77 SWB Squarebody

[ProudSoul]

Not new here, but it's been awhile since i've posted although I do lurk on here daily. Figured I'd start a build thread for my "new" truck to help keep track of my progress and keep my motivated

Sold my bagged 63 and shortly purchased a fairly clean 77 swb in May.




I still has the original 350 with Rochester carb and a th350 trans. Like all projects begin, it didn't even make it all the way home, I stopped to get gas after driving about 50 miles and the radiator boiled over the instant I turned the key off.

First thing was to flush the block & radiator, throw on a new lower radiator hose (in case it was sucking closed), radiator cap, and a cheap temp gauge. The coolant was very rusty, mucky, and plain gross but she can idle in 100+ temps with ease and not issues at all.


Went ahead and put new fuel filters, pump, and hard line to the carb. I discovered the lines from the tank are cracked and weeping but I'll address that later That line was a pain to bend but I wanted it as far away as from the block as possible


Next up, some new 3 point belts


Changed the fluid in the rear end, to my surprise the old fluid wasn't that bad.


Tinted the windows, 5 percent up front and 2 on the back


Now I wanted to take the "easier" route on this truck so Im going with a static drop. I'm going to use 3 inch spindles, cut one coil for a total of around 5 inches of drop. I really love rally wheels so I am going to run 15x7's and 15x8s but they need to be cleaned up.



Took a lot of pounding, cursing, and bloodshed but I got the front end apart. Changed out the ball joints, tie rods, pitman & idler arms, shaved the bump stops, pressed in new races with bearings(never again).




Trimmed up the dust shields real quick


All together, still need to change out the sway bar bushings but the clamps/mounts are warped that I can't get a socket over the bolt.


Here's how she sits after all the front end work


Not sure what the back spacing on these aluminum wheel are but I think it's the same as the 15x7 rallys I have. I guess I have to use stick on weights. I also, need new tires. The 275/75s I have are way to tall and rub the inner fenders just pulling out of the driveway.


I ordered a flip kit and attempted to put it on but ran into some issues of course. The bolts holding the leaf springs in the hangers were stuck hard. It took an hour of persuading to get the right rear bolt out and the right front one I cut then thought I could pound it out of the bushing once I got the leaf spring off the truck...WRONG! I ended up burning and pounding the bushing out.


I ran out of time so I loosely put it all back together (no bushing in the front eyelet of the right leaf spring lol). I live and work about an hour away from where I keep my truck and tools (mom's house lol) so I only have the opportunity to work on it on the weekends. So until next time, this is as far as I've gotten

[Matt Man]

Looking good! Has the truck had a repaint?

[ProudSoul]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Looking good! Has the truck had a repaint?

Thanks! Yeah it has, unfortunately they should've left it alone. Its got tons of orange peel.

[Matt Man]

Originally Posted by ProudSoul

Thanks! Yeah it has, unfortunately they should've left it alone. Its got tons of orange peel.

Little wet sanding can fix that, I would do it to mine but its metallic single stage, and will hopefully get a respray soon.

[ProudSoul]

Time for some long overdue updates:

Finished the flip kit and got it all put back together. The passenger rear is about 1.5" lower than the drivers (tanks on that side). I guess the spring has fatigued over the years.


I got some air shocks on the back and removed the one inch block I had on the rear of the passenger side to level it out. I ended up using western chassis shock extenders. Not a fan of how the spring plate interferes with the shock extender bolts but I guess they are all like that.





I got my wheels painted and ended up finding out upon closer inspection one of the 15x7's I had was a 5x4.5 Mopar rally. I had no idea they had a rally so similar to the gm truck. I ended up having to buy another 15x7 for the truck off of ebay but they work great with my 3 inch drop spindles and stock LCAs.


Got the wheels mounted with new caps and trim rings I scored for free. I got an alignment today and finally cruised the truck. (first time in like 5ish months). Rode like a dream and had me grinnin' from ear to ear

[Jaysonb]

Looking good man!

[ProudSoul]

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

Looking good man!

Thanks!

[evan]

Love the rallies!

[aggie91]

Looks good! What size tires did you use on the front?

[ProudSoul]

Originally Posted by evan

Love the rallies!

Thanks, can't go wrong with them!

Originally Posted by aggie91

Looks good! What size tires did you use on the front?

Thanks! 255/60, planning on running 275/60 on the back.