Build Thread - 1-ton Chevy Swap

[JohnnyU]

We went to a circle track racing swap meet today and I think just about everyone came home with something. Here's one thing I bought. $25, brand new condition with a couple mud stains (like that's a problem...)

There weren't many matching sets for a reasonable price that were in good enough shape to consider using, so I'll order a new one from Summit to accompany this guy. Of course those are no good without seats and some type of "structure" to mount them in...



And yes, I am thinking about bolting them to my office chair until they go into the truck.

 

[Maverick]

Are you going to cage this thing at any point?

 

[JohnnyU]

Are you going to cage this thing at any point?

Seriously dude?

...Of course those are no good without seats and some type of "structure" to mount them in...

You didn't read that post did you?

 

[Maverick]

You didn't read that post did you?

Apparently I didnt. I just seen the belts and was thinking they were fawking useless without a cage. Good to hear though. That thing is way tall to be wheelin without a cage.

 

[89DangerRanger]

Are you going to cage this thing at any point?

The office chair lol

 

[JohnnyU]

That thing is way tall to be wheelin without a cage.

The truck isn't as tall as you think it is, it still fits through an 8' door, and is only about 7'3" to the top of the clearance lights. That's 4" taller than my CTD... I think the 11" wide tires make it look taller than it is. If I put some 38x14.50's on there like everyone else in the bogging world, it would probably look shorter.

At any rate.... These should help, they're shorter and a bit softer linear rate than the progressive rate coils in there now.

 

[97BlackBetty]

HAHAHAHA JohnnyU web-wheelz so hard cor3 he needz a 5 point for his fawking computer chair.

So are you going to purchase a pre-bent cage or fab up your own? And are you going to tie it all together for a full frame cage or stick with just a cab cage?

 

[JohnnyU]

So are you going to purchase a pre-bent cage or fab up your own? And are you going to tie it all together for a full frame cage or stick with just a cab cage?

I'm going to bend up a cage myself since I would end up modifying any POS pre-bent cage for seat, harness, shifter, etc. mounts and adding additional bracing anyway. For now, I'm just planning on an interior cage and full-length sliders tied into the frame. Eventually there may be a couple rear supports exiting the rear of the cab braced back to the rear of the frame, but that's a way's down the road.

 

[bradz71]

I'm going to bend up a cage myself since I would end up modifying any POS pre-bent cage for seat, harness, shifter, etc. mounts and adding additional bracing anyway. For now, I'm just planning on an interior cage and full-length sliders tied into the frame. Eventually there may be a couple rear supports exiting the rear of the cab braced back to the rear of the frame, but that's a way's down the road.

I like the interior cage idea. I'm getting tired of seeing everyone's jungle gym arrangement. Besides, its just a mud truck after all.

 

[Bray D]

Besides, its just a mud truck after all.

If this is true than I see how a 5 point harness could be usefull. For your average wheeling however, I think I'd rather have the standard lap/shoulder belt. It's kinda hard to stick your head out to check tire placement with a 5 point.

 

[JohnnyU]

Bray, in anything other than a front end collision, you are actually safer with just a lapbelt than with the 3pt. During a side impact or rollover, the 3pt can cause choking or fracture your collarbone. While I don't plan on rolling the truck, I haven't really seen many crashes that were planned. Rock buggies often (almost always) have 5pt's as well. Besides, that's what the spotter is for.

Besides, wifey-to-be told me I had to "be around for a long time", so we've agreed that safety isn't an area I can skimp on. That and the bench seat that's in there sucks.

 

[bradz71]

Besides, wifey-to-be told me I had to "be around for a long time", so we've agreed that safety isn't an area I can skimp on. That and the bench seat that's in there sucks.

My wife gave me that talk when she was wifey-to-be also.

Guess its a price you have to pay so she will let you have your toys.

 

[JohnnyU]

This weekend's project:

I just have to get to feeling better and get outside to build it....

 

[JohnnyU]

I didn't end up building the front hitch/tow points. I did however decide to take the body lift off the truck. It was a quick (sort of) way to drop things down 3". I'm still wanting to find a soft flexy set of coil springs (I'm thinking the Superflex coils from Deaver/JBG), as well as moving the shackle hanger forward about 1" to the other set of holes to help with shackle angle at ride heght and improve my droop.

I'd also like to modify the rear bumper to accept the clevis mounts I bought. The bumper is made from 1/4" and 1/2" plate, so I'm confident it will support the clevis mounts without issue. I'm designing a front bumper too, I haven't been able to come up with anything that I like though. I'll figure something out....

No pics, sorry

 

[Bray D]

Depending which Deaver springs you go with, I think they'd flex quite well. Adam, Levi, and I swapped in his set of Deavers on his Bronco tonight. I think he's pleased with the outcome. More testing needs to be done (with the 44's) but from what we saw tonight on the 31's, they're definitely softer than his older coils. That and they won't pop out anymore.

No pics = poopy. Can't wait to see your truck without the B/L. I'm sure it helped it quite a bit.