my lowwww buck 83 build 5.3

[slinginrods]

now that i finally have my engine im going to start my build.this truck is meant to be a low budget build that will be done in my driveway mostly,because my hot rod takes up my garage space and i cant really leave it out side(roadsters hate being rained in).my dad gave me this truck,ive wanted one for a long time.thanks pops!

[slinginrods]

this is shortly after i got it.as you can see there has been some quality repair work going on here.now to be fair to my dad he never did any of this.he bought it with intentions of building it ,but changed his mind ,now its mine.more to come

[slinginrods]

front suspension was shot.steering box was sloppy ,all steering gear worn and ball joints

[WarBeard]

Looking good so far! Custom exhaust huh

[slinginrods]

some shots of the steering shaft i built using a joint.also the notorious cracked frame

[slinginrods]

frame repair......i had to go back and further reinforce the frame around the bolts with some thick washers welded in place around the holes. the plate they sell to fix this for the 4wd does not work on th 2wd.

[slinginrods]

used a paint and rust removal wheel on the bed and painted it with ace hardware ruststop paint.way cheaper than spray in bed liner but not as strong.

[slinginrods]

bought some spring pads for 12.00.made my own flip kit ,welded er up.used front shocks on the rear.cut off the bump stops.in the front bit the bullet and got summit racing spindles and springs.it now has all new front steering and suspension.need to add a sway bar .trying to find a 1 ton set up.big difference between the last pic and this one .i also replaced the rotors bearings ,and seals in the front.i replaced the shoes and turned the drums,replaced the axle bearings and seals.replaced the pinion seal and serviced the diff.crawled under and spray bombed everything satin black.made a huge difference.

[slinginrods]

beside my buddys stock height truck at work.

[slinginrods]

worked on the door panels some.these will get me by til i can get new ones.i am eventually going to replace all the interior .but im trying to get the echanicals done first.wanting to start on my swap soon.

[Gordonr1973]

Looks to be a really good foundation of a truck!

I like that blue!!

[slinginrods]

put on my salt flat discs,painted the rear filler .pulled the sickly 305.starting on cleaning the frame up

[slinginrods]

after cleaning found even more cracks ....no wonder it felt so loose up front.between the worn out suspension and steering and the frame falling apart im surprised it went down the road at all.im used to working on much better frames these 73-87 frames have alot to be desired.if i decide down the road to really upgrade the suspension ill probably just fab my own up using a combo of 2x6 and 2x3 tubing and full coil over suspension ,rack steering,and a 4 link rear.i already have the 9 inch rear for it.i built a 55 this way and it was awesome .anyways i digress, heres were we are

[slinginrods]

more

[slinginrods]

redid the under hood harness,replaced all the headlight conectors and cleaned it all up

[slinginrods]

originally put this together for the truck,406 ported heads.10.5:1 comp roller valvetrain etc.went 10.30s in the race car.but decided to use it in me and my dads camaro street strip car.got my heart set on the 5.3

[slinginrods]

finally up to were i am now,got it on the stand last night ill be tearing into it to see what i have.still not decided on fuel system.ive put these in muscle cars and street rods before both with fi and carbed.it will get a cam and spring upgrade,and i have a set of 1 3/4 long tube headers.just gotta decide on intake.trans will be 4 or 5 speed manual.3:73 posi rear .should make about 350-380 wheel hp.hopefully.

[burb1085]

That's crazy! I'm about to look over the frame of my Suburban. I have the same loose feeling in the steering you described.

[slinginrods]

examples of the carb/dist set up im thinking of.

[slinginrods]

when turning the wheel the whole frame moves around,its crazy.part of e wants to tear the whole truck apart and just build a solid frame and suspension set up but remember the name of the thread low buck.we shall see if i can refrain

[stepside83]

cool build sucks you have so many cracks in the frame, i have a small one by the mounting hole for the one of the bed bolts, the 5.3 carbed idea is cool i was thinking on doing this with my truck, will be watching closely

[slimneverdies]

They actually sell a plate for that frame fix that suppose to work. I've welded mine probably a total of 4 times and it just keeps cracking in different spots. I just bought a newer(better condition frame) and a dropmemember cause as long as you have that steering box on that cracked frame it's gonna be week.

Anyway, nice and clean upgrades
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[Can't kech me]

sweet, i wanna build a carbd 6.0l, just think it would be cool

[slinginrods]

got the engine stripped down and cleaned up.the inside looks pretty clean,so far.im going to tear the bottom down and check the bearings.still gotta get my cam kit and gaskets.

[slinginrods]

this is what i started with .....