1972 c30 pro/street

[Flikkie1972]

Hi all!! Im new here and finally starting my project!! I have a 1972 c30 its got a 350/400 in it at the moment but.....a big block is being built right now to go in and ill be pulling the 400 out to rebuild it! Im aiming at 800 ponies and was wondering a few things such as: if i will be at the local strip once and a while could i use a 4 link with air ride or should i put coilovers back there and how can i lighten the front end without putting any fiberglass up there!! O ya and how do i post pics on here?

[hugger6933]

There is section called haulin hay if you look down at the bottom rh corner of the page. There would be a lot of help in there. That is where the drag race guys mainly hang out. I hang out here and in the body shop section[paint and body] so welcome to you from east Arkansas just south west of Memphis TN. and if I can help you just holler. Jim

[68shortwide]

To post pics, the message box of the normal thread, under it you have two options. Post quick reply and Go Advanced. Hit Go Advanced. From there scroll down to where additional options and click manage attachments. From there you upload off a computer drive or website such as photobucket or Flickr or the like. Then just upload. When you return to this window it should list the attachments you selected. Welcome to the board

[cooperhw]

Are you leaving the 72 a long bed? I am also building a C30 but have cut it down to a short bed. Will be putting a step side bed on it.
Let's see some pics.
I LOVE Pro-Street vehicles. Drive a 67 Chevelle Pro-Street now to shows and cruises.

[70blackfish]

here is my 69 gmc..29x15x15 mt tires

[Flikkie1972]

Ill get pictures of the ol girl tomorrow its sitting down by the trailers didnt have room in the shop! It has a homemade flatbed on it right now thats going to be the first thing to go! I am unsure of the longbed or shortbed yet im thinking a shortbed for easier weight transfer i suppose anyhow im not too sure yet though haha and i had a 1991 camaro that was running a 383 stroker 5spd and a little laughing gas she put 702hp down on the dyno and ran 9.93 in the quarter but sold it to fund my dream truck!!

[Flikkie1972]

I failed to get the pictures today i am in the middle of remodeling our farmhouse so i stayed pretty busy today but i was also wondering when you cut your frame how much did you cut off cooperhw? And 70blackfish i like the looks of the truck i was originally going to do a matte black finish but think i may do a matte burnt orange or just leave er patina to sneek up on a few vettes!!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 70blackfish

here is my 69 gmc..29x15x15 mt tires

What wheels are you using with that setup... Width & back spacing? Maybe a link?

Thanks,
LockDoc

[71blksuper4x4]

First off, welcome from about 80 miles away. 2nd, why starting with the c30 if weight is an issue? The 1 ton frames are already quite a bit heavier. I understand the grunt of big block, but if no fiberglass on the front, you really won't cut down much weight. That isn't supposed to be taken rude, that's not my intention. I would think the 4 link would somewhat act as traction bars to keep the wheel hop from happening, but I think the coil-overs might be better than the air bags for your application as the bags might flex too much under hard acceleration. Trevor

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Flikkie1972

I failed to get the pictures today i am in the middle of remodeling our farmhouse so i stayed pretty busy today but i was also wondering when you cut your frame how much did you cut off cooperhw? And 70blackfish i like the looks of the truck i was originally going to do a matte black finish but think i may do a matte burnt orange or just leave er patina to sneek up on a few vettes!!

As to how much frame I cut off the number was 60 inches. Yep. 60. My truck started life as the longest frame GM made which was 157". Open road took delivery and sliced the frame behind the cab and inserted an 18" sliver taking it out to a grand total of 175" wheelbase. To take it back down to 115" wheelbase so I could use a factory short bed I step notched out 60" of length and also 5" of height. If yours is a factory "cab-n-chassis" it also has a higher kick up over the rear axle which will put a bed too high against the cab.
I have a thread called "Meet Homer" if you want to look at pictures of my junk.

[RenoKeene]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

First off, welcome from about 80 miles away. 2nd, why starting with the c30 if weight is an issue? The 1 ton frames are already quite a bit heavier. I understand the grunt of big block, but if no fiberglass on the front, you really won't cut down much weight. That isn't supposed to be taken rude, that's not my intention. I would think the 4 link would somewhat act as traction bars to keep the wheel hop from happening, but I think the coil-overs might be better than the air bags for your application as the bags might flex too much under hard acceleration. Trevor

My thoughts also. 1 ton frame is way too heavy for drag racing.

[Flikkie1972]

It wont be strictly for drag racing just a fun toy that i can take there on occasion and i was thinking of cutting the frame behind the cab and in front also and building a newer lighter frame i know itd be a lil extra work but i think itd be fun i enjoy fabricating alot i know im crazy!

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by RenoKeene

My thoughts also. 1 ton frame is way too heavy for drag racing.

Just for fun I adjusted the curb weight of a C20 127"wb by adding the Longhorn's standard base rate leaf rear springs (+23) and wood bed (+15). It came out to be only 17lbs lighter than a C20 Longhorn that uses the C30 frame.

[dirtyjim]

Originally Posted by Flikkie1972

It wont be strictly for drag racing just a fun toy that i can take there on occasion and i was thinking of cutting the frame behind the cab and in front also and building a newer lighter frame i know itd be a lil extra work but i think itd be fun i enjoy fabricating alot i know im crazy!

it would be easier to just build a new frame than splice onto the front and back leaving only the section under the cab intact.
I would probably just back half it if anything.
swapping the front to a drop member or wideride will remove a lot of weight from the front end and allow you to keep the factory frame

[Flikkie1972]

I want to back half it for sure but i didnt know if id be able to do slightly the same for the front

[dirtyjim]

a friend of mine went through the same thing building his pro street Isuzu. he picked up complete morisson front end at a swap meet for pennies on the dollar. he already had the ladder bar rear clip and wanted the chassis shop to attach them to the stock frame. they said no we'll build you a new frame, actually cost less and came out better.
when it was done it looked right instead of a spliced together after thought

[Flikkie1972]

Well now im thinking a tube chassis perhaps i aint sure yet i gotta tear it down and see what i got going on for sure i got a camaro i can take the front end out of and put in the front thatd lighten it up wouldnt it?

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by Flikkie1972

Well now im thinking a tube chassis perhaps i aint sure yet i gotta tear it down and see what i got going on for sure i got a camaro i can take the front end out of and put in the front thatd lighten it up wouldnt it?

What kind of budget are you thinking about?

right now it seems like you're all over the place. I think you need to figure out the budget first and then you can move ahead.

Not trying to sound harsh or anything like that, but most times when people start out that way, they get halfway into the build then are so far over their head, or over their allowable budget, that they never finish and end up selling their project for pennies on the dollar

Sounds like your truck would be awesome when finished anyway!

[Flikkie1972]

Well my budget isnt endless i could only wish that it was but right now for starters without throwing down money for body work im starting at 10k but after i get started i know itll probably at least double for what im wanting i wanna pinch my pennies a little bit but for engine trans chassis and suspension i am willing to pay for the goods instead of wasting hard earned dollars on mediocre parts that i wont be happy with and are prone to fail after a few hard runs so the engine machine work will be cost free and the trans is going to be built free except for parts so thatll decrease the price a little and i can get a heck of a deal on all the tube and metal ill need for chassis work but ive never tackled an entire frame or tube chassis i could use a few pointers on where to start and wether an all tube chassis is worth the work or if just back halfing it and putting the camaro front end on it would be good enough to let some weight transfer get started and lighten it enough that it will make a good 60' and suprise people on the streets!!

[Flikkie1972]

[Flikkie1972]

[Flikkie1972]

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[Flikkie1972]

Ok theres some pictures i aint sure if i did that right they are all just saying attachments somebody let me know please and thanks

[cooperhw]

A little help from another Pro-Street Lover.

[Flikkie1972]

Was there only 3 cuz i put up 7 or 8 haha howd you do that? Im just a simple man in a technology driven world!!