Project - '69 4x4 named "Patches"

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by Gene

Nice build, I plan on hitting the Chickasha, OK swap meet next weekend and picking up my new bumper, grill setup and body mount kits. I sure will be happy when I can roll mine around my garage.

One question though, when you used the diffs from your 76, did you have to mve the spring mounts? I am using differentials from a 91 burb and am thinking the front will bolt right in, but the back is off by several inches, not to mention the shock mounts.

Thanks!

I didn't use the '76 axles after all and I don't remember why I didn't. I ended up using a set of axles out of a '72 Blazer that bolted right in of course.

Have you started a build thread for yours yet?

[Gene]

Originally Posted by sdailey

I didn't use the '76 axles after all and I don't remember why I didn't. I ended up using a set of axles out of a '72 Blazer that bolted right in of course.

Have you started a build thread for yours yet?

Yeah, not alot of pics yet(dial up hell) and progress is slow. I started out using a 2wd frame and was going to convert it to 4wd, but then found a good 4wd swb frame on craigslist perty cheap. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=352570

Originally Posted by msgross

all axles through the early 80's should bolt in.. not sure about newer but you can always cut them off and weld new perches on, that's what I did to my rear.. it was a 2WD posi 12-bolt..

Yep, thats what I am planning on doing, I have a 12 bolt and a dana 44that came with the frame that I can use the rear for a model. They are 3.07 or I would use them.

[sdailey]

Believe it or not I'm making a little progress. My replacement cab has a low hump floor, but I plan on running my 4spd manual tranny, so the floor had to be cut to make room for the high hump for my 4spd.

I took the high hump and placed it over the area that needed to be cut out and used spray paint around the edges to mark the bolt holes for a reference. I forgot to take pictures before I started so I didn't get the "before" shot of the floor area, but you should be able to get the idea of what needs to be done.

Painted the flange on the high hump to mark the bolt holes.



A little plasma action.



Finished results.




I finally got the cab loaded up and moved over to Alan's shop next door so I can start cutting out the rust before I take it to the sand blaster.



Stay tuned for more progress pictures.....

[msgross]

all axles through the early 80's should bolt in.. not sure about newer but you can always cut them off and weld new perches on, that's what I did to my rear.. it was a 2WD posi 12-bolt..

[msgross]

why not just take it to the blasters, then take care of any remaining cancer?

I did it that way and found a few surprises once it came back. I did open up the cowl area though so that he could blast it better.

[Rack Man]

Looking good Shannon....Little by little she's getting there...By the way thats some pretty handy plasma cutting you did there....straight & clean!


I agree w/Mike on taking it over to be blasted now before you do any of the rust repair....




RM

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by msgross

why not just take it to the blasters, then take care of any remaining cancer?

I did it that way and found a few surprises once it came back. I did open up the cowl area though so that he could blast it better.

Originally Posted by Rack Man

Looking good Shannon....Little by little she's getting there...By the way thats some pretty handy plasma cutting you did there....straight & clean!


I agree w/Mike on taking it over to be blasted now before you do any of the rust repair....


RM

Fellows I got a little ahead of myself in my last post. What I meant to say/type was that we're going to brace it up first, cut out the rusty areas (rockers, cab corners, floor pans) and then have it blasted. That way there are more open areas for the blaster to get to.

Thanks for looking out for me though.

[sdailey]

Got a little work done on the cab last night. Alan was already busy beating out dents when I showed up. (It's nice having a good neighbor.)



I started trying to remove the 40 year old caulk from the drip rail. Talking about a mess...



One of the problem areas on this cab was where the cowl flange is spot welded in the wiring gutter. That's where most of the rot is on the entire cab. Alan started out by drilling the spot welds and then using the air chisel to help remove the cowl panel. Sorry I didn't take before pics of the area in question.



In this picture you can see the remnants of the cowl panel flange that was spot welded inside the wire gutter. Over 3/4 of the cowl flange was rusted away. The plan is to remove the cowl panel from my original cab and use it on this cab.




At least the blaster will be able to blast this area now.

After the cowl was removed we scratched our heads for a little while and then we moved onto the cab corners and rockers.

Marking the cab corners.....



Drilling out the gazillion spot welds on the rockers....




By this time it was midnight and time to call it quits for the evening.

Stay tuned....

[sdailey]

On a side note, this is what I had to do for Alan to earn a spot in his garage.

[msgross]

"Just caulk it"

I know I drive a ford, but Alan has his work shirt on while he's touching a chevy....hmmm did lightning strike?

I've never seen a cowl ripped off, maybe I should have done the same..

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by msgross

I know I drive a ford, but Alan has his work shirt on while he's touching a chevy....hmmm did lightning strike?

We heard thunder, but realized it was just the air hammer.

[4dranch]

subscribed, nice work SD..

[sdailey]

Thanks David. Your truck is coming right along as well.

[greg65]

I've got to watch your build so it's my turn to subscribe.

[Old School Kid]

You are going to have one bada$$ truck! I bet we all wish we had neighbors like you two... Good luck with everything...

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by greg65

I've got to watch your build so it's my turn to subscribe.

Welcome aboard Greg. It was good meeting you last weekend. I'm good on the wheels we talked about, but if you still need these inner fenders just grab them the next time you're up this way.

Originally Posted by Old School Kid

You are going to have one bada$$ truck! I bet we all wish we had neighbors like you two... Good luck with everything...

Thanks Taylor. I'd be happy just to drive it around the yard at this point. When are you coming up with the new toy?

[msgross]

look for Tim Christian's booth at the show (if he's going). I know I ran into him there a few years ago.

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by msgross

look for Tim Christian's booth at the show (if he's going). I know I ran into him there a few years ago.

I've been in contact with Tim already getting my wish list in order. He's holding a few parts for me that I'm picking up while down there.

[1985-GMC]

Nice build, subscribed

[Hoods69BadBowTie]

Nice its defiantly coming along. Gonna to be super wicked when you get it all done. Keep up the good work man!!

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Nice build, subscribed

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

Nice its defiantly coming along. Gonna to be super wicked when you get it all done. Keep up the good work man!!

Thanks! It's been a long road, but it's coming together. I'm currently saving my pennies to get the cab sandblasted. I'm hoping to get it done before the end of the year.

[MrBeast]

I tell you what man, I really like to see how this thing is coming togeather, you really are taking it all the way.

When you are done you are going to have a truck that is nicer than any of the current offerings from detrioit, and probably a lot more reliable too.

I know, I drive a tow truck for a living

[sdailey]

Originally Posted by MrBeast

I tell you what man, I really like to see how this thing is coming togeather, you really are taking it all the way.

When you are done you are going to have a truck that is nicer than any of the current offerings from detrioit, and probably a lot more reliable too.

I know, I drive a tow truck for a living

Thanks for the compliment. It's been a great learning experience for me. The hardest part, besides paying for it all, is trying to stay focused and motivated without getting burnout and just giving up on it. I owe alot to the board and its members for the help that I've gotten over the past 2 years while working on my truck.

[MrBeast]

Originally Posted by sdailey

Thanks for the compliment. It's been a great learning experience for me. The hardest part, besides paying for it all, is trying to stay focused and motivated without getting burnout and just giving up on it. I owe alot to the board and its members for the help that I've gotten over the past 2 years while working on my truck.

Yeah, if you check the trucks for sale section there are plenty that many have given up on.

The nice thing for you is you have the chance to get it all right.

Also with the cowl all apart like that you can put por15 or some other kind of rust prevention on the inside and if done right you will probably never have to touch it ever again.

[ffp00ch214]

Wow incredible job keep it up.