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#1 | |
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Good Thunder Mn.
Posts: 955
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Quote:
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77 k10 winter beater build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=716884 85 GMC short fleet budget build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=714222 80 C10 stepside build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693848 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,590
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
That's what I figured. However, it came across that way to me. Maybe I just saw it a certain way that others won't. Anyway, my intent in saying something is in the hopes that you guys keep having a good time sharing with us so that you'll keep doing it! I get a lot out of it, more than just truck ideas. Having the world of trucks to inhabit for a little time most days is part of what gets me away from an occupation that tries to keep my brain churning full-time.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,980
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
I didn't read it as criticism.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#4 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,699
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
I didn't either.
Plus this site doesn't have a bunch of "thin skinned" forum members. ![]()
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#5 | ||
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Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
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Let me try to clarify what I'm doing here by starting in the beginning. I want the interior to retain the OEM styling with a blend of contemporary amenities. The Dakota Digital RTX cluster is a great example of my mindset. It looks very similiar to a factory tach dash till you turn it on. Even then, you can adjust the lighting to look similar to stock. Thats the look I am after. I considered several option for the seating choice. I could have recovered the stock benches, or added a set of factory Blazer buckets with the console I restored. While pricing options and lead time locally I had a conversation with the sales manager of TMI Products. He told me what they offered and quoted me a very competitive price. I decided that I liked the idea of having completely new seats that paid tribute to the vintage look I was after. TMI sent several samples of vinyl and I picked the ones that were closest to my vision, and purposely avoided the extremely popular trendy colors. Thats how I arrived at the colors of the seats.
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#6 |
Post Whore
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Location: anamosa iowa
Posts: 55,091
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
A swatch of the actual material in the hands of the mixer? Yes, that will get you as close to matching up as possible.
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#7 | ||
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Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
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I have used SEM enough to know that they are very consistent in tone and sheen from can to can, or can to quart. Consequently my experience is what motivates me to use the process I am using.
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#8 |
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Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Regarding color choices, the seat color was determined by what was available from TMI. They are NOT limited on color options, but these came the closest to what I had in mind.
With the seat color as a guide I worked toward finding a color that complimented the primary color, but was a shade or two darker. Despite my statement that SEM is accurate with their formulas, the color charts are not. The actual color tends to be more accurate to the lid than the chart so it took a couple of attempts to zero in on what I wanted.
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#9 |
Happy to be here
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Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Due to the crewcab frame being taller than a C10 frame I debated on what system I should run on the rear of Jake. Initially I considered running a RideTech "shockwave" system but the tech experts at RideTech didnt support that plan. I had switched my thoughts to go with the weld in 4 link instead. That was until I talked with Todd Carpenter of @bigfishgarage at LST.
Ironically Todd is building a similar truck and said he used the C10 bolt in 4 link with coilover shocks. He sent me pics of how he had done it and my mind was made up. After discussing my plan with the RideTech staff, a plan was set in motion. Heres what showed up today.
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,980
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
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The 'universal' Weld-In HD kit is for the larger HD axle housings from what I've researched. Since you're doing a 1/2 conversion swap, the Bolt-In kit seems a no brainer. The 'tough' choice would be the spring type (coil or bag). To me, that would all come down to how the truck is intended to be used (Sport-Truck or Tow-Truck) but my logic is not from a promotional or marketing stand-point.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. Last edited by SCOTI; 03-28-2019 at 03:38 PM. |
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#11 | |
Happy to be here
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Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
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Its possible your like me and never knew that the C20 "crewcab " frame is the same as a C30 frame in the rear. Consequently the C10 bolt in kit is not a direct "bolt in" . The supplied C notch wont fit over the taller frame. If I use the Switch Suspension C notch the upper mounting bracket for the coilover goes away. Todd used a RideTech bolt on shock mount to resolve that issue. He also figured out that the boxing portion of the RideTech bridge will work if you go inside the frame rails rather than outside. This bit of information is what encouraged me to proceed with what seemed to be the logical choice from the beginning.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Good Thunder Mn.
Posts: 955
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Ken, I have no experience at all when it comes to the "modern" rear suspensions for our trucks. I know if you want rear airbags that it is necessary to install a 2 or 4 link type system, but I'm interested to learn what the benefits of a coil over system are?? I love the way really low trucks look, but when I have done the standard axle flip I seem to end up with a real rough riding truck. Do the coil over systems allow you to get low, and maintain a nice ride, or are they aimed for performance type driving? I'm sure air ride would get me what I'm after, but I get nervous about all the things that can go wrong with an air type system.
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77 k10 winter beater build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=716884 85 GMC short fleet budget build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=714222 80 C10 stepside build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693848 |
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#13 | |
Happy to be here
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Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
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My point is it's not mandatory to have a tubular system with bags, but it is the best system available. Why did I choose coilover system vs air system? Because priorities change. In the past I wanted to be able to ride low and air out for show. Now I want a set it and forget it system. It will take a bit of tuning to dial the system in, but once we determine correct spring rate and shock settings, I'm done. My target is a "Sport Touring " suspension that will provide a smooth tight ride. The combination of premium quality shock and control arm bushings along with rod ends that reduce deflection I should end up with a smooth ride and corner carving capability. The massive RideTech sway bars will eliminate body roll, and an AGR variable ratio steering box will reduce lock to lock turns and improve steering feedback.
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#14 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Today I made a trip to Homegrown Hotrods. I needed to test fit some parts, and measure my drive shaft. I got the direct fit bench seat bracket from TMI Products this week. What I discovered was it's a direct fit for a regular cab, which makes it fit perfectly in the rear of a crewcab.
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#15 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Since we had previously set up the generic fit bench bracket for front seats, it made sense to leave it there. They come as bolt together pieces. Once we get the fit perfected, I will weld them in place and grind everything smooth
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#16 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Another part I wanted to test fit was the dual tank switch. Jake started life as a Silverado with no options. I plan to change that by adding as many functional amenities as possible. I used a dual tank bed so I could add an additional tank as mentioned in a previous post.
The switch for the tanks would normally be mounted in the middle of the dash. I have no desire to cut a big hole in a freshly painted dash so I opted for a new location. The ashtray provides a perfect place to hide the switch. I will use a piece of textured plastic to make a faceplate and cut a hole for the switch.
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#17 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
And last, but certainly not least was the driveshaft. I had multiple discussions with Steve Smith from QA1 regarding a custom built carbon fiber driveshaft. Since we couldn't confirm the specs on the slip yoke he suggested using the stock one. I felt that defeated the purpose of building a custom shaft. I decided to get the answers he needed and went fact finding.
Unfortunately this required jacking the truck up and dropping the shaft out, but I have dimensions now.
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#18 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
One last item that we tested out were the mirrors. The doors are set up for the later dumbo mirrors but the really look too big. The smaller "sport" mirrors look so much better but they are essentially useless. I decided to see what the earlier version would look like. These 69-72 used primarily on 1st gen Blazers.
They are about an inch bigger and stand an inch taller. They also have built in LED blinkers.
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#19 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Now that the decision was confirmed on the seat brackets, I could finish mocking them up. I mounted the front seats back on the frame and worked on the console mounts. With it positioned forward the back feet set one the frame just fine. I marked and drilled the holes and dropped stainless screws through. I used largest washers possible to distribute the stress points.
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#20 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
The front feet hung over the frame. I didn't want to drill new holes, so I chose to fabricate a small bracket to support it properly. This allows me to use the original mounting points that are reinforced. I temporarily bolted them on. All of the brackets and mounting tabs will be welded so I can remove as many of the through bolts as possible.
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#21 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
With all the mounting done I spent some time giving the frame a tune up. The corners were rounded, and the ends of the tabs were tapered and rounded as well. I plan to use button hedge bolts to hold them in place.
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#22 | |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 46
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
So, obviously, I just found this thread, I'll be getting my own '77 CCLB C20 the end of April, and I'm really grateful to have found this thread AND highly impressed by it's content - thank you SO MUCH for sharing! So much instructional info and vendor/parts recommendations! I'll be using Tamco paints as a result of your testimonial
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1. Thank God for a place like this for us to disguise "notes to self" as educational threads/blogs to the masses ![]() 2. Although I like the Cheyenne strip better on yer tailgate, I prefer the newer style side mirrors IMO, but I saw you opted for the '69-'72 mirrors, definitely the best choice (again, IMO) 3. Regarding the rusted rocker; "The exposed insides will be blasted, and neutralized." What do you mean by neutralized? Using a rust converter of some type? 4. Are the new rockers getting welded or glued in? 5. What did you use to clean the Silverado tailgate band? That looks great! 6. I'm impressed how well those rubber hoses cleaned up (oil cooling lines, gas filler tube) I never would have thought that could be done! 7. What kind of chrome cleaner do you use? Turtle wax chrome cleaner seems to work pretty good to me. I appreciate it if you have the time to answer my questions, other than that, keep on building the dream - it's at least as much encouragement for us as we might be for you ![]()
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Genesis 1:1 - Revelation 22:21 🙏 '72 GMC C1500 Wide Side Sierra Grande '77 Chevy C20 CCLB (went to go get it 4/29/19!!!) '96 Chevy K2500 Ext cab '97 Chevy K1500 Tahoe (I gotta stop lookin' at CraigsList when I'm bored!) '57 Chevy 6400 (coolest piece yet ![]() |
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#23 | |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Quote:
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#24 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
I have a few small things on the interior I'm not happy with the way they look. One of those items are the ashtray on the back door panels. They stuck out like a sore thumb, and they would never be used for their intended purpose.
In one of my middle of the night OCD sessions I had an idea. I decided to convert them to courtesy lights. The housings are made from stainless steel, so I spent some time with rubbing compound and got them looking new again.
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#25 |
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Re: "Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion
Once I got both sides polished I made a pattern. I used the foam from a "to go" box since its easy to cut.
It took a bit of trimming to get a perfect fit, but now its ready to transfer. I am looking for a source for the appropriate material to use as a lense. I plan to use an LED light in a small socket to give additional lighting in the rear seat area.
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