I figured I should make a post here because I know everyone loves seeing stuff come togeather

Its a 70 GMC i actually found off the board, flew down to tenn with my dad and drove it back to CT.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/driverside.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0022.jpg

There were more hacked togeather parts of this truck than I care to remember, one of the scariest was the lack of nuts on the rear springs.

Starting off the project with the rear
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0037.jpg
Removing cab
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0117.jpg
Rear notch and 4 link
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0113.jpg
Bed work
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/P0002670.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0004.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0009.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0114.jpg
Center crossmember
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0074.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0102.jpg
Boxing the rear for some more room (aka gas tank)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0108.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0111.jpg
Rear sittin low
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0117a.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0119.jpg

Next up is the front crossmember.

questions, comments ?

Looks like ya'll do good work. Please tell me you're gonna leave it a GMC?

man I like that, my truck is very similar in allot of ways, (cleaning up the numerious owners hacks), assuming thats a body drop, are you doing a body drop too? keep us posted , sweeet

nice

Definatly stayin a GMC, thats part of the reason i got it!

I considered a body drop, and it still might happen at some point, but since the truck sits pretty low without it i probally wont yet.

I want to get it back on the road by the time weather turns sunny here again. Being away at school makes it hard to find time to work on it so i get as much done when I am home.

Today I got a little more clearence in the rear fenders that I needed, also I cut out 1 3/4" of the front crossmember. Pics will come later

also does anyone know a good program to re-size pictures? photobucket ruins the quality with whatever they do

Bodydrop it.. cough cough Bodydrop it..
but seriously it looks great so far ! What size are the tires ?

Wow that looks good! Keep us updated on this one.

Looks AWSOME!!!!! Keep the pics comin'

Thanks for all the great comments guys!

rear tires are 285/50r18's

Here are a few more pics for your viewing pleasure (still lookin for a better way to resize)

if you cant tell, i made a bunch of cuts in whats left of the rear inner fender to get all the extra clearence i could.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0002.jpg

Crossmember minus 1 3/4"
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/xmemberwelded2.jpg

and a pic of the tranny xmember i whipped up the other day (may be adding more bracing to it)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0112.jpg

edit* if you want to see better full size pic's click the link in my sig

Nice bro! You planning on running the 18s? I'm going to be starting a simular project but want to run 22s.:cool:

good job,looks great, i know this is a lot of hard work

Cool!!:metal:

Looks good....

Cool project! You can resize with www.irfanview.com.

Looks great! I have been following your build pics in the suspension forums. How much time do you have the front cross member?

Got some more work done today, thanks for the comments again, its nice to finally see the truck with some noticable progress.

For now the 18's are staying on, ive kinda grown to like them (they came with the truck). I would like to do a 20/22 combo, but unless i come upon a bunch of money thats not gonna happen anytime soon.

Some more pics from today

Finished up the welding on the front crossmember, If I had to guess there is about an hour or two in the cleaning of the area to be cut (its getting sand blasted with the rest of the frame this week hopefully). The actual cutting and welding probally took about 3 hours. I havent even starting the grinding which will take some time. anyway here it is.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/crossmemberdone1.jpg

and in the frame
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/crossmemberin1.jpg

I also sand blasted and primed some of the steering parts, which may or may not be used. Also some parts for the suspension got done.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/blastedandprimed1.jpg

Are you thinking of going with a rack and pinion setup? Just curious as you stated the steering parts may or may not be used.

I am thinking about it, but if i can get it done and safe without switching im going to stay with some kind of modified stock set-up

Great to see all the progress. Keep on it!

Our setup is very similar, except i opted to buy my notch from KP. I want a rack on my front so bad, just thinking it may be out of my league.

here is a slick resizing program in here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx) if you have windows xp. Just right click and resize to size you want. John

Well, im a little late on the up date, but I did some more work a week or so ago.

The Frame about to get sandblasted
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0008Large.jpg

Done
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0010Large.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0013Large.jpg

Than everything got painted with eastwood's rust encapsulator, I was suprised about how even it came out using a brush, but it did take a loooong time.

I also finished up some welding on the rear notch and threw some primer on it so it wont rust while it sits.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0015Large.jpg

Some more...

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0016Large.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0017Large.jpg

How it sits right now so there is room in the rest of the garage while im not home :(

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0020Large.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0021Large.jpg

John- thanks for that link thats a pretty cool little tool.

TOO COOL!!! can't wait to see the body back on!

Looks damn good!!!

What bags are those? Are you planning on running stock control arms up front?

Oops nevermind, i see the control arms in one of the pics

Bags are slam specilities RS-72's They just came out with a new model and i got these cheap.

Im gonna hopefully use some kind of modified stock arms, we will see.

Holy Crap! an Update! :metal:

Well, Summers been busy and the GMC got very little attention until tonight.

This is how it has been sitting
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0095.jpg

The Air Brake Hoses that Im using as short leads from the bag to the hardlines that im going to use copper for (Plumbing company is the family business). http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0097.jpg

Makin the Front Bag Cups
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0098-1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0099.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0100.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0103.jpg
All done except for some some grinding and paint.

Makin the plate to attach to the crossmember
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0107-1.jpg

Front bag assembly being made. The brass fittings were changed a few times , they wont actually work how it is in the pictures out of the crossmember.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0109-1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0115.jpg

Gettin there...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0116.jpg

And Finally Back on 4 wheels for the 1st time in wayyyy too long

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0119-1.jpg

Here is just a cool pick i took while takin a break
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0112-1.jpg

Its good to get back into the Truck... but unfortunatly I only have the next 2 weeks to really work on it untill winter time. Look forward to some more updates soon though. The front is still 4 or so inches off the ground, but its only the bag thats holding it back....more cutting to come!

Just get rid of those lower cups..

Lumpy33
72 C-10 step

Or cut them down. I cut my lowers down to about 3/4"

I can't wait till I start mine. Looks good.

Im down to about an inch on the bottom with them now, and Im also using a cup on the top too... but I need to trim that down a little more and it will finally lay with the bag installed

Im down to about an inch on the bottom with them now, and Im also using a cup on the top too... but I need to trim that down a little more and it will finally lay with the bag installed
cup in the top? You're not running upper plates?

I have 2 options, cutting up the upper bag mount, or using the upper and lower cups. There isent enough room for the bag with a plate in there for the front to lay out.

:eek: Looks like it might be kinda low, look out catapillers :lol:

Well Its been way too long and I only get to work on the truck now and then.
But i have some time over the holidays and have been workin on the truck as much as i can :metal:


I made these brackets for the bags....I know there pretty far inboard but its just how it worked out
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0178.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0180.jpg

I also finished up the welding on the notch....finally and this is how she sits right now.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0182.jpg

The front is getting some ART strong arms (horray for christmas!) insted of some cut up stock ones.

Ill keep posting updates over the next few weeks

Truck is looking good. I wish I had a lift. It must make things alot easier.

Some more work done....

Air Tanks (used to be fire extinguishers)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0215.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0230.jpg

Filled in some holes so i can bolt the crossmember back in after the section in it
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0220.jpg

New ART Stong Arms
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0228.jpg

Holding itself up! (finally)
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0223.jpg

Its been a while again, but started workin on the engine. My plans are to build a 383 after the truck is on the road and I have some more cash. So in the mean time I cant put a dirty engine in a shiney truck.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0232Medium.jpg

A little nasty

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0272Medium.jpg

So after striping the accessories off and spending wayy to long with degreaser, cleaning solutions, and scotch bright pads. heres the 1st coat.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0287Medium.jpg

All the parts were sandblasted, or cleaned up in some way.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0293Medium-1.jpg

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0297Medium.jpg

edit: double post

Is your frame laying on the ground in the pic where you have your StrongArms installed?

How much did you section out of the crossmember? And how far is the frame section under the cab from the fround.

This is sweet ! i will hopefully be starting my project soon ! threads like this always get me going !!! keep up the excellent work !!!!!!! :cool:

Not too sure which pic you are talking about but yea it does just barley lay frame in the front, the rear is no problem. With the weight of the rest of the truck and engine i doubt it will be a problem.

There is 1 3/4 sectioned out of the front crossmember. The crossmember to the rear of the cab I also cut up some, but im not 100% sure the hoop is going to be highenough for the driveshaft when its laid out. Thats why ive been workin on cleaning up the engine/tranny (plus its a nice change of pace)

Looking killer fletch. I can't wait to see more progress pics!

Thanks you anwsered my ?

cant wait for more pictures!

Good work, I'm now subscribed.

looks great!!

But with the front crossmember sectioned... should you be basically laying rocker w.o a bdrop??

Or would you need to Z it as well?

looks goodhttp://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r21/frankyazm/THUMBUP.gif

I am laying frame with a sectioned Crossmember and strong arms. Its possible with stock arms too but it would of looked ugly and cut up to me, the Stong Arms were just too cool to overlook.

agreed!!

won't you be laying rocker with the cab on then... or would you need to Z the frame though??

Ive been told numerous times these trucks don't need a traditional bdrop to lay rocker...

I would still need some kind of bodydrop or modification to make it truely lay rocker. The bottom of the pinch seam is an inch or something like that from the ground when the frame is laying if i remember right.... but dont worry, its not like I havent been thinking about making it lay rocker :metal: I just want to make sure i get the frame draggin first.

Also Z-ing the frame dosent change how the frame sits under the cab

hmmm ok... Idk why but I have heard from a bunch of c-10 pro's that the frame is level with the rockers... I havent had a chance to rip into my truck yet, or check it out.

Its possible, unfortunatly its been wayyyy to long since the cab has sat on the frame :(

Its possible, unfortunatly its been wayyyy to long since the cab has sat on the frame :(

I know the feeling...

UPDATE ON THE progress????

Got another Small Update. Ive been gettin some work done over the weekends. Engine/tranny is lookin alright with new paint and a few shiney things. Also managed to get it dropped into the frame to find out that the crossmember hoop isent big enough (kinda knew that already).

Before...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0232Medium.jpg
After...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0319.jpg

A few in the Chassis
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0322.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0324.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0325.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0321.jpg

Drivin :cool:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0327.jpg

So this is a nice step... Even if its comin back out again soon so I can finish painting the frame and fix some things.

A question for those sitting this low. With the rear driveshaft I think im gonna have to modify the crossmeber for the tranny to raise it up. The u-joint dosent have enough movement in it to even get close to be able to attach to the rear end. I dont really feel like goin to a 2 piece, or doing a CV Driveshaft like I have in my jeep. What have you been doing?

The guys with a once piece shaft have to cut a big tunnel in the cab. Why not a two piece? It makes things easier. I have a two piece and almost laying frame and didn't have to notch the cab. All I did was change the position of the carrier bearing. Also check out your other thread. Porterbuilt mentioned a cv joint. There are probably pictures on his website of that.

Very nice work. That picture of the person pretending to drive cracked me up!

Your project is lookin great!I think I'm missing something here though.How did you manage to lay frame without a Z?
Mine has 2 1/2" spindles,stock crossmember (no section) and lower cups cut down as much as possible and my frame rail is roughly 6" off the ground.
Even if I sectioned the crossmember same amount as yours and went with 3" spindles I'm still a long way from the ground.I see top plates on your bags so I don't think you sunk the bags up into the spring pockets.
What am I not seeing?:)

EDIT-do the strong arms add to the drop?After re reading I noticed you mentioned installing cups up top with the stock arms.

what kind of wheels do you have on that???

Very nice project. Things like this get me thinking and that usually costs me money.

Noticed you're in Conn. What part?

I'm next door in RI and if the opportunity pops up, would love to come see it up close and in person!!

Hey, wheres the steering wheel? you gotta drive that thing up here to NH i wanna see it when its done. i got a 67 for my 14yr old son to do up like that. Not many up here bagged and dragged. nice work.

Thanks for all the comments guys! I love feeling like im actually making some progress for once :lol:

Im gonna have to do a 2 piece or CV set up. My problem with the 1 piece DS is the u-joints dont actually have enough play in them to even use it. I already know i am gonna have to tunnel the cab, and re-build the crossmeber again.

The mix of drop spindles, ART strong arms, sectioned the crossmember 1 3/4, Slam Specialities bags, and a little bit of a recess/ cutting of the upper bag mount on the crossmeber (not done yet) will has me laying flat. There is about 1/4 of an inch right now in the front before its compleatly flat. I am plating the bottom of the frame with strips of 3/16 or something so i dont trash the fame rails. Its really low though, I can just barely fit my hand under the oil/tranny pans. :metal:

The wheels are some kind of Boyd Coddington, 18 inch, dont know the name they came with the truck.

The truck and my home is in Northwest CT near torrington.

My Grandpa live in NH... so who knows when its on the road ill will probally be up there, and oh yea the nut behind the steering wheel is me :cool:

Im hoping to get more work done soon!

3/4tonterror, i just noticed your in Jaffrey... my grandpa is in Ringe, so there is a real good chance your gonna see it some day (might be a little while though)

Fletch4x4, I have done the exact same fron setup and am having severe steering issues. when the tires are "toe'd" correctly while laid out, it creates a severe toe out issue when aired up. to the point that it would surely rip the truck apart. are you experiencing the same issues?

holy craps man. i forgot about this thread. where's an update?

:wop:

Wow, so I guess its been a while since ive been here/worked on the truck. I do have a few updates though. So far what has been done...

made brackets for the 2 airtanks.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0056.jpg

Valves are installed
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0049.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0058-1.jpg

compressor
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0052.jpg

Rear end before taking it all apart again...
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0051.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0053.jpg

So then I took it all apart for the 10th time and did a bunch of touch up work to the frame. I smoothed out a lot of places and tied up misc loose ends in a mad dash one night because I has access to a paint booth the next day after work. So in it went for my first "real" painting expirence....

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0111-1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0110.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0109-2.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0108-1.jpg

Then put it all togeather again.... hopefully for the last time!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0116-1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0118.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0126-1.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0123.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0125.jpg

So I put the bed on it, and then brought it to a spare garage where it is still sitting waiting for me to bring it back home!

so hopefully soon ill get it home to work on again. I just got a tubing bender and my little jeep addiction has been getting the best of me. Too many projects, not enough time :devil:
*edit
Since I know someone is going to say something about steering - I am going to use a manual rack - and hopefully that will solve my problems in a nice and simple way. Just have to cut/weld a little more on the frame.

Heck, all I can say is that is just plain pretty. Very nice!

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b162/fletch4x4/IMG_0112.jpg

Man, where can i get metal tubing like this????

sweet project, keep up the progress!!!

i live in enfield CT so im not to far from you, i am working on my 67 c-10 as we speak so maybe when we're both done we could cruise together to some shows....nice build so far though!!