Try again 1968 lwb-swb 4x4

[Madtrucker]

I think I'm going to go with the 20 gallon summit fuel cell with sending unit.

[Madtrucker]

I went with a 16gal jaz cell, fits nice with a little grinding and keeps plenty of ground clearance. I cleaned, primed and painted the back half of the frame. My brother and I installed the fuel cell, drive shaft, cab mounts, and firewall to rear wire harness. We set the bed back on, i finally have a short bed 4x4.

[Madtrucker]

We made a bed floor out of 3/4 birch plywood and laminated some 3" beveled strips on top. I bought a 6" boat deck inspection plate to access the gas cap, I plan to coat all the wood with bed liner. It should work and look fine for a nice driver.

[Chevymaniac]

Looking good. I like your idea of the wood bed and boat inspection cover. What did you use for straps? Homemade or bought? How did you fasten strips to plywood? Gives me some ideas in redoing my when the time comes.

[Madtrucker]

We beveled 3/4 MDF 3" wide on the table saw, its a little higher than I wanted but we figured it would cut nicer than 1/2 ply. Then we glued it down and countersunk some screws, I still need to fill the holes. I'm painting the bottom and sides with an oil base, and doing the top in bedliner to help the mdf hold up. Its going to be a reach to fill at the station though, wish I could have moved the cell back.
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[Madtrucker]

I pulled the bed apart again (still not for the last time) and painted the underside and all of the edges and predrilled holes with a few coats of semi gloss black oil base. You can see the strips we added to widen the ply, my brother used the pocket hole jig and glue. I also picked up my a.n. fittings and ran my fuel and vent lines. Those fittings leave a big hole in your pocket, over $100 in fuel cell plumbing.

Also got some pics of the new project getting delivered Sunday. 78 trans am 400/4spd 37,000 miles stored in his garage since 1986. I'm trading for my 77 corvette.

[Chevymaniac]

Looking good and i love the new ride. I regret leaving mine when i moved from home. At the time i had my 70 K10 and the car was a 75 trans am. Have been looking for another to replace it with. How much more could you have moved your fuel cell back?

[Madtrucker]

Thanks, I could have move the rear cross member back 3-4" and considered swapping the filler cap and sender unit around but didn't really want to cut a new tank up. That could have brought me about 10"s closer to the back though. Right now I'm in 17" plus another 17" when the gates down, plus the lift makes it hard to reach. Probably have to hop in the bed to fill it, good thing it's a weekend cruiser.

[Madtrucker]

The last night these two will be together, the T/A is coming in the morning. I'm taking a week off the truck, then i plan to finish wiring the rear harness and mocking up the bumper to cut it down.

[Madtrucker]

pics aren't sticking.

[Madtrucker]

So i test wired the tail lights (59 stepside) and everything worked fine. After i soldered everything together one at a time not to cross any wires, nothing works now. When i hit the turn signal everything turns on dimly. I lost patience cut the wires and started over, still nothing works. Any ideas?

[Chevymaniac]

Nice vette. You build it yourself? What's the specs on it? Seeing the vette next to your truck makes it look so small.

Giong to start working on the bird when you get it home?

What are you running for fuel line from tank to motor?

Keep up the good work, almost done.

[Madtrucker]

I bought it with a fresh 350/350 with a mild cam, intake and holley carb. I pulled the motor out, rebuilt the front suspension and replaced the tie rods, cleaned and painted everything. It was a fun car, just no room for the kids.

The trans am is home, but I'll probably keep going on the truck for a bit. I might putz on it here n there nothing major. I've posted it on Hitmans T/A forum under customized 78 trans am.

I'm running braided line from the cell up to the stock hard line, I plan to keep the mechanical pump when I swap out the motor. It's only pushing around 400hp a high flow mechanical should be fine, and more reliable.

I've got a couple small pics of the vette.

[Chevymaniac]

I'm running braided line from the cell up to the stock hard line, I plan to keep the mechanical pump when I swap out the motor. It's only pushing around 400hp a high flow mechanical should be fine, and more reliable.

Did you custom make the lines or pre made? What brand of fuel line and fittings?

[Madtrucker]

I just bought a few feet of line and -an fittings from the last local speed shop and did it myself.

[Madtrucker]

I finally pulled the old gas tank out of the cab. No more gas fumes. I put some shoulder belts in a while ago, now i have more room to clean up the mounts i welded in.

[Madtrucker]

I also mounted the bumper to plan my cuts. I plan to take 8" from each side, I also plan to take 2" from the mounts to pull it close to the body. If it doesn't turn out the way I want I'll build an offroad style bumper from scratch.

[Chevymaniac]

Originally Posted by Madtrucker

I also mounted the bumper to plan my cuts. I plan to take 8" from each side, I also plan to take 2" from the mounts to pull it close to the body. If it doesn't turn out the way I want I'll build an offroad style bumper from scratch.

Why would you cut the bumper shorter and your rear taillights, are those factory?

[Madtrucker]

Its my old fleetside bumper and its 20"s wider than the back of the truck. The front bumpers fit nice and tight, the rear should too. And I like to be a little different and like to cut stuff up, I also might do some wheeling and don't want it hanging up.

If I remember correctly the lights are 58-59 chevy stepside.
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[Madtrucker]

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[Madtrucker]

I cut 8"s from each side, I'm happy with the result and it was free.Posted via Mobile Device
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[Madtrucker]

bumper is cut and welded, still have some grinding to do. I'm waiting for my tailgate so i can decide how to adjust the mounts.

[mjensen]

Looks great!!!

[67chevy1series]

ive always wanted to do that! looks cool!

[Madtrucker]

Haven't done much lately, I started a jeep project to. I did manage to get my tailgate and mount some cables to replace the chains, I still need to find some spring barrel latches to keep it shut.