Project First Car '68 Shortbox Fleetside

[68_Shortbox]

We got the transmission installed the other night. We are replacing the gaskets that are leaking and then I will paint it. I plan on painting the transmission cast iron gray and the covers that are on the sides either silver or black. I will hopefully have some more pictures in the next few days.

[68_Shortbox]

I got the transmission primed and painted tonight and I am pleased with the way it turned out. I am up for suggestions on what color I should paint the covers that go on the sides. I am leaning towards either black or silver.

[72LSK10]

Nice build, love the color of the tranny.

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by 72LSK10

Nice build, love the color of the tranny.

Thanks! I was going to paint both the adapter and the transmission aluminum silver but I am really happy with the cast gray. The transfer case is going to be Chevy engine orange.

[68_Shortbox]

The transfer case is installed and painted. We still have to replace the gaskets for all of the covers on the transfer case. I will also clean the paint off of the aluminum covers and shine them up a little bit. I also got the covers for the transmission painted. We took the rear brake drums off and the shoes don't look that good especially the passenger side (see picture). After we finish the transfer case the plan is to redo the rear brakes, put in new leaf spring bushings, and paint the axles and the rest of the frame. I also picked up a Holley 1850 on craigslist for a pretty decent price. The Holley needs a rebuild but I want to wait to do that once we get some of the other stuff done.

[68_Shortbox]

The transfer case is all sealed up and looking new again!

[68_Shortbox]

We got the rear axle dropped and the driver side leaf spring off and are working on getting the other side off. It took a sawzall, hacksaw, cutoff wheel, and a chisel to cut the old bolts off. I am hoping to get the firewall painted before we put the cab on and have been looking at paint colors. I am leaning towards going with lemans blue, fathom blue, or dark blue poly so that way I wouldn't have to recover my seats. I thought I would also share another picture of Willie the guard cat.

[68_Shortbox]

We finally had a stretch of good weather so I decided to paint my alternator. We also got the passenger side rear leaf spring and shackle off. I have been cleaning up the rear axle and the rest of the frame trying to get it ready to paint. Hopefully I can get the rest of the frame painted soon so we can start putting the truck back together.

[MyDad'sTruck]

COOL. Please tell me: what tranny was in it, what Tcase was in it? And what Tcase are your putting in it and what is that front end with discs from!??? Thanks!

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by MyDad'sTruck

COOL. Please tell me: what tranny was in it, what Tcase was in it? And what Tcase are your putting in it and what is that front end with discs from!??? Thanks!

It currently has a Muncie SM465 4-speed and a NP205 transfer-case. I believe from the factory it would of had a Rockwell T-221 transfer-case and the SM465 4-speed. The axles are out of a '72 K10 Suburban and are supposed to be 3.07's. The previous owner did the transfer-case and axle swap.

[68_Shortbox]

I painted the frame, axle, and rear leaf springs last night with Chassis Saver. I will wait a day or two and then sand everything a little bit to smooth out the finish the best that I can and then I will top coat it with Eastwood Extreme Chassis Black aerosol paint.

[68_Shortbox]

I got the axle, frame, and leaf springs top coated last night. I sanded everything with 400 grit before I sprayed it. I still have to paint the differential cover and some misc. parts and then we should be able to start assembling everything.

[68_Shortbox]

We drilled the holes for the cross-members and decided it might be easier if we put the exhaust in now while the cross-members are still out. So with that being said I painted the exhaust and should be able to install it tomorrow and then we can get the cross-members back in.

[68_Shortbox]

I put new rear leaf spring and shackle bushings in and bolted it all together. I used the polyurethane w/graphite kit from Energy Suspension. Four of the sleeves were too short so they had to send me longer ones to get the kit to fit. I also ordered their kit for the front and that is way out of whack. The entire front kit is not even close to being right. They sent us what they could to make it work and it still isn't right. I will give more details about the front kit once we start redoing the springs if anyone is interested.

[68_Shortbox]

The rear axle is bolted back in place now. I bought new u bolts and I painted the differential cover and the u bolt mounting plates with Eastwood's detail gray.

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by MyDad'sTruck

COOL. Please tell me: what tranny was in it, what Tcase was in it? And what Tcase are your putting in it and what is that front end with discs from!??? Thanks!

Originally Posted by 68_Shortbox

It currently has a Muncie SM465 4-speed and a NP205 transfer-case. I believe from the factory it would of had a Rockwell T-221 transfer-case and the SM465 4-speed. The axles are out of a '72 K10 Suburban and are supposed to be 3.07's. The previous owner did the transfer-case and axle swap.

When I pulled the rear end cover off I checked the numbers on the gears to find out they are '73 3.07's. That led me to look at the front and rear axle housings and it turns out they are '73 axles. When I bought the truck the p.o. said he pulled them from a '72 Suburban.

[swamp rat]

Lookin good!

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Lookin good!

Thanks Swamp Rat! Its taking longer than it should but we are trying to at least get the cab swap done before the snow starts flying. Knowing Minnesota it could snow tomorrow haha!

[swamp rat]

At least you have a garage to work in!

[68_Shortbox]

I cleaned and painted the drivers side drum the other day and then we put in new shoes and a spring kit. After it was all together we noticed that the parking brake lever was missing so we will have to take it apart again and find one to put in it. While we are searching for a lever we decided to start doing the passenger side. So far we got the passenger side apart and I painted the backing plate. I also got a pretty good deal on a set of slots a few weeks ago. The tires are shot but I have a set of 265/75's to put on them. I cleaned up two of the wheels so far and they appear to be in pretty good shape.

[rgunlock]

Nice build you and your dad are doing. A lot of attention to the details, many of them only you and your dad will even know about.

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Nice build you and your dad are doing. A lot of attention to the details, many of them only you and your dad will even know about.

Thank you! I know most people won't even see any of it but I might as well clean and paint everything while we have it apart. Plus it should be a bit easier to take it apart if we ever have to again.

[Ol'Rover]

I am impressed, this thing is going to be cool when its done! keep up the good work!

ps. I like that idea with the engine hoist to lift the cab!

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by Ol'Rover

I am impressed, this thing is going to be cool when its done! keep up the good work!

ps. I like that idea with the engine hoist to lift the cab!

Thanks Ol'Rover! The engine hoist definitely made the job easier on our backs!

[bhammer]

Hey! Nice looking rebuild! I see you reused the original engine/motor mount crossmember. I am looking for one, the PO on my truck took it out to install a big ass 455 in the truck and I want to put am original 350 in it and have been having a hell of a time finding an original replacement. I sent you a PM but that we before I saw you had reused the original, sorry.