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

[OKGMC4]

And I've been thinking about brakes. I realized that I like the corvette brakes in my 56 gmc more than my dads 96 impala ss brakes. They are both four wheel disc and the rotors are similar in size. I know the SS is 500 lbs heavier but the biggest difference is in the calipers. Iron delco calipers don't beat the aluminum dual piston vette calipers. THEN I realized the brakes on the 69 are closer to the SS than they are to my 56. (Not to mention the 69 will most likely also weigh more as well. The c10 axle alone is a monster next to a Dana 36 independent rear) SOOO... I pulled the trigger on what I hope will rectify that situation. D52 front calipers and a complete rear disc kit from Wilwood. The Jeep stuff I had on the rear looks really light duty compared to the new stuff. The jeep rotors aren't even ventilated and the pad surface is half as big as the new rear pads.

[mcbassin]

Awesome brakes! Congrats!

[knomadd]

You should be happy with those brakes. I did the same setup on my 71 and I love them. They stop well and look good too!

[OKGMC4]

I saw a pic of a No Limit high mount rear sway bar and had an idea. It looks a lot like the left over rear sway bar from my 56 gmc. (I installed the 96 vette rear end but not the bar.) Ordered some rod ends and aluminum adjusting rods from Speedway and a set of Prothane bushings. I'll have to build some brackets on the lower control arms but I'm 90 percent sure this will work. The bar is 24mm which is 15/16" and hopefully that will complement my 1.25 bar on the front.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by knomadd

You should be happy with those brakes. I did the same setup on my 71 and I love them. They stop well and look good too!

Good to hear. I've never used Wilwood before and was hoping they are as good as all the magazine articles imply they are. Those are sometimes driven by the manufacturers advertising dollars. I remember the late 90's when the same magazines tried to convince me that a set of underdrive pullies would make my 305 firebird a race car. Lol

[OKGMC4]

Woke up at 1am. Read a book for a bit. Then the voices started. "Go in the garage" they said. "You'll die without a donut right this second" they said. "Would a llama or an alpaca look better in a speedo?" Not sure about the last two but I DID get the sway bar install done. Turned out great IMO. Now I have to go spend the rest of the day tiling a tub and laying down a new bathroom floor. If I can stay awake long enough.

[OKGMC4]

So yesterday was Spitfire day. Working on this off and on for over a year. All it took was a fresh engine, brakes, suspension, wiring, paint, weatherstripping, and unbent frame to get it going. But at least we know it's good to go now. The owner liked the color so much he copied me.

[OKGMC4]

Today's work has been more... shocking. I read a couple chassis setup books that said shocks should be as far out as possible and mounted vertically. Better balance and more damping ability. Since I'm lowered 6 inches mine were leaning pretty far. I almost bought the no limit kit but realized it needed to mount in the same place as my bed floor brackets. So I built my own using a set of 4th gen f body rear shocks.

[OKGMC4]

I'm going to install bear claw latches. Tired of slamming doors in the 56 and want the security of a double latch. Problem is that the stock door handles don't provide the right motion for unlatching. I also would like something modern to fit the theme. I'm going to try Mazda CX-9 door handles.

[OKGMC4]

Had to move and enlarge the finger cup behind the handle. Finally found a use for these u bends.

[OKGMC4]

..

[OKGMC4]

Almost there. May have to create a bulge at the front as well.

[OKGMC4]

Old

[OKGMC4]

New. Door handle works. Took me like two hours to bend up a rod that would fit and also actually work. Ever have a little part like that makes you feel REALLY stupid? Yeah. That. Me. (Sigh.)

[t300]

Love the handle metalwork, looks great! And can't wait to see how the shocks turn out, putting Bilsteins on (long ones) is definitely on my todo list.

[OKGMC4]

Old.

[OKGMC4]

New. Ended up really close to where the weatherstrip is. I think I can scoot everything back about 3/8 " and get better clearance. Otherwise I can shut the door easily and the handle works fine.

[mcbassin]

Very nice progress!

[Ol Blue K20]

Nice work. It's looking great.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Very nice progress!

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Nice work. It's looking great.

Thanks guys!

[OKGMC4]

Bought a radiator. I came very close to getting an Entropy but the Mishimoto is nearly $400 less and has a lifetime warranty. It may not be quite as good but I won't know till I get it running. Dug around in the parts store and came up with a set of hoses. The Gates 20931 lower hose is an S10 application and is no big deal. The upper is a combination of a 22526 and a 20801 with some trimming and a 1 1/4" hose splice. They are a bit more obscure as one is a northstar Caddy application and the other is for several older European import cars including Opal and Triumph. I think it looks better than the stock Silverado 5.3 hose. More out of the way and less clutter. I tried one, and I just couldn't quite bring myself to force the 1 1/4" end over the 1 1/2" radiator side. The hose just would not fit and it reminded me of when a healthy corn fed country girl squeezes into a pair of Wranglers two sizes too small to go square dancing on a Friday night. Anyhoo, the 20801 reduces the hose size properly and I could keep the tub of Vaseline stowed for future needs. I also have a 3 piece set of covers for the grille and radiator on order so I'll report on those when they arrive and get test fitted.

[OKGMC4]

Covers look good. Got them from Mod Shop Inc (on his ebay store). Overall very impressed with the quality. Also ordered several parts to start building an air intake last night. Coming along...

[OKGMC4]

It just occurred to me that my grill, core support, both fenders, both rockers, both bumpers, and tailgate are chinese reproduction parts. My hood, cab, doors, rear quarters, bed floor, and frame are GM originals. That's 9 import vs 8 American pieces. Does that mean I am officially building an import vehicle now?

[swamp rat]

You have been doing some amazing work!

[IRQVET]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

You have been doing some amazing work!

I was thinking the same. Its one thing for a professional mechanic/ fabricator to build something cool, but a regular guy DIY build is something to behold.