My first 69 sb!

[bbcmudtruck]

I've been lurking on here for quite a while and figured I'd go ahead and introduce myself. I started out with a 72 blazer when I was sixteen and ended up junking it after many years of stupid young kid abuse. Now 14 years later I finally purchased my first short bed! I have been wanting one of these trucks since I could remember! The previous owner has done a lot of work on this truck prior to me buying it. The cab has been completely redone and is rust free. The motor runs great and is has a slick set of wheels and tires. Now the bad... It has a 90s style step side bed on it and it is eating me alive! I've come to the conclusion that I should probably just buy a new bed and assemble it rather than try to find and impossible short box in great shape. Blah blah blah etc.. Now I need some help in figuring out just what I have exactly. It is lowered however I don't think it was done correctly. The ride is absolutely horrible and it bottoms out on the smallest of bumps. Also, the rear has factory leaf springs, but the frame has not been cut. Does that make it a GMC rather than a chevy? What all do you guys need to know to help me figure out whats been done?

[bbcmudtruck]

I forgot to mention that I am getting ready to put a 468 in it. Do I need different frame/motor mounts from the sb mounts that are currently in it?

[nightmare]

Can't wait to see pics.

Just because it has leafs doesn't automatically mean its a GMC. Chevys had them as options, just like GMCs had coil springs as an option. Back in these years, you could literally order anything on your vehicle.

Good luck with it, and welcome.
Posted via Mobile Device

[70cst]

Hey bbcmudtruck ...

to the forums and from Ohio.

on the purchase of your 69 swb.

Looking forward to pics ...

[bbcmudtruck]

The scar on the hood and top piece of chrome happened the same day I went down to look at this truck to buy it. The kid dropped the garage door on it..

[bbcmudtruck]

Will I need stiffer springs for the front end when I put my 468 in? It has iron heads, but everything else is aluminum.

[nightmare]

Nice!

you probably won't need stiffer springs. an aluminum big block and a cast iron 350 probably don't have that much difference in weight.

[67_C-30]

Welcome to the board! Nice truck - but I agree - that bed has gots'ta go!!! I still don't understand why people say these beds fit or flow with these trucks.

I'd guess by looking at it that they flipped the rearend and put it on top of the springs. If so, it is probably either bottoming out on the bump stops or the frame.

[PanelDeland]

WELCOME!!!!I'll answer some questions if I can.
You'll need BBC towers.
I agree that pics of the rear end and mounting will probably help us figure out why it hits.
I doubt you'll need stiffer front springs.
Many of the vendors on the BB will have new beds for the truck.
Are you going to keep it step or go fleet?
Looks like a nice truck and at least you have a bed to run while you sort that out.
Again,welcome and enjoy the ride.

[bbcmudtruck]

Thanks for you help gentlemen. The springs were relocated under the axle. Would I be better off ordering up a set that sits them back on top of the axle? I bought some bbc towers off of another board member yesterday, so thank you guys for that help! Also, my bbc is not aluminum, just the intake, valve covers, timing cover, etc. The rest of it is all iron. I sanded off the front frame rail to see if I could find any help identifying the frame, and its only a partial vin that does not match the cabs vin at all. So no luck on figuring that out. Also, the p/o must have taken out the factory option sticker in the glove box or the glove box itself has been replaced. I would like to know if my cab was an ac cab or not. It has vent holes underneath both window vents.? I was also wondering if I should put the heater box back in the truck! I really like the way that the smooth fire walls look on these trucks, is there another option, rather than put the big ole box back on the firewall? I want to go with a fleet side short bed, who would be the best vendor to buy a complete bolt together bed from? Best quality of metal, service, etc..
Again, thanks for all of your help so far! I will snap some pics of the front and rear suspension for you guys to see whats going on here. The p/o put a 71 style front bumper and grille on it, so who knows what else he has changed!