1969/79 Bumpside Build

[GIJoe4500]

Could the steering shaft off of the '85 donor truck work???

not entirely sure, but its on my list of things to try. i was also told to try a steering shaft from an astrovan. i'm trying to avoid rag joints, so the astrovan may be the way to go, if it'll work.

[GIJoe4500]

Got the cab lifted off the frame.



Tcase paint is drying. Radius arm crossmember is half built. Drilling the holes in the frame to bolt it in place is a pain in the ass. Once it is bolted in, I will lift up the radius arms, and get one side tacked into place. Then use that, to measure and make the other side symmetrical. Going to pull out the stock transmission crossmember. Not gonna use it. Will just make a transmission mount off of this one.

[GIJoe4500]

Two more welds about 5" long each, and I can attach the radius arms to the frame. Later on, after I mock up the new transmission mount that will attach to this crossmember, I'll probably lay a second pass over the top of these welds. There was a lot of gap to fill in, because of the shape of the heim mounts. It'll be fine for now though.



Based on quickly eyeballing it, I'll probably still need some 7 degree C bushings. I kinda wish I would have made my radius arms even longer, but these will definitely still do the job.

[basketcase0302]

And just what do your kids think about you using their swingset for a truck cab hoist?!
Couldn't resist...
Lotta' work in a short time-looking good! Beauty of a coil sprung 4 X 4... is our parts are so cheap-and so available!

[GIJoe4500]

And just what do your kids think about you using their swingset for a truck cab hoist?!
Couldn't resist...
Lotta' work in a short time-looking good! Beauty of a coil sprung 4 X 4... is our parts are so cheap-and so available!

that was never a swingset. that A-frame was built a long time ago to pull engines and skin deer and do other stuff with.

Nothing too major today. Its a roller now. And got the cab set in place. Still need to throw some bolts in it. I'm going to have to order a clocking ring for the tcase. It hits my new crossmember. So right now, no tcase installed.

[GIJoe4500]

Bad news. Pulled spark plugs to turn the motor by hand, and one of the cylinders was FULL of water. Engine is locked up. So, I guess I'll keep assembling, then in the future, build a motor the way I want to drop it in. I'll still be able to finish pretty much everything else up without needing the engine. So it is an inconvenience, but doesn't really slow me down much. Will also be a good time to get the c6 rebuild with the wide ratio gears and a manual valve body.

[sargentrs]

It"s the little surprises in life that keep it interesting. Glad to see it doesn't faze you! Keep it coming.

[GIJoe4500]

poured a little marvel mystery oil into each cylinder after spraying them out with compressed air the best i can. hoping that after soaking in a few days, the engine will break loose.

[Alstoyz]

I'm digging the build!!! Any new progress???

[GIJoe4500]

I'm digging the build!!! Any new progress???

Not yet. Truck is out at my mom's place an hour away. So I only go down there when I feel like crashing there a day or two, so I am not spending a bunch of time driving back and forth for a couple hours each day. I may go down there this afternoon, but its not for sure. If I can't get the 460 to break free, the next step is to start temporarily hanging sheetmetal. I only have a 1-1/2 weeks before I left state for work, then my project is going dead until May.

[GIJoe4500]

Couldn't get the engine broke free. Oh well, no huge loss. Doesn't really hurt my feelings. For shits and grins, I put a fender on it. Just wanted to see how much lift I actually am getting out of these coils. Truck will be a LOT higher than I anticipated.

[GIJoe4500]

definitely dont think 35s will be big enough...

[sargentrs]

I helped a friend with a '79 dent with a 351M that was siezed due to sitting up for 14 years. Poured the mystery oil in the cylinders, let sit, then put a breaker bar on the crank bolt, applied torque, then bumped the starter at the same time. Eventually it moved, then more, then more, etc. Finally made a full revolution and after some more flushing, drove like a champ. Smoked something awful for the 1st week of driving but eventually mellowed out.

[GIJoe4500]

I may mess with trying to get it broke free again in the future. But for now, I've given up on it, and I'm just going to work on other parts of the project.

[GIJoe4500]

Bought a 1978 460 yesterday to replace the one that I have in there now. My current one is locked up and I couldn't ever get it to break free. New one does come with some parts that I was needing anyhow, so the $300 price tag isn't as hurtful. Main thing I'll be getting is a starter.

I'm planning on pressure washing and degreasing the new engine on Friday to get most of the gunk off. It is pretty nasty looking. Saturday will be for a really good scrubbing and cleaning. Then paint. I ordered a FelPro gasket set from Oreilly Auto. Hopefully brown santa delivers it in time for me to regasket the engine Saturday night, so I can drop it into place Sunday! We'll see how things work out though. Probably won't be that lucky. LOL.