Project 30 Be Low

[D-n-Tyke]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I had some time to kill this afternoon so I decided to remove the seats and carpet so I could inspect what lurked underneath. I pealed the carpet back from the rockers and was pleased with the initial first peek. After I got it all out and a quick dust pan cleaning have to say this is the cleanest cab I have ever come across. If it wasn't for the gaping hole on the back this cab would be perfect. the guy I bought it from had a donor cab in the field and he said I could have anything on it except the floor pans. He needed them for a project. I cut the back window passthrough panel and called it good.

I sold/traded the seats for $500 plus a rear window. So that should pay for my new F350 seat and reupholstery.

Dang it. I wish I would have known you were getting rid of the buckets. I am looking for a set for our Burban (Was original equiped with them but PO kept them)

[Mike Bradbury]

I would not fret too much. A feral cat had its way with the seats and they were pretty rank. Everything except the metal frame had to be removed and nuked. You’d probably spend just as much recovering everything rather than just finding a good set in somewhat good condition

[Mike Bradbury]

The 402 the TH400 and the Eaton rear is still to go. (this is not an add for sale just describing my build process )

The reason I am changing the OE drive train is to update to a modern driveline that is more reliable and I can tweak anything on the computer I need to. So I just picked up my 6.0/4L80E combo from Jayson! it is going to be awesome!

[rickcdewitt]

Do you plan on well wells or raising the dump bed much for the drop?

[D-n-Tyke]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

The 402 the TH400 and the Eaton rear is still to go. (this is not an add for sale just describing my build process )

The reason I am changing the OE drive train is to update to a modern driveline that is more reliable and I can tweak anything on the computer I need to. So I just picked up my 6.0/4L80E combo from Jayson! it is going to be awesome!

Not sure if you have thought that far out yet but what are you planning on running for motor mounts? Are you planning on doing the same as you did on your C20 or something different this time? I am trying to determine the best mount for for our 5.3 while still retaining the LS AC in it's original spot.

Let me know if you ever need an extra set (or 2) of hands pulling that old motor/trans. I have a 402 sitting my garage too that was going to go in the Burban, but then got bit by the LS bug.

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by D-n-Tyke

Not sure if you have thought that far out yet but what are you planning on running for motor mounts? Are you planning on doing the same as you did on your C20 or something different this time? I am trying to determine the best mount for for our 5.3 while still retaining the LS AC in it's original spot.

Let me know if you ever need an extra set (or 2) of hands pulling that old motor/trans. I have a 402 sitting my garage too that was going to go in the Burban, but then got bit by the LS bug.

Yeah you know I went kicking and screaming into the LS swap sub culture but then as my dad and I were talking one day he said back in the 50's we used to take old '32 Fords and drop '55 flatheads in them. Back then a 1955 flat head was a new modern engine. That kind of sealed the deal for me. I love the platform and how well the engine was thought out. Even the gaskets are O rings! genius!

As far as the motor mounts go I am going to fabricate them but not as overkill as the last set. I learned a lot last build and this set will be smaller and more user friendly. The last set was so beefy that it is hard to maneuver a wrench in place because the hardware is bigger than it needs to be. I think the design will be the same just using smaller tubing and bolts.

I will take you up on that offer when the time comes, I am gong to be removing the entire front clip before I yank the engine to make it that much easier but where I have to work on the truck now is outside and the driveway has a bit of a slope right where the cherry picker will be. It is definitely going to be a multi person job.

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by rickcdewitt

Do you plan on well wells or raising the dump bed much for the drop?

I am kind of waffling back and fourth on wheel wells. I plan on designing trap doors that slide forward on each side above the wheels so that the bed can be positioned at the classic height, then the truck can still be aired down and put the frame close to the ground and the tires protrude up above the bed floor. When the trap doors are open it would be nice to have wells to keep the dirt from flying around when driving. If I find a set that is around 31" in circumference then I may just buy them instead of fabricating a custom set. Definitely stainless steel so I don't have to worry about rust or chipped paint. Lining them with bed liner is an option but I think it may not be the right look for the truck.

[Mike Bradbury]

Made a little progress today. I was able to score a back cab panel when I bought the truck. He had an old cab sitting in the field that he said I could cut whatever I wanted out of it except the floor. I cut the patch panel sizably bigger so I could patch where I wanted to. Near the floor it got a little wide because the two cabs were not punched in the same factory because the inside top section which is double walled was not very close profiles. I had to hammer it to get it close enough to MIG a tack in place. I wanted to make real sure that the outside where the glass rests is water tight.

[Scurry67]

Awesome. Nice work on that big patch so far!

[Mike Bradbury]

Yeah unfortunately this big truck is not running and it is way too long to fit in my garage so I think I am going have to build a wind block so that the MIG gas does not blow away and leave me with Swiss cheese.

The panel is pretty big so I have to take it slow so I don't warp the blank sections of the metal. This is why I cut the panel big to put the welds near corners so the the distortion would be minimized by the geometry of the steel.

[Mike Bradbury]

Another weekend, another progress report,
I am going to be mocking up the rear frame soon so I need to get the rest of the truck closer to the ground so I know the angles and geometry that will be necessary. Most of this will be done on the computer before I cut anything but in order to even get the dimensions to put in solid works I first need to do some measuring.

I spent the day removing the front clip to make yanking out the 402 and TH400 easier, also to make changing the height of the truck, and to make balancing the truck when from the cab back is cut off.

The day was productive and I got it all torn down just it time for it to start raining. It is a good thing most everything getting rained on right now is being replaced.

Pictures to follow when the sun comes up and the rain stops.

[72 tigger]

Very cool project, following along

[Mike Bradbury]

The 402 is in bad shape and unless I find someone who wants a challenge I will just give it to the junk yard. The TH400 condition is unknown but I don't need it anyway so I am not going to invest any time into fixing it.

Basically the plan is everything you see in the engine compartment will be replaced with new. New (rebuilt) LS motor and trans, new front cross member and control arms, new master cylinder and booster, deleted AC system (vintage air system under dash).

[lolife99]

I’d be interested in all the pulleys and accessory brackets (alternator, power steering, a/c and water pump pulleys) if you decide to sell them.
Engine Frame mounts too.
I’m converting my 70 longbed to a big block.
Anything big block specific you plan to get rid of.

[Mike Bradbury]

Well I am not supposed to broach the "for sale" threshold being that I am pink.

Although I am still trying to fund the build instead of just junking everything and you brought it up. Like I said ^^ if I find someone who wants a the whole thing I will go that route, but if not I am sure there is a way to figure something out.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

Well I am not supposed to broach the "for sale" threshold being that I am pink.

Although I am still trying to fund the build instead of just junking everything and you brought it up. Like I said ^^ if I find someone who wants a the whole thing I will go that route, but if not I am sure there is a way to figure something out.

I think it’s ok since I asked you.
I just hate to see you junk everything if no one wants the engine stuff.

[Mike Bradbury]

Just FYI, There are no AC brackets or compressor, just what you see.

[jumpsoffrock]

What exactly is wrong with the engine?

Man I almost cried when I saw your cab floor/rocker pictures.....christ....

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by jumpsoffrock

What exactly is wrong with the engine?

Man I almost cried when I saw your cab floor/rocker pictures.....christ....

Yeah the cab is in great condition, I am stoked that I scored on that part.

To answer your question about the engine, I think the better question is "what is right with the engine?" BBC components seem to be much sought after, however the 402 is not a great platform. Some really look for this engine and they work out fine, this one is going to need some work. Tranny is the same. I think there was a radiator core issue because there is coolant in the tranny, water in the oil and they had tried to put in some stop leak and gummed it all up. I guess it doesn't really matter in a complete rebuild because they solvent wash the whole thing anyway.

[Mike Bradbury]

I skipped the Good Guys show this weekend to get some needed progress done on the 30. I really want to get moving on this truck but there are so many aspects to this build that I have to go slow to make sure I do it all just right. Rear frame geometries are all dependent on the stance of the front X member and spindles. I don't want to make the back frame so the rear end is lower than the front.

My goal is to get the front lowered so I can match the rear end.

So this was good progress for me today. I was by myself and the engine hoist was on the beginning of the slope of my driveway and I was a bit nervous that it might start rolling down the hill. Turns out the lifting and moving the engine/trans was actually the easiest part of the day. Breaking 50 years of rust and grime loose was much more difficult.

[MellowYellow70]

Definitely a cool project

[botsdots]

Hey Mike!

Awesome to see you jump in to another project. Can't wait for all the little details you work into it.

Daniel

[Mike Bradbury]

Whoa, the dead has risen! Have you finished your 63 yet?


Yeah this one is going to be completely different from the '69. I have lost many hours of sleep designing in my head when I should be sleeping. I just talked to Nate at Porter Built on the phone yesterday about a bagged front end set up. He is a really cool guy and very accommodating If you ever go down the road of bagging or slamming your truck I highly recommend his services.

[zicc1835]

Im taking the ride too.......cool build

[Mike Bradbury]

So I was originally thinking that I was going to build my own cross member and possibly upper and lower control arms but as I was looking into the engineering and time to construct the components I was not saving much money and was way too long for my time line.

So now I am 90% sure it will be a porter built drop member and PB control arms. The reason I went with the drop member is to keep the spindles from too much camber when aired all the way down. I wanted the suspension geometry to be correct all the way through the travel arc. Using a OEM cross member there is no way to drop it as low as I want to go and not have excessive camber tilt.

My target is not to lay frame but to be 1" off the ground completely aired out.