This build will start as a frame and cab. The frame looked a little scaly and the cab weathered but NO rot what so ever, difficult to find these days even in Ca. Not a single panel patch needed here. Most of these need rocker panel, floor or drip rail repair. Some people like the patina look, not for me. First it gets a little frame straightening work to get it right, then disassembly, power washed all the scum off of it. Installed C notches in the frame, a new rear trailing arm crossmember, a new frame tail cross member, removed engine cross member. All of this done on a flat bed trailer outside to save the shop from tons of metal fragments etc. After modifications to the frame it’s off to get powder coated.














after I welded the C notches were welded on the hardware was removed and the holes welded up.

 

There’s a powder coating outfit not too far away (65miles) that has a 20 ft oven. The work was exceptional considering what it had looked like.

 

 

opted for a 9 inch heavy duty truck housing, 31 splined CTF (cut to fit) axles that cannot be cut with any thing toothed, an Auburn Power Trax clutchless 31 spline carrier. 1-1/4” and 1/4” removed from long and short axles respectively, aluminum center section and pinion support.

 

ARP studs pressed into the 5 on 5 bolt circle. Yep LS wrist pin found a new job.

 

original 12 bolt not worth messing it had a bent tube, cracked housing and just is not as good as a 9 inch Ford imo. 12 bolt for a car is a different thing and most of those parts don’t work on a truck12 bolt

 

went with tubular adjustable rear control arms from The Tin Works, along with one of their long double adjustable panhard rods. The rear brakes are Ford Exploder brakes with internal e brake, forget calipers with actuators, they drag and they fail like SN95 Mustang specifically. Yep, I know that nut on the bottom of the drop out is backed off, it had to be tighten with a box end wrench.

 

Coil overs for the rear with relocation brackets the put the shocks in a more upright position, leaning shocks have effect supposedly, makes sense.

 

An aluminum 5.3 block and 4L60e on Tin Works adjustable motor motor mounts and Tin works Trans cross member to kinda mock up the power train fitment. Was planning to use a 4L70e performance trans with maybe 2400 or less stall with column shift.

 

More cutting and grinding, the QA1 front suspension requires removal of the stock upper A arm bracket and a 3” hole be cut into the upper spring perches of the cross member. Motor mount brackets and trans cross member will be powder coated.

 

73-87 CPP spindles.

 

Man, you been BUSY!! What a cool project! I like that you stayed with the torque arm rear suspension, but with refinements. NASCAR must like it for SOME reason! LOL IT WORKS.
Keep feeding us the progress, you know we pig out on this kind of stuff!
Keep on keepin' on!

 

Thank you. More pics coming. Always wanted to do one of the 67-72 trucks, never considered doing a square body 73-87, it is by far my favorite body style of old Chevy/GMC truck. As soon as the cab gets on a dolly it’ll be a slow process of body work , paint, upholstery, glass, weather stripping, wiring, cooling system and all of the other stuff to make it run.

 

It's funny... When the square bodies came out in late 1972 I thought they were a HUGE improvement! LOL!
Now I prefer the 67-72 also. Just a cool style.
Good stuff! I'll be watching...
If I may ask, where in Sonoma Co. are you? I've driven around there some. Nice country!
I'm just outside of Hanford.

 

Considering these American Racing 17s. Next up will be retro rack and pinion steering, a lighter more positive way to steer vs. steering box, swing set and idler.

 

Nice start. What was the reasoning for not using QA1 for the rear suspension also?

 

Damn...I'm a HUGE small window cab fan...

 

That is a great great question. Originally I was going to just going to go with short shocks and lowering springs and a set of sway bars. Now, I’m wanting to go with as much adjustability as possible Sway bars have been on order for weeks no one has the QA1 front and CPP rear. It could happen.

 

I noticed the aluminum 5.3 Gen IV block. LC9? What's gonna go into it? You mentioning the 4L70E and 2400 stall tells me nothing too hairy, which I agree with for a cool cruiser.
I predict a cam that will just "happen to" lope a bit, being I am against spec'ing cams strictly by sound. Function first....
Carry on....

 

Yes, Yes and yes. A small cam, a little stall, a nice sounding exhaust, a comfortable cab, a truck that handles like a sports car and a an overdriven transmission. A truck that can go distance if needed to. 3.50:1 is the rear ratio I used., had 3.89:1 but I talked myself down on those. Not sure if it’ll be a 5.3 or 6.2 I have those blocks cranks and heads but it will be aluminum. I’m building a 434 on an LSX block, but no. A/C yes.