Project Clementine- 1965 GMC 3/4 LWB Long and Low Static Drop

[B_Bob]

It's been a while, but I have some progress to report. I've almost got the front suspension back together. Ended up buying a press to get the ball joints in the lower control arms. Local shops wanted an arm and a leg to do 2 mins of work, so I just bought the damn press. Take that! New bushings installed all around and 2.5" drop spindles installed. I put an order in to Summit today for the drop springs, the bolt in notch and flip kit for the rear. After seeing Arky Hauler's GMC ( http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=609955 ), I went with the 5" flip kit and 2.5" drop springs. I don't want to be scraping belly constantly.

[B_Bob]

And for those interested, I've made progress on my "distraction" as well!

[B_Bob]

Got some good parts at the junk yard today. I'm lucky enough to be close to desert valley auto parts. You may have seen them on Discovery Channel's Desert Car Kings. I got a good passenger side inner fender, a air cleaner base, script valve covers, and a dual gauge holder thingy that I don't know why I bought, but I like it soooooo, Ya, and the piece de resistance.........a couple of great patina hood ornaments!

[B_Bob]

Got the bed off this weekend (by myself using only some 2x4s and a floor jack). Also removed the old split rim spare. The ride is terrible with no weight in the back. The plan was to get the c-notch in, swap the rear end, remove some of the leafs, and install the flip kit.

[B_Bob]

Unfortunately found some frame damage in the front. I'm not sure what to do about it. It appears to be only from the front crossmember forward, but I don't really want to do a bunch of work to a bent frame. I have a good lead on a 1965 SWB roller. The guy wants 1k for it though. Seems pretty steep, but I could put all my parts on it and then just swap the body and motor over. I'd also have to source a short bed, or have my long cut short. Any thoughts or advice would be very welcome.

[B_Bob]

Time for an update.

So, this project is going from long to short. I replaced the bent frame with a good, straight short bed frame.

[B_Bob]

Decided to fix up the bed and put it back on the truck while I work on the new frame.

After breaking off most of the bolts and nearly dying of heat stroke in the 110° Phoenix heat, the bed was finally ready for some plywood! That's right, I went el cheap-O, but I think it turned out pretty great.

Lots of measuring, cutting wheel wells out, hole drilling, 4 coats of black paint on the bottom and a generous coat of stain on the top.

(don't pay any attention to the boards being a tiny bit short ☺)

[B_Bob]

More hole drilling to put the strips on and about 100 bolts, washers, lock washers, and nuts. Believe it or not, I put the bed back on by myself with only a cherry picker to assist me. That took all afternoon and into the evening, but I got her back on.

[B_Bob]

All the bed bolts in, tail lights back in, and tailgate back on. I think for a plywood bed, it looks pretty darn good!

[jmack91z28]

So what are your plans with the new short wheel base frame?

Truck looks good as it is, I'd drive it that way.

[B_Bob]

I loned my best friend my ol farm truck for some engagement pictures. Thought you guys might like to see some of the pics.

[DexterDog]

Truck looks great!

[B_Bob]

Went out to The Get Down and got motivated to make some progress. Removed the '65 front end, and mocked up the '74 front end. Installed the wheel adapters and bolted up the steel beauties! Time to make a decision on the rear!

[B_Bob]

Got some more cutting done today. Looks like I made a decision on the suspension. So, not only is my project no longer long, it will also no longer be static.
I'm going with Porterbuilt stage 1 front and stage 2 basic rear. I may not put in air management yet, just used the bags as air springs, but it should also help me set the ride height the way I want it.

I got the shock crossmember out, and the bell housing crossmember out. I'll be using the Porterbuilt trans crossmember as well with my T5 trans. Next will be getting the dif out and rebuilt to 5 lug. The next decision will be to stay drum, or change to disk in the rear. I'm leaning toward disk.