Charity case

[mkdesign]

Hi guys. I've been checking out this site for a long time. You have all been an excellent source of information and inspiration for my own project, a '74 GMC 3/4 ton. I purchased the truck from a local charity that takes donated vehicles and resells them to help finance a halfway house to aid troubled youth. A very worthy cause that also netted me a great truck. The purchase price? 700 dollars.
The truck was in surprisingly good shape, both mechanically and body wise, so the first project was a major clean up. Then it was straight into the garage to drop it as deep as I could practically drop a 3/4 ton. I then added the weathered door art (gotta have a sense of humor) to match the patina of the truck and drove the wheels off of it in the summer!
When this winter arrived it was back in the garage for the 1/2 ton conversion. I used a 1/2 ton donor truck for the majority of the suspension components but went to Early Classic Enterprises for their 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton, 2 1/2" dropped spindles. They fit great, save a ton of work, and the service was excellent, so I would highly recommend going this route if you are thinking of doing this conversion yourself. I then added the gray spoked 5-spokes that I think really suit the truck. Now I'm just waiting for spring to arrive!,
What's next? I am now looking for a 6' fleet side box for a short bed conversion planned for next winter. I've included a quick rendering I drew up that should represent what I envision the finished truck will look like. With that I look forward to interacting and sharing ideas with all of you!

[68Timber]

Looks good!

[bikeman59]

Very nice! That's a good looking truck and it will be great to see your shorten the bed.

[rusty76]

Awesome! It looks like the brother to my '76 Silverado. Only mines a 1/2 ton. Got any more pics of the truck and van?

[Tx Firefighter]

Great first post. Now, tell us about the van.

[mkdesign]

Thanks for the welcome guys. Ahh the van. I picked this up from a field 1 mile from home for $100. Yup, a hundred bucks! It started out plain white with no wheels but a full change of fluids and tune up had it running great in a couple of days. I then did a basic lowering job with springs and a rear axle flip.Once it was running good and driving straight it was time to tackle the body,paint and interior.
I had to replace the crunched drivers fender and convert the rest of the van to '74 specs with a grill swap. A major pain but worth it. Next came the fun part, applying the baby blue lace, endless line and flames to the original white paint. When I was done it was time to weather the new paint for a nice patina. ,
The interior was kept clean and simple. I redyed the dash to a tan that complimented the baby blue door panels nicely and added wood slats in back for a delivery truck feel. It is unbelievable how much attention this thing gets when use it to haul our paddle boards to the beach. Oh yeah, I still have less than a thousand dollars into it!

[UPNADM]

Gotta love western vehicles in our great land. Looks solid my friend.

I wish our Ontario vehicles started as nice...ha!

[lilpoindexter]

That truck is going to be killer with a short box!
You aren't going to keep those rims on the van, are you? A set of slot mags or turbine wheels would be more appropriate.

[rusty76]

MK I didn't think anything of your name until after I posted. Man you do some killer design stuff! Thanks for sharing the info on the van!

[mkdesign]

Hey Lilpoindexter, I actually tried a set of turbines on the van and they just didnt appeal to me as much as the 17 inchers I;m running on it. They tuck the SportTruckTA's in the back with no rubbing. Plus they were already in my garage.

[mkdesign]

Thanks for the kind words Rusty76. I appreciate it. Just attaching a couple more pics that show the progress of the truck as it went from a lowered 3/4 ton, to 1/2 ton with Corvette rallys and finally a shot of it with the 5-spokes with as much of a static drop as I dare. I really like how it sits now. Also included are pictures of the interior and the seat cover, as well as my door art. Lke I said before, you gotta have a sense of humor during these times!

[68Timber]

Love the van, too cool!

[rusty76]

Thanks.

[tinydb84]

How did you do the drop when you had the 3/4 ton suspension?

[mkdesign]

For the front suspension I started by trimming 1 1/2 coils off but i felt i could go a little bit further so I actually ended up with 2 full coils cut. The factory bump stops were also cut off the lower a-arms. I was able to pull the top a-arms out enough to get my camber back to factory specs
For the rear I made my own flip kit and used some shock extensions from another project. The problem with the rear axle flip for me were the clearance issues. I hated the axle hitting the frame over moderate bumps. I was going to put a c-notch in it but the 14-bolt center section would have made contact with the bed floor and since my bed is absolutely pristine that was not an option. I was thinking about lifting the rear with a set of re-arced springs but that was defeating the stance i was looking for so i decided to go the 1/2 ton route. But it was cool having a slammed 3/4 ton for the first summer!

[tinydb84]

Thanks for the info. I have a 75 C20 that I am working on now. I just bought drop spindles, hangers, and shackles. I was thinking about cutting one coil off but maybe 1.5 would be better with the spindles.

[mkdesign]

Id definitely start with 1 coil and go from there. Better a little at a time. I have guessed wrong and ended up buying another pair of springs.

[LEEVON]

Cool truck and nice boogie van! My wife scowled at your door logo LOL.

[mkdesign]

Hi Leevon. That’s alright. My wife likes the door art but she scowls when I tell her I’m bringing this home! The original color is even close to the same color as my ’74.





Please tell my wife that I am not crazy!

[Low Elco]

Love the truck and boogie van! Awesome!

[mkdesign]

Hi guys. Ive had a couple of questions about the flip kit for my 3/4 ton so I hope I can help out with this diagram. Since the 3/4 ton rearspring pads will not accomodate the spring perch relocator I made my own that does not require any welding. Again, I hope this helps.

[79 blue monster]

wow nice build! cant wait to see more
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[mkdesign]

Oh the indignity. Box liner getting put to good use.

[Gordonr1973]

Very nice truck & van!

[silvereagle07]

Cool truck and van! I dig them both.