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Old 06-17-2015, 10:16 AM   #26
520-k5
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

So instead of 14" I ended up cutting out 17.5 inches total leaving us with a smaller z cut and area to work with. But here's the frame welded up and the diamond fish plates my buddy free handed on his plasma cutter. There roughly 5x7 and fill in the space left nicely.
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Old 06-17-2015, 10:22 AM   #27
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Here's the first test fit of the bed at 147.5" wheelbase obviously when I realized what we did wrong.
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Old 06-17-2015, 10:25 AM   #28
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

I snapped this pic for you bagged guys who like to lay frame. This is the factory 4 speed granny crossmember plenty of room for 3" exhaust to route under and still tuck up above the frame. I plan on trying to use this same crossmember when I do the 700r4 swap.
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Old 06-17-2015, 10:29 AM   #29
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

So with the rivets knocked out and the rearend moved back out of the way I stripped the frame to bare metal so I could lay out my measurements and start drilling.
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Old 06-17-2015, 10:36 AM   #30
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

With the new set of holes drilled and the bare metal spots primed with some green acid etch primer I reassembled the rear suspension. I also drilled out all of the spring hangers and frame holes to 7/16th and used grade 8 hardware with steel lock nuts. The factory rivets were just bigger than 3/8 but smaller than 7/16
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Old 06-17-2015, 10:48 AM   #31
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

So with alot of different ways of doing this you read alot about cutting 6" behind the cab mount. On my truck 6" put us right on the first set of bed bolt holes and was too close for our comfort so with plenty of frame material we marked 7" behind and started there. You'll also see a silver x in the middle of the crossmember exactly 10.5 " back. That's the factory measurement on the shortbed and we're you would need to drill the 2nd set of bed bolt holes. But because of our mistake my 2nd set of bed bolt holess is the silver line just behind the 2 factory crossmember rivet holes. Also when we had the bed test fitted I believed that the bed crossmember was sitting on the first rivit so I removed them but only the rear rivit would need to have been removed. As the bed crossmember fits fine now. And the last pic shows the 2 x's of were my new bed bolt holes would need to be drilled.
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Old 06-17-2015, 10:56 AM   #32
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

This is the same pic as above but you'll notice the rear crossmember is now we're my bed bolt holes need to be. I cut the rivet heads in the way to prepare to move the crossmember back there's already a set of identical holes in the frame so moving the crossmember back will be easy. I also plan on installing a blazer ,suburban tank so the crossmember will stay for the moment
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:02 AM   #33
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

So with all the frame work done and rear suspension done we bolted the bed on and rolled it outside.
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:05 AM   #34
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

With my driveshaft getting cut down and rebalanced we towed it home. What better way to test your welds then with a frame twist right???!
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:27 AM   #35
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Stress test lol
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:34 AM   #36
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

I also forgot to mention the rear frame issue. Alot of people say cut exactly 6? Well there's not alot back there to begin with and a few people who have actually finished there builds will beg to differ. On my truck initial measurements I was going to cut 3" and test fit. But because of the 17.5 total that I cut out of the front I didn't have to trim anything off the back. Here's the pics of the rear of the frame. Fits perfect
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:36 AM   #37
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

No trimming required on my truck although I may have to drill new bumper bracket holes.
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Old 06-17-2015, 11:43 AM   #38
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

I still have to drill new holes for my brake hose bracket,e brake brackets. Shorten and reattach my e brake cables, install my saddle tank and im not looking foward to drilling the new holes for that. We already shortened and reflaired the brake line sorry no pics of that. As I finish those I'll take pics and post them.
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Old 06-17-2015, 12:02 PM   #39
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

So to recap for future reference and or for any one who is looking to do the shortbed conversion. You measure 7" from the back of the cab mount then mark and cut your 14" whether you straight cut,45° slant Cut or z cut. There should be 10.5 inches from center to center of the first and 2nd set of bed bolt holes. take a minimum of 3" off the back and measure check your fitment. The shortened wheel base should now be 150.5" for a crewcab shortbed if done right your 1st set of bed bolts should drop right in. Your 2nd set will be drilled through the crossmember. The 3rd set of bolts should drop right in and lastly drilling your 4th set of bolt holes.

Our mistake in measurements ended up making my install one of a kind and not the ideal truck to copy from unless you like creating more work and moving the axle back. But the process is still the same I had the opportunity to use my friends shop and we used his lift to support the truck while we cut it but everything we did could be done at home with Jack stands and shims etc. Out of the 3 methods of cutting plasma,cut off wheel and sawzall the sawzall in fact gave us the cleanest smallest cutting gap without having to grind slag from the plasma off.
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Old 06-17-2015, 12:10 PM   #40
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

So with all that out of the way now I move on with the rest of the truck. I bought a tailgate molding trim off ebay and had a new 1 peice rear glass and new gasket installed yesterday. The new glass really changes the look of the cab.
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Old 06-17-2015, 12:16 PM   #41
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

I also picked up a better set of headlight bezals and started to polish them who says you can't polish a turd? And to be different I picked up a new shifter knob from a freind you should see the looks I get when I'm shifting in traffic lol
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Old 06-17-2015, 12:22 PM   #42
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Guess I should have posted pics of the parts truck earlier but here it is with my oldest son. I may start a build thread on this shortbed because me and my buddy are planning on parting out a 94 suburban he has and installing the buckets,console and 454 4l80 into and keeping it tbi with the harness. Plans for the shortbed are to get it turn key in primer before next tax season so we can sell it.
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Old 06-17-2015, 12:24 PM   #43
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

I think it's a 77 originally a 6 cyl,3 speed truck but that will change!
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Old 06-17-2015, 03:38 PM   #44
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Very nice work even with the measuring it wrong. I used a sawzall when I cut mine and only ended up with a 1/16" difference from side to side. Your truck is going to look really nice. Are you going to stick with the original colors?
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Old 06-17-2015, 03:58 PM   #45
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Nice work on the truck! It's really looking a lot better than when you first got it. On the back of my frame, I think I onlu had to cut two inches off of mine. 6" would have been nearly to my rear spring shackle mount.
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Old 06-17-2015, 04:10 PM   #46
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Thanks. I haven't decided on what colors yet. I'm torn between a metallic orange, white or blue,white 2 tone like it is. The sawzall was definitely the best choice for cutting it with and we ended with less than 1/16th square. We're planning on cutting his wife's longbed down soon too so this was great practice!
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Old 06-17-2015, 04:59 PM   #47
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Don't you hate doing things twice!? I learned to slow down in working because of all the times I was working too quickly.

Nice job cutting it down. I plan on doing my long bed this summer.
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Old 06-18-2015, 12:17 AM   #48
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie View Post
Wow looking good looks like you did dive in head first. Great job on it so far going to be an awesome truck to cruise in when you get it all done and put back together.
Thanks I am looking foward to driving it as a shortbed finally.
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Old 06-18-2015, 12:21 AM   #49
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

Quote:
Originally Posted by Average Joe View Post
Cool project! I had a chance to purchase a clean 2wd cclb 3 months ago for 2k. Factory 454 with TH400 and AC. I kick myself for not buying it, especially after seeing yours. Nice work!
Thanks. There's a super clean c30 crewcab dually on my local Craigslist right now if your still looking.
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Old 06-18-2015, 12:38 AM   #50
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Re: project orange crush 76 crewcab build

I also ordered a single din install plate off ebay. And used one of my spare dash bezals to mount it. The plate didnt sit flush with the dash bezal so i trimed a small section of the lip on the bottom. Now I need to buy some speakers so I can get it installed.
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