

First, obviously the shortening of the frame. I will be having a shop in town do this for me and will be keeping it 1 ton. Havent found any write ups on shortening a one ton and keeping it 8 lug? Anything I need to know about cut lines or will the be the same as a 1/2 ton, spring location?

Brake lines need to be shortened. I read that you can just buy swb brake lines? is there a distribution block located somewhere behind the cab? if not I guess I dont understand how this would work or do I need to have new lines bent from the location of the new axle to the engine bay?

Fuel line/Tanks, pretty simple right? just need a couple swb tanks and shorten the lines. Any other options here? Maybe a fuel cell in back with hidden filler neck? Needs easy access because it will be a DD

Drive Shaft. Either get mine shortended or grab one from a swb truck.

Electrical. No big deal there

Here are a couple of links (from Captkaos site and a couple here) that I've found with some info

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=Crew
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...highlight=Crew
http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com/lwb_to_swb.htm
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...p?topic=7334.0

Sorry for the redundancy, I just want to make sure I'm not forgetting anything

[suicide 63]

Originally Posted by cochino12

So I have decided to start working on the swb conversion on my 79 3+3 and want to make sure that I have thought of everything. Is there anything I havent thought about?

First, obviously the shortening of the frame. I will be having a shop in town do this for me and will be keeping it 1 ton. Havent found any write ups on shortening a one ton and keeping it 8 lug? Anything I need to know about cut lines or will the be the same as a 1/2 ton, spring location?

I would think it would be the same.

Originally Posted by cochino12

Brake lines need to be shortened. I read that you can just buy swb brake lines? is there a distribution block located somewhere behind the cab? if not I guess I dont understand how this would work or do I need to have new lines bent from the location of the new axle to the engine bay?

Just buy a double flare tool from your loacal autoparts store and reflare it.Their was a junction on mine right at the back of the cab on pass. side.

Originally Posted by cochino12

Fuel line/Tanks, pretty simple right? just need a couple swb tanks and shorten the lines. Any other options here? Maybe a fuel cell in back with hidden filler neck? Needs easy access because it will be a DD

I used two new 87 16 gal tanks and put my sending units in them.An after thought I would use driver side saddle tank and a blazer tank in the rear ,then relocate the pass. fuel door to the drivers rear side of the bed so both gas doors are on the same side.Around here they no longer use retractable gas hoses so i have to turn the truck around to fill the pass. tank.

Originally Posted by cochino12

Drive Shaft. Either get mine shortended or grab one from a swb truck.

will have to be shortend approx. 14 inches

[cochino12]

Thanks for the help suicide 63, I was trying to find your build thread but couldnt but I saved it now. You really have me thinking about converting to 6 lug just because of the availabilty/selection of wheels but I realy want to keep it 1 ton. I love the truck, any new pics or progress?

[suicide 63]

About the only thing Ive done is put 96 suburban bucket seats and console in ,and got a set of 90-91 power mirrors on.Cut one coil off the front springs. No recent pics.Been driven it like crazy And love the looks from people that Know they have never seen a crew cab short bed of this body style.
Keep us posted on the build.