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HG's Bigass Farm Truck
I have been using my C-10 for hauling everything and I'm not afraid to dirty it up a little, but it's limited on how much it can haul and I don't want to tow with it. A few months ago I bought a 79 C-30 crewcab to use as a regular old truck.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psdo7lbkxt.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psb4177f5c.jpg I really like it but would have preferred a 4x4. Which I found available about 6 weeks later... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psgt37hbgy.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfgmpnvog.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psuujoej8c.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pszrrwracw.jpg That's what it looked like when me and a friend of mine took a look at it. I knew about the truck before because it belongs to a friend of my sister. I just didn't know he was willing to sell it. This was originally an 82 C-30 dually truck. He converted it to 4wd using an 80 or 82 K-20. It has a 454, 4 spd, NP205, Dana 44 (8 lug) front axle and GM 14 bolt FF rear axle. Had a 6" suspension lift and 3" body lift. Swapped on a 78 front end. Custom rear bumper. Riding on 38" bias ply tires on 16.5" wheels. I could barely get up in it for a test drive. Not quite the farm truck I envisioned. I didn't care for the tires, weather checked and waaaaay out of balance and 16.5". He really wanted to keep them for the wheels mainly so I worked out a deal. He had a pair of rust free doors, a pretty good bed (this one had rusted sills) and I didn't need the body lift for what I was planning. Since he was going to swap the bed anyway I had him remove the body lift. The steering was scary bad, he replaced the warn part that was responsible for most of the slop. Right now it's riding on some stock size pizza cutters but I have a set of 35x12.5x16 BFG's to put on it once I find wheels. I'll post more current pics later, I don't have them available for upload right now. It has a different bed with a pretty straight tailgate. This past weekend a buddy and me got started on some of the maintenance items. The seller gave me a new hanger bearing and rear axle seals. We figured the rear wheel bearings were likely toast also (they were) so I bought those. We ran into problems right away though when the passenger side hub was froze on the spindle tube. It took a lot of heat, a gear puller and a really REALLY big hammer to knock it off. The bearing got hot and seized onto it. Managed to get it off without breaking the drum. Then found that the brakes were toast also and the wheel cylinders were in need of replacement. But the biggest PITA was that the heated bearings also affected the snap rings that hold the outer bearings in place and they came out in pieces. None of the auto parts stores carry that ring, don't even have a part number for it. I found some online but that means we couldn't get it back together completely. We got the brake job done, got the outer bearings installed and the race for the new inner bearings and that's how that sits until the new snap rings are delivered. The hanger bearing was replaced but I found a bad U joint, so that is sitting and waiting for a new part. Another problem I found was the rear leaf packs have some broken leafs. There are many little issues yet to take care of. BTW, the 79 C-30 is for sale. |
Re: HG's Bigass Farm Truck
The parts eventually got delivered, and I eventually had time to install them. So I got it back on the road, but not without some issues. The front output yoke I ordered wasn't the right part. So still no front driveshaft. The brakes need to be bled some more I think cuz the rear ones just won't grab. There is pedal pressure and flow through the lines but there must be more air in there.
But it's driveable. How it looks today. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfp0okozd.jpg I have a set of 35" tires for it, still looking for wheels though... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psjjjswee5.jpg I spent some time at the local junkyard and found a truck with a 4 speed and NP205 still in it. Unfortunately it has the flange type yoke for the front output. A new one costs somewhere around $100. Fortunately I got the entire transfer case and front driveshaft for $150. Seems tight. And since I think there is plenty of wear in the 4 speed, I just got that too for another $150. I figure it's great spare parts regardless. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pslrel2htg.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pseah9rodv.jpg It was filthy. Spent about an hour scraping it. Will clean up much easier now at the car wash. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps2woy0awt.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psh8wzf9fh.jpg Much better... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pstd2zpwjt.jpg I also picked up a new gauge cluster and bezel. I really liked the texture on this bezel. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps8gxbucvb.jpg And I found the correct front bumper. It had the newer style GMC bumper on it. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psc9zysja4.jpg And here are the new doors. Rust free and they have power locks and windows. I just need to find a wire harness and rear doors with the same options. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps0lvrt7hj.jpg |
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Here are the picks from when I first went to look at it and take it for a test drive.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psrui13u07.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps55amer6h.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psrh1nzwz1.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psxfppux2f.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psfxees7ts.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psest0jnch.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psl39ptykv.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psly4zygls.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psel7g0caa.jpg Pics of the bed that was swapped onto it. Less rust... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psl5rnqg3t.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psqncwjkns.jpg |
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The priority hit list is to swap the gauges so I have a working speedo again, replace the clutch, get the front driveshaft installed, get the rear brakes working, install e-brake system (it's all missing), find wheels I like and swap tires.
While I'm doing the clutch is when I'll figure out what to do about the transmission. I could replace gaskets and seals on the spares and just swap all that in together. But maybe some of the slop is just wear in the clutch. They all leak though and will need the routine repairs done regardless. |
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Sweet truck dude! Cant wait to see it come together.
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Look at that beautiful truck. I know most people prefer short beds, but I have a soft spot for giant trucks, and it doesn't get much more giant than a lifted, long bed crew cab!
Forget the "dime", I bet it turns on a circle 40 yards wide. I love it. |
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A lot has happened since my last post on this thread. The brown truck was for sale to help get me down payment money for a farm place I was buying. Turns out I didn't need to cash for that and got the farm anyway.
Just before I was gonna start moving the engine in the brown truck died. Back fired a couple times and wouldn't restart. I checked things out, has oil pressure, has spark, its getting gas, but won't run. Turned the dizzy and it back fired. We think the timing chain slipped. So it's been sitting since late August. I used my 71 during the move. Also the 82 4wd crew, but that one is a bit less convenient to load and unload, so mostly the 71. All during the move, over the past month or so, I've been thinking about my options with the brown truck. I really like it and didn't really want to sell it. I could just fix the timing chain issue (if that's the problem) and move on with it as is. I could rebuild the 454 keeping it stock. I could build it for more performance but that is pretty damn expensive. I could swap in a motor, but which one? If I was going to take the time to rebuild the engine it would have to be a performance upgrade. That's just how I roll. The problem is cost. Power costs money. A few bolt ons were not going to satisfy my thirst. Heads are where power is really made. Heads are around $900 each for a basic performance head. Piston kits are around $400 or more. A few hundred more will get you a stroker rotating assembly with forged pistons. Add more for intake, machine work, cam, lifters, etc and you quickly are looking at a $4000 bill. Swap options were not great. Another good stock big block is a minimum of $500 (core charges are about $300) and anything better than an RV engine is $1000 or more. If it had any performance parts it was at least $3000 for anything I was finding available. I could switch it to a small block and save a bunch and have performance but that is still upwards of $1500. Of course the LS swap is almost everyones automatic response, so I checked around. Prices on those have been going up recently. I checked with a few yards and the best deal on a 6.0 was $1150 for one with over 300k miles. Lower mileage ones were around $2000 with accessories and possibly having to pay a $300 - 600 core charge. So I looked at 5.3s and at 2 of the biggest yards in the area it was about $1200 for the engine. I was driving home yesterday and went by a yard I've stopped at a couple times and I inspect their air tank. They didn't have any 6.0s and if they did they wanted $2500-3000 for it. But they had a 5.3 at their other yard. Has about 200k miles but they said it was a good runner. $500 for the engine without accessories, another $50 for those. No core charge. I said I'll take it. So Monday I will pick it up and the brown crew will get a transplant. They driving force, the motivation, is coming from the idea of the next road trip. For any of you that know me and my 71 build thread, its all about the next trip. I am living with my girlfriend now and she has a kid at home yet and I have a son that takes my trips with me. I need more seating capacity but don't have a reliable classic vehicle to use, which means I have to build one. The brown crew got the nod. It rides pretty nice, the cab is fairly solid, has AC and will make a great cruiser. I talked to my boy about the body work. I'm sending him to school for it I should see some immediate benefit from that. The major rust repair is just rockers. I have good front doors. If I get the newer style front sheetmetal for the 82 I can use the front off that on the brown truck. A buddy of mine has a suburban with some decent rear doors and other parts to have power windows and locks and it has a very nice tan interior. He has a couple good tailgates also. The bed is solid but has some dents. Basically the body isn't a disaster. I'm shooting for finishing this up by next June, but a lot depends on selling my old house ($$$$$$) and how many other projects and work eat up my time. Next June is the best I think I can do. And it could turn into June 2017. Wish me luck. |
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Picked up the engine today. When I got to the yard I asked to look at the truck it was pulled from to get as much as I could for my swap. They said no problem. So I got the gas tank, fuel pump, the entire fuel line from tank to engine, wire harnesses, throttle cable, fuse block and the brackets and covers for that plus a few more I found. Got all the engine accessories and ECU, harness, etc.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psnxrruvhk.jpg The engine http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psblffupih.jpg Still looking for a tranny. I don't really have a preference. I think any of the over drive automatics would be fine. Not really planning to go big on HP but maybe a few add ons. The truck weighs about the same as a newer suburban. The problem around here is that 2wd trucks are rare. I can get 4x4 transmissions by the truck load but there is added cost to get it converted to a 2wd version. I'm still reading other threads and have a bunch of links to follow for other info. Really want to try and keep it as simple as possible, keep costs down, keep frustration away and make it a driver again soon so it's mobile for going to the body shop etc. |
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The 4x4 is UGLY! I love it!!! IMO the only thing it really needs is mismatched doors, then it would be about perfect.
How many projects do you have? Jimmy, C10, C30, K30, new farm place, and probably a few more projects hiding over there? I hope you never post on here that you are bored. |
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A few days after my last post here I was laid off from work. Reduction in force, as they like to call it. Not great timing but is there ever a time when it is? I got a good severance and honestly the time off has been a huge benefit to me. I've been working my ass off on house projects both here at the farm place and my old place in town getting it ready to sell. I've had a full plate getting this place ready for winter and I'm still not done.
For a couple days there was a bit of a panic but things settled down. I had just bought the 5.3 for this truck and I asked them about the possibility of returning it. I could have but I chose to wait it out. With the job gone, so went my main mode of transportation, my company car. The weather has been decent so for a month or so I used my 71 as a DD. Prospects for a new job were great as long as I was willing to move. I'm not. But I did get a gig as an independent contractor doing boiler inspections. It pays time and miles but no benefits. And no company car. Which means I needed to find another option as a DD. I didn't want to buy a car that I wouldn't have a use for once I get another company car (hopefully not a long wait). The crewcabs are not good options. So I bought a 2003 yukon XL denali, because it gets great gas mileage. ;) http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pssephifni.jpg Actually I got it because I liked the one I had before, it has a 6.0, AWD and 4 wheel disc breaks. It rides great and can haul or tow. And once I'm done using it as a DD it will make a great chassis for the 47 oldsmobile I have. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psd9vfrzmz.jpg The pay for mileage from the job will more than cover the fuel costs and maintenance, etc. And I got it for just $3000, about half the going rate. This was mainly due to the several fault codes it had. But it ran and drove well. So far I replaced an O2 sensor (cleared the engine check light) a flasher (fixed a blinker issue) both impact sensors (cleared the air bag light). Next is the compressor for the rear suspension to clear that code. After that I need to get the abs checked out and it should be good to go. My miles should pay off my purchase in a couple months. Next priority was to find a snow plow. A snow blower and shovels wasn't gonna cut it with a 1/4 mile long driveway. I found that it was about the same price to buy a truck with a plow as just buying a plow. My neighbor offered to sell me his old plow truck for $2000. Its a 1956 FWD with a big ass gas engine and side wing. It's a fkn beast. A bit more than I need. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pspluultna.jpg Turns out the guy buying the girlfriends place was leaving a farm place and had one to sell, so I got that. A 76 chevy K10 that runs and drives good but is rusty. The prototypical plow truck. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psjym5tdhy.jpg So lets review, I had the 71 C-10, the 79 2wd crewcab and the 82 4wd crewcab... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pssnxo9isz.jpg Plus my jimmy and then the denali... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pshqfvxtcp.jpg And I bought the plow truck. I have 6 trucks. :uhmk: Oh and I had just ordered new wheels for the 4wd crewcab so I could finally mount up the 35s on it. That's getting done today. Then I think I'll be putting it up for sale. |
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Came across a good deal on a 4L80e from a 2002 a couple weeks ago. My boy and I started taking some of the front end apart on the brown truck. We did a compression test on the 454, which was pretty good. We'll continue stripping off the front sheetmetal and pull the engine/tranny when we have time on a good weather day. He wants to use the engine in his own future truck project. He's pretty much a broke college student right now, but he's dreaming and I don't discourage that. He wants a 67-68 step side.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps8oyky8hk.jpg |
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Glad to hear that you're going 4L80E rather than a 60, not sure how well a 60 would do in a crew cab.
Looking forward to seeing more of the build. |
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Nice Crewcab. You mentioned you need back doors..... I wonder if the back doors from a Suburban are the same? Probably more common than crewcab doors...
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Cool..... Suburban's are great parts vehicles..... I have three ripped apart at my farm. Too bad you are so far away..... I have one with mint rear doors,complete with the electric windows & locks. A case of beer would getem.... :lol:
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I haven't been able to do a lot of truck work, or home repairs, or a lot of things over the last 6 weeks or so. I was having a great time drifting the ATV around the driveway until it caught an edge and threw me off. I was able to scramble away before it rolled over on me but I still ended up with a broken collar bone and 3 broke ribs. It's healing, but I'm getting older and the healing gets slower each year. So I'm still in a sling.
And I started a new job a couple weeks ago. I had been working as a part time inspector (full time hours) but they made me the western region manager now so I get benefits, a car, etc and a bunch of new responsibility. Wasn't looking for that but I tend to take opportunities when they come along. I also found a 69 GMC shortbed in a friends backyard for my son to have as a project. He (my friend) got it because he wanted the bed for another project. So we struck a deal for the truck without the bed. It had been sitting for about 3 years or more but he drove it to it's parking spot. He managed to get it running and delivered it to us a few weeks ago. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psufili7pb.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pscvcbwdqj.jpg The carb was clogged, so we swapped another one in. Runs and drives and stops. Wanders the road like a drunk clown, has rust in the usual spots, has no options beyond the heater, but it's fixable. We found a step side bed for it. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pswx0rec9d.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psglcivbnb.jpg And I have been accumulating 67/68 chevy front sheetmetal for it. That's what he wants. He just graduated from auto body school and has a job working at a hot rod shop. He was replacing the door glass in that 55 the other day... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psvml1fizn.jpg He assembled that rolling chassis the week before... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps7turyjsj.jpg Part of his graduation gift from me is a cab repair kit to fix the rust, and I will try to find some good tires for it. He's paying for the truck himself. Now as for the 79, we got the sheetmetal off the front and the engine/tranny pulled out. That's a 90 suburban parts truck by it. Donor doors with power windows and locks. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psn8qewyrk.jpg Got it on the engine stand and taught him how to disassemble it and inspect for damage. Other than a worn crank timing gear, most of the bearings and worn piston skirts it looked ok. No idea why it wouldn't start but I think it was the distributor. The cam timing marks were still alignment. I'm a little worried about the crank. The engine had been rebuilt before and the crank has been ground already to .010 and .020. The journals need a little work so I hope there is enough meat there to clean it up and still have proper bearing clearances. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psmqc4d1lm.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psg5jqwuq7.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psoysfi0aw.jpg Yesterday we stripped most of the accesories and stuff off the 5.3. It needs a good cleaning. I'm still deciding whether or not to crack the engine open for a quickie rebuild and head swap. But for now I'm just trying get the tranny mated to the engine and see how it'll fit. I bought a new flexplate with the spacer needed to mate the torque convertor to the flexplate and a set of engine mount adaptor plates. The boy had some where to be so being partially disabled, I had to stop at this point. Also, I don't have the torque convertor bolts or the bolts for the bell housing to engine. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps0ixz7p6b.jpg I'd like to get these wheels from detroit speed but they don't list an 8 lug option. I emailed them to see if they would make some, so we'll see. There are a couple other wheel builders out there to check with also. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psbvd4ihsg.jpg I wanted to keep the brown and cream 2 tone, but the boy is pushing to go family truckster on it. Green with wood grain vinyl wrap... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psg9u5boii.jpg I have a set of rebuilt 241 heads. They are slightly better for flow than the truck heads, bigger valves and as mentioned, rebuilt. They also have a larger combustion chamber which will drop compression a bit. I figure if I go with the new heads I'll put a new cam in. And if I do that I might as well do rings and bearings, which is why I'm debating this. Do I want the added work and cost or just drop it in, get it running and move forward? I will need exhaust manifolds or headers and either a new harness or modify the original, get the computer reprogrammed, etc. Still a lot of work to do. |
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Honestly, I'd stick with the heads you already have. Those stock heads flow so well anyway. Plus, if you do decide to get a cam, the compression will be more beneficial to you than the negligible increase in flow, especially considering what you intend to use this engine for.
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Well, I'd still consider using what you have. With what you intend to use the engine for, you wouldn't notice the marginal gain in flow. But you will notice the drop in compression, that's what you'll want to keep for low end power.
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I got some bell housing bolts from the junkyard, Cost me $5. He gave me a couple torque converter bolts to try out. They fit, so I'll stop back there and get a few more. We got the tranny and engine mated together and I think the torque converter is in correctly.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psv2mrsnqt.jpg Not a ton of progress, but it's a steamy day out. I need some new engine mounts. And I think I have the exhaust situation settled. I ordered some stock trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds. Only $130 delivered from GMpartsonline.net. Swap headers are expensive, Hooker makes some cast swap manifolds and they are about $350 or so, about the same as bare steel swap headers. The GM manifolds should be fine for this cruiser. I think my next worry is the oil pan. I'm not sure the stock truck one will fit. |
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The trail blazer exhaust manifolds are here. I had the trim a corner off the transmission to clear it on the driver side. They really tuck in close.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psh2njjand.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps2ygxemxf.jpg I haven't tried to set it in the truck yet. I'll need some help around here to do that. Last night I pulled out the old gas tanks. Still need to pull out the old fuel lines and stuff. I think the donor truck poly gas tank may fit. Length and width are very close but it's about 5" taller. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps1wytx05p.jpg My helpers. Momma was gone for the night so they followed me around. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psp8hsmm9n.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps31tqmxll.jpg |
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Been busy but the engine isn't any closer to going in. So what have I been up to? Sold the big 4wd crewcab a couple weeks ago. Got engaged. Waiting for my old house in town to close, which has been delayed twice. And parting out the 1990 suburban for parts to be used on this truck (electronic speedo helps a bunch). Once I get the old house sold I'll have some money for buying what I need to fire the engine. The plan (subject to change) is that we get the truck running again this fall. Then the cab will be removed from the frame and set on blocks in the garage for body repairs. The truck is too long to work around in the garage. Once it's in primer we'll get it back on the frame and take the bed off and in the shop for body work. If all goes well, paint next spring/summer and roadtrip it somewhere. Hot Rod Power Tour possibly, if it's ready by then.
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Good workin'! Didn't know you had this thread going. Hope the old house closes soon for ya.
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As usual, everything is taking longer than I ever expected, but am never surprised by. Since the last post, my old house finally was officially sold. I got married. Since I finally got out from under the second house payment I bought enough steel to do the roofs on all 3 garages and finished doing that a couple weeks ago. Started getting house windows replaced even though winter finally decided to make an entrance. In a big way too. I finished parting out the 90 burb and traded the empty husk for a vortec cylinder head (I bought the 2nd one).
And another bit of big news... The previous owner of this place finally finished removing all of his stuff, so as of 12/4/16 everything that is on the property is mine. No more sharing. As you can imagine, there wasn't much time for car/truck stuff. But I did add to my collection of miscellaneous vehicular projects in the midst of this hurricane of activity. A guy I used to work with needed to clean out one of his sheds and I ended up with a 1979 kawasaki KZ1300, 1983 Datsun 280zx, 1969 (I think) Honda 90, a car dolly and then a 2000 Jeep Cherokee. The last one was his wifes daily and had a good title. The rest of it will take me a couple months to get registered. As for this project, I had been accumulating the parts to mount the engine and connect it to the truck controls, but mainly it sat in front of the garage. With a winter storm brewing and me being tired of being a part time carpenter, the boy and I dropped the engine/tranny into the truck. It fit, but I have to work on the mount alignment and nothing is connected to it. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pspkuc1qhw.jpg Then I took my 71 out of the 1 car garage that has been its home the past year and moved it to the machine shed. We did a quick clean out of some of the junk in that garage so the 22' behemoth would fit inside. We used the plow truck to pull and push the farm truck into the garage for the first time in only God knows how long. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psbv44q5n8.jpg It's not ideal, but it fits and I have room to work on it. That garage has power and lights but no heat or insulation. I'm attempting to change that. I bought a heater the other day. I still need to get a propane tank moved to this garage and hooked up, and I ordered a blower fan for it to help. If it can't keep up like this I'll have to get some insulation in there. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psrmuvsdor.jpg I do have a propane fired bullet heater that works alright too. I bought a couple more lights to brighten the place up. I bought a shelf/workbench to use in there. This will be better than many people have to work with or in. Hopefully I'll get the time to do something more than a quarterly update. I still want to drive it and have it painted by early summer. |
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Wow hgs, I feel like I lived half a lifetime in your last few posts. Good work man. New wife, new job, new house, new roofs, new trucks, new ducks, and a few other new projects. Same dog? Cool gig you got! I look forward to watching your truck project come together along with anything else you're working on. Hope you update us on it all. I'm intrigued by the 47 Olds. Great angle on it in the picture you took. I don't know Olds well til the 1960s, but I'm a fan. Cool building it's in too. I like the way the building it's in shows the ribs and sheathing.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwh8...&feature=share Mine is stored at my new step sons place. It is a cool shed. I'll probably drag it home next summer. This is where I found it... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psomxmz02n.jpg |
Re: HG's Bigass Farm Truck
I eventually got the heater hooked up to the propane tank and got it fired up. I ordered a little fan that fits the back of the heater but it really doesn't do much. I would have been money ahead just setting a small box fan on top of the heater. But it does work. The garage isn't insulated and the main door was crap but it still managed to warm it up with outside temps around zero.
To improve things the boy and I stapled a layer of plastic to the bottom of the rafters. It keeps the heat down lower. Cheap and effective. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psd9khlpry.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psxlcsxgce.jpg I also found a great deal on a really nice insulated garage door on craigslist. We painted it to match the garage and I got it installed a couple weeks ago. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pscvrh36xv.jpg And I did put a box fan on top of the freezer in there to circulate the air. Makes a big difference. So now we can work in relative comfort. My son pulled the passenger side doors off last week. Yesterday I pulled out the seats and seatbelts on that side and lifted the carpet out of the way. The rear door opening looks alright. Just needs the outer rocker, unless we find something after we cut that out. The front replacement rocker I picked up will work good to patch the rear door rocker so that eases my concern for that. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psxb3aejp8.jpg The front rocker and floor were a bit worse. Looks like I'll have to do the inner and outer rocker and a little bit of floor under the seat by the door. http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps1bt9yjl1.jpg http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...ps1rph89hs.jpg I started working on the engine mounts but called it a day before I really completed anything with those. The other night I met up with another board member I've become good friends with. We have been batting around the idea of a road trip for a while now. The subject came up again. We want to go out west with a classic truck. He's got a 68 stepper and a late 80's suburban. I've got my 71 which will have a new engine in the spring, but this is the one I'd like to take. We don't really care if it's finished completely as long as it's running dependably. So I want to keep working on it and get it going by spring. If we can get the rust on the cab done there isn't much other rust to fix. The replacement doors might need a little work. I have good fenders and a hood for it. So maybe just get it in primer and go. It's still a ton of work though, so we could end up taking our pickups. No sweat. So mentioned going to Bonneville for speedweek and I'd love to, but it's in August and it's usually pretty busy around here then. So he mentioned a microbrew tour. My son just turned 21 also. I found a name for the farm truck when he brought this up. Meet the Brewcab. :lol: :metal::metal::metal: |
Re: HG's Bigass Farm Truck
I started out by upgrading the lighting in the garage a bit. Makes a huge difference.
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psa8kadetn.jpg Today I wanted to get the motor mounts figured out. There was a significant amount of misalignment. I tried loosening everything up from the frame towers to the adapter plates but there wasn't enough give. I double checked the replacement mounts part numbers and they are the same from BBC to SBC. So I started looking at the frame towers and the bracket to the adapter plates. I compared them with the ones on my 76 plow truck and they are different, but that is also a 4x4. So I found a set of mounts taken from the suburban 350 and compared them to the ones off the BBC. Found the culprit... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psdzw6ovdo.jpg The holes from the BBC bracket are about 3/8" further from the engine. The adapter plates are designed for SBC mounts. I didn't know until today they were different. Also, the center section of that bracket is punched out a bit and interferes with the adapter plates, so I had to cut the centers out of the plates. I'm sure they are still plenty strong. So anyway, the motor mounts are in and I just need to tighten all the bolts back up. I need to get the tranny mount in and after that I can start hooking up everything else. The boy got the driver side doors off and we got a closer look at the rockers on the other side. Looks worse on the front rocker but it's basically the same amount of work. I told him to start cutting and I'll pick up the patch panels. Front... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psl6mfucsi.jpg Rear... http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pshwge25d2.jpg |
Re: HG's Bigass Farm Truck
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Re: HG's Bigass Farm Truck
It's 62 degrees in there! Nice!
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following.
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Re: HG's Bigass Farm Truck
Nice work on the garage and I'm glad things are getting back on track for you. Maybe I can meet up with you on Power Tour this year. I'm wanting to take my 40, but if that project turns to mush, I'll take the 72.
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I don't know if I'll do any of power tour this year. Might just go to the beginning to meet up with some people, but who knows. I'll probably take my 71 if I go to that. |
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