The Mantis

[FRENCHBLUE72]

I am thinking you are in for a lot of work.. Ill tune in to see how it all works out and imo id use the gmc grill...

[6 Door King]

It will certainly be alot of work, but well worth it to be different than the crowd. I don't like the square corners on the suburban doors, front or rear. My front doors will be stock, but the rears will be cut down, and the glass will have two rounded corners at the top, one will be stock shaped, the other a bit tighter than stock. If I could find a suburban to cut up, I would cut the rust out and build that instead of this rig. I love the old school suburbans and would not dare sacrifice one, no matter how worthy the cause. Since I have lived in VA, (8 years) I have only seen two for sale, and only two or three more on the roads.

[6 Door King]

Started welding in the 2x2 tube in the rockers to stiffen up the cab. It is proving to be the most difficult part of this build so far. I had to cut a relief hole in the front of the rocker where it meets the A-pillar so the tube would clear. Also had to figure out how to allow for the cab mounts, and decided to weld a plate to the tube and I will weld the cab mounts solid to the plate when I replace them. Keeping everything square and aligned when it's rusted and flat out missing so many pieces is not easy. I'm going to brace the cab, floor and pillars with 1x1 tube to help out. Once I get the cab squared away I will blast all the sheet metal that is not being replaced or repaired and haul the chassis to the shop to get it painted.

[6 Door King]

I pulled the front end off the Chevy cab and discovered that it is in much better shape than I thought. The cowl is solid and the front of the rockers are also in better shape than the GMC. I was tempted to cut the roof off the cab before checking it over because I fugured it was all as bad as the floors, thankfully I investigated further first. I will use the front of the Chevy cab and the rockers and graft in the lower half and rear portion of the GMC. This method should yield a better final result as I have changed my mind on how to go about combining the cabs.

[6 Door King]

I pulled the front half of the GMC cab off the chassis today with the neighbors tractor, but just barely. I thought for sure the bucket would pick it up, but I had to help it. Not sure now how I am going to get the complete cab back on. Going to have to rig up some kind of bridge hoist I think. Either that or roll the chassis in under the body while on stands. Anyone moved a cab without a hoist and want to share their method?

[67chevy1series]

when i put my cab on i slid it on from the passsenger side and had 2x4s on the frame to not scratch it.

[6 Door King]

Got my rockers here today, but they seem a bit long. Anyone have previous experience replacing rockers? Seems like there is enough for two cabs... Finally got to the shop on a slow day and managed to shear and bend some 16 gauge steel for my extended rockers. Mocked them up, and when it cools off a bit (97 degrees currently) I will tack them in and check all my gaps.

[67chevy1series]

hmmm i dont know about rocker replaceing i still need to do that to my truck... but yes it looks a little long. but it does look good and good looks like progress

[6 Door King]

Originally Posted by 67chevy1series

hmmm i dont know about rocker replaceing i still need to do that to my truck... but yes it looks a little long. but it does look good and good looks like progress

The rocker is actually the right length according to the manufacturer, and they should be sending a set of matched outer rockers soon. The double latched pillar is already here and installed on one side. Just waiting on the extended roof skin now. All this stuff is coming from Imaginary Industries and is not cheap!

[67chevy1series]

yikes! i hope you have enough cahs to finish the build lol

[6 Door King]

Fortunately, as sole proprietor of Imaginary Industries, I can cut myself a discount!

[VA72C10]

good one!

[dropd80s]

Originally Posted by 6 Door King

Mocked them up, and when it cools off a bit (97 degrees currently) I will tack them in and check all my gaps.

<<Jealous of your 97 degrees. It's been around 108-110 here everyday.

[6 Door King]

97 degrees in a shop is tolerable, but 97 crawling in the dirt and grass to work is miserable. I will soon have the side of my barn blown out and concrete pad extended to help cope. Still progressing slowly in the shade of the nearby trees as the sun goes down. Truely a shadetree build...

[6 Door King]

Interestingly, the friend that bought the Dana 60 from the donor truck now has a 14 Bolt SF and 8 Lug 44 front for sale. Since I need a rear axle anyways, I figure I might as well go ahead and throw on a lift and convert it over to 4x4. I am already going to have to custom build the driveline, so now I'll just add another to the pile of custom parts. I think I should be able to use a stock K10 shaft from later trucks to hook up to the front axle. Next problem is do I want to keep it close to stock 4x4 so it could be percieved as a stock rig, or go all out and limit my resale market? The tendancy with most of my projects is to go wild, and hope someone else out there likes my style.

[pcwillsie]

funny thing is they used to build car haulers here in Oklahoma kinda like your rendition in the beginning of this thread. The used early 90s cadilac front wheel drive engines and transaxles for the drivetrain and the rear axles were just drag axles.

[6 Door King]

Originally Posted by 72k5zl1

dont give up on it. put an eldorado 472? front wheel drive in it and use to tandem trailer axles in the back! dually?

Oddly enough the idea of the Cadillac engine and transaxle is not obscure as I once thought. If I was going to keep it for myself I might just do this, just to do it. Anyone have any idea on the track width of the Cadi? Only other concern would be the weight factor, do you think the Cadi would hold up to the extra chassis weight?

[6 Door King]

Been slow rolling on the Crew Cab lately. I can make excuses but I really just have not been working on it. Did manage to come up with an 8 lug 44 front axle and FF 14 bolt rear with 4.10s in them. Also have a line on a 6 inch lift kit for 73-87 body style that I will adapt to this rig. Still deciding on how to run the t-case, thinking I might make it a divorced unit to optimize the driveline angles and eliminate the two piece rear shaft.

[6 Door King]

Just got done arguing with the owners of Imaginary Industries after receiving my Crew Cab doors. Got a great deal because they were 25% off last week, but they didn't tell me 25% off applied to the amount of steel I'd see on the doors. I think they may have shrunken in the rain, but I'll just build up the 11 inch diffrence with multiple coats of primer! Here's a side by side with my normal stock doors and the new ones...

[6 Door King]

I managed to get the engine out of the frame on the donor truck. It was a greater battle than I anticipated, but it's sittin' in the weeds now! Also pulled the stock 3/4 ton suspension and cross member out, and ground down the ends of the frame horns where the previous owner welded something permanently to the frame (assuming it was bumper mounts). I had to break out the 12 pound hammer to finish removing some sort of hydraulic pump that the P.O. also welded to the frame. Finally I had a blank canvas to begin hanging my new front axle and springs. Bought a 6 inch lift from a friend, but the front springs are still a bit short for my taste, so I am going to use the rear springs in the front. I think the combination of custom mounts and rear springs in the front should net me about an 8 inch lift. They have an add a leaf and are otherwise stock. The rear will receive extended mounts and the stock 3/4 ton springs with blocks (maybe). Plan on running ladder bars or at least trailing arm type bars to limit wrap. Still have to work out the steering for the front, have a lifted steering arm for the knuckle, and a drop pitman arm. Would really like to do a crossover setup so I think I am going to have to keep an eye on craigslist to try and find a flat top knuckle for the passengers side.

[6 Door King]

Bought materials to build the front spring hangers and extended mouunts, and got started. The final product has given me a nine inch lift over stock front springs without any load on the front. I am sure it will sink down a bit when the engine, trans and body is placed back on the frame. Everthing is going to bolt on, and I refuse to weld anything to the frame that will be subjected to as much vibration and stress as the suspension will be. Pictures coming soon, have to clean it up and paint the subframes to prevent the dreaded rust!

[6 Door King]

I have the front axle supporting the truck's weight now, and so far no change in the height. I picked up a set of very well used 44 inch Interco Trxus STS tires and Weld Typhoon wheels last week. I do not plan on running the 44s on the truck, but they will work for setup and rolling around until I get a better set of 38s or 39s. I am beginning the rear suspension mods currently, and I have plans to build a shackle flip and drop bracket setup. I will incorporate the rear crossmembers into the brackets, and they will pull double duty as gas tank spearder bars for the 86 Suburban tank I am going to add between the rear rails. The 14 bolt rear actually lined up with the stock spring widths somehow, I had read they were wider than newer trucks, but I guess not. The rear will have 2-3 three inch blocks, the flip and drop brackets to round out the lift. For all who say why not buy lift springs, my answer is this, lift springs are highly arched and generally ride rougher and flex less. Stock springs that are softened with road cycles and age ride much softer. I need to find a crossover steering knuckle for the front, or buy a drop draglink setup. I have a drop pitman arm, and raised steering arm for the knuckle, but I am not sure about bolting that many comprimise fixes together. Any opinions?

[inovermyhead]

Can't wait to see how this build turns out. BTW, love that sticker lol

[6 Door King]

Since everyone is beating me up for pictures (or more acurately to create a bit more interest in this thread) I took a pic of progress so far. Feel free to pick it apart and no points will be awarded for noting the bald tires.

[VA72C10]

Looks tough!