1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

[68post]

Thanks ! Really like those headers, considering some for my '79 K30.

[K5blzr]

We built an 86 chevy crew cab short bed out of a long bed too in 2003

[Chevy1TonFun]

Shocks are all mounted.


I decided I wasn't digging the race cut bed sides. Thought I'd go with a more trimmed stock bedside. It just slow going with time and bodywork.

[Dieselwrencher]

It's looking good. I like the stock type bed sides too.

[Chevy1TonFun]

I talked the wife into giving me a few days to work on the truck during my vacation. Its been more difficult do get outside with a newborn and a 3.5 year old. At least I have two boys to help me and enjoy the adventures we will have with this truck.



I started putting the truck back together and mounted the bed sides.


Mounted the new fenders and fiberglass cowl hood.


I finally got my custom built grille mounted.



Now I just have to finish up a few more things and bodywork.

[bilfman]

She's a beast! Loving the build.

[Chevy1TonFun]

I dropped the truck off at paint back in February. I recent got her back.

[61K10]

looks great! nice job.

[Dieselwrencher]

That looks killer! Great color choice.

[Chevy1TonFun]

So I gave in a bought a PSC full hydro kit. I took some time off from work to get the truck to the point to where I could take it out and start testing it for bugs.











Arms were ordered from Four Wheel Supply. They are awesome and beefy! They are half the price of anyone else on the market.



I ordered .250 wall tube and ended up getting shipped .375 wall. Since time wasn't on my side, I went with it. I ended up breaking the strap tab off my die and bent the bolts on my buddy's bender. It was a funny sight, we were all hiding behind shop equip while my buddy was running the bender. In the end we made it happen and no one was hurt.
Here is a pic of my die.
Bad cold weld. Talked pro-tools in to warrantying the repair since it was bad workmanship.




And after protools fixed under warranty



Since the tube was 3/8, I decided to go with 3/8 plate for the mounting surface as well. Took my templet over to a friends house for him to cut out on his 4x4 table. Welded in with triple passes. I don't thinks its going anywhere.



Here is the final product. I am very pleased with out it turned out for my first hydro install. Over all with all the double and triple checking all my numbers and measurements it took me about 7 days of time to install.

[Chevy1TonFun]

So to get you all caught up... I finished all the little details to get her all ready for our trip to Pismo CA for 4th of July.

I have officially named the truck - Goliath. Hope you enjoy looking at her as much as I do.





Found a few bugs, but nothing I couldn't fix back at camp. I took it really easy to ensure we had fun and get everything tested. I was most pleased with how soft the suspension was. This truck will for sure be a dune truck as much as a mud truck.

I still have more to get accomplished before she see mud later this year.

[Dieselwrencher]

Wow, Goliath looks awesome! Is the full hydro steering legal for street use in CA? I don't believe it is here in IA.