1950-ish Chevy 3100 Build

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by jrdamien

I may have a local lead

Hmm interesting, I thought I was local.

I haven't seen my parts truck in a while because it sitting in the field waiting for me to go grab the frame. I know the motor and tranny were gone and that the front hubs were swapped to car hubs for the 5 lug. I think the rest is stock. After I strip the frame I am sending the rest to be recycled into a new Toyota.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by Root2812

Hmm interesting, I thought I was local.

I haven't seen my parts truck in a while because it sitting in the field waiting for me to go grab the frame. I know the motor and tranny were gone and that the front hubs were swapped to car hubs for the 5 lug. I think the rest is stock. After I strip the frame I am sending the rest to be recycled into a new Toyota.

Ha, I didn't even look at the name before I replied. Not paying attention again. Mea culpa.

But the other local who is less local than you has them now for a fair price, and I need them sooner than later.

[jrdamien]

Today in truck building:

A couple heavy boxes from Speedway! Brakes are here! Found all the shackle parts NOS on Fleabay and a local spring company had the spring bolts for about $15.

Found a S10 4x4 rear today for $200 and a S10 T5 for $150 all to be picked up Fri. At the very least the chassis should be rolling again by next weekend.

[jrdamien]

Started putting together the spring packs tonight. Realized after I hung the first one that I measured wrong when I took them apart...each side of the center bolt is a different lenth. 1/4" I believe. Which side goes towards the front, the longer or the shorter?

Also same question for the rear springs.

[semn49]

Originally Posted by jrdamien

Started putting together the spring packs tonight. Realized after I hung the first one that I measured wrong when I took them apart...each side of the center bolt is a different lenth. 1/4" I believe. Which side goes towards the front, the longer or the shorter?

Also same question for the rear springs.

On the rear springs the short end go to the front. Not sure on the front.

[jrdamien]

Anyone else have any input on the leaf spring orientation?

[semn49]

I looked at a friends springs this weekend. He has a "40 but should be the same. The front springs are like the back, the short end goes to the front.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by semn49

I looked at a friends springs this weekend. He has a "40 but should be the same. The front springs are like the back, the short end goes to the front.

Thanks as always. Glad that's the case because I put them on tonight. I figured that had to be the case...only one way to reassemble the springs.

[jrdamien]

Are the steering stops necessary? Got to work on the front brakes and the caliper brackets do not clear them.

[semn49]

Originally Posted by jrdamien

Are the steering stops necessary? Got to work on the front brakes and the caliper brackets do not clear them.

On my offroad trucks I use the tires as my steering stops.

I'd remove them.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by semn49

On my offroad trucks I use the tires as my steering stops.

I'd remove them.

What could possible go wrong?

[jrdamien]

I didn't want to omit the steering stops, so I ground the stops down some on both sides and notched the caliper brackets. The driver's side required considerably more grinding.




Brakes!

[semn49]

Any updates?

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by semn49

Any updates?

It's actually been too cold to do much work. It's too big a waste of gas to heat the garage for the hour before it's even tolerable to work, and then it's still too cold.

JUST got back to it yesterday: dropped of the new rear end. Have to drill out the ball studs on the steering arms today to complete the front end. Once that's done I just have to mock up the rear end and it'll be ready to drop the engine and transmission in.

[jrdamien]

Most of what I have been doing the last many hours of working on the truck has been trying to remove the ball ends from the steering arms. It finally happened the other night:



I ground off the peening (spl?) on one end and drilled out a 3/8 hole through the stud hoping to just hammer it out. Nothing. I ground of the ball on the other end and the peening and beat the hell out of it. Nothing. I ended up having to drill down about 1/8" with a 9/16 bit and then they finally moved. It was labor intensive and I was worried all the beating and grinding could have compromised the strength of the arm, but now that I'm done I'm confident all the damage is cosmetic.

With those out I got the tie rod back on and mocked up.




Now I need a power steering box. I am going to try and get my hands on a cheap 70's Dodge reverse rotation box. These look very similar to the Toyota boxes some people have used and are considerably cheaper/more plentiful.

If anyone has any input on power steering, let me have it!

Front end is almost done.

[jrdamien]

I'm sure none of ya'll were too concerned about my build, but for sake of documentation, here's where it stands:



Sway bar on the way and then the front end will be all done.

Have the rear springs done and hanging - waiting for the spring perches and tie plates to get the rear on so I can start tackling that puzzle.

[Root2812]

Originally Posted by jrdamien

I'm sure none of ya'll were too concerned about my build.

There are some of us who are subscribed to your build.

Looks like its coming along nicely.

[jrdamien]

Awesome, Root. This cold has really slowed the progress.

I hope to hell to have the chassis rolling again and the engine/trans mounted by the end of the month.

Feb, then, run the exhaust, mount the cab, and have the brakes done.

Also for the sake of documentation, I think I've found a power steering gear solution. It's a reverse rotation box from a '74,75,76 Dodge Ramcharger. Same turn to turn count. Just waiting to find a cheap one at a yard before I get too excited.

[Root2812]

You're moving a lot faster than me. The cold and my unheated garage has shut me down for a while. I have the chassis I'm building up by Grand Rapids because my dad has a heated shop. I got most of my IFS in but I'm a long way from done with the chassis. My goal is to have a roller and hear the LS engine run before fall.

[jrdamien]

Originally Posted by Root2812

You're moving a lot faster than me. The cold and my unheated garage has shut me down for a while. I have the chassis I'm building up by Grand Rapids because my dad has a heated shop. I got most of my IFS in but I'm a long way from done with the chassis. My goal is to have a roller and hear the LS engine run before fall.

Yeah, but you're doing a much more difficult build than I am. I'm going stock everything with few exceptions. You're going LS, which is so far beyond me as to be almost incomprehensible.

[semn49]

Looks good! Keep posting!

[jrdamien]

Hi everyone. I have returned after a long few months of bitter f-ing cold. The garage I am renting lost its heat and it was literally too cold every day to be working with metal.

And then, I was set to lose the garage this month and would have had to sell what I've got for lack of a place to put it.

But, I have the garage now until at least the end of May. And so the mad rush is back on.

This week I learned that I either hung the rear springs backwards or that using a different rear end requires the springs to be reverse hung to properly center the axle. So I have to drop the axle, knock out the bushing, knock them back in, and rehang everything.

As soon as that's done I can get the rear shocks setup, put a gas tank in, get the engine and tranny in and hopefully do all of this by no later than the first week of May.

Anyone want to come help?

[jrdamien]

A quick update (without pictures).

Found a '91 T5 in good condition w/ low miles for $200. They threw in the gas tank I was looking for. Now I just need a sending unit for this:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...SEName=576-329

Got the housing off the T5 and the adapter is on the way. Had to buy a shop crane to finally get the engine worked on. I may be out of time and unable to clean the engine so it's going in as is. Just need to get it up, get the housing off, put the 216 housing on, assemble the clutch, tranny, get it in the frame and...

Well that's a lot but as soon as that's done I can weld the rear mounts on, put the wheels on, and have a truly complete rolling chassis ready for the cab!

[semn49]

Originally Posted by jrdamien

A quick update (without pictures).

Found a '91 T5 in good condition w/ low miles for $200. They threw in the gas tank I was looking for. Now I just need a sending unit for this:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/itemde...SEName=576-329

Got the housing off the T5 and the adapter is on the way. Had to buy a shop crane to finally get the engine worked on. I may be out of time and unable to clean the engine so it's going in as is. Just need to get it up, get the housing off, put the 216 housing on, assemble the clutch, tranny, get it in the frame and...

Well that's a lot but as soon as that's done I can weld the rear mounts on, put the wheels on, and have a truly complete rolling chassis ready for the cab!

NAPA should be able to help you out with the sending unit.
Eager to see pics!

[jrdamien]

A long 3 hours last night. Got the clutch reinstalled and then set the engine in the frame. I didn't mount the engine. Here's why: I have no stand that will support this engine! I have yet to drill the front plate and without a stand I'm at a loss for how to do it.

Someone suggested I stand the engine up on the bellhousing but I was worried it would tip over, so I've set it on the frame and will drill the front plate mount holes from the bottom up. Then, once it's actully bolted in, I'll drape the frame and clean the engine. Wish me luck.