DakotaKid's 62 Shortbox Fleetside build.

[DakotaKid]

This truck has been in my family for about 25-30 years. I am not sure exactly what year my dad got it. I learned to drive in this truck. So here is the Rebuild Story.

It was parked in 2000 due to the front suspension being very sloppy and not wanting to buy the very very expensice Tortion bar ball joints.

So i brought it home this fall, and we have torn into it. The truck had a Power steering conversion done to it Years and Years ago, before my Dad even got it. Suprisingly it worked great for all the years we drove it.

Plans are Get the Font suspension swapped for a 74 Setup, Install the correct PS mount, I got a Bracket from CaptFab for the booster mount. ANd fix the misc rust and just get it driveable again.

So far i have the 74 Suspension Installed. Getting the engine and transmission mounted next. Gotta fab up an Auto Trans Mount.

The truck was originally a State Highway truck, hence the hideous orange/yellow color that it was originally.

[DakotaKid]

Im not sure why that one picture ended up sideways.

Well heres the pics as of Today.

Also i Acquired a BBW from a donor truck so i will be doing that as well.

[DakotaKid]

More pics. Last post failed.

[DakotaKid]

for some reason these pics are showing up sideways and i cant figure out how to rotate them.

[Ta2Don]

and Welcome aboard…

Good looking truck with family history...

phone pics end up sideways at times, I try to upload to computer and edit first before uploading here… even that doesn't work sometimes...

[DakotaKid]

i tried rotating them then saving them, didnt work. oh well

Plans are just a nice low cruiser. 350/350 with a possible 5.3 swapped in later. Its for CPP 2.5 drop spindles, Mcguahys 2 inch drop coils in the front, and im gonna do 1.5 blocks and 4" coils in the rear.

[DakotaKid]

Been working on the Truck a bunch lately... Got all fo the Rust fixed, I ordered a Column for it. Got the Tranny Crossmember made and installed. Hopefully all of my Rear End stuff will be here tommoro so i caa install the new Rear end with the lowering blocks and the CPP adjustable rear link bar. Nesxt is the brakes and Spray the firewall, and put it back together!

i will post some pics here soon.

[Jeff La]

Looks like your coming along rather quickly. Good luck and keep it up, you'll be driving shortly.

[Modges'66]

Wow!
I totally cringed when I saw the pic of the welded pitman arm!
Who is willing to trust their life with mediocre welding skills!
Good thing that thing is gone!
The build is looking great so far!

[Joe Pass]

Nice build

[DakotaKid]

Thanks Joe Pass. its coming along ill get some new pics up shortly.

[DakotaKid]

been working more.. got the column mounted today, working on the booster and brakes next...

found the original Owners manual for the truck too... cool things.

[DakotaKid]

i love the mount i got from CaptainFab... its working out great!

[Joe Pass]

Column mount worked good...I like it

[DakotaKid]

yes it did, only worry i have is there is no positive stop really to keep it from twisting, just the clamping force of the clamps.... we will see. i may end up doing what you did also.

[Joe Pass]

I think you will be fine...just avoid hard acceleration, quick stops and left turns....

[DakotaKid]

ive been hard at work on the truck lately i got the engine and transmission in, tranny crossmember built, Brake booster and Master cylinder mounted and hung, and all the new Brake lines plumbed. getting ready to re assemble it.

Had an issue with the Chinese chrome column and got rid of it and put a 72 van column in it.

[DakotaKid]

oh yea, i prepped and painted the firewall too. =)

[Bomp]

Looks like you're going to make things right.
Sub'd

[DakotaKid]

Got the Rear suspension all Done, New Bushings, CPP track arm kit, and 1.5 blocks and 3" springs. Cut a small notch and moved the bump stops. waiting for my wheels to get back from the Powder Coater. took the windshield out to prep for the new one, Pinch weld looks perfect. been a busy summer with other things and just now getting back to hitting it hard on this truck. ill post some pics here very soon.

[DakotaKid]

got the rear end figured out. going to have to get all the shocks sorted out and Finish the Column Linkage then its all reassembly time!

heres some pics.

[Palf70Step]

I LOVE ur shop winch!

You are doing a good job on it.

[DakotaKid]

thats my dads 69 GMC, it was a long box, we cut it off, made the Flat bed for it and the Pick and Roll Hydraulic boom. Its handier than heck.

[DakotaKid]

Been back it it pretty hard lately. Got the Front Shock mounts all done, got the heater box Rebuilt. Made new Plug wires, got all the accessory stuff on the engine, getting ready to bleed the brakes, and the front clip should go back on it this week. Hoping to have it more or less able to move under its own power very soon. Ill post up some pics here soon.

[DakotaKid]

i have been horrible for thsi thread, im just not good at updating this stuff.

heres some pics as it is now.

its driving.