1949 Chevy 3600 into a daily driver

[Coach529]

Spent a couple hours in the garage tonight getting the rear suspension squared away.

Decided to add some tubing to the outside of the frame and use the stock S-10 mounts. I could not find any external spring mounts locally and am not willing to wait. $10 in tubing and some 45 degree cuts and we are business.

I bolted the tubing to the frame using 1/2" bolts and will also weld it completely once done. I am also going to box the end of the tubing.Overkill probably......







I have tomorrow off of work.....so I am hoping to get this stuff finished and get the rear end prepped for install.

Got the word today that my Hurst Whitewalls shipped, and my Cragars will be here on Thursday!!

[Coach529]

Sneak peak of today's effort......




....now back to work!!

[Kabwe]

Nice job buddy. Keep up the good work.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Nice job buddy. Keep up the good work.

Thanks!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Damn, I'm on my work computer an I can't see the photos. They actually expect me to work! lol.

[Coach529]

Huge day and a half for Henry. Pretty pumped on what got done and how it all turned out.

Started out the day hauling some scrap metal in and picking up some 4" wide x 3/16" flat strap to make notches.



Working with some pretty primitive tools at home. 4-1/2" grinder and a skinny wheel used to score the flat strap and then bent to 45 degrees in the vice.



I made the notch 4" wide. Probably did not need to be that wide.......but this is my first one so I claim ignorance.

Bent.



Welded.



Next I lowered the truck into close to ride height and figured out where to place the notch. I had the center of the rear diff marked on the frame, so I centered it on that.

Frame is 4" tall, so I made sure with the notch it was never narrower than 2". I marked it and cut it with a skinny wheel.





I had thought about a pipe notch, which I am told is stronger. I strayed away from it because I did not have the ability to cut the frame in a circular pattern beside a big hole saw which did not sound fun.

Notch done.





After the notch was done the leaf springs were bolted up and the rear end was fastened into place. After I got everything buttoned up I quickly attached the temporary Blazer rims and dropped it onto the ground to check out ride height. Looks great. The temp rear wheels are about 1-1/2" shorter than what I will be running. I also need to come up with a permanent solution for the rear spring mounts. That will all come into play for final ride height.

Right now it is sitting with about the perfect amount of rake, in my opinion anyway. About 2-1/2" from front of running board to back of running board.



Problem #1. The driveshaft is about 1" too long. I will have to shorten it. I spoke with a couple local guys and sounds pretty easy.

Problem #2. The stock S-10 springs are very soft. I do not have any shocks mounted, but I can stand on the center of the frame and bounce and almost bottom the frame on the rear end. I weight about 175lbs. Not sure exactly what to do. Overload "helper" springs crossed my mind. Looks like they can be had for about $70.00, or just bite the bullet and install some helper bags which would come in handy for leveling the truck if I haul a load anyway.

Any advice??

The long awaited money shot. I had to roll it outside to get a decent shot of the stance. Still not a great photo....

[Katrina/10]

man, that is nice and low!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Not sure if I've missed a post but is that stance going to let you turn without the front tires rubbing the wheel wells?

Oh and PS: If you plan to carry occasional loads or tow I think the adjustability of bags or air shocks is what you want. Aren't there SOME stock vehicles that had factory bags you could find cheaply at a junk yard and adapt? My gitlfriend's old Mercedes S55 had height adjustability. Cadillacs? Lexus?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Not sure if I've missed a post but is that stance going to let you turn without the front tires rubbing the wheel wells?

Oh and PS: If you plan to carry occasional loads or tow I think the adjustability of bags or air shocks is what you want. Aren't there SOME stock vehicles that had factory bags you could find cheaply at a junk yard and adapt? My gitlfriend's old Mercedes S55 had height adjustability. Cadillacs? Lexus?
Posted via Mobile Device

The front wheel you see is a 9" rim (unknown offset) and a 235/75-15 tire and it hits after 1/2 travel. I will be running a 6" rim with 3.5" offset and a 215/75-15 and am praying it will not rub.



Yea some sort of air over leaf would be great. For now I could add air from a compressor, but eventually add an onboard compressor.

Bags can be bought cheap and mounts would be easy to make.

http://www.truckshop.com/product.php?productid=19531

[focusedontheprize]

Congrats Coach. Truck is looking real good.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

Congrats Coach. Truck is looking real good.

Thanks,

[NEWFISHER]

Looking good. I would get a set of rear lift bags from a 3/4 or 1 ton truck at the wrecking yard. Firestones or Airlift and adapt the brackets for your purpose. Parts stores sell the 1/4 line and use new brass ferules.

[Tx Firefighter]

Your front wheels look like generic truck rally wheels. If that's the case, your dealing with 8 inches of width and 4 inches of backspace.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Your front wheels look like generic truck rally wheels. If that's the case, your dealing with 8 inches of width and 4 inches of backspace.
Posted via Mobile Device

That is great to know.....thanks!

[Coach529]

Just tinkered in the garage last in between hauling kids to swimming and household chores.

Got the drive shaft shortened 1", welded back together and installed. Also did some more final welding on the front leaf spring mounts and started working on a punch list on what I have left to do.

Spring is coming.....gotta get this baby done.

My Cragars showed up, as well as my bullet lug nuts. Hopefully my tires show up today!!

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

My Cragars showed up, as well as my bullet lug nuts. Hopefully my tires show up today!!

Pic's or it didn't happen

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

Pic's or it didn't happen

Crappy cell phone pick, but a picture non the less.

[NEWFISHER]

2 or 3 coats of Pledge furniture wax on those baby's before you mount the tires and the road grime will literally fall right off. I used to do entire vehicles with 2-3 cans of Pledge here in the NW, but my arms are older now and rubbing it in for 4 hours sucks. The stuff works amazing, just keep it off the glass.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by NEWFISHER

2 or 3 coats of Pledge furniture wax on those baby's before you mount the tires and the road grime will literally fall right off. I used to do entire vehicles with 2-3 cans of Pledge here in the NW, but my arms are older now and rubbing it in for 4 hours sucks. The stuff works amazing, just keep it off the glass.

Never thought of that.........thanks!!

[dieselmec1993]

nice built love the truck and great work

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dieselmec1993

nice built love the truck and great work

Thanks!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Many years ago (20? 25?) I saw a Pantera owner at a car show wiping down his car with something out of a spray can that had duct tape wrapped around it. I asked what it was and he was very reluctant to say. I pestered him and he finally told me it was Behold furniture polish. According to him it was the only one with real bees wax in it. He would spray the rag, wait a few seconds for "the volatiles to evaporate" then wipe it. It looked like a million bucks. He said it didn't last long but nothing looked better while it lasted.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Coach529]

Headed to Walmart to buy some furniture polish.......

[NEWFISHER]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Headed to Walmart to buy some furniture polish.......

If you are after the satin look, it may be a little glossy for you. try it on Henry over the Patina and shoot some pics

[Coach529]