1979 2wd Chevy CCSB aka old man

[gmech]

Just getting started on this project. It will be a 1979 body style and 2 tone paint scheme. Looking for something to look like it came straight off the assembly line. Starting with a rustfree 1991 4wd CC. Just finished cutting the frame and plan to weld it back togather tonight. And a big thanks to all those on this site who made this process much easier. Chuck

[rocking chevy]

do you have any pictures of it?

[gmech]

As soon as I can figure out how.

[gmech]

Here's what the cab looks like. Pretty geeked to start rustfree. Wedont get this lucky here in Michigan. The truck came from Arizona, but at one time it was on a Marine Base. It had a USMC data sticker on the dash. Must have been ment to be since I am a Jarhead myself. GOD is good!

[gmech]

Measured several times before cutting. My neighbor has a Milwaukee steel saw that made it easy for me to make a straight cut. Also he is Welder by trade, so Ive got this part of the project in the bag. Im going to wait to cut the rear of the frame untill I find my rustfree shortbox. Wish me luck.

[Gordonr1973]

Looks like a very good cab (no rust) that you started with, hardly any rust on the frame! Going to be a nice build!!

[gmech]

Ive got a 1988 2wd CC dually that I was planning to start with that I picked up last year, but the center and rear of the frame had alot of rust flaking off it. The cab is in good shape. Typical rust repairs needed, rockers, body/ frame mounts and cab corners. I lucked out and found the rustfree truck about 86 miles from home on craigslist for $500 Also got a 6.2 diesel with 168,000 and the front clip with it. So i'll swap the 2wd front end parts from the truck and get rid of all the 4wd parts. Unfortunately they took the Dana 60 out of the front and put in a 8.5"

[gmech]

The rust on the frame is just minimal surface rust, no pitting at all

[gmech]

Im trying to explain to my wife how much $$ I saved by buying this truck and not using the one that ive got. Sofar Ive got nos rear doors $400, and nos fenders $200. I now where there are a set of nos front doors $750 and a nos "chevrolet" tailgate for $200. If all goes well Ill get the doors cheaper.

[VA72C10]

Looks like a nice project!

[joe231]

[my4by2]

Looks like a solid foundation - look forward to seeing more pics of this one!!!

[gmech]

Frame is welded, but not yet fishplated. Im going to remove the (front) rear leaf spring mounts first so we can extend the fishplating. Also need to start swapping out things to go from 4wd to 2wd. My spare 2wd truck that I have is a dually so I need to get rear spring mounts. Once I get the 454 and 4 spd pulled from my 2wd donor truck I'll clean all the grease off the crossmember and hope that its not all rusted. The control arms dont look that good. I'm not quite sure if I will have the frame powder coated or not. Anybody have any thoughts? I plan on keeping this truck so I want to do what is going to last the longest. Ive even kicked around galvaizing the frame. Samething on the under carriage. Undercoat or POR 15?

As far as the drivetrain goes, I'd like to go with a Duramax/ Allison combo. We'll have to see if I can afford it. If not 454/ 4l80e.

[gmech]

Question? We welded only the outside of the frame rail sofar, should we weld the inside rails also. Or will the fishplate be enough? Thanks Chuck

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by gmech

Question? We welded only the outside of the frame rail sofar, should we weld the inside rails also. Or will the fishplate be enough? Thanks Chuck

When I cut a lwb frame down for my swb 'Recycle' project, I welded both inside & outside. Then I ground the outside weld flush & fish-plated it (the fish plate was perimeter & plug welded).

The welds on the inside of the frame got a minimal 'once-over' w/a 60-grit disc for slag clean-up only.

[Dieselwrencher]

Sweet project! I have one I'm going to be doing soon as well. Anytime I cut a frame I weld the outside and inside. On the inside I grind the weld and then add a sleeve or fish plate there. If you are fish plating the out side, I wouldn't worry about the inside. As far as finish on the frame, powder coat is nice but be sure to have everything mocked up and done that way you aren't drilling and chipping the powder coat as you build the truck. For a driver I'd POR it or something along those lines.

[gmech]

Thanks guys, thats what I figured. Last night I removed the front axle once I got it back to my place. No work today, so Ive been grinding rivets off the rear suspension. Wholy crap, it's alot of work. Also got the rearend out of the way too. I hope to have all the 4wd spring mounts etc out of the way by tomorrow. Then get the crossmember from the 2wd. I'll have some progress pics tonight or tomorrow.

[joe231]

Yeah
Factory rivets are some good times

If only I were closer I'd take all that 4x4 stuff off of your hands
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[Dieselwrencher]

Some times an air hammer with a chisel bit works like a charm popping the heads off those rivets. Then you use a punch bt and drive them out. It doesn't work on all of them though.

[gmech]

Joe231- Yeh, thats too bad. I'll probably just put them on craigslist. Unfortunatly someone swapped the Dana 60 for a 8.5 front axle and took the guts out of the Corporate FF before I got it.

I put wtb add on CL last night for clean/rustfree 3/4-1 ton 2wd front suspension just to see if I could get lucky. I had better head down to the store and buy some lottery tickets, because I got a call tonight from a guy who's going the opposite way with his build. 2wd to 4wd. 1991 1ton CC from Texas. A buck and a half for a rustfree fresh rebuilt complete frontend. He said he would have it ready for me to pick up within 2 weeks. Still has to get it off the frame yet.

Dieselwrencher- The air chisel works great, Ive been cutting an X with the grinder first.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice score on the front suspension!

[joe231]

Heck yeah!!
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[Kinghat]

very nice start

[gmech]

If my count is right, 80 dad gum rivets out and only 12 to go.

I didnt get as much time in as I had planned. But I made some progess though. I'd like to think that this was probably the most boring/ tedious part of the project. After looking at the 2wd crew cab that I have, I noticed that there is a recess in the frame where the top control arm clears the frame.. Not sure if I need to notch it or if I can get away with grinding off that part of the control arm.

The more I think about powder coating the frame, the more I am not sure. I'm afraid that I'll need to weld or mount something after its done. And I sure as hell know that I forget something!

[gmech]

Scored a set of NOS front doors today for $500. Also found a NOS core support for $200. Not sure if thats a fair price or not. I have'nt come across any others yet. So all I have left to get is nos inner fenders, nos core support, nos tailgate and a rustfree shortbed and I'll have all the sheetmetal. Still waiting on a call to pickup the front suspension