my family truck updates and usability

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Alright, heres the deal.

Ive got a 69 chev fleetside 4 way coil springs 3 in the tree l6 250 6 lug drum brake every things manual and no power anything 2 wheel drive rust bucket of a fun truck full of memories that has been given to me from my father and we worked on it together since i was old enough to understand what tools were. Lol. We have taken it out to the mountains target practicing, dish sledding, and hunting. I love the feel of the truck vrs new trucks going through rocky areas in the off road beaten paths.

i dont have room for another truck and im not getting rid of this one.
But its limited. Poor mileage due to the gear box, and limited mountain play due to the 1 wheel drive.
I dont want to lift it, i dont want to lower it. I have a 402 that im gonna fuel inject and slap in there, but im gonna have a factory style muffler and resonator to keep it fairly quiet. So on that note.

I want a 4wd setup on this truck, i want front discs and would prefer to keep the 6 lug if i can. So what donor trucks should i look at and wielding is not a problem.

[71swb4x4]

I would find a 71/72 4x4 frame and swap the body onto that frame. You will want to research 67-72 4x4's with big blocks, there are some clearance issues with the oil pan.67-72 4x4's did not come from the factory with a big block.

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Also, from what ive read sofar, im looking at donor trucks k10 1973 to i think 82.

The truck sofar

[Nitis]

cool truck man

My word of caution would be make sure you have all the funding and especially the motivation and time in place so you don't tear it apart and lose interest cause then its a goner!

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Well, i have it, a 77 kz650 (in the works of new wiring) and my 85 vw jetta. Jetta is my dd for winter months and bike is my dd for dry untill i get wet weather suit so i dont show up for work with a wet torso. Lol. So yes i have the time, money as it comes and a garage to work on it in. and ty

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

As for motivation i dobt stop a project till its done.

[Saclandman]

Good luck with this. I was just thinking about what it would take to do the 4X4 conversion on my truck. And, even though I'm a little late with this, welcome to the board from another Sac-area member.

[hugger6933]

That is a great looking start of a truck you have most all of the decent and sensible 4X4 conversion stuff [say from either this style or the next chevy truck] will be 6 lug. In going with the big block Take a little longer a save a little more and put in a overdrive transmission to help on the cost of feeding the thing so it doesn't eat you out of house and carport so to speak. The big block is not know as a fuel sipper but the over drive trans might help offset that notion. In the course it won't slow down a project much to pay for it as opposed to a regular one. Good luck enjoy the truck and the project . Jim

[Hutch]

It appears from the street sign in the second pic that your truck is actually in area 51
Must be a super secret build

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Well, I've picked up some mb legacy 17" with the -6 offset but now I need to replace the center caps. Any body have any suggestions or have tried in the past? Factory lug style 6x5.5

Thinking about something similar to the trd center caps if they fit. Not sure though.

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Originally Posted by Hutch

It appears from the street sign in the second pic that your truck is actually in area 51
Must be a super secret build

Hahahaha no no. Just at an airport. Lol

[tutone]

Big job my friend. I am doing exactly that in my build thread. I also am making this truck a short bed 4x4. I used a 1969 suburban frame and a 72 c20 cab. You will need a high hump floor to begin with. Body bushings will be different of course, and several other tidbits. I will retain drum brakes on mine as long as the rear end turns out ok. It would be best if you found a donor truck with the drivetrain you like. Alot of them are 4 speeds. I think its a can do project, but it wont be cheap and it wont be done in a week. Good luck.

[BigBird05]

I was told that the rear of a Suburban frame is different from a pick up. You might need to look into that.

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Originally Posted by tutone

Big job my friend. I am doing exactly that in my build thread. I also am making this truck a short bed 4x4. I used a 1969 suburban frame and a 72 c20 cab. You will need a high hump floor to begin with. Body bushings will be different of course, and several other tidbits. I will retain drum brakes on mine as long as the rear end turns out ok. It would be best if you found a donor truck with the drivetrain you like. Alot of them are 4 speeds. I think its a can do project, but it wont be cheap and it wont be done in a week. Good luck.

Well. Right now I think I'm more focused on making it a clean dry reliable winter driver. So more working on suspension and brakes. Then gonna have to find someone to help me or someplace to take it to that's reasonable here in Sacramento county for a full strip of the cab and seal it up tidy.

[Smitty]

I found my reliable, reasonable mechanic when I noted the fact that there were classic vehicles around his business. Which led to the recommendation of a great body shop.

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Yeah. I see this business on my way home with a couple 67-72 nice looking trucks. The shop owner says he does not have any good recommendations as he has been riped off with his own vehicle. But says a customer of his has some nice classics that that person takes theirs to another shop. So I'll have to check out that place. But they say minimum 85 an HR.

[zosoppp]

Originally Posted by Hutch

It appears from the street sign in the second pic that your truck is actually in area 51
Must be a super secret build

It's actually Area 51-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kii3GdXrFA

[tutone]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

I was told that the rear of a Suburban frame is different from a pick up. You might need to look into that.

Not enough to impede using a pickup bed on. Front spring hangers in the rear incorporate a body mount and the you have to add front bed mounts. They will work even with minor differences. I really don't know how easy they are to find, though.

[r.e.c.enthusiasts]

Well. As time goes by and plans change... Lol.

Currently keeping the straight 6 4.1 250.
Added a throttle body injection to it from a 91 Chevy Astrovan.
Installed the Boyd welding fuel tank with the aeromotive phantom 200 in tank fuel pump.
Just purchased a new front disc brake conversion from western chassis as well as a master cylinder w/ proportioning valve suitable for disc front drum rear.
And some tools to mock up brake lines.
Have some clean heater controls that I purchased from a local guy. Going to re route my heater lines again.
purchased and installed the 12bolt valve cover. Planning on purchasing the affordable fuel injection kit for better mpg.
Also working on swapping out the 3 in the tree for the Borg Warner t5 that I have now. Need to get the jeep input shaft, drive shaft from a early 2000's blazer and different universal joint.

My daughter's now working with me on this project so that warms my heart. Seems she will be the new joint owner with me on this endeavor!

[cj847]

So, you are staying 2wd? I think that would be the best route for time/ money. To address your issues from the first post:

-You've already installed FI. I am curious about your comment about getting a different FI system. The factory stuff is great IMHO.
-You have an overdrive trans. That will make a huge difference in MPG and hiway drivability.
-You haven't addressed traction. Since you were want 4x4 I would suggest a true locking differential. It will get you most places that a double open 4x4 will go.

[custom10nut]

If you’re staying with a manual trans, consider a 5-speed.
That’ll get you a Overdrive gear, and will be easier on the engine at hiway speed