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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Crew Cabs => Topic started by: bairleafarm on September 21, 2015, 12:37:51 PM

Title: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 21, 2015, 12:37:51 PM
I have had many a many square body's over the years.  Most were Pre digital age and a time when we spent more time driving them and working on them then we did having photo shoots with them.  I have been looking for one for a couple years years now and it seems the crew cabs in this area are near impossible to find at a cheap price.  I saw a post on Facebook and this girl was calling my name.  I didn't have the funds and I thought 3k for a two wheel drive truck was steap.  They kept bumping the post and a month or two later I came home with it for half the asking price.  It's everything I want except 4wd but that will come later.  I've got several things I'll be doing and while most of it isn't complicated I know that we all like pics. 

Here are the pics from the for sale ad.

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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 21, 2015, 01:15:02 PM
Cab corners and rockers are shot as are the doors.  Sunday I pulled the seats and interior and found the drivers floor board gone.  The passenger side should be salvageable.  I won't get all the rust fixed before winter but would at least like to get it cleaned up, primed, and painted so it doesn't continue to eat the truck.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/21/edf37fa7d23b21298a8cb84f570b4b94.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/21/b3be94f4a06d49fef6f3f41b762a4774.jpg)

At least the back isn't that bad.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/21/ea38420cd228c2fdfe8cd651dbca84b0.jpg)

I thought this was time frame appropriate for the truck.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/21/6d143dad486bde0086a7cc28db6ff621.jpg)
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Kren420 on September 21, 2015, 06:45:16 PM
Half the fun of working on these old trucks is finding all the old nick nacks that got lost along the way.  Like opening a time capsule.  Should be a sweet ride when it's finished.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 21, 2015, 07:10:06 PM
I was hoping to find something cool.   23 cents is all I found.   The PO did a great job of cleaning it out.

I've got days of rust repair.   I've never done it but at least I'm mechanically inclined.  Places like this will be hard for me.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/21/627f50db548dd86e77b5643e23fade57.jpg)

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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Dr_Snooz on September 21, 2015, 10:51:49 PM
Just looking at all that rust gives me a headache. Best of luck with that.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on September 22, 2015, 10:53:47 PM
welcome to the crew cab family from maryland. i need to start ripping my truck apart but first i need to get another family vehicle for the kids lol
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 24, 2015, 09:29:37 PM
I have decided to put the rust repair on hold until spring.   After cleaning up it turned out the damage was worse than what I've thought and I don't want to dig in this close to winter.

I have been thinking about the diesel and 4x4 conversions.   I sure you ask why would I covert all this when I could easily buy a different truck.   Mainly because I don't mind working on stuff and 2. Because this truck was calling my name from the first day I saw it.   I'm sure you understand.

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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 24, 2015, 09:34:19 PM
I am looking at this truck hopefully tomorrow.  The guy put a engine in it and it hasn't shifted right since.   It only has 1st and reverse.    It may be blasphemy putting my body on a newer frame but in the long run it will make life easier.   Plus a stronger frame and it's already got the 6.5 in it.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/24/74d42af58a1e179bcb1ae78497c00161.jpg)

I'll assume is the 4l80e.  Any compete guesses as to why it's not shifting?   
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on September 25, 2015, 06:51:59 AM
well, imo the 6.5s are junk. not necessarily when theyre running right but when they decide to not run or spit and sputter around. what year is that one? but i would look at the tps or some sensor (rpm or such) on the engine. the 4l80e needs the computer to tell it when to shift. since he just changed the motor i would assume it has something to do with that or a sensor on the motor
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Captkaos on September 25, 2015, 07:24:23 AM
That bodystyle crew cab is 4" longer in wheelbase that the 73-87(91) so if you body swap it you are going to have to address that at some point.  As for that frame being stronger, I would say it was relative.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 25, 2015, 11:11:43 AM
Since I run flatbeds I'm hoping the length difference won't be that big of a deal.   They are custom made so it should all work but since the trade didn't happen I suppose it doesn't matter.    The quest for 4wd continues.  I may have to end up buying a shorter framed truck and lengthening it.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Dr_Snooz on September 27, 2015, 12:31:13 AM
As for that frame being stronger, I would say it was relative.


I know they did start boxing the front part of the frame on the new body style.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Captkaos on September 27, 2015, 09:54:37 AM
But that was only the front section..
If you are running a flatbed it should be a non issue.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on September 27, 2015, 08:23:12 PM
But that was only the front section..
If you are running a flatbed it should be a non issue.
That's true.  I was thinking about that this morning.    The runners of the flatbed are so much stiffer than the regular bed so it makes it a mute point.

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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on October 01, 2015, 06:55:05 PM
Here is the parts truck for the 4wd conversion.  Its titled as a 1976.  but I have a feeling its not.  I know the front clip is newer.  Shes 1 ton 4x4.  Its gotten cool enough that I don't think ill do the conversion this year.  Ill drive this yellow beast for the winter and do the conversion in the spring.  This will give me the winter to get the random interior parts I need and get all my body panels ordered.  I also want to get a little mig as I am not really in the mood to use the stick welder.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: blazer74 on October 02, 2015, 01:43:24 AM
Front bumpers 76 correct.
Where is the vin tag, door jamb or dash?


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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on October 02, 2015, 02:26:23 AM
Door jamb and 13 numbers.

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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: AZ87V10 on October 02, 2015, 11:04:10 AM
Then that's a 70's model for sure with an 80's front clip on it. All 81 and up trucks had to use the new standardized 17 digit vin numbers. The title is probably correct for it.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 02, 2015, 12:26:33 PM
theres a difference in the way the hood bolts the cowl. it would be the opposite of this
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.msg60468#msg60468
but if its a parts truck then it doesnt matter not to mention there was no 1 ton 4x4s before the dana 60 came out in 77 and where the hubs on the parts truck? looks like a 2wd
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on October 02, 2015, 04:56:19 PM
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/02/a771ff9ad4e280ed91f9447aae5ae73b.jpg)

The body is supposedly a 84. The vin is supposed to match the chassis witch is a 76.  I haven't looked under it nor have I yet to open the hood.   Is 4wd and the hubs are behind the caps.
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 02, 2015, 05:11:21 PM
i didnt think they would fit behind the hub. new news. maybe because its drw?
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on October 02, 2015, 06:47:16 PM
It's a srw.  They added a spacer for the duals.

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Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 02, 2015, 06:53:22 PM
lol ok. that all makes sense. is that a dana 60 or 44 up front
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: bairleafarm on October 03, 2015, 09:56:07 AM
I decided to look over the truck instead of working today.  Yep its 4wd

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/87d956436b8bdab24e5598899f448038.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/f4c6873d420fdcd4d10a66f45f33e5c9.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/e2d73d641732e384790828767116ed1b.jpg)

The truck has minimal rust and runs better than my 84.  Looks to be a fairly new crate motor.  Rad, alternaror, ps pump, and starter all look new.

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/dd3824283db28dc6fd82b4fd3a96d17c.jpg)

I couldn't find the vin number on the frame but the bump stops have been converted to solid.  That's the rough ride. 

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/350c1394418def0b1bd87b895af78d9a.jpg)

(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/03/23aa329df22140d5a692afedfecb08f8.jpg)
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 03, 2015, 04:29:39 PM
ok dana 44 with auto hubs. makes sense for the hub caps now
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: 1967KaiserM715 on October 03, 2015, 09:24:22 PM
ok dana 44 with auto hubs. makes sense for the hub caps now
Those aren't auto hubs, just regular hubs-meaning no locking or unlocking of the front axle, wheels always turn axleshafts and driveshafts
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Irish_Alley on October 03, 2015, 10:36:54 PM
rubbish ;-). i knew they wernt the newer style of auto hubs that some what resemble the locking hubs. but i thought they were a old style of locking hubs never knew they were full time
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: werewolfx13 on December 29, 2015, 12:00:21 AM
Not bad starts to the conversion.

I realize this is an older post, but I just checked it out and have a request, if you could facilitate:

On the unity post mounted spotlight on the yellow truck, could you take a picture of the pillar from the inside, with the trim (if present) removed? I want to confirm that my spotlight mount came through in the right place. As it sits, I have a repair to make from the installation of mine, as the angle of the mount with the guide was NOT quite correct, and perforated into the weather strip channel. It required substantial detailed trimming to get it to line up to the inside where I *think* its supposed to be, but before I weld up the channel, I want to be sure everything is as it should be.

Thanks
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Boonie on December 29, 2015, 08:12:45 AM
Is that a 205 with the full time front axle?  Or am I seeing things?  I have a 205 sitting around, wondered how it would work with not converting the front axle. 
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: ehjorten on December 29, 2015, 01:41:32 PM
It very much does look like a NP205 with that 3-bolt cover in the middle of the transfer case!  It wouldn't work on-road with full-time front hubs!  The front-end would be constantly fighting the rear-end when negotiating turns without the center differential.  I mean, it would work, but it would be pretty hard on the drivetrain!
Title: Re: Working on the crew cab
Post by: Jason S on December 29, 2015, 03:51:24 PM
The front end would only fight the rear if in 4WD and on dry hard surface.  In 2-Hi, there's just a lot of extra parts turning up front.