Project "Sweet 16"

[skymangs]

Finally! here are the pics of the body bushing mounts. Son came back from camp today, so he helped me remove the cab. Didn't get to the motor mount trussing yet, Figured I'd better build the trans crossmember, then the engine can come out and go on the stand. Then I can use the hoist to flip the frame sideways to clean the bottom of the framerails.

We also mocked up the core support, modified it to bolt in at approx 20* angle, and cut the front framehorns.



On the Driveshaft... the 2wd shaft will work fine, it just needs to be cut and balanced. I am moving the crossmember (that supports the carrier bearing) back about 3 inches. Then removing the rear shaft, and taking it to KC to be cut and balanced.

On the Column. Michael and I talked tonight... Tilt is out, 67-72 GM truck column is the route we're gonna take, and the steering wheel above is approved by the future driver.

Till tomorrow...

[69CST-V]

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[mknittle]

I built my own from spare parts and some tubing.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=474288
Some people laughed when i said i was thinking about doing this project! funny they aren't laughing At my crazy ideas much now!

[mknittle]

Originally Posted by skymangs

Finally! here are the pics of the body bushing mounts. Son came back from camp today, so he helped me remove the cab. Didn't get to the motor mount trussing yet, Figured I'd better build the trans crossmember, then the engine can come out and go on the stand. Then I can use the hoist to flip the frame sideways to clean the bottom of the framerails.

We also mocked up the core support, modified it to bolt in at approx 20* angle, and cut the front framehorns.



On the Driveshaft... the 2wd shaft will work fine, it just needs to be cut and balanced. I am moving the crossmember (that supports the carrier bearing) back about 3 inches. Then removing the rear shaft, and taking it to KC to be cut and balanced.

On the Column. Michael and I talked tonight... Tilt is out, 67-72 GM truck column is the route we're gonna take, and the steering wheel above is approved by the future driver.

Till tomorrow...

They look good to me!!

[skymangs]

Originally Posted by mknittle

I built my own from spare parts and some tubing.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=474288
Some people laughed when i said i was thinking about doing this project! funny they aren't laughing At my crazy ideas much now!

I read that thread and was VERY impressed. Unfortunatly I don't have the skill, patience, or spare parts to undertake a project like that

Hoping to pick up the trans crossmember today, get it installed, pull the engine, split the trans, and roll the chassis on it's side tonight. We'll see.

[mknittle]

Maybe you can find a stock 70s tilt from a manual transmission truck or car.

[99 to Life]

As for the driveshaft, the 4x4 shaft worked perfect for me, with no cutting. I guess I should have stated that the 2x4 shaft would not just mount up.

[skymangs]

99, Thanks for the heads up. I'm using a TH350, shoved 2 inches back so I'll have to do some measuring to ensure that a 4x4 shaft will work. Having the current shaft cut/balanced only cost about $60, but requires driving to KC twice (50mi each way).

Mknittle, found my steering column today. 66 Chevy pickup, auto trans, non-tilt, with the cool clear shift indicator on top, and it's non keyed (ignition on the dash). Perfect.

I also located the brake pedal assembly, power steering pump, and nice side glass.

Shorty also had a Cool 51 COE (used to be a tow truck so it had a really short frame)... He's got quite a collection, at least 6 or 8 55-59's (one 57 GMC with a 347 Pontiac) and I counted 5 AD trucks, 7 or 8 67-72's, and 7 or 8 63-66's.... I know where to find parts now!

[xpickup]

skymangs, Looking good, It is always good finding parts to work out. It is a shame you are so far away or I could fix your drive shaft for you. It is an easy job. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

[skymangs]

Originally Posted by xpickup

skymangs, Looking good, It is always good finding parts to work out. It is a shame you are so far away or I could fix your drive shaft for you. It is an easy job. Keep up the great work.

Shannon

Shannon, been reading your thread for several months. Love the Burb! I could do the shaft, if I had a lathe, must make life a lot easier having the correct tools at your disposal. Thanks for the offer though. I think driving to PA would not pass the "Cost analysis" test.

[danheit]

Skyman, incredible work. I am a little frustrated with you now though, as you made me go out and rip off the body mounts I welded on my truck after seeing yours! I went the lazy route and just re-used the old ones that I cut off the 1500 truck, but now.....
Well let's just say I am heading to the metal supplier today.

[skymangs]

Danheit, thank you for the compliment. My welding still needs more practice... I wish I could lay those perfect beads that never need to be cleaned up!

Sorry about the cab mount cutting! Your build on a 454 1500 chassis is pretty sweet too, I'll be following it closely. I have future plans of building an A.D. Suburban 454 1 ton Dually on a newer chassis as well (need a new [old] tow pig soon!)

[skymangs]

So I opted against the fancy S10 V8 conversion mounts, thinking I can accomplish the same thing by re-using the existing 4.3 mounts. earlier I posted that I had removed the pedestals and bolted them on the motor mount (on the engine). Then positioned the motor where I wanted it. Then I tacked the mounts in place and pulled the motor to seam them. I wound up moving it 2.5" back, and had to build bracing around the backside. here's some pics of the mounts before.

[skymangs]

I used poster board to cut templates, and made 14ga. fillers

[skymangs]

here's the finished mount. I also picked up an 88-92 2wd fullsize pickup trans crossmember, and got that installed.

Next we use the hoist to flip the frame on it's side to clean up the underside, and some finishing underbelly welding.

[skymangs]

So, I picked up the steering column today. Paid a whopping $15 for it and pulled it myself. Came out of a 64-66 Chevy truck. It has the cool clear shift indicator on the column that my son wanted. I also found a complete rear heat/AC out of a 99 Tahoe for $100 that inlcudes the control panel, all hoses, compressor, and evap/heater core. I'm thinking I can mount this behind the seat, and take care of all the heating/cooling dutes without having lines and hoses running throughout the engine compartment.

[skymangs]

We got a LOT done today. Finished cleaning up the frame (on the bottom side), painted the middle section in chassis black, Re-mounted the engine/trans, Built a frameside bracket for the column shifter, cut the frame horns and capped them, re-located the rear crossmember, and finished cleaning up the back half of the frame. Front and rear suspension will both come apart for the drop kit, so we'll clean and paint those areas when we lower it.

[skymangs]

My two younger boys came out tonight to help as well. They started prepping the cab. Got all the firewall holes cleaned up in preparation for welding, they took apart all the interior stuff and started cleaning the firewall up. Felt good having all 3 of my boys out there working tonight. My wife even took a picture!

[skymangs]

Update to budget... total cost to date is $1110.00

Still have to find a box, running boards, and seats.

Purchase list is Wiring harness, radiator, cam and gasket set, Tahoe rear AC, drop spindles, and some ball joints/tie rod ends.

[mknittle]

lookin good! shuer is easier with help Man some times it takes me a long time to figure out how to get things done by myself.

[skymangs]

Sure is. I've been working solo all week, since Michael has been sick. Nice to have him back in the shop.

[99 to Life]

looking good, that would be so cool to build something with your kid, let alone all three. I'm having my fist in 5 months, I'm saving my first ever truck from ten years ago for my kid. It will need restored, hoping he or she would have the interest in working on it for their first ride.

I'd like to see this tahoe heat/ac unit. should be an interesting addition

[skymangs]

Awesome plan 99. I've been patiently waiting for 14 years to begin the "build a hot rod with each kid" plan. I'm grateful that it is working out (some duty assignments in the Army woudn't have afforded me the opportunity to do this). All the pieces have fallen together quite nicely.

On the Tahoe AC. Unit is 12 inches long, 8.5 inches deep, and 9 inches tall. Has it's own internal Evap and heater core. All electric control motors, and a nice three dial control panel that can be hidden anywhere. Seems like the perfect alternative to a $1000 aftermarket system.

[danheit]

Tahoe unit sounds great! You just going to run it as a floor cooler, or are you going to run hoses to the dash for vents (could run them through a custom center console up to the dash from under the front seats)? I am mighty interested in this as well. Got any pics? I assume a rear unit from an Expedition or Durango will work just as well....

[skymangs]

Danheit, no pics yet. I have agreed with the owner of my secret parts stash to purchase the Tahoe rear ac/heat. He's holding it for me. I still have to go pull the entire unit (probably next Friday). I have owned 2 Yukon/Suburbans, and have had this idea in the back of my mind for about 5 years. Looked and measured several of them over the years, just didn't have a project that needed one till now. If it works well with the pickup, It will be the standard for all my projects from now on.

The plan is to mount it behind the seat, still working out how to do the vents. Michael wants a bench seat (Tahoe second row so the seat buns flip up for storage) so there won't be a center console. I may look at running an insulated plastic tunnel under the floor to get to the dash. Not sure yet, still hemming and hawing.