Project C.S.T. - Chopped Shop Truck

[CheyenneShop]

I have actually owned this truck longer then any other vehicle in my life. My records show that I bought it 05/31/97 - 12 years, WOW! I initially bought the 71' for a "parts truck" for a 72 1/2ton 4x4 long bed that I had previously owned. I knew I needed this truck because it was a high optioned truck: 402BB, TH400, Tilt, Tach, AC, and Z84 Custom Sport "Cheyenne" package. So, I bought it drove it every now and then, but for the most part it just sat.

About five years ago, my wife and I decided to build our "dream" house - so for some CRAZY reason I thought it would be smart to take the 5 lug 1/2, and switch it out to 8 lug 3/4 ton, and this would make a better build the house "work truck"! Dumb move, I wish i hadn't done it! I ended up using my 2nd owner 72 shorty pretty much the entire time, oh well!

That brings me to the current build! A combination of Chop Shop- as I am shorting the frame, and Shop Truck- as it will not only be a hodge podge of parts, I've always liked the Old School "Shop Truck" look! Thus I have combined the two names Chop Shop & Shop Truck into Chop Shop Truck!

Because I plan on doing a very extensive ground up on my 2nd owner 72 shorty, most of the parts for Project C.S.T. will be interchanged between the two trucks.

[CheyenneShop]

a few more

[IvelDesigns]

so you're going back to a 5 lug? I'm guessing so due to the parts pile on the floor

nice lookin project you have there. are you planning to lower it?

** edit **

ahh ok, you posted more pics.

[Hart_Rod]

Should be a cool project. I think I would leave it 8 lug since it's only going to be a "shop truck", .

[CheyenneShop]

Originally Posted by IvelDesigns

so you're going back to a 5 lug? I'm guessing so due to the parts pile on the floor

nice lookin project you have there. are you planning to lower it?

** edit **

ahh ok, you posted more pics.

Ya I should have mentioned that I guess I am going with a 4/6 drop and C-notch the rear end.

My over all goal is to put a fun little truck together, and sell it. The money will end up going towards my 68 shorty.

[CheyenneShop]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Should be a cool project. I think I would leave it 8 lug since it's only going to be a "shop truck", .

Dang it, I knew I was doing something wrong!I will be giving her a little attitude adjustment - 4/6, so I thought it would be better to go 5 lug. I bought the 3/4 adaptable dropped spindles from ECE, so I will still have the bigger ball joint.

If i was keeping her I would bag it and go 383 with the small block, but I'm trying to keep the $ down.

[OARNGESI]

Looks really good cant wait to see the new stance

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by theCheyenneShop

Dang it, I knew I was doing something wrong!I will be giving her a little attitude adjustment - 4/6, so I thought it would be better to go 5 lug. I bought the 3/4 adaptable dropped spindles from ECE, so I will still have the bigger ball joint.

If i was keeping her I would bag it and go 383 with the small block, but I'm trying to keep the $ down.

What are you doing with the late model 8 lug wheels?

[CheyenneShop]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

What are you doing with the late model 8 lug wheels?

I will probably use them on the 72 3/4 4x4 long bed. I really like the look of these wheels. The problem is the are so narrow (6.5), so most places only want to put 265's on them. If you go to an independent dealer they will go 285 which actually looks good.

I saw a late model suburban that the guy powdercoated them black and put 285's on them - it looked nice.

[lolife99]

Nice project!
I'm watching this one,...

[VA72C10]

I am really digging the shop truck look as well so I'll be watching too!

[CheyenneShop]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Nice project!
I'm watching this one,...

Originally Posted by VA72C10

I am really digging the shop truck look as well so I'll be watching too!

It's going to be fun! Thanks for watching and I will do my best to keep all the progress reported.

If you see anything I'm doing wrong, or just want to throw in your 2 cents, please do.

Thanks, Ronnie

[CheyenneShop]

Few updates:

Big Blocks are heavy

its good to have help - my 6 yr old son helping me & "Moose" the Shop Dog!

Dirty Tranny

Cool original factory tag. Sorry it's hard to read.

If I knew how to put text in between pictures this would probably make more sense!

Project: C.S.T. is really just in tear down mode right now, I have stuff all over the place. Hopefully I can remember where stuff is when I need it! I have learnend a lot already but pure organization seems to be the biggest thing!

[CheyenneShop]

Here's a few more!

I had a few neighbor buddies come over and help get the cab off.

I can wait to start putting everything back together!

I figure Dino over in 60-66 would like the cab on the ground, Is that low enough Dino?

Long frame, ready to be shortend!

I am hoping to get her shortend this weekend, so we'll see!

[ERASER5]

Looks like fun!

[CheyenneShop]

Should I cut out the top or bottom? I am using the "Step cut" that i have seen, but because of the re-inforcement piece I'm wondering if I should do it opposite? Here is Glock35ipsc thread that I am using.

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

I'm not worried about the vin# as I have never had a problem with that in AZ. and I will have proof of what I did! Shorten it! So there is these flares/bends in the frame that are probably there for strength, but I wont have the surface area when I weld the re-inforcement in to strengthen the frame - soooooo I am thinking of reversing the step-cut and cutting out the vin # on the top side and the flares on the bottom? Any ideas? Hopefully this makes sence

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by theCheyenneShop

Should I cut out the top or bottom? I am using the "Step cut" that i have seen, but because of the re-inforcement piece I'm wondering if I should do it opposite? Here is Glock35ipsc thread that I am using.

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

I'm not worried about the vin# as I have never had a problem with that in AZ. and I will have proof of what I did! Shorten it! So there is these flares/bends in the frame that are probably there for strength, but I wont have the surface area when I weld the re-inforcement in to strengthen the frame - soooooo I am thinking of reversing the step-cut and cutting out the vin # on the top side and the flares on the bottom? Any ideas? Hopefully this makes sence

I don't think it really matters if you do the top or bottom, especially since you are reinforcinging. I used the 45 degree cut on mine. There's less measuring and it accomplishes the same thing, ...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=226302&page=3

It starts at Post #103.

[CheyenneShop]

I was able to make some head way this past week on the frame. I did have a small problem along the way!

I had bought the reinforcement piece from ECE and had planned to put it in the entire time. After reading through some of the other threads, I realized that the frame could be TO STRONG at the connection points. So following Hart Rods lead I cut the reinforcements on the ends like Rod to allow for more flex. Well once I went to put the piece in I realized it would interfere with the tranny crossmember! So, my mistake was that I had already cut the in-frame braces - and now they were only 12" at the center.

So I went out and gut some 5"x1/4" to make some "fish plates"! This all went pretty good. I ended up tacking the welds and then called in my neighbor to do the big stuff as he has A LOT more experience then I do.

So far it has been a lot of fun, a lot of learning and I can't wait to finish up the welds - maybe tonight!

[CheyenneShop]

I know you guys like pictures

[tim21391]

thats a nice weld.. tranny looks like butt but it will look nice when you are done.. keep it up and keep bringing pics

[chas350]

Looks Good!
One thing, you talked about the HD rims and putting 285 rubber on them.
I wouldn't recommend that. I did it myself with the same rims and 285/75-16 tires, the rim is so narrow that the center of the tire tread balloons out and causes mostly the center tread to contact the road. It causes an uneven wear, unless the tires are real cheap or used I wouldn't do it.
So there you go, my 2 cents.

chas

PS don't always believe the tire/rim calculators found on the web, like I did.
what a dummy.

[CheyenneShop]

Originally Posted by tim21391

thats a nice weld.. tranny looks like butt but it will look nice when you are done.. keep it up and keep bringing pics

Thanks for the props on the welds, i will pass it on to my buddy! regarding the tranny - I am actually going to use a different TH350, but your right, that thing was nasty

Originally Posted by chas350

Looks Good!
One thing, you talked about the HD rims and putting 285 rubber on them.
I wouldn't recommend that. I did it myself with the same rims and 285/75-16 tires, the rim is so narrow that the center of the tire tread balloons out and causes mostly the center tread to contact the road. It causes an uneven wear, unless the tires are real cheap or used I wouldn't do it.
So there you go, my 2 cents.

chas

PS don't always believe the tire/rim calculators found on the web, like I did.
what a dummy.

I hear ya, a lot of my buddies us end up using them for trailer tires. Thanks for the info.

Ronnie

[STOCKISH]

285s work perfect on those wheels. I've run them since I got my 2500HD Silverado in 05. Just adjust the air pressure accordingly. Nice build you have going there too.

[chas350]

Originally Posted by 1972SuperCheyenne

285s work perfect on those wheels. I've run them since I got my 2500HD Silverado in 05. Just adjust the air pressure accordingly. Nice build you have going there too.

My HD was an 05 and had 6.5" rims, are you sure your 02 does also? I have heard that some were 7". Anyhow I did adjust the pressure down on mine also, but I couldn't keep it down at 40lbs when I was towing my 9000lb camper or hauling anything else heavy. Even with the pressure down my tires wear more in the center, I was running Dick Cepek FC-ll's. If your truck handles ok with the air down and don't heavy haul and don't mind not getting all the gas or wear mileage you could.....

[CheyenneShop]

Chas350 - from the looks of your signiture, you wont have to worry about those rims on your 05 anymore