1969 GMC Short Fleet Build

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by travlinman

nice build. how far up on the fire wall did u go? and what did you do around the fuse panel steering column and heater box? ive been meaning to do mine but not sure how far i want to go up go around everything or under everything.
thanks

I went everywhere I could get to, I used about 2 " wide strips of hushmat in and around the fuse box. I put down 2 layers in the cab floor and firewall. I finished putting it all back together this morning with the carpets and seat installed. I went for a test drive, nice and quiet, no rattles. The stuff really works! The only problem now is I can now here how much wind noise the vent window and mirrors are causing.

Dale

[gcburdic]

Dale,

This is a fabulous build....read through the whole thing....awesome job!!....

I'm seriously thinking about buying those 6 lug Summit wheels too....did you use the spacer as you referenced earlier??...If so, which one did you use and where did you find it??

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Dale,

This is a fabulous build....read through the whole thing....awesome job!!....

I'm seriously thinking about buying those 6 lug Summit wheels too....did you use the spacer as you referenced earlier??...If so, which one did you use and where did you find it??

Geoff,
Thanks, I have had good time with the build, I'm not done yet,still have many issues to finish.

The rear wheel spacers were bought from Summit.They listed as a metric version for the six lug pattern. 139.7mm x 30 mm. I think they were made for a Toyota. I took a chance and ordered them, They worked just fine, bolted right up. I did have to install longer lugs in my axles to get full thread engagement. I found the longer lugs at my local Oreilly's parts store. If you
lower your truck more than 3", you might consider the 25mm thk. spacer to
give you a smigen more tire clearence.

Good luck,
Dale

[my67chevytruck]

Great progress Dale, truck is coming along nicely! What year model is your serpentine setup and do you recall what upper and lower radiator hoses you used?

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

Great progress Dale, truck is coming along nicely! What year model is your serpentine setup and do you recall what upper and lower radiator hoses you used?

Heath,
The serpentine belt and pulley system came with the ZZ4 crate engine. What actual vintage it is I don't know, however the Serpentine kit is listed on the GM web site. I would guess early 90's components. The upper hose is stock for the V8 trucks, The bottom hose is made from two different hoses with metal tube connector. Have no idea of the hose number, they were picked off the parts shelf. Sorry I could not help more.

Dale

[my67chevytruck]

Dale, thanks for the info, I have that GMPP serp setup on the '56, and a '94 serp on my sons '67. I bought the hoses already, but was curious as i have seen ppl run diff hoses. It never hurts to have too many part #'s

we used a autozone XL-1171 for the upper, and a Gates part # 20842 for the lower....

[gcburdic]

Thanks for the info Dale.....now gt on wit finishing up this thing...but is it ever done

[72BlckButy]

Selling the seat, so what's next for the interior??

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Selling the seat, so what's next for the interior??

Hi Nate,
Yeah, I got a set of Bucket seats and center console from a seat supplier.
I have not installed the seat yet. I've been doing other things like getting rid of the cab mounted gas tank and installing a CPP rear mount under the bed aluminum tank set up. I also lowered the rear end one inch using the CPP lowering block kit.

I now need to paint the back of the cab where the tank came out, Its real nasty looking behind where the tank was. I'll post some pics when I get a chance.

Soooo...What have you been up to on your fine ride?! Any new additions?

Dale

[72BlckButy]

No new additions for me lately, and it won't be until winter before any additional projects are even started.

Can't wait to see the bucket seats installed, as well as the other updated additions to your sweet little truck.

[djmachinist]

I thought I would post some pics of my new dophin guage panel. I finally got it installed last week.

[djmachinist]

I also added a CPP 19 Gal. Aluminum tank kit mounted under the bed. I then cleaned up the back of the cab, painted it and then added some accoustical insulation by hushmat. I now have room behind the seat to install some stereo
equipment.

Dale

[djmachinist]

I had a problem with my seat adjuster rod assembly was broken and tranverse rod was bent pretty badly. So.....I made at trip down to local Ace hardware store and found some 1/16 in. stranded cable. 4 ea. 1/16 in. cable clamps, and a neat aluminum block turnbuckle, and a S-hook. I assembled them into a new seat track adjuster cable. Works like a champ!! I added the S
hook in the middle of the seat to elevate the cable out of the way a bit. The turnbuckle made it easy to adjust the right tension on the cable pull. All for $7.50 .

[djmachinist]

I had my original seat for sale, I'm glad I kept it because this is a custom seat from "Discount Truck Seats" that looks great, however it won't fit my 69GMC. It will bolt into the truck with the supplied vertical mounts designed for our series of trucks, however the seat back dimension is about 4 inches deeper than my bench seat back. It shoves me way to close to the dash, pedals, and steering wheel. What a shame because it does look great and has
a really neat fold down buddy seat with a Burl wood armrest, storage area and built in cup holders. Well....I can't use it. My $1000.00 mistake!!!!

Dale

[72BlckButy]

Bummer to hear about the seat, but the rest of the upgrades look "really" good!

Nice work Dale!

[lolife99]

I think I like your stock seat better anyway.

[djmachinist]

Keith and Nate,

Thanks guys, Maybe I can get a couple of bucks from a country sudsucker that likes to set in his front yard while sucking down a few Bruskies in the evening. He could do it in style with this seat!!

And I do like the original seat, I think I will learn to live with it just fine. Now onward to the next task which is to install a stereo system in the truck.

Dale

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Just read the whole build thread very nice...

[djmachinist]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Just read the whole build thread very nice...

Thanks, I just read thru your project, you have done some really nice work.

Dale

[djmachinist]

I decided the Turbo 350 tranny I originally installed was not going to cut it. I purchased a 700R4 OD tranny from Phoenix Performance transmissions in Weatherford, tx. near Ft. Worth. Phoenix offers a special built 700R4 and Torque converter for the GM ZZ4 350 small block which I have in my truck. I also bought the TV cable assembly from them. They direct shipped the 700R4
to Bumbera's Performance here in Houston. Bumbera got the tranny installed yesterday and after a few ajustments to the TV cable she works fine. Nice crisp shifts but not to violent. The acceleration from a dead stop is much better than the Turbo 350. The 700R4 has a much lower 1st gear. She's turning 2000 RPM at 70 mph in overdrive with the 3.08 rear end I have in the truck now. I think I may put in a 3.42 or 3.73 ring & pinion in in the near future. I must say the overall driveabilty of the truck has improved. Thats the old Turbo 350 in the first pic.

Dale

[djmachinist]

Its been awhile since I have posted Pics of the truck. I have added quite a few new items like the Pioneer Stereo System. 10 " woofer/amp and two 6 x 9 speakers behind the seat. Two 6 1/2" speakers in the Kickpanels. I found a bench seat console that matches the seat very nicely, It is held in place by a strap.

Dale

[djmachinist]

More Pics.....

[djmachinist]

again, more pics....

[VA72C10]

Looks good! I'm sure the 700's a nice improvement!

[gcburdic]

That looks really nice Dale....what's you gonna put in the unused lighter hole?!?!