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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Project "49 No Buck$"
I figured I'd ask if anyone was interested in building something way on the cheap and still make something cool. I'm in So. Cal. so maybe my version is a little different from the rest of the country, but I figured I'd ask for input. I've been taking pics and keeping track of what I've spent and traded for (LOTS of trading!). Most people that use this site build their own stuff and I thought I'd kick in my 2 cents worth for a cheap little "work" truck project. This is what the truck looks like at the moment (bad phone pic as I haven't brought the chip in to download them from the camera) I see lots of VERY nice trucks in here and after a 3 1/2 year frame up on a bad nasty 72 'Camino I decided to do something quick AND cheap. I'll tell all if anyone is interested...
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#2 | |
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![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,285
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Quote:
For starters, what is the subframe out of? |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
1981 Malibu wagon with some $100 AIM s-10 spindles! CHEAP!!!
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#4 |
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![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,285
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
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#5 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Gulfport, Ms
Posts: 833
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
What are you asking? If people want to know about your build?
Last edited by 1sik52; 12-24-2008 at 04:33 PM. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
I'm in the Victorville area. I was asking if anybody wanted to make a down and dirty truck that rides great and sits cool, I'd tell what I know.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Here's a front view. The bumper and brackets are resting on some wood so I could see how it was going to look.
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#8 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Gulfport, Ms
Posts: 833
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Go ahead! Everyone loves info!
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Cactus Patch So. Az
Posts: 4,750
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
...........Looks finished too me!!
__________________
53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42 |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Ok... Here goes. I figured I'd start from the back and work my way forward. The wheels I used are Halibrand copies (15x10 & 15x6) I got on Ebay for a little more than $500. The tires are 275/60 & 205/60 for the right rake/look. I needed a narrowed rearend to make the tires fit, but this is where being cheap means being creative. An S-10 rearend would work, but is 1 1/2" too narrow for a wheel/tire with 4 1/2" of total backspace. So I scored a rearend with a plan. Look at the numbers on the glovebox to find out the ratio. I found one with the GU6 code (3:42) with the numbers G80 after (POSI) for next to nothing at our local Pick & Pull. I again went to Ebay for some 1/2" racing wheel studs (around 2 1/4 long about $30) and a set of 3/4" wheel spacers ($35 for the pair). I knocked out the studs with a hammer. Tapped the existing holes (KEEP THEM STRAIGHT) with a 1/2"x20 tap, removed the wheel cylinder (took out the 2 bolts and pulled it back) and screwed in the studs from the back (use washers and some red lock-tite). Now I have my poor mans narrowed rear w/posi and never removed the axles! Here's what it looks like from the inside. Since this is on the cheap, I'll share my mini tub plan as it goes together.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
As far as the rear suspension I kind of went against my cheap plan, but the deal was too good to pass up. I scored a brand new TCI rear lowered spring kit in the local paper for $300. I know it kind of backfires my plan, but it's $500 new, so what's a guy to do? I mounted the kit w/3" lowering blocks (I scored from a 4x4 friend for free) to get my basic setup. Figured I'd get it rough and if it was too low, I could always go to a 2" block. So here's how it looked mocked up in place. Now I'm digging it!
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Now on to the front! Here's clip I started with after scraping and steam cleaning it. Got it for nothing and it's same suspension stuff as the S-10, so I scored some cheapie 2" drop spindles.
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oak Forest, Ill.
Posts: 194
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
More build pics-----Me Like
Jeff |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
I went with the 81 Malibu front suspension for 2 reasons: it was cheap and was 3/4" narrower track width than a Camaro so the wheels would be a little more inboard. Now came the tricky part. The biggest thing on doing a clip is getting the wheelbase the same as stock. after rolling it into the middle of the garage, I put my wheels on the front of the stock axle (was easy because it was already 5 lug). I nailed a set of 2x4's in front and back of the rear wheels so they couldn't move. Next, I slid a 6' piece of 2x2" square tubing against the front and back of the front tires. Taking a black marker I put lines on the concrete to give me a reference point of where my front wheels needed to be. After cutting off the spring perches, we slid the front sheetmetal back on (left the hood in place) and lowered the jack to see where I wanted it at ride height.
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Corona, California
Posts: 7,998
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
![]() Nice looking build Brad. Everyone here likes pics. Kim |
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#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: apple valley, ca
Posts: 2,670
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
I have personally been involved in this project since the beginning when we went down to Yucaipa, California with a rickety trailer and brought it home. Lots of projects claim to be lo-buck, but I can vouch for everything he has done with little or no money. And I thought I was a cheapskate! This is going to be a cool ride that is going to get the wheels driven off of it.
Maybe it'll motivate me to get my '55 on the road! |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: tacoma wa.
Posts: 1,037
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
cool project! keep those pic's coming and blow by blow tech.
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Central Coast, CA.
Posts: 1,202
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
With as much $ as I have invested in my '54 (and it's still not finished/driveable), I really like this "Lo-buck" approach and have thought of starting another truck with this in mind to get another DD on the road. Keep up the good work!
__________________
Mom's 1954 (TBI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10) 5 Chevrolet window 3/4 ton long bed Pick up build thread ->http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=228674 My 1954 (TPI 5.7/700R4/10 bolt 3:73) Chevrolet 5 window 1/2 ton short bed Pick up build thread->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&goto=newpost 1960 (400/T350/?) Apache 10 short/fleet side-big window 1973 (TPI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10 w DANA 60 front) Chevrolet Cheyenne 4X4 2013 (Vortec 5.3/6-speed 6L90 automatic) Sierra LT CREW CAB Doing my part to warm the globe ![]() |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Cornelius, North Carolina
Posts: 59
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
MY KINDA BUILD!!!!!!!
Great looking truck TOO ![]() ![]() |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: tacoma wa.
Posts: 1,037
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
looks like the 78' malibu i have sitting is going to become the "low buck build" victim for my 54' burb! do they still call it "victimville"?
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Ok, I'm back! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and yes, it's still victimville! Now where I left off. After the truck is resting on the steel uprights on the front (firewall area) and back of the frame, I made a jig to make my front frame stubs.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
The subframe was cut right at the lower a-arm bracket, which was about 12" back from the wheel center. Now we cut the truck frame the same distance back (use your marks you made on the concrete with the 2" square tubing to set your wheelbase length)
![]() Last edited by kustombrad; 12-30-2008 at 12:47 PM. Reason: fix tech |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Now I put the wheels on the clip and rolled it into tho hole. I layed my 2" tube behind the tires and put it on the back mark. I then rolled the clip up to where the tires hit (now it's the exact same as stock wheelbase!) and squared it up. Notice the blue circle around the bolt, that hole is the same on both sides and it was the same distance from the rear leaf spring (front hanger pivot) on both sides. I put a bolt in the hole and used that for all my cross measuring. Once I decided it was as even as I could get it, we welded a bunch of little pieces inside before we started fish plating it.
![]() ![]() Last edited by kustombrad; 01-20-2009 at 03:42 PM. Reason: fix tech |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Here is finished welding on both sides.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 452
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Re: Project "49 No Buck$"
Now moving to the front of the truck, I cut off 8 1/2" of the front stub.
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