Previous owner '68

[raggedjim]

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"

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

Some wire brushing, scrubbing, and painting with black hammerite got me to this point.

[Getter-Done]

Nice Work.

Yes , Getting those front springs out without the help of the weight of the Truck is Fun.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Nice Work.

Yes , Getting those front springs out without the help of the weight of the Truck is Fun.

And highly NOT recommended. In my case I didn't have a choice.

[raggedjim]

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

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

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.

[joeydurango]

Moving quick, I like it!

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

Moving quick, I like it!

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!

[joeydurango]

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...

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

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...

I know, I'm closer to most Tennessee members than I am Kentucky members! You working there or going to college?

[joeydurango]

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.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

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.

You're right about that. My ex was from Colorado, I try to avoid it!

[joeydurango]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

My ex was from Colorado, I try to avoid it!

I've got one of those there too - happily, it's a BIG state

Back to trucks!

[jaros44sr]

I'm in for the build, what's the end plan?

Looks like you've got a great shop to do what ever

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

I'm in for the build, what's the end plan?

Looks like you've got a great shop to do what ever

Thanks, the shop was something I saved money for for the last 25 years and finally built now that I'm almost too old to enjoy it! I've always had a low tolerance for debt, but the truth is IF I had borrowed money to build it 25 years ago I would have it paid for by now and would have been using it for the last 25 years... It's a bitter pill to swallow!

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.

[joeydurango]

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.

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by joeydurango

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.

Well, yes, but... I'll pm you.

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

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.

[raggedjim]

Finally got it off and the rust cut out and welded up.