Mr Green Jeans - the 69 (or not) chevy, er gmc, project

[regan wilson]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Welded up a frame from square tubing. Cut and router some wood. One coat of conditioner, two coats of stain, and 3 coats of urethane clear. There's some dust in the clear that I wanted to sand and buff but ran out of time. He plans to have it in the Starbird show in a couple days.

I really like that bed cover. Could you build a multi piece one that would be easily removeable and work around roll cage struts?

[SuperBuickGuy]

really cool build.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by regan wilson

I really like that bed cover. Could you build a multi piece one that would be easily removeable and work around roll cage struts?

I bet with enough time it could be done. Making it multi piece would be the easy part, EASILY REMOVABLE would be the trick. Steel and wood could make for some weight. The one I did on the 56 that is on a hinge is a little heavy to lift up when it's time to fill the gas tank. That's why the one I did on the 59 is solid mounted and the fuel fill goes through the floor.

[OKGMC4]

Since I chopped the roof the glass is now too tall and also too narrow, since I plan on flush mounting the glass. So I'm building the window frame to fit a stock windshield. Ill also reskin the pillars since they have an indent for the now deleted rubber seal.

[OKGMC4]

More done outside. I'll still need to rework the inside to hide the lip that holds the glass.

[OKGMC4]

I got the pillar covers made and welded in. Still have to put in a cover for the lip on top and need to start mounting the dash.

[OKGMC4]

Something I'm thinking about...I want this truck to be as modern as can be. That's why I want the LS engine, disc brakes, flush mounted glass, etc. when was the last time you saw a new car with sealed beam headlights? Considering a set of projector headlights from Dapper Lighting. Any thoughts?

[GR8-68]

This is a awesome build, following along for this one. Nice work

[knomadd]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Something I'm thinking about...I want this truck to be as modern as can be. That's why I want the LS engine, disc brakes, flush mounted glass, etc. when was the last time you saw a new car with sealed beam headlights? Considering a set of projector headlights from Dapper Lighting. Any thoughts?

I bought a set for mine. Haven't installed them yet as I'm in the process of an LS swap myself. Looks like a good product though.

[JustToxic]

Some beautiful fab work going on here. I'm going to start following from here.

[OKGMC4]

I'm getting the distinct feeling that I will end up doing everything on this truck twice. Because I upgraded from a 5.3 to a 6.0 and also because of the Dakota rack I installed, I was having trouble routing the steering shaft from the inside of the frame and could also use a slightly bigger header and exhaust. Doug Thorley headers fit nice but hang way over the frame rail. I bought a set of Doug's headers part # D314 that tuck tighter, have a larger primary, and will upgrade me from 2.5" pipe to 3".

[OKGMC4]

The bad news...they are for 73-87 trucks. With 67-72 V8 mounts in the front holes I needed to move the engine back as the #1 primary hits the bracket. After the fact I realized that I may have been able to use slider plates on the block rather than the solid adapter plates I had BUT I reasoned that if they fit 73-87 I can switch to 73-87 motor mounts and slider plates and it should fit. I was correct in that assumption. Before...

[OKGMC4]

After...

[OKGMC4]

Moving the engine back changes how the engine covers fit at the firewall.

[riddinlow99]

great looking build looking forward to what else you will do to it.

[webberjames95]

wild

[OKGMC4]

also had to install a high hump. I guess installing the 73-87 motor mounts may have raised the front of the engine, or I just plain screwed up and had the trans at the wrong angle. Either way I had to raise the trans to get back to 3 degrees and it hit the floor. Seems OK now and I've started building the exhaust and planning the new trans cross member.

[OKGMC4]

Rebuilding exhaust. This time with an H instead of an X.

[OKGMC4]

Cut and modified crossmember to fit exhaust.

[NewType72]

Damn, big time bummer with having to sand down the degree on your covers, but they sure do look great at least! Those headers fit awesome too!

[OKGMC4]

I got the shaft today. The driveshaft. Wh..what were you thinking? You've a bit of a potty brain haven't you? As it turns out I also had to install a POL drop crossmember because I have 6" drop springs and the driveshaft was going to hit. I can only get 6 of 8 bolts in but will drill "clearance" them when the body gets raised.

[knomadd]

I had the same issue with my POL crossmember. Haven't opened them up yet though. What diameter driveshaft are you running?

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by knomadd

I had the same issue with my POL crossmember. Haven't opened them up yet though. What diameter driveshaft are you running?

I didn't verify but the driveshaft shop guy said 3.5". He asked how much power I was going to make because he thought the 1350 joints were overkill. I told him 475 to 500 crank hp and he said this should be good. My 56 GMC with a stock 5.3L is running a much smaller shaft, but I just had a 70 chevelle shaft (that I already had) cut down to fit.

[knomadd]

Thanks. I think I'm going to end up with the same size driveshaft. Was hoping to run a 4" aluminum shaft, but I don't think it's going to fit.

[OKGMC4]

More exhaust progress. Hope those custom Spintech mufflers sound as good as they look. In retrospect I should have done the exhaust through the frame in a 45 instead of 90 degree bends. Not going to change it now though.