Yet another GMC build

[OKGMC4]

It's rigid because of the spring, I think. When I jump on it now it bouces just like the front. Before I shaved the springs my extra 215lbs made no real difference and the tires were trying to bounce! Even Newman Car Creations recommends the factory mono spring and they do hundreds of these conversions. I think some companies suggest coil overs because they can make a bigger sale that way.

['58Patch]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

It's rigid because of the spring, I think. When I jump on it now it bouces just like the front. Before I shaved the springs my extra 215lbs made no real difference and the tires were trying to bounce! Even Newman Car Creations recommends the factory mono spring and they do hundreds of these conversions. I think some companies suggest coil overs because they can make a bigger sale that way.

Ok, thats cool it bounces correctly now
Yeah, I kinda got the feel that the companies are trying to make a sale, but I remember reading it somewhere else too. It's good to know that shaving the springs helps out. I will definitely keep it in mind as it saves $$$. I checked out Newman's stuff...holy faq, they are $$$!

[OKGMC4]

Started putting the fuel door for the side fill tank in. Taillight bucket 90 percent done. Still alot of work to finish this fender.

Started working on/ cleaning the passenger door. It's shot on the bottom and I thought it was better. Can't go riding around jeep style with no door so I ordered the inner patch panel from LMC.

[JML55]

Very nice, i like your fab work and you have very cool ideas.

[Kabwe]

Looking real good man, you have a very nice build going on.

[rawraw67]

very nice build.like the front and rear vet Suspension.what is the gas door from ?

[OKGMC4]

The filler door is from a 91 Dodge Ramcharger. It was free so I don't feel too bad about using MOPAR in a GM.

[hotrod1]

Beautiful work! Keep it up. It is an inspiration to all us newbies out there.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Got one taillight bucket mounted. I almost chose 50 pontiac lights because of the shared heritage of GMC and pontiac engines. I got 48 ford lights instead because they look like stock suburban lights turned sideways. I wanted them higher than stock for more visibility and I am so tired of frenched this and that that I actually brought them out of the fender.

looks like they were there from the factory.

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

What I've been working on for the last couple weeks. Fiberglass is easy but time consuming. I just didn't want to package a cone filter in the corner, I can use that space for other things. But we do have tons of hood clearance and I'm still considering making a fiberglass scoop assembly to attach to the hood that would direct air from the GMC hood hole to the air cleaner. My two favorite cars are the 69 Judge ram air and the 98-02 ram air Trans Ams so it makes sense, but would mean a ton more work for me.

Nice Build!!!

What air intake is that???

[OKGMC4]

The airbox and mounting bracket I made with fiberglass and 1/2" square tubing. The two rubber elbows came from PepBoys. The air filter is the K&N I took out of my Ram. I have Dodge seats, a Dodge fuel door, and a Dodge air filter...maybe I should paint it Plum Crazy purple!

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

The airbox and mounting bracket I made with fiberglass and 1/2" square tubing. The two rubber elbows came from PepBoys. The air filter is the K&N I took out of my Ram. I have Dodge seats, a Dodge fuel door, and a Dodge air filter...maybe I should paint it Plum Crazy purple!

for the Plum Crazy Purple....What are the dimensions of that box???? And how did you make your mold???

Wood, cardboard???? It looks really cool.....and different. I also like JML55's intake setup. Options, options.....options.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

for the Plum Crazy Purple....What are the dimensions of that box???? And how did you make your mold???

Wood, cardboard???? It looks really cool.....and different. I also like JML55's intake setup. Options, options.....options.

I used a cardboard box. I forget the dimensions and I'm at work right now but it had to be tall enough to accept the MAF sensor. It's 3.5" on the inlet side so any 4" box would work. The other two dimensions are only limited by the air filter you choose. I would have used a smaller box if the filter had been smaller. I'd say going any bigger than an 06 Hemi Ram filter would be overkill. It's pretty big. I wrapped the box in saran wrap and glassed it a couple times on each side. I pulled the box out when I cut the filter hole. With a 2 hour set up time between flipping it over with 2 layers on each side you can do the math and see it is time consuming. For the lid I used a piece of 1/2" plywood. I had to use a router on the bottom side to make it sit over the filter and the depth of the cut is critical for sealing. The lid actually needs to compress the rubber seal about 1/8". I soaked the wood with a coat of fiberglass resin to seal it and both parts got a skim coat of bondo to smooth them out. For the countersunk bolts to attach I tried a couple different things and the only one that worked was to weld a 1/4-20 nut to a fender washer and gorilla glue it on the inside of the box. Hope that helps some.

[ambryatim]

^^^Sure did!!!
I have plenty of cardboard boxes around, I think I might just see what would be close. Again, Nice build.

And thanks for the info.

[Trucknut57]

Just got done reading your build progress, I have to say, great looking build and can't wait to see it out running around our pot hole riddled streets.

I am looking at putting in a 5.3l and the 6 speed auto into my 57 and would like to know how you did it. Is there any way I can come and look at the install or can you send me some pics of the mounts?



Thanks,
Wess

[OKGMC4]

Either way, but I think my install is a little different than most. I have to say the Vette suspension messes everything up. The way the rack and pinion sits dictates how the engine has to sit in there. The K member is flat rather than V shaped and that hurts too. Mine is higher than most because of that. I made adapter plates (from cardboard templates) that old style small block engine mounts bolt to and then the assembly bolts to the engine. They are dropped onto homemade pedestals that come up from the K member rather than in from the sides, and it's 1.5 inches towards the pass side to clear the steering shaft. My trans member is an old camaro cross member cut down with angle welded on the ends. My trans is REALLY close to the floor at the firewall and I'm not sure but I think the 6 gear auto is bigger? Let me know if you need more pics or from a certain angle.

I'm so jealous, yours looks so good and it's about the exact color I want! I'm going too slow and the color stage is so far away...

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by Trucknut57

Just got done reading your build progress, I have to say, great looking build and can't wait to see it out running around our pot hole riddled streets.

I am looking at putting in a 5.3l and the 6 speed auto into my 57 and would like to know how you did it. Is there any way I can come and look at the install or can you send me some pics of the mounts?



Thanks,
Wess

Just noticed the good looking 70-73 Camaro on the side. I started a 70 with a rotted body and ended up using all the good mechanical stuff to finish a 79 TA. Sometimes still wish I had that car, and yes I have a thing for blue.

[Trucknut57]

I've had this truck for over 20 years and I looks great from 10ft, but I do use it as a work truck. Thats why I am looking into the 5.3l swap, better mpg and rated @ 320hp stock.

It currently has a 350/350 offset 1.5" to the passenger side because of the volarie front suspension and it also has a 70's camaro rear with 2.73 gears. The color is a PPG called Twilight.

The Camaro is a 72 and I built it for the wife but she won't drive it because it doesn't have any a/c in it as of yet, her loss my gain.

Here is a couple of more pics that have both.

[OKGMC4]

I hope this info helps someone with their LSX swap...I made several trips to the parts store looking for radiator hoses and this is what I came up with. I found a Gates 21710 hose to work on the lower if the end with the 90 degree turn is cut off. It's a lower hose for a 88-90 350 pickup. The upper was a problem. I couldn't find a good replacement for this BUT I ended up killing two birds with one stone. The 5.3l outlet is 1 1/4 and the rad is 1.5" I also needed to plumb in the steam line at the front of the intake, so I had a reducer adapter made and tapped it for a barbed fitting. I reused the 90 degree I cut off the lower hose and bought a 20661 hose to finish the circuit. It shows to be a lower hose for a 90-93 Miata. I have seen these hose adapters offered from Autometer and from JTR (Jags that Run, guys famous for their small block into anything swap parts). I know I could have used flex hose but I like parts that can be had in any parts house so it's easier to find later down the road.

[JML55]

Good info, thanks

[OKGMC4]

Got a killer electric fan for $20. I posted all the info under "Yet another cheap electric fan" on the regular board. Very happy about the fit and the price!

[Panelman55]

I wanted to do a C4 ifs in my 55 panel truck. How much trouble was it to do? Did it require any frame mods? Everyone I talked to about it says you have to up size the rims 15" will not fit!!! Give me all the info you can "Please" before I waste\spend the money. Thanks in advance.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Got a killer electric fan for $20. I posted all the info under "Yet another cheap electric fan" on the regular board. Very happy about the fit and the price!

Is this a new or a used fan and schroud?

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by Panelman55

I wanted to do a C4 ifs in my 55 panel truck. How much trouble was it to do? Did it require any frame mods? Everyone I talked to about it says you have to up size the rims 15" will not fit!!! Give me all the info you can "Please" before I waste\spend the money. Thanks in advance.

1984-87 Corvette suspension has 11" rotors, single piston callipers. 15" Aluminum wheels can be used, as a minimum.

1988-96 Corvette , 12" brake suspension has 12"-12 1/4" rotors, dual piston calipers. 16" Aluminum wheels can be used, as a minimum.

1988-96 Corvette , 13" brake suspension has 12 3/4"-13" rotors, dual piston calipers. Back cut 17" Aluminum wheels, as a minimum.

I used the stock K member and all I did was notch the bottom of the frame until the K member fit in from the bottom. I had to check, recheck, and recheck the ride height and levelness of the k memeber front to rear and side to side. The member is flat, and at ride height the A arms are almost level and paralel so this easy but time consuming. I had to build a pair of adjustable stands to hold it all up off the ground while checking and rechecking EVERYTHING. The only thing I did that I wish I did differently was the frame notch for the sway bar and rack. I went way too big and I could've done a smaller notch if I had built new sway bar links and routed under the tie rods rather than over. That's why I reused the brace that comes off the K member and ties into the front frame horns. It should add a little more strength.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Is this a new or a used fan and schroud?

It's a junkyard fan. These Mark VIII / Tbird fans are popular because they are super powerful and cheaper than most aftermarket fans. And the fit is just crazy easy!