49 AD Build - Bed and Running gear Swap plus...

[Hampshire]

This is not a complete build thread, as I started this almost 2 years ago. Working with a local vintage car shop, below is:

- the 49 3600 I started with
- where was up until recently (long bed)
- where we are heading for (short bed with motor/trans swap & other stuff)





Here is what we did the first year:

- The truck has only been lowered 2"
- Removed the front suspension and replaced it with a Must II suspension with a 59" track.
- Removed all but 3 leaves in back, reversed the leaves to center the wheels in the fender opening and added Viking coil overs.
-Disc brakes all around. Temporary manual rack.

I drove it like this for a season. Lots of positives at shows/for the modest lowering, stance and track from and rear.

Some more pics and info on this page in the forum thread: "How about some pics of 47-59...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...335636&page=84

[Hampshire]

This month we began the next phase…to shorten it to a 1/2 ton while changing to small block with a 5spd. I've gotten just a little flak for changing to a short bed (like …why?), but mostly positives. Suffice to say I have a lot of reasons & it's not necessary to hash through them.

After removing the bed (it needed new wood & other stuff from a less than stellar resto by previous owner(s). It took just a few hours to shorten the frame.

[youngrodder]

Looks very good. Nice work.

Marc

[Advanced Design]

You do have a great looking truck! Looking forward to more updates.

[fisherman420]

That small block and suspension upgrade with the original appearance is a combination for a beautiful truck, nice work!

[Hampshire]

Thanks folks…It's going to be a semi-sleeper. Decades ago, I built many Chevys like that, but as daily drivers (and for hundreds, not thousands of $!)

Below are some pics of the suspension. It's different from most IFS in that the shock towers mount against the frame, instead of lapping over the top. The effect is that you can enlarge the front track by about 1-1/2". You can use shorter A-arms and have the stock track (about 57"). but (just my opinion) one of the problems I had with most IFS out there is the tucked in look of the stock track - (especially when lowering). When I looked at all this a few years ago I liked the look of a GM clip better because of the track change - however, I wanted to keep the stock frame - so, here I am…..

Have some more frame boxing to do & rear crossmember to remove & modify...we're making some of this up as we go along..

[Katrina/10]

Which IFS kit is that? I like that the upper control arms do not intrude into the inner fenders.

[Hampshire]

It's from JWRodgarage, though without going into specifics, if you like this direction, I would suggest you talk to Gayle Bridges:

http://www.gaylebridgesco.com/

...he's the one of the people who developed this when he worked for many years with Jim Weimer. He was a great help. JWRodgarage now makes the parts - Gayle gets the shock towers/crossmembers from them & modifies them somewhat. For me, he had a better understanding of what I wanted. Every IFS company I talked to wanted to sell me a 57" track system that dropped the front 4-5". It was like pulling teeth getting anyone to "listen"...

[Hampshire]

We actually went over 30 degrees for the first time in how long...?
...so the truck was rolled out to clean the work area.

I kinda like the "backwoods" look...If I put the running gear & radiator back in, all I would need is a couple bungee cords to hold the hood down & I would be ready to roll...

[solidaxel]

What rack&pinion did you use?

[Hampshire]

I believe it's an 80's T-bird. I got it from JW Rodgarage. It's a manual rack as I ran the 6 cyl for a year & didn't want to spend the extra $$$ for brackets, etc to do a 6 cyl PS setup and then not use it a year later

I have a new power rack (I'll probably Ebay the manual one) to use with the SBC.

[Advanced Design]

Nice progress on a great looking truck. Looking forward to more updates.

[Hampshire]

While we wait for a couple things to come in for the trans, we'll hopefully start fitting the powertrain/transmission, which was our project the last couple months:

Basic 350 "67373" Goodwrench crate from Jegs on special.
- Mild Comp Cams Roller kit & roller rockers
- Heads cleaned up, ported and a mild compression bump
- Old tripower set-up : Offy Manifold & Ford carbs (may change)
- Stainless blockhugger headers.
- Mallory dual point.
Tremec TKO 600 5 spd. w/midshift kit... Good match for the 3:73 posi rear.
External slave for the clutch from Fortes Parts in Framingham, MA
TinMan Motor mounts (thanks to: Dave at Dusty's Garage in Baldwin, MN)

Still some more bits to get....









(photo from Fortes)

[solidaxel]

Did you manufacture the hydraulic fork and slave set up?

[Hampshire]

Nope, it's from Fortes Parts in Framingham, MA

http://www.fortesparts.com/index.htm

I don't see it in his catalog, but it's part of his line. Best to email him.

[pvienneau]

Looks great. Keep the pictures coming.

[Black93GT]

Killer clutch set up! I'll have to remember that for future reference.

I found it in the catalog.
http://fortesparts.ivypress.net/clut...ings-flywheels

[Hampshire]

Killer clutch set up! I'll have to remember that for future reference.

..been held up by a supplier for a part we need to install the trans. That's now cleared up so we should be doing a test engine/trans install soon. Have to figure where the clutch master cyl will go & can then hook that up

[Hampshire]

...on the move again. Today we spent the day doing the preliminary install of the engine/trans. Photos are pretty crappy - next time I'll bring a camera...



Trans installed & on the hoist...



6 cyl. crossmember removed...



Getting the motor in place...



Leveling & alignment. A lot of fussing to plan for the DD joints, etc for the steering.



A wooden mockup of a 16" Hurst stick..



Motor mounts tacked in and rear trans crossmember mocked up - enough for today...

[Hampshire]

So far, so good today - Some adjustments & the mounts tacked in. God clearances all around....No problems with the fuel pump, DDrods & joints & so on. Mocked up the rear transmission mount today, too. It will have to drop about an inch for the driveshaft to work/clear (and that will put the final touch on leveling the manifold).

We like the position of the midshift option on the Tremec in terms of both distance from the seat & height. Leaning towards the 16" Hurst stick - we'll have the upholstery guy make a boot.

[solidaxel]

Did you change the position of the of the stick yourself, or did you order the Tremac TKO that way?

[Hampshire]

Did you change the position of the of the stick yourself, or did you order the Tremac TKO that way?

That's done with a Tremec midshift kit. The rear position is for Camaro/Mustang, etc. ( or a special stick from Hurst for trucks, Tri-5s with a Muncie & so on..)

From the literature you are supposed to be able to use the front position, too - but I have never seen any of the hardware available for that.

[solidaxel]

Did you install the "mid-shift" kit or did it come from the "factory" that way?
What is involved to move the shifter to the forward position ($)?

[Hampshire]

...The dealer (who was local) installed the midshift kit for me at NC. Any of the Tremec dealers have it and will sell it installed or as a separate part. Never could find anything about the forward position anywhere on any site. It's mentioned in the Tremec literature that you can use that position, but I could never find any hardware/conversion kit. I would call a dealer and ask.

From the Tremec site:

http://www.tremec.com/anexos/Mid-Shi...sion%20Kit.pdf

From Hurst Drivelines (not an endorsement, just one dealer of many who has the parts)

http://www.hurst-drivelines.com/?s=midshift

I've seen the midshift FS on Ebay (though I paid less at a dealer)

There are also other manufacturers of the conversion besides Tremec. As far as where to go to buy & get service, my local one is okay but outside of that I don't really have a recommendation. There are lots of "names" out there, but varying opinions of service.

[solidaxel]

Great articles, Thanks