Project 61.....It is what it is. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-28-2009, 12:57 AM

I finally got my ass in gear and started working on my truck. What started as replacing a shock has evolved into a engine tranny swap, front crossmember swap, disc conversion, and air ride suspension.............all at once.

Gotta start somewhere right? Well, here's the pics.

Here's the before pictures. I love the way this truck looks. The hood is *****in and the stance is tough with the gangster wide whites.

Check out those lake pipes!!

Stock 307 from a Chevelle mated to a TH350 which will be swapped for a 305/700r4.

Started by yanking off the bed and all suspension components.

Ended up moving the work to a friends shop in Port Clinton, Ohio. I'm still new to this and he's a pro. So it helps having some experience to bounce ideas off of.

At his shop we blew off the front clip, crossmember, and pulled the engine/tranny. First thing on was the new crossmember and power booster.

For anyone swapping a crossmember into a 60-62 X-Frame heres a couple of pics of the holes that need drilled out. There are two along the side of the frame rail and only one will need to be drilled out a bit.

The ones on the bottom of the frame rail.

Wire wheeled and flat blacked the front frame rails and crossmember.

Still waiting on the drop spindles and rotors so it's off to the back to get the bag mounts in.

Air Tank will look good right here.

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-28-2009, 12:58 AM

Look at all the rust.....Time for the wire wheel again!

That looks 10x's better.

Thats all for now. Gotta go out of town for a few days and hopefully the rest of my parts will get here in the meantime. Time is ticking.......

**Captainfab** · 03-28-2009, 01:14 AM

That's coming along nicely.

Why do you want to swap the 307 for a 305? The 307 is a better engine IMO.

62 short step · 03-28-2009, 07:47 AM

Looks good!

orange66fleet · 03-28-2009, 07:55 AM

Looks like it is going to be one sweet ride. Nice to see another member in northern Ohio.

bosephus · 03-28-2009, 08:26 AM

Definately digging your project,nice work!

Keep us posted and the pics coming.What kind of dodge is that hiding under that cover?

mano · 03-28-2009, 09:28 AM

What year motor mount brackets did u use. They look like mid 70's 80's brackets. Super cool build.

jason65 · 03-28-2009, 09:55 AM

Looks like it was a little hell raiser. You gonna keep that look?

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-28-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That's coming along nicely.

Why do you want to swap the 307 for a 305? The 307 is a better engine IMO.

The 307 needed a full rebuild, new cams, pistons, carb, headers, intake, lifters, etc..........The 305 was bought turnkey with all accessories for $600. There's more parts for the 305 and it was just the cheaper route honestly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bosephus

Definately digging your project,nice work!

Keep us posted and the pics coming.What kind of dodge is that hiding under that cover?

That would be a Challenger with a 440 under the hood. It's the shop owner, Brian Barnett's. Frame off resto and the thing is sick. Rattles your soul when he fires it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mano

What year motor mount brackets did u use. They look like mid 70's 80's brackets. Super cool build.

Motor mounts are from the 86 C20 that I pulled the crossmember out of. The top that would normally bolt on the frame rail is going to be cut off and welded to my frame rail. We'll set the engine in first and tack it once the engine is level, pull the engine and weld it all up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason65

Looks like it was a little hell raiser. You gonna keep that look?

Hell yeah! Maybe 15 years from now my kids and I will pull it apart and restore the body, you know a family project. For the time being I like the look of it. I just want to be able to drive it, safely.

When I got the truck the rear shocks were halfass welded on, the torsion bars were cranked all the way out till it hit the bumpstops up front, and the brakes.......Only one drum worked, the front right one. Anytime I stopped it would pull violently to the right! Now I'll feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in it to go to the store.......oh and I will finally have power steering!! WooHoo!!!!!!

**Corts60** · 03-28-2009, 01:48 PM

That is a sick truck you have there. Can't wait for more pics!

joe231 · 03-28-2009, 02:33 PM

Nice!!!

protrash64 · 03-28-2009, 04:11 PM

I dig 'skeletor the proctology patient' on the antenna!!!!

Cool truck; watch out for that panhard tagging your diff cover when aired out. Looks good.

kizer · 03-28-2009, 04:17 PM

Wow that does look really nice. Glad to see another person grinding on their frame

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-28-2009, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protrash64

I dig 'skeletor the proctology patient' on the antenna!!!!

Cool truck; watch out for that panhard tagging your diff cover when aired out. Looks good.

There's actually a lot of room between the two. Not really anyway that they will hit each other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kizer

Wow that does look really nice. Glad to see another person grinding on their frame

What you meant to say was, "Glad to see another person having to go through this **** too!"

19GMC63 · 03-28-2009, 08:17 PM

VERY nice... I like your style.

Alan's Classic · 03-28-2009, 08:40 PM

Great progress on a good lookin' truck.

Eagletucky · 03-28-2009, 09:08 PM

Looks like you are penning the blueprints for the next phase of my 61' project. Thanks for the detailed pics...and keep em coming!!!

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-28-2009, 09:26 PM

No problem. I could never find any pics or builds that bagged and converted to discs on here. I figured I'd throw a build post just for us X-Frame guys.

terd ferguson · 03-28-2009, 09:28 PM

I love the color of your truck. More pics.

bosephus · 03-29-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by protrash64

I dig 'skeletor the proctology patient' on the antenna!!!!

Cool truck; watch out for that panhard tagging your diff cover when aired out. Looks good.

Your killing me(and my laptop which now has coffeeall over it)

**ChiefRocka** · 03-29-2009, 09:29 AM

Nice look'n truck man....leaving the body like that right ??

Sweet !!

64c20crewcab · 03-29-2009, 10:57 AM

nice!!

Daniel 61 Apache · 03-29-2009, 01:37 PM

Yeah the body will be staying the same. There's one dent on the entire truck though, front left fender. I've got one to replace it but if I can't match the color I'll leave it alone. That one non matching off colored fender would drive me crazy....

killthewabbit · 03-29-2009, 10:24 PM

Subscribed! Great looking truck, dude.

I'm glad you told how you went from fixing one shock to motor/tranny swap and bags. I was thinking that must've been one real tough nut to remove or something.

Daniel 61 Apache · 04-03-2009, 08:59 PM

I needed one thing to break.....that was all it took to convince my wife I had to upgrade a "few" things!

03-28-2009, 12:57 AM	#1
Daniel 61 Apache Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 168	Project 61........................It is what it is. I finally got my ass in gear and started working on my truck. What started as replacing a shock has evolved into a engine tranny swap, front crossmember swap, disc conversion, and air ride suspension.............all at once. Gotta start somewhere right? Well, here's the pics. Here's the before pictures. I love the way this truck looks. The hood is ****in and the stance is tough with the gangster wide whites. Check out those lake pipes!! Stock 307 from a Chevelle mated to a TH350 which will be swapped for a 305/700r4. Started by yanking off the bed and all suspension components. Ended up moving the work to a friends shop in Port Clinton, Ohio. I'm still new to this and he's a pro. So it helps having some experience to bounce ideas off of. At his shop we blew off the front clip, crossmember, and pulled the engine/tranny. First thing on was the new crossmember and power booster. For anyone swapping a crossmember into a 60-62 X-Frame heres a couple of pics of the holes that need drilled out. There are two along the side of the frame rail and only one will need to be drilled out a bit. The ones on the bottom of the frame rail. Wire wheeled and flat blacked the front frame rails and crossmember. Still waiting on the drop spindles and rotors so it's off to the back to get the bag mounts in. Air Tank will look good right here. Last edited by Daniel 61 Apache; 03-28-2009 at 02:47 PM.*

03-28-2009, 12:58 AM	#2
Daniel 61 Apache Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 168	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Look at all the rust.....Time for the wire wheel again! That looks 10x's better. Thats all for now. Gotta go out of town for a few days and hopefully the rest of my parts will get here in the meantime. Time is ticking.......

03-28-2009, 01:14 AM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. That's coming along nicely. Why do you want to swap the 307 for a 305? The 307 is a better engine IMO. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-28-2009, 07:47 AM	#4
62 short step Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Greenwell Springs, Louisiana Posts: 2,882	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Looks good! __________________ www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com 1965 c-10 86 chevy c/k 20

03-28-2009, 07:55 AM	#5
orange66fleet Lowered in Cleveland Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Cleveland Posts: 120	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Looks like it is going to be one sweet ride. Nice to see another member in northern Ohio.

03-28-2009, 08:26 AM	#6
bosephus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas gulf coast Posts: 211	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Definately digging your project,nice work!Keep us posted and the pics coming.What kind of dodge is that hiding under that cover?

03-28-2009, 09:28 AM	#7
mano Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 198	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. What year motor mount brackets did u use. They look like mid 70's 80's brackets. Super cool build.

03-28-2009, 09:55 AM	#8
jason65 Registerd User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,118	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Looks like it was a little hell raiser. You gonna keep that look?

03-28-2009, 01:48 PM	#10
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. That is a sick truck you have there. Can't wait for more pics! __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

03-28-2009, 02:33 PM	#11
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Nice!!! __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

03-28-2009, 04:11 PM	#12
protrash64 Resistance is Futile Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mesa,Arizona Posts: 3,520	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. I dig 'skeletor the proctology patient' on the antenna!!!! Cool truck; watch out for that panhard tagging your diff cover when aired out. Looks good. __________________ 64 CHEVY PICK-UP > http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...otrash+re-hash 64 CARRYALL >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1964+suburban 66 LB >http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=427852 STRENGTH/DETERMINATION/MERCILESS/FOREVER .......posted via stationary device

03-28-2009, 04:17 PM	#13
kizer Its Deja Vu time again Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Marysville, North of Seattle WA Posts: 815	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Wow that does look really nice. Glad to see another person grinding on their frame __________________ Its not pretty but its mine to figure out. The build / The Photos / Build Diary

03-28-2009, 08:17 PM	#15
19GMC63 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,510	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. VERY nice... I like your style.

03-28-2009, 08:40 PM	#16
Alan's Classic 1 thing at a time is progress. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ball Ground GA Posts: 5,511	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Great progress on a good lookin' truck. __________________ Alan Philippians 2:14-16 Alan's Classic Facebook page. North Georgia Group Project 1965 Vitamin C-10 1995 GMC Sierra K1500 The "Wrecker"

03-28-2009, 09:08 PM	#17
Eagletucky Where did THAT bolt go? Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Speedway, Indiana Posts: 306	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Looks like you are penning the blueprints for the next phase of my 61' project. Thanks for the detailed pics...and keep em coming!!! __________________ The Swiss Car Club......A drinking club with a car problem....



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03-28-2009, 09:26 PM	#18
Daniel 61 Apache Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 168	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. No problem. I could never find any pics or builds that bagged and converted to discs on here. I figured I'd throw a build post just for us X-Frame guys. __________________ Project 61 build thread Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference....The Marines don't have that problem. Sic vis pacem, para bellum. -- "If you want peace, prepare for war." Last edited by Daniel 61 Apache; 03-28-2009 at 09:26 PM.

03-28-2009, 09:28 PM	#19
terd ferguson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 531	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. I love the color of your truck. More pics. __________________ "I never apologize. I'm sorry, but that's just the way I am." - Homer J. Simpson 1955 2nd Series Chevy "King Of Trucks"

03-29-2009, 09:29 AM	#21
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Nice look'n truck man....leaving the body like that right ?? Sweet !! __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

03-29-2009, 10:57 AM	#22
64c20crewcab Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: North SD County Posts: 631	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. nice!! __________________ ..............................._________ ......___________//___[[___{\ _____ ...../__(_(O)_)___/____/____/_(O)_/ 1964 C20 Long Stepside 3 Door Crew Cab - Armbruster-Stageway Conversion Y2K INDN Chief "ONE OF A KIND, NOT ONE OF THE CROWD" Aug 2010 - Front end frame cleanup & engine swap done!!! June 2011 - Rear end bagged Sept 2011 - Rebuild motor top end Sept 2012 - Parked and slowly working on it. Aug 2013 - Front end bagged - finally! Aug 2014 - Stepside swap conversion done. Finally ready to start bodywork! Have a few KEWL ideas... Here is my build thread: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=335427

03-29-2009, 01:37 PM	#23
Daniel 61 Apache Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 168	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Yeah the body will be staying the same. There's one dent on the entire truck though, front left fender. I've got one to replace it but if I can't match the color I'll leave it alone. That one non matching off colored fender would drive me crazy.... __________________ Project 61 build thread Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference....The Marines don't have that problem. Sic vis pacem, para bellum. -- "If you want peace, prepare for war."

03-29-2009, 10:24 PM	#24
killthewabbit Spear and magic helmet! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,226	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. Subscribed! Great looking truck, dude. I'm glad you told how you went from fixing one shock to motor/tranny swap and bags. I was thinking that must've been one real tough nut to remove or something. __________________ -- Will

04-03-2009, 08:59 PM	#25
Daniel 61 Apache Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 168	Re: Project 61.....It is what it is. I needed one thing to break.....that was all it took to convince my wife I had to upgrade a "few" things! __________________ Project 61 build thread Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference....The Marines don't have that problem. Sic vis pacem, para bellum. -- "If you want peace, prepare for war."

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