1972 GMC Shorty Conversion

[72Cheyenne454]

A few more pics...

[72Cheyenne454]

And more...

[72Cheyenne454]

All for now...

[72Cheyenne454]

Look what I found on Craigs List... a 1970 Chevy 3/4 ton coil spring frame. I was able to buy just the back half of the frame which will have everything I need to go ahead and swap over to a coil spring/trailing arm set up. I figured I should just go ahead and do the swap now since I have the truck tore down this far.

Now the fun begins - grinding/drilling/removing the 26+ rivets on the original leaf spring chassis (leaf spring hangers, shock mounts, crossmembers etc) and the 35+ rivets on the trailing arm frame.

Here's a few pics... the seller even delivered it.

[chevy88]

How much do you plan on lowering.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by chevy88

How much do you plan on lowering.

I'm planning a 4" / 6" drop. I figure I better go ahead and c-notch the rear for the extra clearance.

[franciscocl7]

Nice work, that´s a flawlees GMAW weld. It seems you are a good welder.

[chevy88]

Did you use an assortment of grinding disks to level your welds on your box or grinder all the way? Im posting a little late but I am at the stage of grinding my box welds off after shortening the box in the front and back.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by chevy88

Did you use an assortment of grinding disks to level your welds on your box or grinder all the way? Im posting a little late but I am at the stage of grinding my box welds off after shortening the box in the front and back.

Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I used an assortment of 4" sanding discs on my Makita grinder. No hard discs... only flexible aluminum oxide sanding discs. I believe I started with 36 grit and finished up with 60 grit.

[CELA-69K10]

wow....great job....great welding!

[chevy88]

I can see those disc's doing a lot better job as compared to a hard disk that risks going so deep. Thanks for the advice I'm sure it will come out alot better now.

[br161]

awesome build man can't wait to see more ur skills are amazing

[PHAT TONY]

The paint on the cab looks good; you gonna paint the box to match or redo the works?

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by PHAT TONY

The paint on the cab looks good; you gonna paint the box to match or redo the works?

I wish the paint looked as good in person as it does in the pics. The truck needs to be repainted. The paint on the hood/top of the fenders is faded and the clear coat is breaking down. Eventually, I pull the truck completely apart for a repaint, but not anytime soon. I've been thinking about what color/colors I would paint it when the time comes, but I'm undecided.

[CheyenneShop]

Any thoughts on Patina? Give it a light sanding and she'll look great.

[72Cheyenne454]

Made some progress today.

I picked up the bed from the sand blaster... they did a great job!

I spent a few hours removing the crossmembers from the donor frame. I removed over 60 rivits... ouch. Anyway, got the crossmembers all cleaned up and ready for paint.

Some pics...

[72Cheyenne454]

A few more...

[72Cheyenne454]

All for now.

[72Cheyenne454]

Made some progress today. Removed all the leaf spring crossmemberss and hangers on the GMC frame in preparation for the new coil spring crossmembers. I got all the new crossmembers in place and ready to drill.

Some pics.

[Hart_Rod]

Just and FYI, the rear crossmember in the last picture SHOULD NOT be square to the frame. It should be further to the rear on the passenger side.

[72Cheyenne454]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Just and FYI, the rear crossmember in the last picture SHOULD NOT be square to the frame. It should be further to the rear on the passenger side.

Thanks Hart Rod.

You can't tell from the pics, but its actually longer (farther back) on the passenger side by over 1". I measured all the crossmember locations on the doner frame before I removed them. The passenger side measurement was about 1 1/8" longer than the drivers side. I placed the crossmember accordingly on my GMC frame, you just can see it the pic.

This pic shows the angle.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by 72Cheyenne454

Thanks Hart Rod.

You can't tell from the pics, but its actually longer (farther back) on the passenger side by over 1". I measured all the crossmember locations on the doner frame before I removed them. The passenger side measurement was about 1 1/8" longer than the drivers side. I placed the crossmember accordingly on my GMC frame, you just can see it the pic.

This pic shows the angle.

Cool, I thought it might be the picture angle. I just didn't want you to install it incorrectly, especially since you've done so much work to do your swap.

[CheyenneShop]

Hey Rob, I've always kinda wondered about this - just figured it was a track-bar thing? Is it?

[chevy88]

That bed looks amazing after sandblasting, I thought you would still be able to tell where you welded though. You know with this forum my build will be alot better that going solo. What a wealth of information on here to absorb.

[72Cheyenne454]

Hi all -

The big brown truck delivered some goodies. All ECE stuff... rear 6" lowering kit which includes coil springs, KYB shocks, u-bolts, super track bar and a shock relocator kit. The shock relocator kit was on back order but Jeff from ECE said I should have it late next week. I also ordered up some new spring cups/bolts, trailing arm bushings, trailing arm bolts and axle saddles/perches. My donor 12 bolt rear was from a leaf spring truck, so I'll need to install the correct axle perches to work with the trailing arm set up. Once the shock kit arrives, I should have everything I need to wrap up the rear end install.

I plan on installing exhaust cut-out/pass thru in the center crossmembers so I stopped by the local metal supply house to pick up some 4" OD pipe. I also picked up some 1/4" plate for the c-notch.

Should be a productive weekend.

Here's some pics -