Project Grasshopper
 

Ok, I had a thread started, but things have changes so much and I now have a
name for the truck so I am starting a new thread.

Beginning vehicle
1971 K20

donor vehicles
1995 k3500 cab and Chasis
1991 suburban

Plan
1970 Chevelle 454
Nv4500
Use 95 dually rear end and drive line
Build drivers side drop solid axle TBD
Western hauler bed

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Went to the wrecking yard today and looked at the donor truck. Bought the NV4500 and all associated parts, flywheel to rear bumper. Dually axle and all. Bought a bunch of 454 parts too. Got the serpentine belt system, a/c compressor,alternator, ps pump, exhaust manifolds, valve covers... Got the clutch/brake pedal assembly and hydraulic clutch parts, Western Hauler bed.

So now the 71 will become a K20 dually with a western hauler bed.

I will post some pics when I get back tomorrow.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Looks like a cool project..will be looking forward to more pics.

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

do you have a 1970 Chevelle 454 engine??? Trevor

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

I do have a 70 chevelle 454. It is a CE motor. I am going to use my corvette 427 for this project since I couldn't get some of the parts I wanted from the 95 truck 454.

I have not registered to sell here yet, but intend to. I have 4000 sf of parts from old projects that I am going to eventually get around to selling. Also lots of 67-72 truck parts. Corvette, Camaro stuff... I only have one camaro left. It is a 71 RS. 1 corvette left, a 71 BB. I have some more 4x4's and some stepsides, 1 longhorn, 1 k5.

I'm not trying to sell these yet, I will be getting them out and getting them ready to sell. I am getting to old to play with these. I am building this 71 k20 as my daily driver.

I just put the dually rear end under it yesterday to mock it up. I have to move the rear spring hangers to use the later springs. The spring purches lined up perfectly since the 95 was a CC. Cleaning up the NV4500 and misc parts today.

Going to look at a dodge drivers side drop front axle monday. I want this truck to be as modern as possible while looking stock 71. Well except for the cowl hood left over from an old project.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

picture of mockup of dual rear. I will do all the mock up first before removing the rest of the body and blasting the frame and painting.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

I think I have found the best way to accomplish what i want as far as the nv4500 to front passenger side drop issue. I am going to replace the drivers side drop that came with it with a 1988-89 NP241C passenger side drop with a mechanical speedometer. I am still looking locally, but may end up getting one from Justchevy.

I haven't been on this board very long this last time, What happened to the great Classified section that used to be here?

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Doug, it's still around here, but you will have to pay $25 to become a member to post a wtb ad. Trevor

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Thanks Trevor, I'm not being funny, I just haven't found it. Do I have to pay the $25 before it shows up? I found a page with a few pics of things for sale, but nothing like I saw before. I used to buy quite a bit of stuff from it.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

I got the nv4500 and most of the rest that I bought from the wrecking yard cleaned up today. I ordered the np241 from justchevytrucks.com. Should be here by the weekend. I got the 54" 1 ton springs rebushed today. Will blast them in the next day or two. I hope to have the cab and clip off thursday and bring the frame to the other shop to get cleaned and painted.

I hope to have more pics up by the weekend.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Here ya go Doug:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=8

If you ever think about getting rid of that Chevelle engine, let me know. Is it a 4 bolt main? Trevor

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Thanks for the link. I was looking for the old Classifieds heading.

I will eventually get rid of the Chevelle motor. It wouldn't be right to sell it here since I am not registered to do that. It is 4 bolt. It has been internally balanced and a fluid damper installed. I would have used it on this project if I could have gotten the TBI setup from the donor 454. I do not have the heads. I was going to use a set of oval port heads that I have. I do have some closed chamber heads similar to the 70 Chevelle, but are from a 68 camaro. I also have the 68 Camaro 454 longblock and some other big blocks. I will need one for the 71 L88 since I don't have a correct date engine for that car. The previous owner would not let me have the engine even for a rebuilt 454. He put the L88 engine in a 65 Impala that was in his family since new. That gave him a mix of his car and his family car.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

went back to the wrecking yard and got the hydroboost and assorted parts. Might as well put that on since the 427 doesn't provide much vacuum. Just one more thing to do. Still cleaning parts.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

welcome back and nice project... some guys use the advanced adapters for the NP205 transfer case.

please subscribe if you would like to sell any items as stated above, much more discussions on the parts will probably cause posts to be edited... thanks...

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Sorry about that guys, I was snooping. Along with these trucks, I am into Chevelle stuff in a big way. Sorry Doug, didn't mean to interfere with your build thread. Trevor

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Not a problem Trevor, I think they understand I am not selling anything here until I get subscribed. I should take time to do that, but to busy getting things together for the build. I pressed subscribe button at the top of this screen and it wouldn't do anything. Is it not working? I still don't know what I am going to need for my other projects so I don't have anything for sale right now..

My paint scheme is just like your sig except the blue will be green. I don't have the trim and don't want to drill holes for it. Thinking about the double sided tape like newer trucks. What do you think.

Anxiously awaiting the transfer case from justchevytrucks. I got the spring packs built and have to move the rear hangers back 4"s. I asked the wrecking yard to cut the back half of the frame from the 95 and they agreed. I am using the cab and chassy fuel tank, mounts and the 95 shock mounts. Got Rancho shocks to fit the 95 so I needed those mounts. I have to move them in about an inch on the dually axle. The spring purches were just right.

I have read about moving the front xmember forward for big block installs. I am planning to use clamshell mounts on the factory 400SB purches. I plan to do this by using a 1/4 piece of plate with a bolt throuh the original mount hole. This will give me some movement on the engine location without moving the xmember. If that doesn't work, I will use the mounts from the 91 suburban and notch out the purches to fit the 4x4 xmember.

Ok, how do I put my other vehicles in my signature?

68 CST 396,th400 buddy buckets,tach dash,PB,PS,A/C Overloads...... 60K original miles unrestored still has factory assembly marks on firewall
70 Longhorn project (thats where the 70 in Doug70 came from) I would be doing this one except I want to drive the 4x4.
72 Stepside (150% complete) if they are ever complete(I am done working on this one)
67 Stepside project powdercoated frame nice cab 72 front spindles and rear end Rally wheels.
71 RS Camaro 90% done
71 L88 Corvette 50% complete
78 K5 project 91 doors, front clip,ps,pb,tilt,power locks and windows
89 Camaro parts car for above projects
74 Caprice parts car for above projects
91 Suburban parts car for above projects
many 67-72 parts trucks for above projects
And this is the short list I sold about a dozen like these last year to make room.
?? RV6 stage 1 complete(yes, that's an airplane but still a project)


Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

in your User CP (control panel) there should be a link to edit signature... you can add your garage there...

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Well, I moved the 71 to the other shop today. Removed the front clip and started looking at options for the SB400 to BB427 swap. I know the camel back springs have to go. Any Ideas?

My new rear springs are 54" from a 81 1 ton. Possible diy shackle swap there.

What about the motor mounts. The truck came with new SB mounts. Should I use them bot the BB? I am concerned about tearing them apart with the torque. This is a hot 427/nv4500 combo.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

diy4x makes an engine crossmember too...

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Well, I moved the 71 to the other shop today. Removed the front clip and started looking at options for the SB400 to BB427 swap. I know the camel back springs have to go. Any Ideas?

My new rear springs are 54" from a 81 1 ton. Possible diy shackle swap there.

What about the motor mounts. The truck came with new SB mounts. Should I use them on the BB? I am concerned about tearing them apart with the torque. This is a hot 427/nv4500 combo.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

You can always put a 73-87 4x4 crossmember in and use the motor mounts off of it. I know the Big Block will bolt up to everything and the design of motor mounts is superior to the 67-72 style(s). You would have to move your engine forward I think an inch or 2" to get the motor from hitting the firewall though. It would probably be better to get the premade 4x4 crossmember. I would be afraid to use the motor mounts you have because of h.p. and torque. Did they make a 71' L88 vette? I was always pretty sure that they stopped making 427 vettes in 69'. The LS6 was the biggest in a 71' vette. We almost had a 72' 454 ls5 vette about 2 or 3 years ago, and we had owned a 70' lt1 car years ago. A buddy of my dad's owns a 66' 427 435 project that has been stuffed in a rail car box for about 35 years. It's sweet to see that, wish we could do that one, but it's the guy's retirement project. Trevor

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

You are probably right about 69 being the end of the L88. Mine had the ls5 454. With the L88 hood, everybody calls it an l88.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Went and looked at my 78 k5 project and I think I will use that crossmember for now. I will have to find one to replace it when I get around to that one.

Have been sick so haven't gotten much done the last few days. I took the dually rear back out and put new bushings in the 56" springs. I have a question in the suspension section about a shackle flip, but no responses so I will figure it out on my own. I have the rear half of the 95 frame so I may use the front spring mount from it for the new rear. I like the ord and diy kits, but should use what I have.

I need to replace the front springs due to the added weight of the BB. I may use the old rear spring pack and move the hangers. I think I saw a post here about that somewhere.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

got to work on her a little today. Hung the 56" rear springs. At least in the front. Put the dually back underneath. I put the rear mounts back on and mocked them up without the flip. The 81 springs have more arch than the 71 springs. I will put some weight on it tomorrow to see what i want to do. Looked at the front and will use the old rears for the front. I will just remove the rivets from the rad support and make some brackets to remount the front. I will then move the rear back next to the cab mounts. I didn't take my phone with me today so no new pics. Should end up with about 4" lift front and rear.

Doug

Re: Project Grasshopper
 

Removed the front portion of the rear spring hangers from the donor frame. Mocked them up on the springs and diff on the 71. Way to much lift, so went back to the original hangers moved back 4"

Doug