Project First Car '68 Shortbox Fleetside

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by 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.

Thanks for the kind words! I am sorry I can't really help you with the cross-member, but if I should happen to stumble upon one I will let you know.

[swamp rat]

Did you ever get the bushing problem ironed out?? If not give Off Road design's a call. they will need to know if your springs are stock, or whomever's lift kit you have.

[68_Shortbox]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Did you ever get the bushing problem ironed out?? If not give Off Road design's a call. they will need to know if your springs are stock, or whomever's lift kit you have.

Energy Suspension sent us all of the right outside diameter size bushings that we needed. The problem now is that the inside diameter of the shackle bushings are too big for the stock size bolts. Our options are to ream out the bushing (E.S. tech said that was a bad idea), grind down the sleeve, or find the right size old style shackle bolts that have the step down (which I need anyways and I can't find them). If anyone know where I can find the old style shackle bolts please let me know.

[68_Shortbox]

While we have it this far apart we decided to pull the rear axles and replace the axle seals. We also checked out the bearings and the surface that the bearings ride on. Both bearings roll smoothly and the riding surface on both of the axles look good.

[quadzero]

Originally Posted by 68_Shortbox

I thought I would also share another picture of Willie the guard cat.

This project is really coming along. Very impressed with your attention to details and bringing parts back to life. That is one handsome cat too, looks like he means business.

[68_Shortbox]

We are trying to beat the weather and get the cab and front clip swap done before we are buried in 4 ft. of snow. The front clip is pretty much ready to be pulled off of the white truck, and the cab is also kind of close to being ready. We pulled out the steering column (one piece) which turned out to be no simple task. When we were finally able to get one part of the column to clear the opening in the fire wall, another part would snag somewhere else. We still have to disconnect the A/C system and pull the seats, carpet, and disconnect any wiring that we may have missed. I also picked up a brand new set of the teardrop style roof marker lights from a thrift shop for $15.

[68_Shortbox]

We are almost ready to do the swap. We took out the seats and carpet, and unbolted the cab mounts. I also disconnected the fuel line from the tank and unhooked the tail light wiring harness. We still have to disconnect the oil gauge line, speedometer cable, and some other miscellaneous stuff that is hooked to the cab. So far its been really nice working on a truck that is from Nevada, we haven't had to use any air tools, power tools, or torches!

[68_Shortbox]

With the help of my dad, brother, neighbor, and some friends, we were able to get the cabs on the frames and the front clips all but installed. We hooked up the engine hoist to the cab the same as before by threading an eye bolt in each of the two seat belt holes and an eye bolt w/ a nut in each of the two front cab mount holes. It all went pretty smooth, the trickiest part was getting the cab off of the white truck because we kept running into things we forgot to disconnect.

[68_Shortbox]

Here is my truck with the new cab on it.

[68_Shortbox]

I figured it would be a good idea to paint the firewall behind the engine, before I bolted the cab back down. The color is '69 GM Dusk Blue. For whatever reason the camera is making the paint look dull.

[68_Shortbox]

I haven't really done much to it in a long time, but I did buy a house a few months back, and got it moved out of my folks garage and put into mine. I've slowly been gathering the loose parts and bringing them over too, so hopefully I'll start working on it again soon.

[68_Shortbox]

I got partially laid off from work indefinitely, I only work 2-3 days a week, so I figured I'd start making some progress on the truck. I figured I'd start stripping the firewall the rest of the way, and get it ready to paint. It's not much yet, but it's still better than having no progress at all. I still have to weld in some patches on the firewall too, I am just waiting to get the tools for that job.