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#1 |
Senior Member
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,483
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Re: Previous owner '68
Used the plasma cutter to cut Pacman out of the rear crossmember. Be looking for this on Facebook marketplace under "NOS 1968 Pacman - no lowballers, I know what I got"
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Last edited by raggedjim; 01-08-2024 at 09:34 PM. |
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#2 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
This had the added benefit of making a good place to run exhaust through in the future. I did finish the holes off by welding in some pieces of 4" pipe.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#3 |
Senior Member
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Re: Previous owner '68
I had to flip the frame to weld the bottom section of the cross-member exhaust pass throughs. Flipping the frame was fun and scary! While i had it flipped I cut it for a c-notch and painted the bottom. Should have taken more pics, but when I'm on a roll it's hard to remember.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#4 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
Then I flipped the frame (for the last time!) You'll notice that I removed the front cross-member, mostly to clean out the years of rust, grease, and mud.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#5 |
Senior Member
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
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Re: Previous owner '68
Now, I wanted to go five lug with this truck and I had the front cross-member from a '85 chevy truck that I decided to use. I know, I could have used the old cross-member and just used different balljoints and tierod ends but this is how I did it. If you are interested in the many different ways to do the drum to disc swap you should read this thread by lolife99. It says it all better than I ever could.
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=444815 It was filthy. And I ain't gonna kid you, getting those springs out was a bear.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#6 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
Some wire brushing, scrubbing, and painting with black hammerite got me to this point.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#7 |
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![]() Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: TN.
Posts: 8,154
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Re: Previous owner '68
Nice Work.
![]() Yes , Getting those front springs out without the help of the weight of the Truck is Fun. ![]() ![]()
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________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ 84 Chevy K-20 63 Impala (my high school car) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...Crew Cab Build |
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#8 |
Senior Member
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Re: Previous owner '68
And highly NOT recommended. In my case I didn't have a choice.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#9 |
Senior Member
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Re: Previous owner '68
Then I installed the cross-member. You can't really tell but I replaced the upper a-arm studs with grade 8 bolts due to damage on the stud threads. I also had to elongate the front side mounting holes to make the 85 cross-member work with the 68 frame. Other than that it went fairly easy.
December the 13th
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#10 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
A view from the rear with the the front cross-member installed. You'll notice I removed the small frame cross-member at the rear so I can get a blazer tank installed.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#11 |
Senior Member
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Re: Previous owner '68
Next I threw on a new set of upper a-arms I had laying around in my storage area. These are 73-87 style. My drop spindles are also the squarebody style and I will be using the '85 ball joints, tierod ends, idler arm, steering link, and pitman arm.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Last edited by raggedjim; 01-12-2024 at 12:53 PM. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: Previous owner '68
Moving quick, I like it!
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#13 |
Senior Member
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
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Re: Previous owner '68
Thanks Joey, but not really, I started this truck on November 8, 2023 and didn't start posting until January '24 (a few of the posts have dates in silver so I can keep a record for myself.)
I've been on the board for a while but had never started any build threads so I thought what the heck, I'll do it. There will come a point when I get caught up and the posts will slow down. And for the past 3 days I've had STREPTHROAT!
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: Previous owner '68
Well, that's still pretty quick by some standards
![]() I wish you were further north in Kentucky, I'd come visit and lend a hand if I got a free Saturday. My profile still says Colorado (will probably return) but I'm living an hour upriver from Louisville for a while, since this last spring. But Murray is WAY down there...
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#15 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
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Re: Previous owner '68
Quote:
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
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Re: Previous owner '68
I'm from the Ohio River valley originally, spent the last 20 years in Colorado. Came back to spend some time with my long-lost family... but my wife is from Durango, so I think we'll be back eventually. Gotta try different things out every decade or so.
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#17 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
You're right about that. My ex was from Colorado, I try to avoid it!
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#18 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: Previous owner '68
I've got one of those there too - happily, it's a BIG state
![]() Back to trucks!
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#19 |
Senior Member
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Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
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Re: Previous owner '68
I'm in for the build, what's the end plan?
Looks like you've got a great shop to do what ever
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#20 | |
Senior Member
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
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Re: Previous owner '68
Quote:
As far as plans, I have a general idea what I'm trying to achieve but I don't really try to plan everything in advance. The guidelines are mostly a clean, lowered, dependable truck. It will not be a show truck, but hopefully someone will see it and smile. I will be using an early 350 and automatic transmission. I am trying to rebuild as much as I can, part of me having projects is so I can learn and do. I also need to use up some of the years of accumulated truck parts I have somehow acquired over the years! So, in summary, 503 green, low, 350/350.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Last edited by raggedjim; 02-17-2024 at 10:19 AM. |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Durango, CO
Posts: 827
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Re: Previous owner '68
Roger, do you already have a 350/350 you're going to use? I ask because I'm considering a 383/700R4 swap and would have a 350/350 combo to move out if I pull the trigger.
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1972 K10 Cheyenne Super | LWB, fleetside | 350/350/205 | KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne | SWB, fleetside | LS Swap 5.3/4L60 | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 400/4-spd | SOLD 1976 Trans Am | 455/4-spd | TOTALED ![]() |
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#22 |
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
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Re: Previous owner '68
Well, yes, but... I'll pm you.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#23 |
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Location: Murray, Kentucky
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Re: Previous owner '68
I had a set of lower a-arms I bought off of the board from DA68 awhile back. Bolted them on with a set of 2.5" drop spindles.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#24 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
Then, because I get bored easily, I decided to remove one of the rear fenders so I could weld up some rust areas. Had to use a drill to drill out the heads of the screws. Weren't no fun at all.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#25 |
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Re: Previous owner '68
Finally got it off and the rust cut out and welded up.
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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