1964 short step 292 "AZ Valley Cruiser"

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by Mjminino

Are you going to Por15 or powder coat your frame? I ended up por15ing

I plan to clean it all up, etch prime it and then paint it satin/semi-gloss black using implement paint from John Deere or NAPA. That's all that is needed out here. Additionally, this is a budget build intended to be a regular driver. Everything is happening either in my garage or in my side yard I have set up for doing this kind of work. I am planning on painting the truck at home as well.

[Mjminino]

Do you have any information on the aforementioned paint? I used por15 and it took half a quart (and was only 55$), 8 hrs, a pack of cigarettes and 12 beers to finish mine

[TJ's Chevy]

Yer gonna be spoiled in that thing! lol haha!

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by Mjminino

Do you have any information on the aforementioned paint? I used por15 and it took half a quart (and was only 55$), 8 hrs, a pack of cigarettes and 12 beers to finish mine

I used POR 15 on a 1969 Corvette restoration years back. I remember it taking 2 weeks to get it off my hands. I had that frame powder coated and used POR 15 in other critical steel substructure elements (bird cage).

[T.W.Dustin]

I have been thinking more on the transmission and have decided I may just bolt a 700-R4 behind the 292, I am worried that the 292 might just have too much low end torque for the S10 T5. This will also simplify things. I don't want to go down the T5 WC Frankenstein path.

[TJ's Chevy]

Could always throw in a camaro t5 or a richmond 5 as well. Real men use 3 pedals. HAHA! Just kidding now!

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Could always throw in a camaro t5 or a richmond 5 as well. Real men use 3 pedals. HAHA! Just kidding now!

Hey TJ, the Camaro T5 is the "World Class" or WC version and it will bolt right up (s10 requires an adapter for the input shaft which I do already have).

However, in order to get the shifter where I want it (more forward), I would have to swap in a tail shaft from the S10 onto the Camaro T5 or it would not fit with my stock bench seat which I plan to use. these are affectionately known as the T5 Frankenstein transmission in a number of threads on this forum detailing the swap.

I am not totally convinced I am going to use an automatic but I am leaning that way. We will see. I don't plan to drive the truck hard. I can't seem to find either transmission very cheap which I was hoping for as this is a budget build. I just have to keep looking. I have everything I need to do the T5 except the transmission itself and the clutch disk.

Tom

[TJ's Chevy]

Have you thought of an nv3500 or 4500 5 speed? They are truck trannys, but will give you the od.

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

Have you thought of an nv3500 or 4500 5 speed? They are truck trannys, but will give you the od.

I had not considered it to date, but perhaps I should. I am sure some other guys have done it. If it can bolt right up to my 292, or even better with my bellhousing and such without adapters and all it may be the right choice. What year trucks do these come out of? I really do prefer a 5 speed. I will do some searching since the search tool is back up and working

[T.W.Dustin]

After further review, the NV3500/4500 have integrated bellhousings and require changing to a hydraulic clutch. Have to think about that a bit. Anybody done this and happy with the results?

[T.W.Dustin]

Well after thinking it all through, and considering that I already have the adapter plate from Hamilton Intakes, I am looking for an 85-91 S10 T5 with a mechanical speedo. They are not as prevalent as I expected. Called a few junk yards and have been searching Craigslist and there isn't anything available yet. This should be easy but hasn't been.

[TJ's Chevy]

They are out there. Just make sure its the V6 version and not the 4 cylinder version.

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

They are out there. Just make sure its the V6 version and not the 4 cylinder version.

I have located a '91 5 speed from a 2WD 4.3L V6 S10. It is in SW CO where I have friends - I just need to grab it next time I am in the 4 corners area. $150 seemed very fair for a good working unit.

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by Mjminino

Are you going to Por15 or powder coat your frame? I ended up por15ing

After thinking more I decided to go the POR15 route and picked up a quart. If I need more I know where to get it locally now. If this thing ever ends up in a wetter climate it will be a good thing. Using the semi-gloss black. Doing the suspension and crossmember too.

[Mjminino]

Yeah i just got a bunch of parts that i need to 15, tie rod ends, pitman and idler arm, captian fabs ps bracket and his impala ss caliper brackets and a cardone ps box.

[T.W.Dustin]

Still working on the cab in the garage.
It's coming along nicely! I decided to the replace the "crushed" passenger side rocker entirely. Here is what I found underneath after a quick brush with the wire wheel. I guess I will POR15 all the inside stuff to avoid future rust. Pretty clean for 51 years!

[TJ's Chevy]

When I received my email notification and read "Look what I found under the rocker panal" I was hoping to see a pile of gold.

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by TJ's Chevy

When I received my email notification and read "Look what I found under the rocker panal" I was hoping to see a pile of gold.

Hey TJ, if it was all rusty it would be a pot o'gold to fix it so it is "gold" to me

[T.W.Dustin]

Well after a long hot summer I finally had a "under 100 degree" day to get something done. My son came for the weekend and we got a few hours on the truck today. The Suburban front suspension swap went exactly as advertised. All the mating areas were POR 15'd in advance. I have the Captain Fab brackets for the PS and still need to attach the sway bar, etc.. I will also be converting to 6 lug rotors that I have already sourced from Summit.

[T.W.Dustin]

I installed the PS box using the Captain Fab bracket. Well made bracket and no surprises during installation.

[TJ's Chevy]

Looks good.

[Stickman]

Just stumbled across your build. Yes it has been a long hot summer but it's starting to cool off a bit. Looks like your moving along and it looks great.

[T.W.Dustin]

Originally Posted by Stickman

Just stumbled across your build. Yes it has been a long hot summer but it's starting to cool off a bit. Looks like your moving along and it looks great.

Howdy neighbor!