Project: Hot Rod Hauler (HRH) Build Up

[chevy_mike]

Did a little more work. Got the rear end painted and the new Trans Dapt chrome cover on. Also got the flange on the axle hubs machined off, so the Impala rotors will sit flush with the hub face. Need to get the axle installed next.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Lookin good man! Makin good progress

[chevy_mike]

Thanks Lucky. Funny you're the first to post up, it was pics from your built thread that actually got me to buy the chrome cover. It looked cool on yours so I copied it.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Hey cool, glad I could influence someone I have my eye on your build, so when you post progress I am all over it

[LuckyHenriksen]

Oh, and did your cover come with new bolts? Mine did, and they were nice and shiny but they didn't fit the holes? So I had to go back and use the OG crusty bolts. Just curious if you had the same problem....

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

Oh, and did your cover come with new bolts? Mine did, and they were nice and shiny but they didn't fit the holes? So I had to go back and use the OG crusty bolts. Just curious if you had the same problem....

The cover came with new bolts, stainless steel ones but no washers. I didn't want the corners of the bolt heads digging in to the cover and scratching the chrome off, and have a place for rust to start.

I just used the stock ones for now but will be swapping them out, maybe to stainless socket head with washers.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Ok thats good. I don't know why mine didn't work.

[gcburdic]

Nice Build Mike....Looking forward to watching this one progress....

[tdave00]

Is the new rear end setup for a panhard bar, or what are you plans there?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by tdave00

Is the new rear end setup for a panhard bar, or what are you plans there?

Using a ECE Super Track Bar kit, which moves the mount to the pass. side trailing arm. One of the nice things about using a rear end that did not have a track bar mount, once done, it will look like it was meant to be there and not have an unused mount on the axle housing.

[thelonerife]

nice work!

[STOCKISH]

Looking great, keep it up.

[chevy_mike]

Finally, some light at the end of the tunnel. Made some good progress on the back half of the truck. Basically got the axle, springs, panhard bar and shocks mounted. Still need to torque a few bolts down. I then started mocking up the disc brakes using the brackets I got from a board member. Been doing a lot of cleaning and painting of parts, which just takes forever to do. Here's the pics of the current progress.

[chevy_mike]

And so more... mainly brake mock up.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Looking good that rear looks real nice

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

I don't. It was already in it. It's too small. I think it's a 13" wheel and trucks really need a 15" to feel right... at least to me. When the time comes to replace it, I'll let you know.

I agree. I put a 13" wheel on my '72. Made it weird to drive. Once I get it running again, the original wheel goes back on.

[soala70]

cadi brakes I presume

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by soala70

cadi brakes I presume

Nope, Camaro calipers with Impala rotors. Caddy brakes suck, especially the e-brake part comparted to the PBR calipers. I have known, seen and read about too many issues with the Caddy ones. I have used the Camaro (PBR) and they work very well. That's one reason Baer brakes uses them on a lot of their systems.

[chevy_mike]

It's been a few weeks since my last update. So much going on I haven't had a lot of time to work on it but I did make a major step last night. I finally finished up the back half of the truck. It is now sitting on its own wheels again (temp ones at that). The last thing I need to do is to make sure the rear end is centered and then tighten up the panhard bar bolts. Then I need to attach the e-brake cables and put gear oil in. The fact it's a roller again is a major step. Now I get to move onto the front end. I have decide to put the front clip, engine and tranny, which will make cleaning, painting and putting the front suspension back together much easier.

Here are the pics from finishing up the brakes and lines.



A little bead blasting and the calipers look like new.






Back on its own wheels.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Looking good looks like ya got a new drive shaft also..

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Looking good looks like ya got a new drive shaft also..

That's my original one that I had rebuilt, balanced and painted. I was going to put it in but decided I am pulling the engine/tranny so it didn't make sense to do it yet. It's all ready though.

[chevy_mike]

Finally got some time to get back on the project. Removed the front clip. Overall it went very well without any real issues. Next step should be removing the suspension and then the engine and tranny.

Hood off


Front bumper removed


And now the front clip

[thirdstreettito]

I love this build. Keep up the good work!

[chevy_mike]

Well, it's been a little longer then I had hoped to get back to work on the truck. Last month we adopted a dog and a lot of attention has been spent with her. She is a sweetie but a lot more time has been spent walking and training her. Here name is Ellie.

Here's our sweet girl


Okay, now the truck. Started pulling the engine and tranny


Part way out


Hey, who stole my engine???


Oh... there it is... boy is it dirty!


Here is the engine I am going to put in. Came out of a friend's '69 Camaro and is a little better performance then what came out. Need to clean it up and paint it. I have a bunch of dress up parts for it.


Now I need to clean up the frame and front suspension, start paint it and get the new suspension and steering parts installed. Little by little...

[chevy_mike]

Finally got some free time again. Decided to pull the cab off the frame. That was an entertaining project. Since I still have the doors on and the full interior in, including the gas tank with gas in it. I managed to do it without killing myself or hurting the cab but there were a few times I wasn't sure of the outcome.

Cab and frame seperated




Cab on 4x4's and jackstands. With the front and rear ends resting on car dollies, I can just squeak the frame under the bottom of the 4x4. Now I just need to find a place to power wash and strip the front half of the frame.