68 build...south of DFW

[blfuller123]

I thought I would post my build. The truck is a 68 GMC SWB. I got the truck and the rockers had been replaced, it had a 350/350 engine and transmission. The truck had been converted to 5 lug on the front, but still had the 6 lug rear end with leaf springs. It also came with a set of 17 inch billet wheels and tires. I think I will be swaping to some 20 or 22 inch. I will be swapping the front end from the 4 headlight gmc to a 2 light chevy. I am using a posi rear end out of a late model camaro with the disc brakes.

Here is the truck the day I brought it home

[blfuller123]

I got the body off the chassis and got it moved into the shop.

[blfuller123]

I was looking for a chevy core support and grill and ran across this complete front clip that I couldnt pass up.



Here is the rear end, it was a 5x4.75 so I redrilled the axles to 5x5. I got all of the brackets cut off and it is cleaned up ready to go.

[blfuller123]

I got some work done to the chassis this week. I got the front cross member and rear leafs removed. I also removed the remaining crossmembers, got the frame cleaned up and painted.







I have my airbags, and drop spindles already. I have placed an order for a Porterbuilt front dropmember, a rear weld in notch, the bridge with the bags located on the inside of the frame rails, and the trailing arms/trailing arm crossmember kit. I decided to get the inner bag mounts in the event I decide to go with a really wide rear wheel and tire. I love the look but I havent commited to that route yet.

The last time I heard from Nate, everything is supposed to ship out by the end of next week.

[SCOTI]

Excellent start. Motor looks like it was fairly fresh?

[blfuller123]

Im not taking a chance on the engine. It had just one bolt in the engine mounts, the ac compressor had one bolt going through the bracket, the transmission crossmember just had 2 bolts holding it in. at a minimum, I will pull off the heads and take a look at everything. I may just end up getting a crate motor and start fresh.

[mightymouse]

nice find on that 68 front/clip . keep pics coming

[blfuller123]

Pulled the heads on the engine and truns out the engine is a 305.



It looks like maybe a valve job has been done but the cylinders need to be machined. All of the accessories were just finger tight. Im thinking seriously about a crate motor now. I would like to get something mild with a lumpy cam.

[mcbassin]

looks like a great projoect. Im in

[blfuller123]

I got the drop spindles put together today and I got the rear calipers put back on the rear end and the rear wheels and tires mounted again. I have to leave out for work tomorrow and wont be home for a week but im hoping to have some parts by the time I get back.

[blfuller123]

All of the rear parts made it Saturday. Im hoping the front dropmember will be here within the next week.



Finally got to spend some time on the truck today. I got the trailing arm crossmember installed, and the notches located. I got the notches about 1/2 of the way welded up. Im hoping to finish all the notches up tomorrow.

[kev2809]

nice...lookin forward to this build!

[Big-Blue]

Saw you were thinking about a crate engine. Seems like these Year One engines are priced great and crank out 400 hp. I believe they are assembled at a engine shop around Texhoma. You could probably have them throw in a different cam and pick it up for cheap. As is they are under $3k.

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...ngine&SM=1&SC=

[mcbassin]

Man, that's a nice mess of new parts!

[blfuller123]

Originally Posted by Big-Blue

Saw you were thinking about a crate engine. Seems like these Year One engines are priced great and crank out 400 hp. I believe they are assembled at a engine shop around Texhoma. You could probably have them throw in a different cam and pick it up for cheap. As is they are under $3k.

http://www.yearone.com/serverfiles/f...ngine&SM=1&SC=

Still havent commited to what I will do as far as the drive line goes, im still tinkering with the LS1 route. I ordered SBC motor mounts with the dropmember.

Got a little more done today. I got the frame cut and got the notches all welded up. Tomorrow I am going to try and get the rear end set in place and the airbag brackets welded up.

[69CST-V]

I'm in. Looks like a great start. What did you use on your frame?

[blfuller123]

I was able to get the rear end mocked up before I got a call to head out for work. I may get a little done Saturday, but after that, it will be after Christmas before I can do anything else. I didn hear form Nate and the front dropmember shipped yesterday.

[67cheby]

i am along for the ride, nice start !!

[gearheads78]

Nice build. I forced myself to not go look at that truck for two weeks. Glad to see someone doing something with it.

[blfuller123]

Originally Posted by gearheads78

Nice build. I forced myself to not go look at that truck for two weeks. Glad to see someone doing something with it.

I looked at it for a good month and a half before I picked it up.

[VA72C10]

Nice project! Looking forward to it!

[blfuller123]

I got the rear kit with weld in notches. The pan hard bar mount is a weld in piece too. Anyone have pictures of where that mount goes? It looks like it goes between the frame rails somewhere but Im not positive. I didnt really have a chance to look at it. Also, the carrier bearing I have on my driveshaft has 2 holes pertty close together and the crossmember has them spread apart, are there two different carrier bearings?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by blfuller123

Still havent commited to what I will do as far as the drive line goes, im still tinkering with the LS1 route. I ordered SBC motor mounts with the dropmember.Got a little more done today. I got the frame cut and got the notches all welded up. Tomorrow I am going to try and get the rear end set in place and the airbag brackets welded up.

Definetly go LS if you want. I don't think you will be dissappointed.

You are doing a great job on all your chassis mods. Keep the pictures coming.

[tattoed71]

nice wheels

[blfuller123]

Originally Posted by tattoed71

nice wheels

They will be fors sale soon