First Build Thad and Dad 48 5 window

[ThadandDad48]

Well decided to add a build thread here have read several peoples builds and thought I would document our build here as well so that someone might benefit from us as we have benefitted from other such as Skymags and Joedoh. thanks guys here goes.

[joedoh]

cant wait!

[NorCalGal]

I'm in

[gigamanx]

Time to get your hands dirty. Invest in some gloves

What's the plan for the build?

[ThadandDad48]

So turns out I am not so good at documenting what I am doing but will try to catch it up as we progress. We have a 48 5 window body and a 2001 short wheel base s10 frame we have stretched 8" by moving the front spring hangers back and cutting 11" off rear of frame and the flipping side to side and welding back on. This gives us a 116" wheel base just like the original truck.

[ThadandDad48]

Fabricated body mounts from 4" square tubing using Skymags revision 2 dimensions for reference. Clamped them to the frame for a test fit using c-clamps and here is what we got.
[IMG][/IMG]

[gigamanx]

Originally Posted by ThadandDad48

Fabricated body mounts from 4" square tubing using Skymags revision 2 dimensions for reference. Clamped them to the frame for a test fit using c-clamps and here is what we got.
[IMG][/IMG]

Looks about perfect to me!

[joedoh]

that extending the wheelbase trick takes longer to pony up the gonads to do it than it takes to do it. you get a free 1" drop out of it too!

looking great!

[ThadandDad48]

Yep moved the front hangers back first figuring I could always change my mind and go back, but taking the saw to the frame had a certain amount of pucker factor to it. In the end the actual procedure was quite easy and going forward I would have no hesitations doing it again. The one inch drop actually takes the natural rake out of the frame so the truck cab sits dead level on the mounts I made. I like the look of level and it sure makes getting everything else lined up easier.

[joedoh]

you should have documented the process, the guy who did that originally (another russ from wichita!) used photobucket and his pictures are gone, so all we have is the text descriptor.

[ThadandDad48]

Yeah like I said before better at doing than documenting. I can take some pictures of how it turned out and post them here. I followed the text but pictures make things clearer.

[ThadandDad48]

[IMG][/IMG]

So mocked up the bed just to make sure things were going to work right and wouldn't you know the bed sits 2 inches high. Guess I will be loosing some bed depth.

I think the easiest way to do this will be to weld on a second set of angle brackets on the bed sides I think what I have figured out will have the bed wood clearing the highest part of the frame by about a 1/4" so with a heavy load will actual rest on the frame otherwise just on the 3 cross-sills am I missing something or does this course of action seam reasonable already have the angles so ready to weld as soon as tomorrow.

[ThadandDad48]

Finally doing some documentation. As promised here are some pictures of the frame extension.




It is what it is. If more pictures are desired just let me know.

[ThadandDad48]

As discussed previously needed to lose some bed depth to get the running boards to be level with the front fenders. My solution install new angle strips 3 inches above the factory location. Bought new strips for $35 delivered from ebay. Strips were GM goodmark brand nice stuff. Here are some pictures of what they turned out like.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[ThadandDad48]

Ran into an issue with the tank not clearing the front of the bed and the cab. It was suggested to move the cross member back in the frame but found that moving it back also moved it up. So since I already had the cross member removed rather than put it back I replaced it in a new location with 1.5" square tube and was able to use the original front tank mount.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[ThadandDad48]

Here is what we did for the steering column mount. 2 Pieces of aluminum stock milled at a 28 degree angle and holes drilled at the same angle plus the 2" mount that was in the original truck. Will reverse the bolts for final install to make the install cleaner.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

You can see the brake pedal install as well tucked it up as close to the steering column as possible to bring the pedal to the right.

[ThadandDad48]

Have running boards mocked up and mounts tack welded to the frame. Here is what they looked like prior to tacking to the frame.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]