Grant's build thread

[g9m3c]

Well, I looked through the Projects section for a couple hours last night before going to bed, and it got me thinking. Actually, I was thinking so much, I couldn't go to sleep until somewhere around 4 am. As most of you know, I bought my '74 Z to be a DD. Well, there were a lot of reasons I did that, but one of them was so I could do the work I really wanted to do on my truck and not have to rely on it for transportation. So, here in a couple months, I'm going to start tearing it apart. I need to get my Z reliable first, though, so it will be a little while before the truck project can start. I'm thinking seriously about selling my wheels and some of my audio equiptment to get some cash to make the Z reliable and to put into my savings account. I could pick up a cheap set of stock wheels or something to roll on for the mean time. Also, a big stereo system doesn't exactly fit into my plans for it. So here's what I'm thinking.


- 4/6 or 5/7 drop with custom built (welded in) notch and partially boxed rear frame

- Custom rear "bumper" right behind the roll pan to protect:

- 20 gallon fuel cell relocated to behind the axle

- Battery relocated to the rear

- 12 bolt or Ford 9"

- Triangulated 4 link with QA1 coilovers

- 20" wheels with pretty big meats out back (as big as I can go with stock frame rails) I possibly might backhalf it anyway, though.

- LS1 or other aluminum block gen3/4 engine with 4L80E trans, hopefully around 550 hp or so

- Many body mods, some that I've not seen before.

- Interior totally redone with covered panels, etc. Possibly a sheetmetal dash covered in ultraleather like I have on my console now.





Basically, keeping the same smooth, clean look I have now, and making it more bada$$. I'll probably be going back with the same color, but all freshly done. This will be a long term project, probably a couple years or more. The worst part is that it'll start off in my one car garage. Hopefuly I'll be able to move it into a bigger work space later, but if not, it's been done before in a one bay. Thoughts/Ideas/Flaming?

[F4MOU$]

If I were you, I'd sell that hunk of metal for a NBS before you start any modding....















You got a really nice and clean truck already! I can't imagine you doing anything else to it but it sounds like you got some good plans so look forward to it!

[g9m3c]

Originally Posted by F4MOU$

If I were you, I'd sell that hunk of metal for a NBS before you start any modding....


You got a really nice and clean truck already! I can't imagine you doing anything else to it but it sounds like you got some good plans so look forward to it!

Ba$tard.




Yea, it'll be a little while though. I just wanted to start a thread so I could throw some ideas out there. I've still gotta get some equiptment first. Welder, chop saw, grinder, etc.


EDIT: Damn, where am I gonna put all that chit in this tiny garage?

[91blkstpsd]

Sounds good.
I could sell you my 4/6 kit when I go bagged, also sell you my wheels so I can get the ones I want. lol

Im not sure about the sheetmetal dash, if it was me I would more than likely smooth and paint all the plastic because I love the color of your truck. Then use a light tan for your seats, carpet, and headliner. Headliner and seat inserts in suede. Alot of the time LESS = MORE. Clean simple trucks still reign in the shows today.

Engine wise, you could pick up a 5.3 or 6.0 for about a grand or less now. Then just do an LS6 top end on that and have plenty of power. Wish I would have waited and done this oh well. haha

Body, shaved handles, bed rails, taillights, and flush bed cover. Put some LEDs in the roll pan or lower tailgate like 1BADGMC has. Very clean look but not overdone.

This is just my .02 so take what you may. haha
Oh and yes, having to buy your own tools and equipment sucks and slows things down alot. Be prepared. And you're welcome to come use what I already have.

[Black90Sport]

nice grant.... ive been thinking about making a new thread for spring time cause the truck will be going through many of the same changes you have listed. Cant wait to see yours and im sure well be helping each other out with ideas!!!

[g9m3c]

Originally Posted by 91blkstpsd

Sounds good.
I could sell you my 4/6 kit when I go bagged, also sell you my wheels so I can get the ones I want. lol

Im not sure about the sheetmetal dash, if it was me I would more than likely smooth and paint all the plastic because I love the color of your truck. Then use a light tan for your seats, carpet, and headliner. Headliner and seat inserts in suede. Alot of the time LESS = MORE. Clean simple trucks still reign in the shows today.

Engine wise, you could pick up a 5.3 or 6.0 for about a grand or less now. Then just do an LS6 top end on that and have plenty of power. Wish I would have waited and done this oh well. haha

Body, shaved handles, bed rails, taillights, and flush bed cover. Put some LEDs in the roll pan or lower tailgate like 1BADGMC has. Very clean look but not overdone.

This is just my .02 so take what you may. haha
Oh and yes, having to buy your own tools and equipment sucks and slows things down alot. Be prepared. And you're welcome to come use what I already have.

I might take you up on that 4/6 kit. What brand spindles do you have? The reason I mentioned a sheetmetal dash is because mine's cracked all to hell and I've never been a fan of painted dashes. I also wanna go with an aluminum block motor for weight savings, the same reason I'm ditching some of my stereo equiptment and other things (a/c, etc). I'll be keeping the stock door handles, but shaving the bed rails, antenna, tailgate handle, gas door, and doing a few other tricks. I'll probably be having you and Joe do some powder coating for me too.



Also, has anyone seen a static 4 link with at least a 6" drop under the stock bedfloor? Just wondering if there's enough room for the shock crossmember and bar mounts....

[g9m3c]

Originally Posted by Black90Sport

nice grant.... ive been thinking about making a new thread for spring time cause the truck will be going through many of the same changes you have listed. Cant wait to see yours and im sure well be helping each other out with ideas!!!

Sounds good man. Are you gonna go 2wd?

[Black90Sport]

well talk about it on aim some time hehe.

[Pewter-Q]

I'm extremely excited for this build to pick up some steam. Definitely a good direction so far with your plans too. I like the idea of a simply done sheetmetal dash. Maybe do some engine turning like treatment on it and get it polished instead of covered.

The idea I really like is the GenIII/IV aluminum block swap. You could get a built 4L60E instead of the 80E to save some weight but you wouldn't be saving any cash however. This is an idea I've been rolling over in my head too, an RCSB OBS with a full GenIV powertrain set up pro-touring style. I'd go with an LS2 out of a wrecked TBSS or GTO. Add a cam dyno tune and some bolt ons and you should be at or near your hp mark.

[g9m3c]

Originally Posted by lionel

I'm extremely excited for this build to pick up some steam. Definitely a good direction so far with your plans too. I like the idea of a simply done sheetmetal dash. Maybe do some engine turning like treatment on it and get it polished instead of covered.

The idea I really like is the GenIII/IV aluminum block swap. You could get a built 4L60E instead of the 80E to save some weight but you wouldn't be saving any cash however. This is an idea I've been rolling over in my head too, an RCSB OBS with a full GenIV powertrain set up pro-touring style. I'd go with an LS2 out of a wrecked TBSS or GTO. Add a cam dyno tune and some bolt ons and you should be at or near your hp mark.

The only reason I say 4L80e is because I've been seeing a lot of people having trouble with built 60's here lately.

[Justv610]

Damn man, I couldnt imagine you doing more. Your truck is just rite imo. But then again, I guess no one is ever satisfied

Sounds like a project, I will start a project thread when I dig into my engine. Eventually when I am near finished with my so called "future plans" I will make another build thread starting from the beginning stock, to finish.
Your wheels are sick, if I ever get a regular cab, I would make it look more like yours with some wheels like that.
What do you do for a living, jobwise?

[g9m3c]

Originally Posted by Justv610

What do you do for a living, jobwise?

Right now I'm just working at Advance Auto Parts. I'm lookig to start a small business here pretty soon though. I've got 3 semesters of college under the belt, just takin a little break right now. Before I moved down to Tuscaloosa, I worked at a shop building drag cars and stuff for 5 years. That's where I learned most of what I know.

[Pewter-Q]

Originally Posted by g9m3c

The only reason I say 4L80e is because I've been seeing a lot of people having trouble with built 60's here lately.

Call up FLT when the time comes, talk to them and see what they recommend. They can definitely set you up with a 60 that will handle a measly 550hp.

[BaMaDuDe87]

You gonna fix that grille while your at it?

[g9m3c]

Originally Posted by BaMaDuDe87

You gonna fix that grille while your at it?

[Inverter]

Im no one to give advice but....You have a really clean shortbox there.Nothin wrong w/upgrading in some areas but for a complete build like your talking about,,an older C10 would be a great candidate. Since you seem to want to replace everything anyway.The older trucks are easier to mod(no computer/metal dash/narrow frame for wide tires)and are grandfathered for emissions so no prob.getting them inspected when you roll up w/no cats. and open 50's.
At the end of the day its a decision only you can make so make it carefully. Truck looks good.

[BaMaDuDe87]

We dont have emissions tests

[Inverter]

Originally Posted by BaMaDuDe87

We dont have emissions tests

You will....

[V6rado94]

Hell I bet his OBS wouldn't pass emissions anyways. No offence Grant.

[Inverter]