Tripp's Speed Shop Build

[Hardesty454]

I had started a thread previously but deleted it. I started out just wanting to move the gas tank and lower the truck with a static drop. As we all know how that goes its kind of spiraled out of control. Due to no fault of my own the more I dig into her the more I find to fix or change.

From here I plan on:

-Getting the frame step notched and Braced
-5 lug swap (Moser axle shafts in rear) on all 4 corners
-Disc brakes on all 4 corners
-Toss between Accuair E-Level or Porterbuilts coil over set up
-LS swap with either a 5.3 or Ly6 6.0
-Rack and pinion
-Shaved firewall
-Replace both inner and outer rockers as needed
-Change over front clip to 68


There is a ton a little things that will need to be done but I wont bore.

This is a slow and steady build. I'm going at my own (slow) pace. So much as my wife lets me

Here is where I started....














Here is What Ive been doing...

[Hardesty454]

Started pulling the rockers out tonight as well. What a pain. Tried the old fashioned way of drilling the spot welds out but damn these things dont want to move! Will hopefully get the drivers side completely off tomorrow night!

[nasqar]

It's amazing how a truck can look pretty good until you really dig into it. Good luck with this build...

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by nasqar

It's amazing how a truck can look pretty good until you really dig into it. Good luck with this build...

Aint that the truth! Overall the truck isnt it too bad of shape. Nothing thats beyond repair. Just little headaches here and there.

[Hardesty454]

Finished the driver side rocker removal. Not sure if Ill be able to save the inner. Besides having to drill through most of the spot welds it is extremely pitted. I also found the lower pillar is rusted through as well so I will be replacing those as well as soon as I get them ordered. I took a peek at the passenger side and the outer rocker looks to be worth keeping. Might have to make one small (as in 1/4") patch. The lower pillar is gone.... May just do all rockers, inner and outer, Pillars and cab corners wile I'm there.


Heres what I completed tonight for rocker tear down.










This is what came out of the rocker when I started getting it off. Surprised there is anything left!





Here is what I meant about being pitted and not worth saving.

[Saclandman]

Wow. Good luck. I'm looking forward to see how this one progresses. Atleast I'll know what to expect when and if I ever start tearing into mine.

[Hardesty454]

Over the last couple days I've been doing multiple projects on the ol girl. I have 2 core supports. One is a 68 while the other is a 71. The truck came with the 71 which is in decent condition, good in fact. The 68 came with one of the clips I just bought for the truck. While the rest of the 68 is in great condition the core support is another story. Considering cutting out the 68 head light section and welding it into the 71. I havent seen this done but all the measurements add up to work fine to me. I started to sandblast both to see how much work is necessary on both and confirmed how bad the 68 is vs the 71.

My camera batter is dead so these are all from my cell phone, Sorry!

Ive also stripped the front discs apart so I will have the spindles for the 5 lug swap. To my surprise the spindles are Mcgaughys and appear to be relatively new. Good surprise. I will be sandblasting them before I paint the frame and components and possibly "smoothing" them out.

The 68












The 71



The 71 is in a lot better condition as you can see from the ONE picture.


Here is what I did on the discs up front. I will be using the spindles and getting rid of the discs, calipers and pads. They are all in fair condition except one stud broken. If anyone needs them please let me know.

[Hardesty454]

Did a little work on the core supports tonight. I decided to cut and weld in the 68 headlight section to the 71 support. Now this is something easy in theory so I put my skills to the test on it. I took measurements to every point on each support and found the differences of each. To my relief 99% of the measurements added up for an even swap. I drew out a plan for where I wanted to make my cuts and the measurements to each "corner" of the 68 bucket and where it needed to be on the 71. If all goes as planned this should work perfectly when it is installed. I hope

Heres what Ive done so far
Took measurements of the 68


Started taking apart the 71 and again taking measurements


Marked out where I needed to cut the 68 to make sure placing into the 71 support would not have any issues. Avoiding any rolls or bends makes the process a bit easier.



Here you can see the difference from the 68 to the 72



Checked all measurements and clamped the 68 over the 71 to make sure my lines where identical to the cut out. No picture but when I removed the 60 I double checks measurements to each cut corner.



Once the area has been cut out I used butt clamps to hold the 68 bucket to the 71 support. I made sure all areas were flush to each other and then took measurements again to each point as before I cut the 68 support to confirm fitment was close to exact.



As you start to tack thinner sheet metal make sure to take good breaks in between each tack. Here I tacked 4 corners then took a 10 minute break. Tacked 4 corners and another break. This point below is about an hour in.



Here is where I stopped tonight. I started this project around 6:30 and stopped around 9:10. This puts in perspective the amount of time needed for cooling between tacks. Hopefully I can have this side finished after work tomorrow and start the other side!

[69SCSS]

That looks great man! Remember your wheel backspacing on the front will be different because McGaughy's spindles pushes the track out 1/2-3/4 each side.

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

That looks great man! Remember your wheel backspacing on the front will be different because McGaughy's spindles pushes the track out 1/2-3/4 each side.

I was wondering about as the mcgaughys use a 1.25" rotor instead of the 1.0". When I get wheels I may need your help on spacing and size!
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[Ol Blue K20]

I just found this..... subscribed......you get my pm last week?
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[Hardesty454]

Dale, no pm. Send again?
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[Bomp]

Can't wait to see the end result on the core support.
Subscribed.

[Hardesty454]

Well completed the exterior welding and clean up on the pass side of the core support. Took me two day after work (2-3 hours each day) and about 2 hours this morning. Started the drivers side today as well. I still need to clean up the inside of the pass side but can do that when I finished grafting the drivers in. Because I took my time between tacking I can only see very minimal warping on the metal. Another note I feel is worth mentioning to anyone that is considering and sheet metal work is go slower when taking your tacks down then when you put them there. I use an 80 grit flap disc and only do about 2 straight passes on each side and then take a couple mins of a break. This may be just me over thinking but its better safe than sorry!

Heres the finished pass side.





This one is to show that the metal stayed decently flat after being cleaned up.





Something I didnt mention above is that when I get the tacks pretty close to smooth I take sand paper and a block and complete it. This way I dont burn through the metal and I can take longer strokes to "even" the metal out.

Here is where I started the drivers side. I wont go into every detail as above to not be redundant but wanted to show I cut it a little differently. Toward the bottom I cut a larger section out of the 68. This pulled my welding away from the bottom "roll" of the bucket. On the pass side I had a bit of a hard time keeping my flap disc away from the bucket and hit a couple times.

[Bomp]

Thats some killer metal working skillz

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Thats some killer metal working skillz

Thanks Bomp! It's really just patients. I feel like a novice compared to a couple of the guys on the board.
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[69sinker]

Great build. I wish I had your metal working skills. Keep up the progress.
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[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by 69sinker

Great build. I wish I had your metal working skills. Keep up the progress.
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Thank you sir!

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Hardesty454

Dale, no pm. Send again?
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I'll send again today when I get a chance Rob.

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I'll send again today when I get a chance Rob.

Ok! Ill be here!

[mikeleeshields]

I was lucky my rockers were replaced already lol. Looks like your window seal is worse than mine good luck. You may have to do that in multiple pieces.
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[nasqar]

So do you really own a speed shop or is it just a title? You have incredible skills brother!

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by nasqar

So do you really own a speed shop or is it just a title? You have incredible skills brother!

I don't own a speed shop no.

Tripp is my all white German shepherd. He's my boy. One day I would love to own a hot rod/ speed shop but I feel like I have a long way to go on learning before I could even work at one. I thought the name was catchy and went with it! Hope nobody minds!

Thanks for the compliment by the way!
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[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice job I am pretty sure thats the 1st time I have seen the headlight swap done with the same core support and not just getting another support...

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Nice job I am pretty sure thats the 1st time I have seen the headlight swap done with the same core support and not just getting another support...

Thanks. Im too cheap to buy anything new that I feel I can make.

Ive been working on the frame a little just getting the cab off the frame and cleaning it up. I should also mention I have picked up the 68 clip (well Al brought it down from a guy in Oregon when he picked up the 402 from me). Then out of nowhere I get a call from a guy up in Angels Camp about a short box fleet side bed. I drove up and took a lookie at the bed and it needs some work. Every corner on the bottom is bent up. The actual body line is fine though. The guy says he got the truck for free from a friend whos kid ran it into a ditch and tore the cab and bed up. I offered him $120 and he said ok. I went yesterday afternoon and picked it up. It needs more work than I thought but I think will a little beer and time I can buff her out.

Heres the past few days worth of work.






Started making a stand for the cab!



And she fits on there!



Cleaning this dirty frame up.



Here is the bed when I got it home.





And heres the front clip Al brought down to me.



Here you can see a few of the nasty kinks in the bed. I have a bit of cutting and grinding ahead of me!