63 Chevy SWB converting to 4x4

[Gene]

Very nice work! Keep the updates coming.

[wyomech]

Tonight I removed the booster bracket ,it had about 10 spot welds plus some caulking.I used a prybar and a large screwdriver to get it off.Then I cut off the bottom to make it fit better

[wyomech]

I cleaned up the drivers side of the firewall and test fit the column,it seems to fit perfect,next I need to figure out how to install the inside pedal bracket then I can plug a few holes

[fakerwade]

Nice build!! Very ambitious.

[wyomech]

the inside pedal bracket isn't lining up as well as I want so I am going to have to modify it some but the booster mounted up nice.I put seam sealer on the outer bracket and used 2 , 5/16 bolts to keep it in place,I had to trim some of the bracing inside for the pedal bracket.

[wyomech]

I had a hard time getting the inner pedal bracket where I needed it to be for the column .I ended up cutting the end off, I then drilled new holes so the column would slide down so I don't have to change the length of it to bolt right on to the steering gear,next I made a couple of straps to go from the column mounting bolts to the pedal bracket,I would have liked to weld them on but then you can't get the studs to slide through the firewall and I want to be able to remove the bracket if I need to. Then I sprayed it after cleaning off the surface rust.

[gmjim4x4]

Nice job! Its amazing how GM keeps the basic engineering for their pickups from 1955 to the 2007-2012 version! It makes restoration alittle easier when you can interchange the stuff from different generations of trucks. Your build is looking good. Keep up the good work!

[wyomech]

Things got crazy in the last month and I stopped work on the truck.My 78 year old dad blacked out and drove into a light pole.My mom had a broken femur and both ankles broken,she now has had 3 major surgeries,40 screws and 4 plates and is needing lots of rehab.Hopefully I can start getting more done.but I am just going to be jumping around and doing small things as time allows.I had to rebuild the shock holes as they were all wallowed out and I put the brackets from the 87 on.I am looking at using some procomp shocks as the stock ones are about 4 inches too short.

[wyomech]

today I finished bolting the inside steering column bracket,then decided to remove the wiring harness from inside the suburban.It had AC power windows and locks so I will have to eliminate quite a few wires

[wyomech]

I welded up the original wiring hole and cut one to fit the 87 wiring connecter.this weekend I am going to start sorting out the wires I don't need like the power windows,locks and .AC

[wyomech]

I stripped all the wiring out of the harness that I won't need.,and pulled the brackets for the computer out ,next I need to cut a hole in the firewall to run the ECM harness through

[79 jimmy]

i like where this is going. my first truck was a 66 2wd long box with the 250 L6 and granny gear box. i wanted to make it a 4X4 but ended up having to sell it after i bought my jimmy.
good work, i'll be keepin up on this. =]

[wyomech]

I cut a hole under the heater box to run the wiring harness inside for the ECM

[wyomech]

Today I removed the wiring for the taillights which also includes the fuel pump wiring.I also pulled the fuel lines and tank out.It is a 31 gallon tank which should give me really good driving range .I think I can fit it behind the rear axle but it will be close,I haven't pulled the cross members out of the suburban yet but I think I should try to use them as they are molded to fit around the front and back of the tank

[wyomech]

Tonight after work I cut both rear cross members out of the suburban to mount the gas tank with,also the bracket for the rear brake hose.

[wyomech]

Well looks like there is no way to fit the factory tank in a short box so I think I will probably have to build my own,which means driving 70 miles to cheyenne to get a good price on metal.Since the weather was nice i decided to repair a rust hole where the front clip bolts on.

[wyomech]

I decided to build my own tank so I cut the top out of the suburban tank so I would have a filler neck and flange for the sender,I filled the tank full of water and used a air saw,still made me nervous lol

[wyomech]

I got a good start on my gas tank today ,I cut four pieces the same,2 for the ends and 2 for baffles out of 16 gauge,then 1 long piece that will wrap clear around.I used a comealong and some bar clamps and just rolled it along the bench and tacked it as I went.Sorry the pictures are blurry but I was using a phone.

[gmjim4x4]

That is awesome! I gotta get back to work on one of my trucks...thanks for the updates. Keep the photos coming!

[wyomech]

I used the sump out of the old tank and fuel pump ring also I am moving the filler neck so it will be on the drivers side

[wyomech]

finally got the gas tank all welded and ready to go in ,I think next time it would be worth having a welding shop weld it after getting it tacked together.I l had to fill it with water and drain it several times to stop all the leaks !

[duallyjams]

Nice build you got going here.

[wyomech]

Thanks for the encouragement,it always seems to take twice as long to get stuff done as I think it will.

[wyomech]

Didn't get much done on the truck this winter.It finally warmed up so I pushed it out of the garage and put on some 33x 12.50 bfgs on 8 inch ralleys.Looks like I should have left it in the garage a little longer!

[nigilroyboy95]

need cab corners?