1953 chevy 1100 gigis truck

[70chev383]

Got the cab washed, found some more rust of course!

[joedoh]

OOF, mouse rust. been there!

[70chev383]

Been a while since i updated but was on a bit of a stand still.
Over christmas i was able to get the rust cut out.
I have been looking for a chassis and i finally found one last week,
I ended up with a 1996 gmc sonoma with a 2.2l and a 5 speed. I know i was looking for a full size chevy but prices are crazy right now.
The truck was to good of a deal and in my price range, and put a battery and gas in it and was driven it up and down the back lane. So my new plan with this truck is to use the 2.2 and 5 speed for now.
I have a set of spindles off a 71 c10, im thinking they should fit so that i can gain the 6 lug bolt pattern.

[dsraven]

maybe you'll get some cash back from used body parts on the S10.

[70chev383]

Got the cab off the other day and ive made half my money back for the s10. Cab is all striped i need to cut the brake pedel out as its built into the cab on this truck
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[joedoh]

I vote leave the 4 banger haha I had a 65 C10 I built with a 98 2.2 5spd and everyone who said it was a waste of time and wouldnt get out of its own way was just wrong. it drove like a normal truck and while it wasnt the fastest thing it did 70+ on the highway no problem

looking good! great progress!

[70chev383]

Has been a long time since an update, ended up getting the cab set on the s10 frame and started fixing the rust, had some life happen and didn’t get any farther.
I also rebuilt a 1969 c10 for someone else, blended the rust repair into the old paint and made a nice cruiser.
So finally back to working on the truck

[70chev383]

So now for the update, I found a 2005 avalanche for the drive train, removed the body and remeasured the frame and looks like the cab will fit,
So back to my original plan of a full size truck, going to use the hole drivetrain, plan as of right now is still to bag on 22 inch transports shorten the frame

[dsraven]

here is a link to gmupfitters body builders manual that has dimensional drawings that you may find helpful

https://www.gmupfitter.com/light-dut...prior-to-2013/

[dsraven]

fixturing your body with some threaded rod "stilts" that hold your cab off the frame may help you level your cab to the frame. will you be using the stock avie body mounts?

[70chev383]

That’s not a bad idea, I’m trying to get the cab as close to the frame as possible, I’m trying to get the running boards to be on the ground. I had done that with the s10 frame, I used the factory mid cab mount on the frame lined up with the rear cab mount and used the factory s10 bushing and frame brackets. I plan on doing to same with the avalanche frame.

[dsraven]

when you put your cab on the frame to see the ride height, and you wanna make it lower, remember the suspension is gonna have more travel in the upwards direction so it may be a good idea to factor that in. some avies had struts, which would be easy to pull out and then move the suspension to its snubbers, but I'm not sure what year that started. anyway, just a heads up.
I put my 57 on an envoy xuv frame and suspension. I used the floor and firewall from the envoy. that made the mounts atc easy. it complicated lots of other stuff though.
keep posting pics, its gonna be great to see how you do this and what obstacles you overcome

[70chev383]

I am going to mount same way I was on the s10 frame. Pulled the keys for the torsion bars and rear springs out and threw the front end on just to kinda line up the cab. Looks like I can cut about 2 inches out of the inside edge of the cab corner so it can drop onto the frame, and set the cab an inch off the frame. Need to cut the front frame horns off just in front of the steering. With the bump stops out I’ll be 3 inches up but I can still trim the bump stop mounts and drop spindles if I need. I’ll post some pictures as i do it.

[dsraven]

what will the plan be for the added track width?
will you keep it 4 wheel drive?
I loved my 03 avie, wish I had kept it and redone the rusted body. no time for that though and parts alone would have broke the bank.

[70chev383]

Managed to get the cab sitting on a 2x4 on top of the frame just need to find some universal body mounts. Got it as low as I think I can get it, only about an inch off the ground

[70chev383]

Originally Posted by dsraven

what will the plan be for the added track width?
will you keep it 4 wheel drive?
I loved my 03 avie, wish I had kept it and redone the rusted body. no time for that though and parts alone would have broke the bank.

No swapped to 2wd just going to be a summer toy. With the heavy duty front end and 275/55r22 tires they just rub when cycling the suspension, I think I’m am going to roll the fender. May also slot the control arm mounts and pull the each side in 3/4 of and inch and maybe narrower tires

[70chev383]

Made some progress in the last couple weeks, Made the cab mounts and got the cab mounted and wheel centre in the wheel wells
Going to try and use the front seats out of the avalanche, I’m 6 ft 3 so I I wanted to add some more leg room, I am roughly adding 10 inches at the bottom and 2 at the top of the firewall

[G&R's57GMC]

Now that’s the beauty of the long hood trucks , gives you plenty of room to add more leg room .

[70chev383]

Originally Posted by G&R's57GMC

Now that’s the beauty of the long hood trucks , gives you plenty of room to add more leg room .

I knew the big trucks are wider but are the front ends longer too?

[dsraven]

not positive but i think the big trucks have all different sheet metal ahead of the cab. longer and wider. a factory assembly manual would help you out as they have factory frame and body dimensions.
or just wing it with what you have.
gmupfitter will have frame and body dimensions for the newer truck frame under the body builders section
there is a fella on the forum who put an AD burb onto a trailblazer frame and floor/firewall and he used the big truck fenders blended with the small truck fenders i think.
check his build out here, the fenders are on about page 8 I think

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=348244&page=8

[70chev383]

Originally Posted by dsraven

not positive but i think the big trucks have all different sheet metal ahead of the cab. longer and wider. a factory assembly manual would help you out as they have factory frame and body dimensions.
or just wing it with what you have.
gmupfitter will have frame and body dimensions for the newer truck frame under the body builders section
there is a fella on the forum who put an AD burb onto a trailblazer frame and floor/firewall and he used the big truck fenders blended with the small truck fenders i think.
check his build out here, the fenders are on about page 8 I think

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=348244&page=8

There was picture of the 2 burbs side by side I think page 10 or 11 you can see the difference in the fenders

[LT7A]

This is a very interesting build. You are getting great help on your process from other fellas here and your own competence shows in what you've done so far. It's none of my business but given the story of the truck, I wonder how your grandpa is doing. I hope the gentleman is past the rough patch you mentioned. One approach is to build it as simply as you can and get it on the road to take your grandpa for a drive. I find it amazing that he parked it on the request of a 4/5 year old. I think you're lucky to have a grandpa like that. I'm not saying to cut a bunch of corners. But I've realized that my own projects need to go through "phases". That it helps to have an initial goal. Once I'm there I can reassess and refine my plan based on time/money/etc. I've also made it ok to not get every last thing done "while I'm in there", that it's ok to come back at a later time, even if I have to take something apart again. Sorry about the philosophizing if that's not your thing. But the story kinda says that driving with grandpa may be the primary goal. And then other priorities/parts of the project can flourish that give you a chance for another ride with Gigi after each improvement. None of my business really but you kinda got us roped in with the back story ; ) Gonna be a very cool ride. LT

[70chev383]

Originally Posted by LT7A

LT

Thanks I appreciate it. Sadly he passed just over a year ago, kinda in part to why the truck was put on the back burner.
The “phases” was the original direction but I have learned in myself that I procrastinate to much to go back and change haha

[70chev383]

Started with stretching the fire wall, ended up with 3 inches at the top and 8 inches at the bottom. I reused the factory firewall split down the middle and raised to fit around the motor

[dsraven]

is that the tire diameter you plan to use? wouldn't want any surprises later.
dont forget to test fit the hood periodically to ensure things aren't moving with welding heat and shrinkage.
looks like you have this in the bag. thanks for posting up pics too.