New Project!

[Stover93]

Hi All. I've been lurking here on the board for a while gathering info for my 68 1/2 ton build. It's a 68 GMC cab and front clip on a 71 Chevy lwb frame, no bed. All of the metal is in really good shape. The frame has been painted and it looks like it has some new brake lines, etc. Somebody started on this truck and gave up on it.

I've never done one of these builds before though I did own a 71 Chevy lwb when I was young & cash tight. Sooo... I had a few questions.

Since my rig is sort of a franken-truck already, I was planning on cutting it down to a swb and switching to a chevy front end. Are there any issues with switching from a gmc grille to a chevy? I have a 68 Chevy grille that was in the pile of parts that came with the truck.

I pulled the diff cover and it's a "one-legger" 3.73. I'm going to switch to a posi or Eaton true track. Leaning toward the true track but I've read good and bad info on both. Thoughts?

Been talking to Silver Sport about one of their TKO 500 driveline kits. Anyone have experience with Silver Sport? They've been very responsive to my questions so that makes me feel like they'll help me out when I actually become a customer.

I need a motor as well. I'm looking at the Smeding 383's but have been considering a truck ls 5.3 as well. I had an 02 Silverado with one of those and it ran pretty dang good for a stock engine.

Anyway, any comments are appreciated and I'm really glad I ran across this board. The info here is top notch. I think I've favorited about 50 posts already!

[Stover93]

Something like these is the direction I'm heading.

[Boog]

You are in a cool position to go any direction with it you choose then since you won't be ruining an original (for the purists). You can go GMC or Chevy, long or short, what ever suits your taste. Some dig GMC and some dig Chevys. Do what you want with it to suit you. 383s are cool and FI LSs are powerful and efficient. Your choice.

[Stover93]

Thanks Boog. I dig your tag line on your sig.

This rig is at a pretty good starting place. Cab corners, rockers and floor are good or have been replaced as well as the braces under the cab. It came with all of the glass, inside door panels, handles & hardware, heater box & controls, bench seat, & a bunch of other small parts. I can’t figure out why the previous owner gave up on it. It should make a nice truck. We’ll see.

My wife already named it The Money Pit.

[Boog]

And she don't know just how right she is.

[SIXTY9]

I bought my TKO 5 Speed form Silver Sport and am very satisfied with the product and extremely happy with all the support that Jack and his people offer. You can't go wrong dealing with them. Also they will offer specials often.

Wally

[Stover93]

Originally Posted by SIXTY9

I bought my TKO 5 Speed form Silver Sport and am very satisfied with the product and extremely happy with all the support that Jack and his people offer. You can't go wrong dealing with them. Also they will offer specials often.

Wally

Thanks Wally. That's what I was looking for.

They do seem like a well run company.

[Stover93]

I'm guessing most of you guys build your own motors. I'm not sure I have the ability to take that on. I could probably hang one together but it seems like you can buy a crate engine for about the same price as you can build one if you use similar parts.

Anyone have any experience with the Eaton True Track?

[57Suburb]

Silver Sport is running a $250 off special in the month of August (right now).

[Stover93]

I was in the local ...ahem... Ford Dealer yesterday and this Ranger was on the floor. I thought the color might look pretty good on my 68.

[MDPotter]

Welcome to the forum and I'm glad to see another GMC build. I'll answer what I can for you.

As far as converting to a Chevy grille, I believe you'll need different fenders and to modify your core support (remove the second set of headlight buckets) and there is a sort of crossmember between the fenders that might not work with a Chevy grille. It's your choice whether to stick with the GMC front end or not. I considered it lightly at one point, but the GMC's are more rare and I like them. I have always owned GMC's only so it's cool to keep that tradition running for me.

As far as SBC vs LS, I would go LS. It's definitely a question of restoration vs restomod, but LS engines are definitely more efficient and there is a huge aftermarket for them. If you already had the support systems for a SBC setup (fuel system, transmission, gauges, etc.) then a SBC would be more attractive but since you've got what appears to be a bare bones truck, you can go the LS route and get all the parts to support that powertrain.

I would recommend starting a build thread in the build subforum as well.

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by Stover93

I was in the local ...ahem... Ford Dealer yesterday and this Ranger was on the floor. I thought the color might look pretty good on my 68.

Oooo

You were pickin' up parts for a tractor right...

Lol

-klb

[72 tigger]

Welcome aboard- l would probably vote for a short bed ls with a 68 nose. If you like gold, l think this is sharp

(After looking again at your ranger pic, it looks like it’s more of a copper color tone than gold)

[Stover93]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Welcome aboard- l would probably vote for a short bed ls with a 68 nose. If you like gold, l think this is sharp

That is a slick looking color. I guess they all look pretty good if the body is straight and the stance is right.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Stover93

I'm guessing most of you guys build your own motors. I'm not sure I have the ability to take that on. I could probably hang one together but it seems like you can buy a crate engine for about the same price as you can build one if you use similar parts.

Not so much anymore. Crate engines are cheap enough that it makes it hard to justify the expense of building a motor, especially if you have any extensive machine work done. I built my last 5.7 Vortec but that was mostly because I really wanted to.

[Stephen717]

If you want to do a Chevy front end swap I have a Chevy rad support that I'd trade you for your gmc support as I'm currently doing a swap to a 67 gmc front end. Figure the truck has a different bed and is going on a different frame and I've always liked the 4 eyed face of a 67-72 gmc. Pm me if you're interested

[1970GMC3500Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Stover93

Hi All. I've been lurking here on the board for a while gathering info for my 68 1/2 ton build. It's a 68 GMC cab and front clip on a 71 Chevy lwb frame, no bed. All of the metal is in really good shape. The frame has been painted and it looks like it has some new brake lines, etc. Somebody started on this truck and gave up on it.

I've never done one of these builds before though I did own a 71 Chevy lwb when I was young & cash tight. Sooo... I had a few questions.

Since my rig is sort of a franken-truck already, I was planning on cutting it down to a swb and switching to a chevy front end. Are there any issues with switching from a gmc grille to a chevy? I have a 68 Chevy grille that was in the pile of parts that came with the truck.

I pulled the diff cover and it's a "one-legger" 3.73. I'm going to switch to a posi or Eaton true track. Leaning toward the true track but I've read good and bad info on both. Thoughts?

Been talking to Silver Sport about one of their TKO 500 driveline kits. Anyone have experience with Silver Sport? They've been very responsive to my questions so that makes me feel like they'll help me out when I actually become a customer.

I need a motor as well. I'm looking at the Smeding 383's but have been considering a truck ls 5.3 as well. I had an 02 Silverado with one of those and it ran pretty dang good for a stock engine.

Anyway, any comments are appreciated and I'm really glad I ran across this board. The info here is top notch. I think I've favorited about 50 posts already!

Keep it a gmc, the grill looks tougher and the gmc hood letters are cool!
GMC is rarer as well

[OregonNed]

Originally Posted by Stover93

Something like these is the direction I'm heading.

Nice project! Mine is the color of the second one, and I really like it..

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Welcome aboard- l would probably vote for a short bed ls with a 68 nose. If you like gold, l think this is sharp

(After looking again at your ranger pic, it looks like it’s more of a copper color tone than gold)

Do you know who owns the 68 Golden in picture??? Possibly a member here? Very nice!!!

[RenoKeene]

I would keep it GMC also, a lot less GMC's on the road.
LS crate is the way to go if your starting from scratch.

[Stover93]

Finally off and runnin and making some progress.

[Stover93]

It's a bit of a worry to cut your frame in half but it came out pretty good. Now I just need about three days to pick up all of my tools.

[elf w/capital T]

Wow, have fun keep us posted! I have a chevy..but i dig the gmc front too

[Stover93]

ZZ6 EFI in place and thanks to whoever suggested Sanderson headers These fit great!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Stover93

ZZ6 EFI in place and thanks to whoever suggested Sanderson headers These fit great!

Looking good! Thanks for the update.

LockDoc