1969 GMC Pickup

[bobbo]

My un-official build thread for my 1969 GMC 1/2 ton, 2wd, LB, Fleet. The VIN shows it came out with an inline 6 OE and had a 3 spd. man. trans. My plans include a 2001 Chevy 5.3L with a 4L60E trans. I already have the engine, wiring harness, and computer. Have found a trans for a good price but funds aren't allowing it just yet. So, I have put a 700R4 behind the 283 already in it. In the process of getting the driveshaft shortened, hopefully this coming week, and finding a trans mount to work. I also am installing an HEI distributor to replace the points one in it. This just so i can drive her around until funds allow for the rest. It has some rust on the driver rocker and floor pan as well as the radiator core and inner fender on the passenger side, but the rest of the truck is very solid. The first pics are when it was first unloaded at my work. I removed the side trim because none of it matched. I have also installed some different rims. Slow going, but hope to have it running/drivable real soon!

[bobbo]

Lots more to come...

[bobbo]

More...

[bobbo]

A few more...

[kyull67]

Looks good Robert! If you ever need any help let me know.

[bobbo]

Thanks! I sure will. I still need to get over there and help you get that engine done...give me a call and let me know when you are available, we can get it going in the next week or two. I am interested in getting your help to do some body work since you appear to know what you're doing.

[kyull67]

Sounds like fun! I'll get ahold of you soon.

[appstategrl]

OMG the things you need to do to that thing, GET TO WORK MISTER!!! Lol

[bobbo]

That's enough! I know, I know! At least I don't have a bunch of parts I can't even put on...oh wait, that's NOT a bad thing!

[appstategrl]

:p, do i sense jealousy lol

[bobbo]

Ummm...YES! I want parts! Just no money at the moment to buy them... but it will get there...

[bobbo]

Well, I fired her up today! Got the power steering pump tightened up and shimmed the alternator out so the belt would line up. Stabbed in the HEI dizzy and wired it. Still don't have the flywheel connected to the torque converter and it took a bit of starting fluid to run as there is either no gas or some really stale gas in the tank. But it runs! Now to get to the rest of my list...Also removed the inner fenders as the passenger was really rusted and the driver was chopped up bad...forgot the camera today a home so I will post pics tomorrow.

[72BlckButy]

Looks like this will be an interesting build with the 5.3 swap.

Good luck with the build Robert.

[bobbo]

Thanks! Should be fun. Won't be putting it in for awhile though, quite a few little details to work out and buy.

[appstategrl]

You should check my build out again Robert, you should be pretty happy with what you see... can't believe you finally worked on it a bit, lol.

[bobbo]

Yup, I got anxious with helping kyull67 yesterday and you harassing me! (more helping kyull67 but the latter sounded good)...Made a list of what I need now to get it going. Will be awhile before the body gets done like yours...

[bobbo]

Here's a few pics of my progress from yesterday...

[bobbo]

Did quite a bit more over the weekend. Last friday I got the front driveshaft back from the driveline shop. Started to install the u-joints and one of the collars on the shaft snapped! I have installed hundreds of u-joints and never had this happen. The u-joints were the right size, but the metal must be really weak, so I took it back to the driveline shop and had them weld a new end on it and install the u-joints. They broke an end too! So I don't feel so bad. Went to install the transmission mount on Saturday and found the frame holes to mount the cross-member were too far forward and when I put the trans up far enough to get the cross-member under the mount, the trans sat against the floor. When the V-8 was originally installed they must have put a different engine mount bracket on or just mounted them too far back because the distributor sits about 1/4" from the firewall. We fabricated a bracket for the trans mount to bring the transmission down and cut some holes in the frame to mount the cross-member. Everything underneath looks good. (Didn't get any pics tonight of it but will post some tomorrow) Installed the new master cylinder and installed a one wire alternator as that was what the truck was already wired for. Installed and wired the electric cooling fan. Installed a new headlight switch and rewired the tail lights so all the lights work except the high beams which just need new bulbs. Going to run the exhaust tomorrow and fix a couple fuel leaks I found after running it for a few tonight. The carb is leaking BADLY and there is a leak on the fuel line along the frame. Will post more pics tomorrow of the exhaust and transmission mount fabrication.

[bobbo]

Few more pics...and yes, I still need to loom the wiring.

[brad_man_72]

that drive shaft looks familiar, the pros break stuff occasionally to. how many sets of wheels do you have for that rig. imo the solid ones look the best. you wouldnt know anybody with a spare 15" beauty ring laying around would ya. you ready for next weekend yet?

[bobbo]

Yeah, the pros only break what I already have. It was great meeting you! Keep running into little snags in the project but it will hopefully be running this week. Getting a carb from berencam tomorrow, gotta pull the right exhaust manifold off to fix a couple broken studs, fix a fuel leak on the rubber line from the tank to frame line, hook up the TV cable (of which I found a guy that does it regularly at Ace Transmission)...so a bit to do still. Will hopefully have it going next Saturday for the meeting, but not holding my breath! Look forward to seeing you there. I do have ONE beauty ring that was on the rallys. I can bring it next weekend for ya...BTW...the solid wheels were on the right side only when I bought the truck and the PO wanted them back, I did like the way they looked but couldn't get him to sell them for a cheap enough price.

[Cyclone44]

Looks like a good truck to build...Good luck with you build up....

[bobbo]

Got the carb from berencam this morning. THANKS! Went right over to the shop and got it put on. Repaired the fuel line and pulled the manifold on the right side to do some repairs to the studs. Put some different size tires on in preps for some lowering this week. Fired her up and engine sounds great other than no exhaust. Still have to bleed the brakes, fab something for the shift linkage, run exhaust, and mount up the TV cable.

[bobbo]

A few more pics...

[Spray-Bomb]

Sweet !!!

Keep it up bro !!!!