67 SWB Crewcab....Building the Beast, aka Donkey!

[grebus1]

Here are a couple pics from different silver books. The first shows how the '60-'66 models were converted to crew cabs. The other pic shows both a light duty and a medium duty crew cab (with doors open)--both appear to be based on the same style.

[AC72]

that's friggin awesome, is that original,or a fab? can't wait to see it done, rock on

[Hart_Rod]

Got the chassis put together today. Just need to add the ECE frame stiffeners and a CPP bolt in C-notch. Then I can transfer over the the suspension components and the engine and tranny.

NOTE: I used these two links for reference and decision making. One is a stepped cut, the other is 45 degree cut.

Stepped:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123624

45 degree:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=232149

.

[Hart_Rod]

Some more pictures and I added an ECE rear crossmember while I was at it.

[Hart_Rod]

Shortened it 20" from the original chassis that I got, but it's still 17' 9" long! We had a few parts left over.

[SCOTI]

Why not just re-use the discarded section of frame vs. paying for the ECE reinforcements?

Slice it down the middle (lengthwise) to remove some height so it will just fit inside the trucks frame @ the splice. You could either weld it in or bolt it in on the top/bottom of the framerail like a trailing arm c.member.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

good progress

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Why not just re-use the discarded section of frame vs. paying for the ECE reinforcements?

Slice it down the middle (lengthwise) to remove some height so it will just fit inside the trucks frame @ the splice. You could either weld it in or bolt it in on the top/bottom of the framerail like a trailing arm c.member.

I didn't have a long enough piece left to do that. Plus, I'm lazy. .

[Hart_Rod]

Gotta little grinding done on the frame. I also installed the drivers side c-notch. This is way easier than trying to do it on completed vehicle .

EDIT: Used this as reference for the C-Notch install

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=195566

[Hart_Rod]

Got the passenger side C-notch cut out and mostly bolted in. When I did the c-notch on the Suburban, I made a template for marking the cut. For whatever reason, I kept it, which has made this somewhat easier.

[Hart_Rod]

Got the ECE plates welded in. I welded them top and bottom along the frame rail and then I drilled holes on the top and bottom and plug welded them. I don't think she's gonna bend, . I radiused (sp?) both sides of the strengthening plate to help clean up the looks and add a little bit of flex. It also matches the ECE tranny mount.

[Hart_Rod]

I also put exhaust cut-outs in the crossmember that the trailing arms attach to.

NOTE: I used this as reference for the exhaust cut-out install.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...56#post1720456

[SCOTI]

Nice. . .....

[onetonk5]

Are the angle on the notches opposite of each other? Looks like it in the pics.
Why not do a round notch to match the axle?

[68 P.O.S.]

Looks like it really coming together. Nice work.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Nice. . .....

Thanks man!

Originally Posted by onetonk5

Are the angle on the notches opposite of each other? Looks like it in the pics.
Why not do a round notch to match the axle?

It looks funny because of the way the frame is shaped. I could have done the round notch, but I've used the bolt in notches before and it's pretty simple. My goal was to have the frame complete and bolted together in 2 weeks. I've got 6 days to go............

Originally Posted by 68 P.O.S.

Looks like it really coming together. Nice work.

Thanks! When ya driving your truck up?

[Rokcrln]

Dang your not done yet I think if you had gone with the blue see-thru tool box you would have been done two days ago! LOL
Hay that is turning out real nice, do you have a finished rendition of the over all look?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Dang your not done yet I think if you had gone with the blue see-thru tool box you would have been done two days ago! LOL
Hay that is turning out real nice, do you have a finished rendition of the over all look?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Professional grade, . I'm kinda slow, . I guess if you add in the 3 months of planning, it really took longer. I've not decided on a theme yet, but was thinking something simple as this will probably be my "shop" truck. I wasn't even going to do this much, but the engine and drivetrain were to good of a deal to pass up. I'm going to get it to a roller and then shove it in my garage until I finish the Suburban. I should have all of this done, , before I leave for New Mexico this fall.................

[Rokcrln]

We are too much alike! Start one project, slide over to another only to push it aside to go back to another one for abit. If we just stayed focused on one at a time they would all get done much faster. Well that is what the wife keeps telling me and she is almost always close to being right

I would love to find a motor set up like that for Low Buck once the low buck build is done and I turn it into my shop/play toy. The motor in their now is a new crate motor but their is nothing like a factory EFI motor and AOD. Even when you have two 300hp motors side by side and one is carbed and the other is EFI the EFI motor always feels like it has 20% more power

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Dang your not done yet I think if you had gone with the blue see-thru tool box you would have been done two days ago! LOL
Kevin
LFD Inc.

That's the kiddy box I get to use. This is my buddy's tool box. I got the other exhaust cut-out welded in and both sides of the frame completely welded up.

[Hart_Rod]

I also added an ECE hidden hitch while I had it flipped over (it sure is easier to drill from the top than the bottom!). Then we bolted it to the rotissierre so we can shoot a couple more coats of POR15 on it tomorrow. We had to add an extension to get it to fit. When we pulled it in the booth, it wouldn't fit so we had to take the front part of the rotissiere off. Looks like we'll be painting it in pieces, :LOL:.

[Palf70Step]

I need to get me a bigger welder.

That is some great work Rob!

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I need to get me a bigger welder.

That is some great work Rob!

Thanks! Looks like you might have yours drivable by Cruizin the Coast, .

[68 P.O.S.]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Thanks! When ya driving your truck up?

Shoot, I don't know man. With gas prices and that "new" 3:73 I'm a little afraid to drive over there. I'll have to do that some time though.

[ChevyDude]

GREAT JOB!!!! I'm sure this Crew truck is going to be awesome, I'm tuned in and watching!!!