69 Short Step

[Beetle]

My Dad just bought me n him a project truck. I found a great 68 GMC short step with a 6 Cyl and powerglide that was real rough couldn't get in agreements with price. So Saturday he found this 69 Short Step with no motor or trans. Now we have a block, it is a 350 2 bolt main that came outta his 75 Stingray. He now has a 383 in the Vette. Anyways, we are gonna use the block and heads from the Vette motor that is in the garage. Gonna get a rebuild kit from Summit and get this thing going. We are planning on a 400 or a 700R4 behind the 350. Looking for maybe 350 horse or so. Now on to the only 2 pics I have. She is real straight, only needs the front pass fender, both rockers and cab corners. Wood bed will go in it, as we already have a wood bed kit laying around from when he had a 72 LWB 8 or 9 years ago. Other plans for it are maybe a GMC front conversion and lower it a bit.




Also I want that "old school" sound, something like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lPyLPrmPq8&feature...

How do I get that sound? Is it just the cam? Or the heads too?

[Beetle]

Also anyone near or around High Point, NC that knows how to weld help us out with the rockers and cab corners? Payment can be a 12 pack or the such

[PanelDeland]

Welcome to the greatest BB on the net.I am in Greensboro.I have never done a set of rockers/cab corners on one of these trucks but am willing to watch when you do so I can learn.

[Beetle]

How do I make a stroker? I have a '75 350 2 Bolt main block and '75 heads and a '75 intake. My only thing I have taken from the info I have gathered on the interwebs is that I need a 400 crank, 400 rods, 350 pistons, and 350 mains on the crank. Oh and I need to find some double hump heads or Vortec heads for better flow. Does this sound about right? I ain't too worried about a machine shop, I have to buy pistons and rods and a crank and all that stuff cause all I have now is block and heads.

[67c10rustbuket]

Cool project, sounds great!

I know you can buy a specific 383 crank which is pretty close to a wash $ wise once you consider buying a 400 crank, gamble on it being useable and paying for machine work and extensive balancing. You will need a stroker clearanced oil pan, which some stock ones actually fit, and clearance the surface of the block where the oil pan attaches so the rods dont hit the block i think. I always wanted to build one but never have so this is just what I read in magazines.

[Beetle]

Thanks Rust Bucket

[Tinkermc]

looks like a real good place to start

[aussiejohn]

beetle,

As the owner of a few Corvettes and a ten year veteran on the Corvette Forum, I advise you to reconsider using the Corvette block. When your dad goes to sell it, most prospective owners would rather have the original engine, so that the car is "numbers matching." You will almost certainly get considerably more for the car with that engine block (and heads) included in the sale, even if you sell it with the 383 fitted.

I would recommend that you bag this block, along with the original heads and look for another core, there's plenty around. But the best deal will be a crate engine, either 350 or 383, from GM. No-one can beat their prices or offer a similar warranty. Plus, you'll have it in and running within a day of buying it, if you spend a few hours on it.

Ask a lot of questions before you make the decision on which way to go. Good luck whatever you choose.

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

[Beetle]

Thanks John for the kind words and great advice. Since he has no plans whatsoever of selling the Vette, cause I had this talk with him too, he doesn't mind using the Vette block for now, get it running and maybe swap the engines later on. And as this is a very low buck build I cannot afford a crate engine at this time, so this is why we are doing it this way. Thanks!

[Beetle]

So here is the parts list rundown:
Engine rebuild kit $234.00 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...-322/?rtype=10
Timing Chain $28.00 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-2100/
Cam/Lifters $120.00 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LUN-60102LK/
Carb $299.95 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-210216/
Dist/Wires $119.00 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM2210/
Radiator $380.00 http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-CSUM3802/

Anyone used that radiator that I listed at the bottom? It is a universal kit, and I crosschecked the widths and heights and it matches up. The width is about 1.5'' short on both sides but that shouldn't be a problem. Going to Summit on Wednesday to get this stuff.

[Beetle]

Well made it to NC today from my home in Mississippi. Truck is in NC at the moment, where I will soon be moving to. So I just went through the truck, just to see what all it needs. It needs a lot! Cab corners and rockers I expected. Floors are in awesome shape, just at the very edge where the vents are. Firewall is rusted, wood bed is shot, front fenders shot, doors shot, and that is about it. PO decided to put some seats he found laying around, mounted to the floor with 2x4s, cut the damn dash for the radio, and cut a hole for a floor shift, inner fenders are alright, battery tray needs replaced, but hey its a '69 and we paid $1200 for it. Other than that, nothing spectacular. I did go to Summit Racing today on the way to NC and spent $950 on some goodies Picher time! Also anyone have a cab in or around NC for a few hundred $$$s?





The pristine interior:


I added the fuzzy dice




Rotted firewall




It is also gonna need a rad. support, since we are going GMC no problem

What a mess of wires!


The PO put a sheet of plywood to cover the original bed wood, this is what was under it:


25 mins later


Back of the cab is good or so it looks


Fenders of the bed are great, as is the bedsides and tailgate. Only thing is the header that is rusted
Pass rear




Driver rear




Pass step is rotted


POs hack job on the radio, this pisses me off




Yup was a 6 Cyl


Random stuff in the bed, I am maybe gonna use that Hurst shifter for when I get the 5 Speed


Door tag


What yall think?

[67c10rustbuket]

Man the firewall does have some significant rust. The part that the cowl bolts to is reproduced but the actual firewall rot in the center of the wire channel is not to my knowledge, but would be an easy fix if you weld. One important thing though, the VIN tag has the original rivets that you can no longer buy so if originality is important you may want to try and save it. Notice they are kinda flower shaped. There are always guys selling dash panel sections in the classifieds here to fix that radio hack, I understand I like modern sounds but hidden with an original radio in the dash for looks. I have seen people swap cabs for less and people repair much worse so I guess it comes down to what you can do or are willing to pay to have repaired, I accept brewski payments but you're a little far away . Looks pretty good for 1200 nice score

[Beetle]

Thanks Dan. I'll look in the classifieds and see what I can find and I'll make sure n try to keep those rivets intact. May just paint those tags gloss black then tape over em when real truck paint comes in.
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[Beetle]

Might have a running driving 71 Parts truck!! Its a longbed, we are gonna maybe buy that tomorrow for $700.
Good clip, good cab with fair rockers and cab corners, running 350 and a 3 speed floor shift, discs all the way around.

Plan with that is swap the cabs and front clip, take the rear diff out of the 71 and put in under the 69, put the front discs from the 71 to the 69, and when I do the cab swap the whole interior too. Woot!! And we are still planning on building the 350 from the 75 block. Damn I am excited!

[tsali39]

Welcome to NC. You will find many parts here. I have a guy here who is doing my rockers and cab corners very reasonably.

[Tinkermc]

good luck with the replacement

[Beetle]

And hey, go ahead n call dibs on the engine which is an 85 Chevy truck 4 bolt main 350, 4BBL Carb (sans front accessories and exhaust manifolds), frame, hood, grille, bumpers and mirrors off the '71, doors fenders and inner fenders, front and rear suspension, and mirrors off the '69. Give me an offer I cannot refuse. 3 weeks time all this should be swapped over.

Plans are as follows:

Front complete cross-member from '71 to be put on the '69 so I will have 5 lugs and discs
Rear axle from '71 will go to the '69
Doors, Inner and Outer Fenders, Radiator Support from '71 will go to the '69
3 Speed manual from '71 will go to the '69
Floor from '71 will go to the '69
Might cut the dash out of the '71 but Dad is talking of an aftermarket flip out screen deal instead of all that work.

Interior is gonna be silver and blue two tone, talking dash pad steering wheel will be silver if I can find it... metal dash doors and carpet will be blue, seat will be a two tone blue n silver and I may try n find someone that can custom make some buckets blue n silver houndstooth. Custom built center console, padded on the sides with blue vinyl to match carpet and seats, top will be wood-grain like the glove box door and instrument cluster and call it good, if we do wood-grain, might be too busy...

Vintage Air kit will go in to keep us cool or warm

Static drop it 3 and 5 and later on when more money comes put a RideTech 4 link with Strong Arms kit up front and bags all around, tank underbed (The Stage II kit on their site). http://www.ridetech.com/store/1971-1...0-level-2.html

Wheels are still up in the air might be maybe these:

or


Pine Wood bed stained to Oak or Cherry still deciding.

Gas tank to stay in the original spot behind the seat.

Exhaust will come out of the manifolds go into Purple Hornies and 3'' Slash tips under the steps on the bed.

LED tail lights, reverse lights, marker lights, and park lights/turn signals, HID headlights, and a chrome bumper up front with fogs, roll pan out back and the license plate will be mounted under the driver tail light.

Maybe mounted sideways?




Still brainstorming how we are gonna do this, cause the roll pan we want to use will have no box for a plate. Maybe just under the tailgate. Dunno gotta think on it.

[Beetle]

Found a pickup by pure luck, and this looks almost to the T of the paint the Short Step will get.

Still tossing around the idea of a Short Step, cause I haven't really seen many riding around.

[tantrumpipeline]

I'll tag along, looks like a good base for you to have fun with

[Beetle]

Thanks tantrumpipeline, it is gonna need some $$$ to get it back on the road

We need weatherstripping all around, carpet, sound deading, seats, front fenders, rad support, grille, hood, and trim for a 67-68 front conversion, wood for the bed, Vintage Air, swap front and rear suspension between the 69 and 71, get the engine built, and and and...

Seems overwhelming at this point, but I think we can get er done by next May.

[tantrumpipeline]

Always is and myself I get sick of mine for months on end then get back at it, owned mine 3 years and not only am I 2years behind the time I thought it'd take me the plans have changed on everything from the start some minor some major but the idea of driving it again is finally starting to sink in, this forum can be a good motivator and helper too
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[Tinkermc]

lookin good

[Beetle]

My need list just got a helluva lot shorter!! I am so excited right now! We just layed down $1200 on a 90% RUST FREE 1968 C/10 Custom with a 350/3 Speed on the tree! Hell yea! And I woulda drove it home if it weren't for the blown out tire on the back pass side,
It has rust free rockers, cab corners, front fenders, rad support, the only rusted spot is the inner fender on the pass side, which is understandable, that is where the rad overflow is and where the battery leaks.

PICHER TIME!

[Beetle]

Also we are building TWO trucks now

And it has been dubbed: "The 689"

Cab, Front Clip from the 68 goes on 69 frame
Good windshield and back glass from the 69 cab will go to the 72 cab
Subframe from the 72 will go under the 69 frame
I have a contact that has a 5 lug 3.73 that will go under the 69
Engine from the 72 will be built to the hilt, dropped in the framerails of the 69
Bench seat from the 72 goes in the 689
Transmission from the 72 goes in the 689

I will start a new one for the 72, it will be dubbed Brutus II

[tantrumpipeline]

beauty find at that price, love the original hubcaps!!!!