Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
So I've posted a couple posts here and there, but never a project thread. I know I should have done this earlier, but I'll start now.
Here's the background on my truck. I had seen this 3/4 ton crew cab sitting on a side street for years. It already had a shortened frame and bed on it. It never moved so I figured it had issues. One day I finally knocked on the guys door. He was eager to sell it but never advertised it. It had a broken driveline/yolk and the motor had a blown head gasket, he possibly ruined the motor from overheating it. He did not build the truck. It only ran for 6 months before it broke down and it been sitting ever since. The builder was a local racer and he used to haul his race car. The owner's wife said he would be stupid not to sell it to me for $1000. I offered him $500 and he could keep the nice 8-lug rims and tires. He agreed. I towed it home and it sat for a few months. After looking it over, we found the 3/4 ton frame was nasty. The fab work was shotty and the bed didn't sit right. It just had cut springs in the front and the rear leaf springs were just moved up on the frame and welded into place. See the frame pics. I was planning to swap out the front suspension and the rear end to make it 5-lug... while using the current frame. Since the frame was a little scary we decided to think of other options. After seeing a crew cab truck with flat bed on a Suburban frame, my dad got the bright idea to mate a 2wd Suburban frame with a 2wd short bed truck frame. We found a free gutted 2wd Suburban in a nearby town and traded some parts for a stripped short bed truck frame. After lots of measuring and checking, we cut the Suburban frame right at the second cab mount where the frame is straight. I have never heard of anyone doing this, but it worked like a charm. After welding it up, we placed the cab and front clip on the new frame. Every bolt slid right into place. Set the bed on it and it was perfect as well. So now the truck is a 1/2 ton crew cab with a short bed. I put some drop spindles on it and used the cut 3/4 ton springs for now. I bought axle bracket to flip the rear and I'll probably look at getting some shackles or hangers to go a tad lower and adding a notch. I'm running 7" rallies in the front and 8" ones in the back. I'll powder coat them black or charcoal. I also have a 91 grill/core support for it and power mirrors on the way. So that's where I am now. Thanks for check this out. |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
For some reason these photos aren't showing up for everyone. Check out my gallery to see all of them.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Glendon.Simpson/Crewella02 When I first got her. Trailer mirrors are going first. http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...I/DSC00907.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...s/DSC00908.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...E/DSC00909.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...U/DSC00911.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...s/DSC00912.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...M/DSC00914.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...s/DSC00915.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Got the rims back to the old owner and looked over the frame. Kinda scary!
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...Vw/p_00133.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...w4/p_00135.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...Cg/p_00136.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...hI/p_00137.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...to/p_00138.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...js/p_00139.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Got the new frames clamped in place. There were left a with a few inches on each frame before the final cut was made.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...Xc/p_00128.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...3M/p_00129.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...YA/p_00130.jpg Made the final cut. http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...Ow/p_00131.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00148.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Now we have the body back on the new 1/2 ton frame.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00190.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00191.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Lowered the rear and one side has the drop spindles in place.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00194.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00195.jpg http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00196.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00197.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/So...40/p_00200.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
wow! nice truck!! and awesome work... but the 1st 15 pics are red x's and a few farther down. definitely want to see more!!
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I agree, nice work. I am lovin the wheel and tire combo. Ready for more
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Thanks guys! I can't wait to drive it. I just ordered some power mirrors.
Here's my web album if you can't see the photos. http://picasaweb.google.com/Glendon.Simpson/Crewella02# |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Man you must have read my mind...or maybe my post :lol:
I was just asking on my 1980 build thread if the sub frame and the crew cab frames had the same body mounts.....by reading this I'm guessing the answer is yes? this is very much like what I was pondering doing with the sub front frame and the short bed rear...so you used the front and mid cab mounts on the sub frame and attached the short bed frame with the rear cab mounts? I was even thinking about cutting the sub body and mating the back of my standard cab to it to make a crew-cab....dunno how much work that would be....but the 2wd subs seem to be a dime a dozen around here with very decent bodies.... can you post some after pics of the finished frame splice? |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Cutting the back off of a suburban and adding the truck cab sounds like a lot of work.... I would like to see someone make an Avalanche out of an 73-91 Suburban. Ever heard of that?
As for the frame. Yes.... we used a 2wd Suburban frame and right around the middle cab mount bracket is where we cut the suburban. Thats were the frame is straight. I believe that where the single cab truck has its front cab mount. Sorry the photos are blurry. Thats all I have from the frame. Before the http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Si...Ow/p_00131.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sp...24/p_00154.jpg Here is where the frame was cut and the cab mount bolts back on. http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sp...24/p_00155.jpg Inside of the frame on the backside of the cab mount. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sp...24/p_00156.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
That looks nice!
maybe i missed it, did you guys box the frame or add any extra plate at the splice? I have thought about the Avalanche...it seems like a lot of work also....you would need to shorten the body and frame behind the rear wheels to make it look right IMO, and come up with some custom type of rear wall with a window in it....it would be very cool with a power rear window though :metal: |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
We didn't box it in. Its just got a fishplate on the back side. It was cut at a 45 so it will be plenty strong. When I do the rear notch, i'll box that in.
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
cool man, one more question...is the fish plate bolted or welded?
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
3 Attachment(s)
something like this?
Attachment 489550 here is one with the stock wheelbase Attachment 489552 and stock wheelbase and the rear end shortened Attachment 489556 |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
That's awsome
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
the last one is probably closest to the actual dims of the Avalanche
http://www.uniqueaudio.ca/gallery/d/...+AVALANCHE.JPG |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I like it! The 3rd one works for me.
The fish plate was welded in. |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Quote:
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
:thumbs:
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
cool!
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
blazentrout-do you have pic?
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Updates?
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I did snag up a tailgate bevel, rear cab trim, overhead console and a roof rack. I think I'm gonna shorten a Suburban roof rack and put it on my crew cab. Ill post some pics before I drill any holes. I think it will look good!
Unfortunately no actual progress. I got married 2 weeks ago and up until then I was working on my kitchen and painted my house. I'm hoping to get some done on Crewella in the next week. Thanks for the the poke... I needed it! |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I did snag up a tailgate bevel, rear cab trim, overhead console and a roof rack. I think I'm gonna shorten a Suburban roof rack and put it on my crew cab. Ill post some pics before I drill any holes. I think it will look good!
Unfortunately no actual progress. I got married 2 weeks ago and up until then I was working on my kitchen and painted my house. I'm hoping to get some done on Crewella in the next week. Thanks for the the poke... I needed it! |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Man Congrats on getting married and the house. The truck looks awesome!
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Thanks Bradbury!
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Your mirrors?
Amazing, you learn something everyday. I never knew those mirrors existed on 91 suburbans. Went to google and searched for images of 1991 suburbans and saw several with those style mirrors. I was just wondering how those would look color coded to match the body color on a something like a square body SWB. May be interesting. |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
cool build
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Quote:
This one is color matched to the flames.... http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Sb...0/DSCF0093.JPG This is an old show coverage photo but the mirrors are red. http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/St...78c1b77daf.jpg |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I think I saw them on a SWB a while back... not I can't remember where. I have a SWB too but my mirrors are shaved.
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
If I ever find time to work on my suburban I want to change the mirrors too.
I wonder where to find a grill like the white flamed crewcab???? anyone know the owner? |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I see the truck at shows in the NW but I'm not sure who he is. I bet he made that grill.... if he didn't it would be easy.
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I figured out he is from one of the California chapters of Freaks of Nature. I assume his last name is Perez.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Rq...0/DSCF0089.JPG |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
cool project
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Your truck is coming along nice. When the body was sitting on tires and boards, I thought..."that is where it should sit."
The grill on that white truck looks to be a tight mesh by that front picture. The front of the truck looked ok, but the back :barf: I just don't like those tails at all. |
Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
Ya, im not a big fan of the Alteza taillights on anything.
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Re: Crewella - My '81 crew cab, short bed 1/2 ton
I shortened down a Suburban roof rack and I 99% sure I'm gonna add it. Any opinions?
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Su...00/p_00255.jpg http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Su...00/p_00256.jpg http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Su...00/p_00254.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-g4_B_rHYEU/Su...00/p_00257.jpg |
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