"Geronimo" 54' 3100 LS built in PA

[99 to Life]

Well I been on this site for 5 years and I'm finally getting to my third truck (well its not for me) anyway I'v been fortunate to have this forum to share my work and learn as I go as well. So I hope you all enjoy seeing another AD truck back on the road.

For those of you that have followed my last two builds, this one is going to be different, which I planned on doing this same exact style (but with bags) on my next truck "Prison Bound". Money is too tight, so I'm taking on a build for a friend.

Nut shell... I named the truck Geronimo because my friend is into Indian stuff kinda, plus I think its a cool name. Truck originated in NM most its life, headed to salt lake city and now to us here in PA. Its in waaaay better shape than Im use to seeing. So I think I can save hundreds of hours on this build.

LS engine (still locating a lower mile one) we don't want to tear it all down and rebuild. I am however carbureting it. Always had mixed thoughts on that, but I think it will save time, poss a little money and really just keep it simple. If you look at any carb vs EFI dyno results, they aren't that far apart. EFI will get you more consistency and MPG's but not much more. I figure the trade off being, if something goes wrong a carb with less wiring is easier to fix.

Stock frame with CPP IFS (its on its way) they use Heidts crossmembers I do believe. Just keeping a static drop on this one. I'm debating on 4linking the rear or doing a leaf spring conversion of some kind. I want to use better springs in the rear incase he tows with this.

Patina is staying of course, interior will be painting as will engine bay, he wants AC (damn expensive and PIA if you ask me)
Picked up a blazer disc rear end already, full stainless exhaust, all new brakes, fuel system etc.

Here is a crude moch up I did so you can get a feel for what I'm going for.

[lower50's]

Looking forward to it.

[iowaboynca]

Sounds like fun. I'm sure we'll all enjoy tagging along.

[99 to Life]

Here are a few pics with some of the other trucks I have. Got more cars and trucks than this actually! The dump truck in the pic with Geronimo is actually a 54' as well all original. The green patina truck is a 54' which is a friends truck I was suppose to build also, but that isn't happening now.

You can see I re arranged the trucks a bit, the 51' is going in the carport where I had my "Lost at Sea" truck 52', so its back outside unfortunately. The 51' was parked in the big wooden garage which was so insanely stuffed with crap. So I'v spent well over 60hrs rearranging around the compound, reworking garage, doing some wiring etc. all this stuff shoulda been done a while ago, but "49Hardtimes" just kept beating me up.

So from left to right will be hardtimes in metal garage, 51' in carport, Geronimo in big garage. I'm almost done enough to where I can pull Geronimo in and get this 4x4 look taken care of.

[99 to Life]

So I'm sure some of you noticed it has a 47-53 front end, which I prefer, and its a 5 window. So its pretty unique. Owner likes the rear bumper, I'm not too into it though. Dash needs some repair (flashback from hardtimes dash!!)

Couple pics of the garage art, trying to get a good vibe going. One thing Im fortunate to have is the land and somewhat space to work (very tight though). However I'v overtaken my moms yard and garage and build some of my own garages. I'v spent years doing fencing, adding driveways, gravel, adding roofs, collecting vehicles etc. I'v never had a nice clean organized workspace. Even my garage I built hardtimes in, I never had a change to set it up right because I was thrown into building that truck. I built my 51 mostly in my neighbors garage 5 years ago. So in the midst of all my chaos with clutter, poor mans budget and not even owning a real tool box, I'm happy to start feeling like I have a space to kinda work and be professional about my work space. anyway stay tuned.

[Advanced Design]

I am in and looking forward to the build 99.

It is a lot of work to move things around and get organized. Wow, you have a lot of cool iron there!

[joedoh]

my wife loves those hoarder shows like buried alive and I just roll my eyes. but I tell ya, I would watch your episode! unlike those guys that save wrapping paper tubes or used cat litter, I can see you ranting to the camera about value and me agreeing with you and my wife rolling her eyes haha.

[99 to Life]

a reality show couldn't handle me cause I wouldn't dare do their scripted BS. kinda like how jesse james can't get a network to pick up his American craftsman series he created. Networks don't want shows that have any "how to, or real explanation". I do like Pickers cause they are down to earth dudes. It shows the public like hey old stuff is cool and has value and best of all history. So tv shows are good and bad IMO, just my rant.

Yah I don't hoard old cat liter hhahahaa, just old iron. I got lots of spare parts at my shop in Pittsburgh and a lot here at this compound. Next year I'll have more fencing up and all my vehicles organized. Its coming together just very slowly. Having a family now makes it harder for me to obtain any new iron. That's why I hope to sell hardtimes so it will get the ball rolling on funding more builds and saving more of these from the scapper.

[oldman3]

99, I'm along for the ride. Some nice stuff you have statched away, for future builds. Glad your able to put more of these on the road....Jim

[Coach529]

I am in.......looking forward to following another one of your builds.!!

[84blaze]

Looking forward to this one!

[DeanTX]

99 great looking truck to start with. I'm with you on the back bumper, it has to go! It might work for a dually tow truck, but not here.

Hopefully the owner will agree at some point. Along for the ride.....

[wwbill617]

I'm in. Loved your last builds...

Bill

[IWanna49]

Sub'd, in, along for the ride, on and on!! Can't wait to see you get Rollin'! Agree with everyone, a lot of nice metal there

[CURSED GEARS]

I've always stumbled onto one of your builds 7-8 pages after you started. It was good to sit and be entertained for a long period of time. Here we are on page one, now I have to wait for everything! Oh well, I'm here just the same. Go for it!

[99 to Life]

well, this one shouldn't take me almost two years so it shouldn't be a 30 page thread like my others!! body is in really good shape, I won't know what to do with myself. Sux winter is here (well kinda, been pretty lucky so far) but.... it makes simple things like stripping and coating or painting parts almost impossible, which messes up plans. Gotta have a plan and def need to plan around winter. I'v been through enough winters on my builds and here we go again! almost done with my new work space, prolly another weekend or so of prepping, then onto tearing truck down and getting it in garage.

Got a few things in the mail and waiting on the IFS to show up.

[lower50's]

If we all do our part to save what we can these trucks will be around for another 60 years. Imagine that the year 2075 and our trucks are still on the road.

[big_moss]

definitely gonna ride along for this one looking forward to the carb'd ls setup.

[99 to Life]

12-12 Well figured I'd get a jump on this truck bf January like I planned. Got most of the IFS in from CPP. Seems pretty decent from what I see so far. Can't wait to get it installed, however.... Of course my LUCK, noticed the frame has had prior welding done to it, the effected zone doesn't look square at all. So now I gotta get frame squared up bf I can put the IFS, so right off the gate, big curve ball.

Garage is filling up real fast, already need to move stuff around and can't even fit the front clip in. But its what I got to work with so I gotta deal.

Hopefully have something decent to post soon, prolly going to be inconsistent posting with nothing too exciting for a while. I still need to run 220 over to this garage for the welder.

[99 to Life]

you can see the frame is shifted inward about .25" I still have to get is all leveled up and take a million measurements. Prolly taking cab off now and getting this all ironed out, make sure the whole frame isn't toast.

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

Of course my LUCK, noticed the frame has had prior welding done to it, the effected zone doesn't look square at all. So now I gotta get frame squared up bf I can put the IFS, so right off the gate, big curve ball.

Seems par for the course for your builds
You said 1/4 inch? heck that might be within build specs!!! I know you'll get it right.

Looking forward on how you'll remedy this in your A+ fashion.

[oldman3]

99, hope it's not to bad...Jim

[99 to Life]

yah I'm really hoping this frame isn't twisted in other places, don't have time to wait for another. I wanted to have the IFS in first thing (still waiting on spindles, rotors and brakes from CPP) then onto the rear suspension. I think I'm going to try and mount up some s10 springs since I have them sitting around. (need to rebush them) and buy/ make some shackles. CPP and TCI both sell conversion kits, but I really don't want to drop 500 on them, might as well just build a 4 link and get coil overs if I'm spending 500 on leaf springs.

What will eat up some time is (MID WINTER at that) is loading up a finished frame and taking it to get aligned to make sure its all kosher, not to mention if I get it blasted and Powder coated. Just trying to avoid taking the frame all over this filthy earth.

Once I got the IFS in, I wanted to get the engine moched up, make some mounts and start the exhaust and steering to get that out of the way. I also have some metal work to do on cab, not a whole lot but some.

[FarmerSid]

A little cutt'in and weld'in and she will be mint! Know you can do it. Heck I did!

[CURSED GEARS]

This is how it begins. "since the cab is off, might as well do this......and that!"