Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project* - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 10:17 PM

Well, I knew I had a small window of opportunity to do this before my 61 takes residence in the garage, so it was now or who knows when...

After countless photochops to play with the proportions, I ended up using the longbed-to-shortbed conversion dimensions. For those who aren't familiar, it's -12" in wheelbase and -8" from the back end for an overall reduction of 20" (that's a LOT of garage space)

This is the rendering that really sold it for me:

I would have posted pics in process but I literally had two weeks to get this done and it ended up taking three...

Here's the final pic of the Sub life; the before pic:

Here we go...

Tear Down:

Gates off

That's gonna have to go...

These were nice while they lasted... I'll make new ones

Roomy...

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 10:25 PM

More tear down:

Too bad I just filled this

I'd been wanting to get rid of this nasty home-made receiver hitch (PO install)

Rear bumper and hitch gone:

This will become a one-piece

Quarter windows out

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 10:39 PM

I found the easiest way to remove the rear wood is with a little help from Mr circle saw. Then I cut around the bolts with a sawzall so I could remove them with the sawzall. Pics should make it clear...

You can see how I cut around the bolts here so I could then just hack the bolts instead of fighting with them.

Buh-bye spare tire well...

Rear 8" cut layout. That ledge is a great place to reference level:

I'll be needing these soon:

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 11:00 PM

This body cross brace/seat mount and the frame crossmember behind it were less than 12" appart. So the seat mount had to get a little trim:

Making room for the wheel wells to move forward:

Bracing for what's to come with a little help:

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 11:13 PM

You can't simply take 8" and 12" slices out of this thing and weld it back together like a truck bed. These have C-Pillars, a third door, and rear quarter glass to consider.

This is where all my Tahoe Photo-Chopping really paid off. I found when I did the renderings that it was easiest to just move the rear wheel wells forward 12" and then the rear and roof forward 20". I also knew from that experience that the roof was slightly domed, so the further forward the slice, the better.

Here are the exterior layout lines:

No turning back now!!!

By including the braces and fuel filler passage in this section I can just move it all forward as one unit:

Ouch

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 11:27 PM

This whole area required a redesign:

Here's where the wheel well is going to end up (blue line):

That's gonna have to move

(see blue line again):

Thank God for bracing...

Test fit of wheel well section:

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 11:41 PM

Making room...

POR 15 Time!

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 11:46 PM

...

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-06-2007, 11:52 PM

This is a "bolt-on" mod

Tacked in place:

More to come tomorrow...

**shaneschevys** · 05-07-2007, 12:13 AM

Thats going to look sweet when you get done with it. Looks like you had a couple of good hands helping you out to.

milehightoyz · 05-07-2007, 12:15 AM

oh my god...this is going to be so sweet.....i was waiting for someone to hunker down and get this done.....i'll be watching, i got 2 extra burb bodies that i think are wanting to get cut up soon too......looks sweet so far!!! keep up with the pics.....

CG · 05-07-2007, 12:20 AM

Well...wow...I have three extra burbs I was going to just going to get rid of. This makes me want to just cover em up for now and see what yours looks like finished. I think if I destroyed two of em trying to figure out how this works the third one may get finished...lol...someday.

milehightoyz · 05-07-2007, 12:23 AM

i assume this is going to stay a 3 dr for now?

**Hart_Rod** · 05-07-2007, 06:54 AM

That's just incredible! Can't wait to see it completely finished.

**Livrat** · 05-07-2007, 08:15 AM

Way cool!!.. cant wait to see more pics..
I can really appreciate a guy who is not afraid to cut one up!!
I love it!!

*72CSTC5* · 05-07-2007, 08:42 AM

FINALLY, someone is going to build one. I was wondering when this was going to happen!! Looks awesome, the fun part is going to be the other side with the door!!

3/4tonterror · 05-07-2007, 09:20 AM

dont like it, i saw one at a show last year,looks like a swb with a burb roof on it.

**stllookn** · 05-07-2007, 09:49 AM

Awesome project, Mike! It just makes me feel badly about going fishing this weekend...LOL!

phase_one · 05-07-2007, 09:51 AM

I think that is will be real cool. Nice work. Looks like lyou are having a good time with the kids. Keep it up.

**Frizzle Fry** · 05-07-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

FINALLY, someone is going to build one. I was wondering when this was going to happen!! Looks awesome, the fun part is going to be the other side with the door!!

The 3rd door is pretty much done. Just needs some finishing work. The truck was 90% done and driving before I even started this thread. I just don't have the time to post all the pics in one sitting

More to come today. But ya, you're right. It did take some on-the-fly-engineering. That's why I did the driver's side first

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3/4tonterror

dont like it, i saw one at a show last year,looks like a swb with a burb roof on it.

Well, I appreciate your honesty

Are you sure you saw one with a 115" wheelbase and notched 3rd door? I have looked and looked and have never seen one done this way. I've seen this:

...and I've seen them with a some rear-end trimming, but never the way I'm doing it; "Tahoe Style." If you or anyone else has pics of one done this way I'd love to see them!

Zoomad75 · 05-07-2007, 11:03 AM

<click> Subscribe.....

Killer build. That had to take some serious cajones to bring the cutoff wheel to clean original sheet metal. The progress looks great. I like the on the fly engineering too.

Don't worry about the one guy that hates it. Your building for yourself, not him. Anybody that doesn't like it can click the back button and go look at another thread.

I like "phantoms" or versions of trucks/cars that could have been made but weren't. If done right (and it looks like its going in the right direction) its probably going to look like it was factory when completed. Then you'll get the folks coming up saying they remember having one like that as a kid or an uncle had one a long time ago.

Very unique, keep up the good work!

**stllookn** · 05-07-2007, 11:44 AM

I know you did this just so you can place in the top 10 at that Porsche auto cross!!!!!!!!!!

You NEVER asked for anyone's opinion about this but I think this is an awesome project and a great idea. I still can't believe you got it done in 3 weeks while losing one weekend to an injury! That is one "stinking" complex conversion!

ostncoln · 05-07-2007, 11:50 AM

thats goign to be freakin sweet

**70c10** · 05-07-2007, 12:14 PM

Nice job Mike!

. Can't wait to see it completed!

Spanky_Pete · 05-07-2007, 12:45 PM

That is an insane amount of work, can't wait to see the finished product.

05-06-2007, 10:17 PM	#1
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Well, I knew I had a small window of opportunity to do this before my 61 takes residence in the garage, so it was now or who knows when... After countless photochops to play with the proportions, I ended up using the longbed-to-shortbed conversion dimensions. For those who aren't familiar, it's -12" in wheelbase and -8" from the back end for an overall reduction of 20" (that's a LOT of garage space) This is the rendering that really sold it for me: I would have posted pics in process but I literally had two weeks to get this done and it ended up taking three... Here's the final pic of the Sub life; the before pic: Here we go... Tear Down: Gates off That's gonna have to go... These were nice while they lasted... I'll make new ones Roomy... __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-06-2007, 10:25 PM	#2
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project More tear down: Too bad I just filled this I'd been wanting to get rid of this nasty home-made receiver hitch (PO install) Rear bumper and hitch gone: This will become a one-piece Quarter windows out __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-06-2007, 10:39 PM	#3
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project I found the easiest way to remove the rear wood is with a little help from Mr circle saw. Then I cut around the bolts with a sawzall so I could remove them with the sawzall. Pics should make it clear... You can see how I cut around the bolts here so I could then just hack the bolts instead of fighting with them. Buh-bye spare tire well... Rear 8" cut layout. That ledge is a great place to reference level: I'll be needing these soon: __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-06-2007, 11:00 PM	#4
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project This body cross brace/seat mount and the frame crossmember behind it were less than 12" appart. So the seat mount had to get a little trim: Making room for the wheel wells to move forward: Bracing for what's to come with a little help: __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-06-2007, 11:13 PM	#5
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project You can't simply take 8" and 12" slices out of this thing and weld it back together like a truck bed. These have C-Pillars, a third door, and rear quarter glass to consider. This is where all my Tahoe Photo-Chopping really paid off. I found when I did the renderings that it was easiest to just move the rear wheel wells forward 12" and then the rear and roof forward 20". I also knew from that experience that the roof was slightly domed, so the further forward the slice, the better. Here are the exterior layout lines: No turning back now!!! By including the braces and fuel filler passage in this section I can just move it all forward as one unit: Ouch __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 05-07-2007 at 01:51 AM.

05-06-2007, 11:27 PM	#6
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project This whole area required a redesign: Here's where the wheel well is going to end up (blue line): That's gonna have to move (see blue line again): Thank God for bracing... Test fit of wheel well section: __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist Last edited by Frizzle Fry; 05-06-2007 at 11:36 PM.

05-06-2007, 11:41 PM	#7
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Making room... POR 15 Time! __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-06-2007, 11:46 PM	#8
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project ... __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-06-2007, 11:52 PM	#9
Frizzle Fry It's only metal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 5,268	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project This is a "bolt-on" mod Tacked in place: More to come tomorrow... __________________ 61 Stepside + C5 Vette + Body Mods (on hold) 64 Driver/Work Truck (will be a Shortbed Big Window one day) 66 Sunbeam+S2000 (Project DriftBeam) (Updated 07/13/10) On Speedhunters 69 Tahoe Build (115" WB Suburban) (back on hold...) In Ink! DIY Fiberglass Kick Panels/Speakers DIY "Factory" AM/MP3 Radio Roadtrip Checklist

05-07-2007, 12:13 AM	#10
shaneschevys Its always something! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: FT Worth,TX Posts: 4,824	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Thats going to look sweet when you get done with it. Looks like you had a couple of good hands helping you out to. __________________ 72 Short Fleetside 72 Suburban 69 panel 67 GMC One Ton Flatbed 64 Short Fleetside 57 2DR Hard Top 65 f* short fleet 68 3/4 ton beater 63 C 60 Flatbed Member of the patina club**

05-07-2007, 12:15 AM	#11
milehightoyz AttentionDeficitDisorder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: COLORADO Posts: 599	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project oh my god...this is going to be so sweet.....i was waiting for someone to hunker down and get this done.....i'll be watching, i got 2 extra burb bodies that i think are wanting to get cut up soon too......looks sweet so far!!! keep up with the pics.....

05-07-2007, 12:20 AM	#12
CG Maybe this will be the year Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Monroe, Wa. Posts: 6,834	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Well...wow...I have three extra burbs I was going to just going to get rid of. This makes me want to just cover em up for now and see what yours looks like finished. I think if I destroyed two of em trying to figure out how this works the third one may get finished...lol...someday.

05-07-2007, 12:23 AM	#13
milehightoyz AttentionDeficitDisorder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: COLORADO Posts: 599	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project i assume this is going to stay a 3 dr for now?

05-07-2007, 06:54 AM	#14
Hart_Rod Boomer Sooner! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Northwest FL Posts: 9,215	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project That's just incredible! Can't wait to see it completely finished. __________________ Rob As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 69 SuperBurb - "My grandpa used to have a Suburban exactly like that." http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 6T8 ZZZZ - Farm truck... original paint, slammed, tubbed, stroked, blown and "Bad 2 da Bone"! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 Motor info: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=370973 67 SWB 4 Door CrewCab - aka DONKEY (5.3/4L60E) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=226302

05-07-2007, 08:15 AM	#15
Livrat Resident Rat Addict Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Tukwila,Wa Posts: 1,741	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Way cool!!.. cant wait to see more pics.. I can really appreciate a guy who is not afraid to cut one up!! I love it!! __________________ 68 GMC 3/4ton 4X4. 468,tach,tilt,AC,vac 69 C10 Short SWB 396/T400 project (FOR SALE) 72 Blazer 2WD,Tach, tilt,AC,454,700R4,posi (wifes) 72 Chinook Motorhome,350 AT,cruise (FOR SALE) 71 Blazer 2WD, 350/350 (FOR SALE) 70 Panel, 67 clip,AT,tilt,tach 70 Blazer 2WD, tach,tilt,dropmember, bags,427,700R4, 68 Crewcab project 34 Stude Dictator.. (FOR SALE) 33 Stude 5W Coupe 54 Stude Lowboy coupe 56 Stude Power Hawk (donor for the 54) 71 and 77 Harley Electra Glides 79 Avanti II, L82, T400



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05-07-2007, 08:42 AM	#16
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,527	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project FINALLY, someone is going to build one. I was wondering when this was going to happen!! Looks awesome, the fun part is going to be the other side with the door!!

05-07-2007, 09:20 AM	#17
3/4tonterror Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jaffrey,NH Posts: 328	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project dont like it, i saw one at a show last year,looks like a swb with a burb roof on it.

05-07-2007, 09:49 AM	#18
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,443	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Awesome project, Mike! It just makes me feel badly about going fishing this weekend...LOL! __________________ '67 C10 350/350 w/buddy buckets '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 327/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 454/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '71 C20 4x4 chassis (sans cab and box...hee-hee) '68 C10 LWB w/292/4-sp/posi..."Lamont"

05-07-2007, 09:51 AM	#19
phase_one Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Praireville. LA 70769 Posts: 287	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project I think that is will be real cool. Nice work. Looks like lyou are having a good time with the kids. Keep it up. __________________ 06 silverado 70 C 10 still in progress

05-07-2007, 11:03 AM	#21
Zoomad75 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 735	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project <click> Subscribe..... Killer build. That had to take some serious cajones to bring the cutoff wheel to clean original sheet metal. The progress looks great. I like the on the fly engineering too. Don't worry about the one guy that hates it. Your building for yourself, not him. Anybody that doesn't like it can click the back button and go look at another thread. I like "phantoms" or versions of trucks/cars that could have been made but weren't. If done right (and it looks like its going in the right direction) its probably going to look like it was factory when completed. Then you'll get the folks coming up saying they remember having one like that as a kid or an uncle had one a long time ago. Very unique, keep up the good work! __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's

05-07-2007, 11:44 AM	#22
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,443	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project I know you did this just so you can place in the top 10 at that Porsche auto cross!!!!!!!!!! You NEVER asked for anyone's opinion about this but I think this is an awesome project and a great idea. I still can't believe you got it done in 3 weeks while losing one weekend to an injury! That is one "stinking" complex conversion! __________________ '67 C10 350/350 w/buddy buckets '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 327/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 454/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '71 C20 4x4 chassis (sans cab and box...hee-hee) '68 C10 LWB w/292/4-sp/posi..."Lamont" Last edited by stllookn; 05-07-2007 at 11:50 AM.

05-07-2007, 11:50 AM	#23
ostncoln Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Amarillo, TX Posts: 167	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project thats goign to be freakin sweet

05-07-2007, 12:14 PM	#24
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project Nice job Mike! . Can't wait to see it completed! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames 744 total LED's on the truck Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262, Road Demon 625 and soon to have Brodix heads Wanted: a pair of 15x10 6 lug Centerline Billet Star rims!!! http://tjazcustoms.freeservers.com/index.html

05-07-2007, 12:45 PM	#25
Spanky_Pete Too many trucks? Nah... Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: SW Washington State Posts: 155	Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club 69 Tahoe Project That is an insane amount of work, can't wait to see the finished product.

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