New Project

[FrostBite]

Since there are little more than pictures here, I figured this should go in the pictures section rather than a dedicated technical section.

I got this truck in December and have been slowing messing with it when I'm home from school, which hasn't been very much this semester.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2009-12-21115414.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2009-12-21115426.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2009-12-21115445.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2009-12-24141230.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2009-12-22151915.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-01-03134938.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-01-03135011.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-02-13165530.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-02-28155726.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-02-28155739.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-03-26125105.jpg

I pulled the rear end out from under the truck in order to drop the frame down on the ground so that I could drag it out from under the truck.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-03-26132443.jpg

Rear end back under to make maneuvering slightly less difficult.

I pick up my new transmission (SM465) in the morning, and am trying to figure out how to get a 160 lbs transfer case from California to Georgia without paying more in shipping that I will for the transfer case... All shipping suggestions are welcomed.

Also sold the current engine/transmission combo.

[94_chevy]

nice. Trucks in good condition for the year. was it hard to find that year/4dr truck?

[FrostBite]

It does have a few rusty patches, but they should be easy to fix, or just overlook. As for finding the truck, this was the only one that I knew of for a while, but now I know where about 10 are, but they are in a different part of the state.

New transmission.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/2010-04-02144701.jpg

[03CCDually]

Cool project

[crossy's son]

Cool truck for sure....:D

[03CCDually]

helluva set of tires out back there

[94K1500Blazer]

i LOVE the oobs 4 door long beds. What direction are you goin wth the project? Id love to see this thing brought back to its original luster, but with some modern touches, audio, comfy interior. And maybe just a small 4" lift and some 33" a/t's. Tow rig style, big and beefy, but nice and plush on the interior. Do I smell a Cummins swap? tell me yes! Good luck with the project. Im definitely gonna keep an eye on this build up

[FrostBite]

Small update of sorts. I got the range box portion of a divorced Ford NP203. Not sure on how the axles will be set up, so I don't know whether to get a Ford or a Chevrolet NP205 for now.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0433.jpg

As for the truck, it's in a pretty deplorable condition, as the pictures show. :crazy:

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0440.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0441.jpg

Although the truck hasn't made any progress really, I have been working to get a shop somewhat setup. Prior to May, this place was so junked up you could barely walk through it. I've cleaned it up and I ran power out to it so I could use power tools and have some light (and the window AC unit). This worked out really well as I no longer have to work in my driveway, and my mom no longer has to look at truck parts piled up in her driveway. Overlook the mess, as the crossties used to house a flower bed where my mom would breed hybrid flowers. She wants it gone, so I'm in the process of cleaning it out.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0435.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0437.jpg


http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0442.jpg

About the only project I have left is to build a shelf to go in between the double doors and the wall so that I can clear up some floor space.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0439.jpg

Since the lawnmower was evicted from the shop, I had to build it a new home, so a small (10' x 10') leanto was in order.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSCN0438.jpg

I also rebuilt this 25 year old compressor I scored for 20 dollars and stuck it outside under the leanto so I wouldn't have to listen to it.

[94K1500Blazer]

i see u have the pvc air system setup. thats pretty cool. is that the same one where u can just pull it apart and rearrange it as u want?

[FrostBite]

Yeah, if by pull it apart you mean cut it with a hacksaw and then reattach it with PVC glue. :lol: In all seriousness it's just 1.5" Schedule 40 PVC with a 450 psi burst strenght.

[94K1500Blazer]

Yeah, if by pull it apart you mean cut it with a hacksaw and then reattach it with PVC glue. :lol: In all seriousness it's just 1.5" Schedule 40 PVC with a 450 psi burst strenght.

lol, ok. i didnt know if it was the pull apart one, or a home made one, lol. looks good though. i need to set something up like that at my house.

[FrostBite]

If you do set it up, you may want to put something over the PVC. It is against OSHA regulations to use it since it has the potential to blow apart under pressure. If it does, it can send shrapnel a pretty fair distance. Most people run black iron pipe or copper lines, but this was extremely cheap, so I'm just going to build a "shield" to run down the pipe to contain it if it does decide to blow, though it never may. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[FrostBite]

'Nother small update. I drove 3 hours to pick up a Ford NP205. Rockwells can be flipped around to run the driveshaft on either the passenger or driver side, as well as running the tierod in front of or behind the axle. If I do decide to run a divorced doubler, I want the 205 clocked flat, and the 203 clocked 90* so that it is up out of the way. Most people who clock the 203 run it upside down, but this can lead to leaking out the shifter seal. I want it clocked so that the shifter is oriented upwards. With this clocking arrangement, I have to run either a GM 203 and a Ford 205, or a Ford 203 and a GM 205 to keep the front driveshaft from running right into the 203. I'm not sure if I can swap the Ford divorced 203 input and retainer into a GM 203, so I'll need to figure that out.

To make this more clear to those who aren't familiar with the older trucks. Ford dropped the front driveshaft down the driverside of the truck, while GM ran them down the passenger side. Ford 205's are desirable because they have stronger front outputs (32 spline) than GM cases (10 or 30 spline). The Ford front output shaft and shift fork can be swapped into a GM case. GM NP203s have the shifter on the driver side, while Ford's have them on the passenger (as evidenced by the Ford rangebox above). So I would need to clock a GM 203 90* one direction, and a Ford 203 90* the opposite direction to get the shifter on the top side of the case.

[FrostBite]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20100911_130115.jpg

Shot of the 205. I believe the adapter on it is for an NP435, can someone verify that for me?

[FrostBite]

I picked up five H1 wheels on Friday for pretty cheap.

(Generic picture of H1's until I remember to take one)
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t213/406yj/Painted%2012%20bolt%20with%20RF/DSCN1770.jpg

So far this whole "for offroad" build has been substantially less than my white truck was. I picked up all five of my new wheels for less than I payed for one of the wheels on my white truck which were $750 total. Excluding the initial purchase price for the truck, and deducting what I have sold off, I have spent $321.52, which netted me the transmission, both transfer cases, the wheels, the stuff to make my doors removable, and the v tread tires.

[94K1500Blazer]

I picked up five H1 wheels on Friday for pretty cheap.

So far this whole "for offroad" build has been substantially less than my white truck was. I picked up all five of my new wheels for less than I payed for one of the wheels on my white truck which were $750 total. Excluding the initial purchase price for the truck, and deducting what I have sold off, I have spent $321.52, which netted me the transmission, both transfer cases, the wheels, the stuff to make my doors removable, and the v tread tires.

sweet. Cant wait to see this thing done. Not gonna lie, i was pretty excited to see this thread alive again. :D

[07Burb]

Man! I have to say I am totally jealous of your project!! I would give me left arm to build a truck like that!

[FrostBite]

sweet. Cant wait to see this thing done. Not gonna lie, i was pretty excited to see this thread alive again. :D

It will take me a while longer. There's not much more I can do without a welder. I graduate in 8 months, so hopefully I will start making money soon so I can move a little more quickly on it.


Man! I have to say I am totally jealous of your project!! I would give me left arm to build a truck like that!

Thanks man, I had wanted one for a long time and finally managed to find one for a good price.

[FrostBite]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101105_124431.jpg

Robbed the outputs from the 205. I also took the 203 apart to see what would interchange between the two cases. The input bearing retainers are the same, but the bearings/seals are different since the 205 has a female input. The yokes will interchange though as all of the shafts are 32 spline.

[FrostBite]

I did some butchering on the cab yesterday. The rockers were rotting pretty bad and the rot was creeping up the A, B, and C pillars and across the floor, so I went in to try and cut out roughest places in order to try and stop the advance of the rust. This is what happens when you live where the humidity is 247% year round.

On to the pictures.

Passenger Front Door

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_143703.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_143709.jpg

Passenger Rear Door.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_143717.jpg

Driver Rear

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_143749.jpg

After 2 heroic sawzall blades lost their life (moment of silence).

Driver

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_163551.jpg

Rear

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_163601.jpg

Passenger Front

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_163611.jpg

I cut/peeled the rocker open on this side and it was just packed full of dirt, how it got in there I don't know, put the dirt was around 4" deep so I think I found why it was rusting so badly.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20101215_163620.jpg

Rather than try and patch panel everything back together, I'm most likely going to just cut the rockers off and replace them with a 2 x 6 tube. The floor I'm not sure about since some of it is still in pretty good shape, while other areas look like Gollum's *******. :imo Another thing to take into consideration is that I will most likely have to cut out a section of the floor in the middle for the transfer case to get it flat. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

[07Burb]

Progress is being done! :thumbup: Why are you going to use 2" x 6" tubes for the rockers?

[94K1500Blazer]

Once u get all that dirt, and junk out of there, you should wipe all the areas u cut with xylol (xylene) or atleast some kind of alcohol, and prime it all real good so it wont rust again while your not working on it. Would suck to have to cut more rust after u already did it once

[FrostBite]

Progress is being done! :thumbup: Why are you going to use 2" x 6" tubes for the rockers?

For ease and protection. The tube will be 3/16" thick, so if for whatever reason I drop the cab of the truck down on a log or something, it won't fubar the cab.


Once u get all that dirt, and junk out of there, you should wipe all the areas u cut with xylol (xylene) or atleast some kind of alcohol, and prime it all real good so it wont rust again while your not working on it. Would suck to have to cut more rust after u already did it once

Yeah, I wish I would have cut it apart sooner so I could have stopped some of the rust. I came home from finals and noticed light shining through the rockers when I drove past it, so that prompted some action. :lol:

[dirtygirl23]

Nice thread! Amazing truck and project man, cant wait to see more progress :)

[94K1500Blazer]

For ease and protection. The tube will be 3/16" thick, so if for whatever reason I drop the cab of the truck down on a log or something, it won't fubar the cab.



Yeah, I wish I would have cut it apart sooner so I could have stopped some of the rust. I came home from finals and notices light shining through the rockers when I drove past it, so that prompted some action. :lol:

Damn your gonna have built in rock sliders basically :D. This things gonna be cool when its done. Have u decided on what direction your gonna go in the build, tow rig, lift it, lower it, resto?

[FrostBite]

I don't know if I would call them rocksliders or not; I'm on the coastal plain of Georgia, so the biggest rocks we have are about the size of a grape fruit, and those are few and far between. Maybe stump sliders will be more appropriate.:crazy:

Basic plan is to run a stock LQ9, rockwells, and 44" boggers with the front linked and the rear on leaf springs to begin with until I can afford to link the rear. Then later on I can fix up the engine some to get some more powahhh.

[94K1500Blazer]

Basic plan is to run a stock LQ9, rockwells, and 44" boggers with the front linked and the rear on leaf springs to begin with until I can afford to link the rear. Then later on I can fix up the engine some to get some more powahhh.

That would be cool. I personally would turn the NBS into a mud toy, and do the OOBS up real nice like a modern resto. Nice plush leather interior, lifted a little, Cummins swap, just do it up like a modern tow rig. But itll have that old school flare. A 6litre and rockwells will be cool also :D

[Koots]

I think LQ4 would be better, lower stock compression, cheaper, less power but the same potential with less initial cost.

6BT Cummins swap is an enticing option as well :D

[drover88stepper]

That would be cool. I personally would turn the NBS into a mud toy, and do the OOBS up real nice like a modern resto. Nice plush leather interior, lifted a little, Cummins swap, just do it up like a modern tow rig. But itll have that old school flare. A 6litre and rockwells will be cool also :D

x2 on this, square body cclb's are perfect when done in this manner, its what i'd do lol. but to each his own, its your truck. no matter what ya does it will be sick, a good solid start to a project
peace

[FrostBite]

Nah, I can't beat my white truck up like that, it has been too good to me. Some people that live about a mile from me have a OOBS crew cab flat bed wrecker that's probably 30-35' long; that would be cool to put a cummins in and use it to transport the blue truck farther distances once it is finished. I'll have to grab a picture of it next time I go by, they would probably want $3500 for it though.

I'm still trying to think of a name for the blue truck, and have two that are my most favorite right now. The Iron Giant - self explanatory, and Charybdis since it will suck up so much money. :lol:

[FrostBite]

Aforementioned crewcab.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101217_083857.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101217_084017.jpg

[94K1500Blazer]

Aforementioned crewcab.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101217_083857.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101217_084017.jpg

That things pretty cool. Would be pretty BA towing a huge truck the same year

[88chevyshort]

sub'd :head:

[black87chevy]

nice build you got going there. cant wait to see how it turns out.

[FrostBite]

I think LQ4 would be better, lower stock compression, cheaper, less power but the same potential with less initial cost.

6BT Cummins swap is an enticing option as well :D

My limited understanding is that most people buy the LQ4 with the intention of turbocharging, since the lower compression helps with that correct? I was under the impression that the higher compression of the LQ9 is desirable for NA applications. Or is it all just a wash since I could just change the pistons on the LQ4 to get higher compression?

[FrostBite]

I think LQ4 would be better, lower stock compression, cheaper, less power but the same potential with less initial cost.

6BT Cummins swap is an enticing option as well :D

My limited understanding is that most people buy the LQ4 with the intention of turbocharging, since the lower compression helps with that correct? I was under the impression that the higher compression of the LQ9 is desirable for NA applications. Or is it all just a wash since I could just change the pistons on the LQ4 to get higher compression?

And a cummins wouldn't work too well because of the max rpm. With the cummins tached out, I could barely hit 60 mph.

[87BlazerBeast]

Nice Project!

[FrostBite]

My girlfriend fully kicks ass! Her Christmas present to me; it can run on both 115v and 230v.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101224_221727.jpg

First weld right out of the box. The tab is 3/16th and the piece it is welded to is 1/8th. I haven't touched a MIG welder in around 2 years, so I'm a bit rusty. I'm stuck with flux core until I can grab a bottle, but I am really enjoying it.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101224_221624.jpg

[94K1500Blazer]

My girlfriend fully kicks ass! Her Christmas present to me; it can run on both 115v and 230v.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101224_221727.jpg

Agreed! :D Looks like u can start welding some new rockers in :read:

[87BlazerBeast]

Nice

[FrostBite]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101229_212908.jpg

Needs a couple more hooks bent up (old electric fence post FTW) so I can hang my hood and some other sundry things on it.

The way it is set up, I can pick up on the handle and roll it on the pneumatic tires only for easier off concrete voyaging. I'm also going to add a platform off the back for a bottle to ride on once I get one.

[300King]

Nice! I'd say she is a keeper. I was hoping for a welder for xmas but didn't get it, got some other nice things tho.

[FrostBite]

We have a local company, Rebel Auction, who specializes in mostly farm equipment and used medium duty trucks, but occasionally they get a M35 truck in. As of now they have two, a very nice one with the troop bed, and then one that is haggard as **** setup with a fifth wheel. Depending on if the truck is going for auction or available for immediate purchase, I may or may not be picking this up.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSC08799.jpg

I'm not sure if it runs, hopefully it doesn't to keep the price down, but if I get it, I'll pull the axles and then scrap the rest.

[87BlazerBeast]

Awesome. My brother has a m35 with the long bed

[94K1500Blazer]

We have a local company, Rebel Auction, who specializes in mostly farm equipment and used medium duty trucks, but occasionally they get a M35 truck in. As of now they have two, a very nice one with the troop bed, and then one that is haggard as **** setup with a fifth wheel. Depending on if the truck is going for auction or available for immediate purchase, I may or may not be picking this up.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/DSC08799.jpg

I'm not sure if it runs, hopefully it doesn't to keep the price down, but if I get it, I'll pull the axles and then scrap the rest.


Sweet! do some research. Some people will pay a good amount to have one of these. post an add online and see if someone near u needs parts for a resto?

[Koots]

I'd be tempted to just drive that M35 LOL! I've been really wanting to get one of those and dig into it. I think they would make a great hunting rig...just build a flat bed and ramps, drive the snowmobiles up onto it. Go out for a long hunt, drive the machines up and the kill all at the same time and drive away LOL

[07Burb]

I'd be tempted to just drive that M35 LOL! I've been really wanting to get one of those and dig into it. I think they would make a great hunting rig...just build a flat bed and ramps, drive the snowmobiles up onto it. Go out for a long hunt, drive the machines up and the kill all at the same time and drive away LOL

That's what I was thinking! Reminding me of Stacey David's build of Sargent Rock :D

[Deviant1]

Sweet! do some research. Some people will pay a good amount to have one of these. post an add online and see if someone near u needs parts for a resto?

These trucks are cool as hell, I love them. Theres a guy down the street from my dads house that restores about 2 a year and always sells them fast.

[FrostBite]

My girlfriends grandpa passed away the day before auction for the deuce, so I was unable to make get it.

I'm on spring break now, so I put the frame back under the cab and pulled it down to the shelter where my grandpa used to park his truck (he passed away two years ago) so I would have some concrete to work on.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110307_170603.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110307_171427.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110307_172508.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110307_174457.jpg

I also picked up another Ford NP205, bringing the total (minus initial purchase price) to $371.52

I ran out of light today, so tomorrow I will pull out the front and rear suspension.

[94K1500Blazer]

glad to see more progress on this. Its gotta be nice to get the truck onto some dry concrete.

[07Burb]

Glad to see something done with this! I'm anxious to see what you do with it!

[Brettk]

Sub'd

[FrostBite]

All of this stuff, including the tractor tires (see previous posts), is for sale.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110308_142044.jpg

I'm laying frame!!!!!1one!!!!!

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110308_142056.jpg

Off to slice off the rockers. A plasma cutter would be awesome right about now.

[FrostBite]

No more rockers.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110309_123714-1.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110309_123757.jpg

What was in the rockers. Yes that is a plastic spoon. There was also a tea bag and a small baby rattle.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110309_123728-1.jpg

I've got 20 feet of 2 x 6 .188 wall tubing and 40 feet of 1 x 1 x .120 wall coming tomorrow hopefully.

[07Burb]

Interesting what you find when doing these projects!! :D Hope you get the new rockers patched soon! :)

[FrostBite]

I cut the bottom lip off of the doors and then tacked the inner and outer skins back together. The goal is to have the slider high enough that I can seal the door to it with the stock weather stripping.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110310_163120.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110310_170135.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110310_182341.jpg

After staring at the cab for a while, I've decided that the best course of action will be to get the sliders where I want them in relation to the bottom of the doors and then attach them to the frame. Then take patch panels and bring the body back down to the sliders; the rust is just running up too high, mainly in the foot wells and the B pillar. Once I get that done, I can cut out the floor and build a 1 x 1 frame coming off of the sliders.

[mainechev]

My girlfriend fully kicks ass! Her Christmas present to me; it can run on both 115v and 230v.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/IMG_20101224_221727.jpg

Marry her.
Sweet project BTW. Can't wait to see it finished!

[FrostBite]

Other than trimming the driver fender to fit over the slider, nothing "real" got done. I did some brainstorming on the best way to proceed forward.

This is a model I created of the frame which shows how I waste time when I should be doing more important things like studying biochemistry.:damnit: It has the bed mounts, body mounts, and axle center lines, and allows me to play with ideas when I'm away at school. It ends abruptly at the front because that is where the frame raises and narrows for the front suspension and that is above my skill to model.

There's more, I just took the screenshot to only show the driver's side.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/FrameSideshot.png

I've decided to chop up the other 10 feet of tube to make frame mounts for the slider. I may not be able to put in the sleeved speed holes as I don't have a drill press to holesaw them in, and if I were to try it with my 10 amp DeWalt hand drill, I'm pretty sure I would break my wrists and possibly dislocate both of my shoulders...

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/SliderMount.png

Notice the drain hole at the bottom of the mount. One of my goals is to remove all locations where dirt and/or water can get trapped and rust everything up again.

I also recieved my new hydraulic slave bellhousing to replace the mechanical one that came with my transmission. It has a small crack on the cover for the slave cylinder, so I will have to haul it over to my cousin's husband's shop so he can tig it up for me. The aluminum bellhousings are known for cracking, but I felt like the negatives were outweighed by the benefits; the slave cylinder will be protected, and since I won't have the weight of a transfercase hanging off of the back of the transmission, I'm hoping that will help keep the cracks away. If I have problems with it cracking I'll just get a cast iron one and build a mount off of the mounting bolts or the PTO cover.

New

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110311_165736.jpg

Old

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110311_165816.jpg

[Big Red 1500]

I love the old 4 doors !!! Killer project

[94K1500Blazer]

sweet slider mounts. I might steal that idea for mine. they look super strong and the drain hole idea is brilliant. not to mention theyll be strong, and they look damn good. Think of some more ideas for me :read:

[FrostBite]

Haha, I've got all kinds of ideas, I just lack the equipment to bring them to fruition. I would be rich if I had a dollar for every hour I've spent making and tweaking models like the ones above.

[FrostBite]

I burned up an entire cutoff wheel just slicing off a 22" piece of 2 x 6 and chopping out a notch for the slider to lay in (34" of total cut) and I still have to cut the angled pieces, which is roughly 44" of metal to cut, so I have to figure out a more economical cutting method...

[crossy's son]

torch setup off craigslist maybe?

Sawzall? Blades are expensive but you can buy them at flea markets in bundles usually

[FrostBite]

I picked up a GM NP203 for 50 bucks. My girlfriend wonders why I need 4 transfercases. :crazy:

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110319_184834.jpg

[07Burb]

You should turn around and ask her who DOESN'T need for transfer cases :whatever:

[FrostBite]

The saw isn't as fast as I thought it would be, but it is nice to let it cut one piece while I shape the previous one with the grinder.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110409_185446.jpg

I'm also changing up the slider/cab mounts so that they bolt on rather than weld on. The previous design meant cutting the cab off, and with my luck there would be some reason to do that shortly after getting the truck finished. I figured taking some extra time now would save me headaches down the road.

[fon1961]

The saw isn't as fast as I thought it would be, but it is nice to let it cut one piece while I shape the previous one with the grinder.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110409_185446.jpg

I'm also changing up the slider/cab mounts so that they bolt on rather than weld on. The previous design meant cutting the cab off, and with my luck there would be some reason to do that shortly after getting the truck finished. I figured taking some extra time now would save me headaches down the road.

i've been looking at buying a similar band saw. do you consider it a good investment now that you've used it a while?

[DylanC]

subd obs ftw

[99Z71offroad]

bro im subscribed to this thread. can not wait to see this thing done keep us posted and keep the progress rolling no matter how slow it seems at times, great job so far keep it up

[FrostBite]

i've been looking at buying a similar band saw. do you consider it a good investment now that you've used it a while?

Yesterday was the first day I've used the saw so I only have those three pieces cut. Mine cuts fairly close to 90* but the stand is somewhat lacking, so I will probably build a more sturdy one at some point in the future.

[fon1961]

Yesterday was the first day I've used the saw so I only have those three pieces cut. Mine cuts fairly close to 90* but the stand is somewhat lacking, so I will probably build a more sturdy one at some point in the future.

thanks for the feedback, don't want to get your thread off track, let us know how it does on the angle cuts (especially on the larger stock) if you get a chance during your build. it's a great thread btw.

[FrostBite]

Woo hoo. Ditched the LQ9 idea in favor of this.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110507_183643.jpg

8.1 big block.

[FrostBite]

Passenger side front slider/body mount is bolted to the frame.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110516_131132.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110516_131122.jpg

The bottom will be plated and drilled/tapped for bolts to hold on the passenger side skid plate. I need to finish the other 2 and then weld the slider to them, then weld the body to the slider, which will be a chore.

[FrostBite]

I finished up the driver side mount but didn't take any pictures since it is just a mirror image of the pass. side. Tomorrow I will start on the other two passenger side mounts so I can go ahead and mount the slider on that side.

[FrostBite]

The slider is just sitting on the mounts so that I can figure out how I want to do the rear mount since there seems to be 19 rivets per side holding the rear most body mount on and the top of the frame is 5 1/4" higher there than under the front of the cab.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_094825.jpg

All my time with the grinder and a flap wheel did pay off though as the slider is perfectly level.:woot:

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_104258.jpg

Now, the following pictures are rust spots that worry me; they are above all 4 of the doors.

Pass rear.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_113959.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_114005.jpg

Pass Front

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_114014.jpg

Driver front

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_114039.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_114047.jpg

Driver rear

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110520_114057.jpg

Would I be better off to find a better cab or are those holes repairable? And on the topic of fixing sheetmetal, I need to order the new rockers to affix the cab to the slider. Would THIS (http://www.classicparts.com/1973-91-Rocker-Patch-Panel-Suburban-FR-Left/productinfo/44-459/) be my best bet, or do better alternatives exist? Also the bottoms of the B pillars are pretty chewed up, are there patch panels made for that area? TIA.:thumb:

[07Burb]

Those look repairable to me but I might be missing something with not seeing it in person. It would take some fabbing but I think you could make your own patch panels, cut out the cancer and weld the patch panels up. I think it'd be very difficult to find a donor cab considering it's a crew cab which are hard to find anyway in any kind of decent condition.

[1990z71]

Sweet project man, finally somebody else on here is buildin a oobs crew too

[FrostBite]

Today I drove 70 miles to Cochran, Georgia, to get a new cab that was supposed to be ready for pickup at 4, but when I arrived at 4:15, they were just unloading the C30 off of the rollback to start stripping/removing the cab. Since the yard closed at 6, they didn't have time to strip the cab at all, so I wound up getting a full interior, a hydroboost setup, the AC system, and a sliding rear window all for the same price as the bare cab. Score.

Leaving out.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110805_144944.jpg

And stopping at a Dairy Queen to refuel.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110805_184550.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110805_184615.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20110805_184623.jpg

[FrostBite]

The new cab is in awesome shape as far as I'm concerned; I think it is in about the best shape I can hope for for this area considering the humidity we have. It also looks to have been repainted at some point since under the carpet is black.

As for progress, I stripped the carpet, trim panels, and headliner as of now, with the dash electronics on tomorrows agenda. Once it got dark I hooked a spare battery to the remains of the engine bay harness and worked by the maplight.:pimp: The chicken lights on top and the cargo lamp still work too.:haha:

[1lowblkhoe]

This build just got alot better with that big block, nice score on the cab.

[07Burb]

I'm following this on GMSB as well and I can't say enough how good of a deal you got on that cab and this build is going to turn out awesome!!! :)

[FrostBite]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120228_122408.jpg

Check out the tail housing.:pimp: That's also a 4L80e adaptor peeking out the back.

[CarolinaHD]

subscribing i like this little project you got goin

[FrostBite]

Here are some more detailed shots of the adaptor. I'll have a for sale thread up once I get it cleaned up some.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120302_220133.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120302_220109.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120302_220053.jpg

I just need a short 32 spline case to pop up now and I will have all the parts I neeed for my doubler, minus yokes, and you know, the actual doubler adaptor.:haha:

[FrostBite]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120619_164625.jpg

[94K1500Blazer]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120619_164625.jpg

very nice! glad to see your taking your time instead of doing a hack and slash job to hurry up and get it on the road.

[FrostBite]

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120623_221504.jpg

I made the frame side mounts from 1.75 x .120 DOM. I don't have a notcher, but the XY table made it pretty easy to center the hole saw over the tube.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120624_002230.jpg

I had to think about the angle because they hit the frame where it tapers in so I had a compound angle to deal with.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120624_005839.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120624_011553.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120624_015412.jpg

I'm going to add 3 gussets spaced 120* around tube to spread out the contact area on the frame. I need to order a die for my Model 32 and I'll bend up a removable crossmember to hug the oil pan.

[FrostBite]

It's been a while since my last update.

Rather than bend up an engine crossmember I used some 1/2 x 2 bar stock so that I could have more up travel.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120712_002248.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120711_155420.jpg

With the engine mounts mostly done I moved on to the front axle. I want 8 lug wheels instead of the funky huge 6 lug hubs that the Rockwell come with stock. So I fired up the lathe and set out to combine the Rockwell and 14 Bolt spindles.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20120815_160426.jpg

I got the two spindles machined up for a press fit.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121009_210531.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121025_181212.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121105_205043.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121105_205029.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121211_200156.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121211_202846.jpg

The Rockwell portion is cast steel and when I tacked it to the 14 Bolt spindle the tacks broke. According to the internet cast steel needs to be pre heated and post heated, so I fired up the Weber and cooked each spindle at ~400* for about 2 hours and then welded them together. After welding they went back on the grill to cool down over several hours.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121218_193502.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121218_202819.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121219_220046.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121219_220027.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121105_210725.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20121105_211122.jpg

Boom. 8 lug wheels on 2.5 ton Rockwells. I still need to bore out the inner diameter of the 14 Bolt portion of the Frankenspindle so that the larger Rockwell axle shafts can pass through.

[Mattitudx]

lol

[FrostBite]

On to the flange now.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130113_171620.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130113_171821.jpg

I need to measure the wall thickness at the threads and keyway and compare it to the unbored spindle to see how much I took off. I'm hoping that the spindle nuts will help hold the outside end together to keep it from splitting, though there shouldn't be too terribly much load out that far.

[90LiftedChevy]

Wow, huge truck, can't wait to see more of this!!

[FrostBite]

The mail lady just dropped off my raw materials. Literally dropped it, it left a hole in my yard. 40 lbs of 4140 bar stock, 4.5" OD, 8.875" long. Thank you eBay. .308 and .22 LR for reference.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130125_142828.jpg

I'm not sure how long it will take my Harbor Freight band saw to chop this thing into 4 2" long pieces.

[FrostBite]

I got one of the drive flanges machined up and pressed together, all it needs is to be welded and then have the weld turned flush.

I picked back up with the faced off block and drilled it out to 1 5/8" to cut down on the amount of boring required.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130212_182801_zpsef2f0c87.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130212_192214_zpse3de3343.jpg

Then I bored the hole to 2.374" and faced off the end that will mate to the hub. (no picture) Then it was back to the drill press to drill the bolt pattern.

Finding center

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_104546_zpse36dbb98.jpg

Center drilling

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_120830_zpsebb01776.jpg

Pilot hole

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_121141_zpsafa8a83e.jpg

33/64" for bolt shank.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_121713_zps16f598d8.jpg

Counter bore

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_122257_zpse55ec910.jpg

Making sure that the bolt holes were lined up correctly. I was nervous as I had never done anything quite like this before.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_140106_zps945a9016.jpg

Back to the lathe to cut the taper.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_152143_zpsfa4a9b41.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_155922_zpsd61cd749.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_180159_zps95a70884.jpg

Another check to see how things were shaping up.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_180515_zps53e0bd9c.jpg

Pressing in the splined slug.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_181429_zps186b6abf.jpg

All that's left is welding the slug in.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_182534_zps4b81204c.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130219_182420_zps1c1bfc23.jpg

[FrostBite]

Update for May.

The drive flange got finished and sticks out 1" from the lip of factory H1 wheels. (9" wide 7" backspacing)

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130224_152215_zps157d6da2.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130224_152504_zps509151f6.jpg

I made lower links with the 3 speed hole theme.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130309_141630_zps7ff9c9af.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130309_202107_zps9cb4d123.jpg

Due to the ****ing huge Rockwell third member, I lifted the motor 1.5" to squeeze more up travel and lower ride height out.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130311_155143_zpsdbc183a9.jpg

I bolted the axle up and started working on the upper links. The frame side mounts need to be where the upper lip of the frame is. I'm not looking forward to doing that, so I moved on to the steering.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130318_202021_zpsc752cec4.jpg

The steering needed 3 things; to go above the lower links but below the pinion flange, to keep the tie rods in line at full extension, and to have the ram run out of travel just before the axle joints started to bind.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130320_141800_zps174240b2.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130320_141819_zps5b1ac390.jpg

The gussets continued the 3 hole theme.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130322_133321_zpsf4ad450b.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130322_183157_zps5210f6c2.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130322_193031_zpsfd9f76d7.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/IMG_20130322_193116_zps0c619c55.jpg

With the steering ram mounted and the lower links made, the uppers were the last part. To get good numbers, the upper link mounts needed to be where the top lip of the frame went, so I bought a Hypertherm 45 and cut that **** out the way with the fourth state of matter at my finger tips. I heavily modified some 10* brackets from Ruff Stuff Specialties to go in the gaping holes that now occupied my frame rails. It would have been easier to just start from scratch, but I didn't want to waste the brackets I'd paid for.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0815_zps6e0b11f7.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0819_zps3537b030.jpg


And with my EMT mock up links in

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0825_zpsd60e71c3.jpg

And the approximate rod end locations.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0826_zpsff319982.jpg

Next part was the axle side brackets. From looking at the picture above you can tell one needed a tower and the other one needed to mount off the third member. I drew up a tower design and had them cut out by Mud Pro Metal works (this was before I bought my own plasma cutter). I had to order the tube to sleeve the holes with, so I can't do anything to the brackets yet.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0828_zps1b8787ed.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0829_zpsfa1faf83.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0831_zps1d54f742.jpg

While waiting on my raw materials, I started the passenger side link off the chunk.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0837_zpsd633019f.jpg

[FrostBite]

I spaced the bracket above the inspection cover, so to get the heim in the right spot, it had to be recessed into the bracket slightly.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0838_zps5c554687.jpg

1/2" spacer to clear the dished inspection cover. Just roughed out.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0848_zpscd64b866.jpg

The side is tied into the 4 bolt cover.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0854_zps07640f31.jpg

To keep the heim recess from filling with water and mud, I turned it into a channel to drain stuff out under the side plate.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0860_zps8be62f90.jpg

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0861_zps4a6f7235.jpg

And in primer. The hole and partial hole on the side plate match up with the holes running up the sides of the tower.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq337/FrostBite31539/C20/DSCN0863_zps571a2168.jpg

Later on I'll tie the bracket into the pinion seal carriers, but that will come when I rebuild the axle and actually bolt the pinion seal carriers on. That's why the edges aren't ground smooth.

UPS should deliver the stuff I need to finish the tower tomorrow, so I will hopefully get the axle bolted back under the truck this week. Then it's onto adapting disk brakes to the front axle.