'78 3/4 ton 4x4 FRANKENTRUCK

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

Tribal knowledge, huh?
Todd.

Yes, tribal knowledge. Did I stutter or say something you can’t wrap your head around?? If you think about it there aren’t many of those guys left that were in the prime of their career in the early 70’s. My coworker, Winston, that I worked with at Workhorse passed away this past January. He retired from GMC Truck (GMC and Chevrolet were like 2 totally separate companies prior to 1997) after 30 years and worked for Workhorse for another 10 years after that. He had a lot of information on that mount that most mechanics, assembly line workers, etc. wouldn’t have.

If you don’t believe me, no biggie.. but when something breaks I bet the mount will be the first thing you remove

[Front Range]

Nice truck Todd, amazing how far it's come along since your first post.

[asphaltburner]

Thank you very much Front Range. You are right,...a very long way!
I guess I just got kinda lucky. I found this forum, with a huge number of people willing to help me, and I took the opportunity to create one great truck from two heaps,...
Best yet,...with 325-350 Hp and 4.11:1 gears it is a lot of fun to drive, despite it's weight. And it has a really kick-ass stereo!
Thanks to everyone that has been such a great help with my build!
Maybe FRANKENTRUCK could terrorize another SummerFest one of these days,...
Thanks again,
Todd.

[asphaltburner]

FRANKENTRUCK continues to terrorize northern Colorado.
The thing just keeps going!
Engine, drivetrain, chassis, and body,...not a single failure in all these years.
Still a haunting ghost gray, and with just one new fenderhole repaired, FRANKENTRUCK appears to be able to outlast us all!
Just the thought shall cause horror in the minds of many!!
May I be forgiven for my cursed creation,...
(hee, hee) Todd.

[asphaltburner]

I guess all the oldsters are gone from this forum by now. Just newbies,...oh well.
Chow all. Sorry you missed out.
Todd.

[kacy]

This is a great thread and love seeing these kinds of builds.

[D13]

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

I guess all the oldsters are gone from this forum by now. Just newbies,...oh well.
Chow all. Sorry you missed out.
Todd.

Not hardly. Frankentruck is my inspiration, and as soon as I get the other 20 projects done.

And us old guys may take a bit but we get it done. Like you, it's a bit by bit thing. Finally got the kids in college and now I have time...l but no money....
But I love your truck and the way you assembled your ideal ride. That 3/4 4wd GMC with the turbo'd six cylinder is lurking in my brain. And some day it WILL happen.

In the mean time I just view yours and dream on.

[asphaltburner]

Thank you both very much! I think all the stars aligned for me all at the same time,...
Yeah, D13, I'm just recently retired now. Finally have the time and the money. But the project only needs paint at this point!
I had always been short on time while working fulltime. We were broke at first. And then when I finally had the money, I didn't have the time. So, I turned it into 'stress relief' and worked on it for a couple of hours after work each day, and on the weekends. Bit by bit.
Easier to afford that way, too!
FRANKENTRUCK really did turn out nice, and if you go through the thread, you'll see that I received a tremendous amount of help from the members of this forum. You've already taken the first, important step to getting that truck of your's done,...you're here!
Thanks again for the great comments and good luck with your projects, guys!
Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Works whenever needed,...parked and covered when not!
Todd.

[LT7A]

What's up Todd. Never fear, a bunch of those "oldsters" are still around. And yeah, some "newbies" like me. I've owned and worked on Chevy trucks since about 1989 though, so that probably counts for something, ha!

Was glad to see this thread pop up. You mentioned shutting it down but every time you update anything, even just pics, you give us guys that are relatively new to the forum a chance to get on board. The early squarebody years have some equipment that really got the job done before compromises were made for fuel economy, etc. I like some of what has evolved since then too, but your truck shows that they can still be combined in the right way to get a nice looking, comfortable truck, that has the guts when it's needed. Very cool.

[asphaltburner]

Wow! Thanks LT7A!
Naw, I guess I'll not quit this post as long as FRANKENTRUCK is still mine,...so never.
It is scheduled for chores today,...take in the aluminum for recycling, and pickup pressure treated posts. And look good while doing it!
Ya don't see too many squares on the road anymore,...it's nice to show FRANKENTRUCK off.
Thanks for the great complements! FRANKENTRUCK deserves to get them,...again, because of the generous members of this forum that helped me get this project done. Just like the other members here, I'd love to be able to help out other folks, oldsters or newbies! All of us were newbies once!
This forum rocks!
Todd.

[asphaltburner]

FRANKENTRUCK got those chores done in style today! And got some high fives from some other drivers. Two were heavy dump truck drivers that appeared to like the truck,...
Always fun doing chores in a FRANKENTRUCK!
Todd.

[asphaltburner]

FRANKENTRUCK was out over the weekend hauling rock on Veteran's Day.





I could hardly notice 1050lbs in the back on the way home!
The loader driver at Pioneer Sand & Gravel asked nicely how much I wanted for my truck,...I had to explain that it's not for sale, but I sure thanked him for the complement!
Todd.

[asphaltburner]

Not that I expect FRANKENTRUCK to have a flat (of course, if you don't expect it, it WILL happen!), but I sure like to be prepared, and the giant, high-lift bottle jack that I had onboard is no longer functional. Frozen.
Anybody have recommendations for a replacement, under-frame jack? Obviously, I'll not be using a bumper jack for anything,...
Thanks, Todd.