Mr Green Jeans - the 69 (or not) chevy, er gmc, project

[67ctener]

Excellent fab work

[No$Restoration]

Great build man. I'm in. Fab work is great.

[OKGMC4]

Been out awhile. Not sure I'd say I've been busy, but occupied. I've been collecting some parts. To pay for said parts I do whatever side work I can find, be it rent houses, plumbing, electrical, remodeling work, etc. But the best (fun) kind of work is the hot rod kind. Here's one I've been working on for a bit...a 56 that's bagged, chopped, and has a 5.3 engine. It just came incomplete. Nothing wired up, leaking bags. no bed floor, glass not installed, etc. I got to build my first ever wood bed floor, and he wanted it to tilt. Think it turned out OK. Next one will be better!

[OKGMC4]

I finally got the Eaton in the pumpkin. My dad had the right tools to set it up and I didn't. My wife is happier now that all the boxes of axle parts are out of our bedroom. Also upgraded the pinion yoke. A 6 cylinder truck uses the small 1310 U joint and I wanted the heavier 1350 since I may have a little more horsepower than a 6 holer made back in 69.

[OKGMC4]

Set the cab on the frame. I have to get my doors hung and the front clip set because I can't start cutting / attaching the rear quarters unless the whole front end is locked in place. The GMC fenders were VERY rusted out so I picked up a couple repops. I got one for half price since it was a 68 fender and not a 67 fender like I wanted. I can fill the marker hole. The body gap to the door is bad on these but everything else looks good.

In case anyone else here is building an LS motor...I got the short block assembled and everything looks good but the timing chain. The stock one flapped all over the place and I assumed it was just worn. I kept reading how guys are using an LS2 chain on the stock sprockets as a heavy duty upgrade so I ordered and LS2 chain from Summit. Put it on and it flopped all over the place. It was definitely beefier but I thought a timing chain is supposed to fit pretty tight. Googled "loose LS1 timing chain" and it seems A LOT of people are having this problem. I called the guys at Cloyes and they assured me their racing sets are hand picked to fit correctly. So I ordered one. And it cost a ton. BUT...IT FIT PERFECT. So I guess I'm a Cloyes fan now and thought I would pass on this hard learned lesson.

[T_Raven]

Nice build. I just shortened mine to regular short bed length but I've always wondered what they'd look like a little shorter so it'll be interesting to see how yours looks

[OKGMC4]

Engine assembled

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Engine assembled

Sweet!

[OKGMC4]

Working sporadically, either too busy or just uninspired. But, been trying to sort out some bodywork and trying to trial fit the quarters to see what needs to be done.

[OKGMC4]

Also want to save a free tailgate I got. It was so beat that I just cut the skin off to get to the big nasty bangs. Then when I got it apart I decided to move the handle to the back, fill the indent, and center the gmc logo.

[knomadd]

Just found your build. You've done a bunch of nice work. I like how the engine turned out and the unibody conversion is looking good. I'll be following along now.

[OKGMC4]

Progress

[OKGMC4]

More progress

[OKGMC4]

Raised bed floor. My tailgate isn't working out. It was twisted about 3/4 inch. Tried to untwist it and it bowed out at the bottom. Tried to straighten it and it sunk in at the mid section. Guess it would have worked better with a straight tailgate but it was free. I'm getting a new one and going from there. My wife wants me to make a bench seat out of it by our front door. Also not sure if that tank hangs too low. AND not sure if that dakota rack will turn the truck tight enough. AND not sure if my homemade rear disc conversion is going to work. Lots of trial and error. Might even spend more money trying to save a few bucks. We'll see, for now just keep on welding and grinding and cutting and welding and....

[OKGMC4]

Driver side outer panel very close.

[swamp rat]

Did your inspiration come from *****en rides on doing the bed this way? I like it when people think outside the box.

[mcbassin]

Killer progress! Looks great

[OKGMC4]

Thanks! Actually my inspiration comes from being an idiot. The first cab was rotten through and through from top to bottom. The second (and free) cab was only rusted out at the rockers but it had a bunch of damage on the back. I think it was used a flat bed truck and got smacked from things sliding into the back of the cab. I BELIEVED that covering the damage would be easier than repairing it. I also thought that doing a unibody would be more unique. I was half right. I could have had the cab repaired a while back. This is turning out to be more work than I imagined but hopefully the end result will be worth it. I still plan a 1 or 1.5 inch chop to bring the roofline back in proportion to the 3" shorter than normal bed. Still into new territory for me. Had never cut a bed, and have never cut a roof. Have seen some unibody conversions done but as of yet no GMC versions. Still think I need a plate that says IMPOSTR...since my 69 chevy long bed 6 cyl is going to be a 67 gmc short bed v8.

[OKGMC4]

Often look at these for inspiration...

[OKGMC4]

Today

[OKGMC4]

Yesterday. Helping swap out a bent frame on a Spitfire.

[swamp rat]

I asked a question then get back in here only today to read the answer


I admit i must live a sheltered life in the gearhead world because i have never seen any other trucks modded this way except watching that show on the tube, for a first time i think your doing great!

[brushbuggy]

Looking good.

[OKGMC4]

Next project. Taped the pillars with 3/4 inch tape, little paint, pull the tape and cut between the lines.

[OKGMC4]

Convertible