73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: cubicdollars on December 21, 2007, 04:32:07 pm
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Merry Christmas everyone.
I'd figure I would post a progress report on my 3+3 Crew cab Dually. I started the teardown in July and here is where I am to date.
4" drop front and rear completed by Bell Tech Spindels and springs, and shackel kit.
Engine is a BBC 454 that I robbed from my stepside. It has a new cam, rebuilt 781 heads, balanced roatating assembly.
The bed has been removed and sand blasted.
I am installing a 1990 suburban grill assembly.
My plan i to have the truck total complete by spring time.
Before
I should be able to fire it up during the holiday.
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Here are some photos of my 1985 1 ton dually it has been lowered 4 " and I rebuild the 454 that was in my stepside.
Here are some photos of my progress.
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You have to put your image inside the code like this
[ img ] http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/36005/2893807030102179305S425x425Q85.jpg [ / img ]
no spaces so it will look like this....
(http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/36005/2893807030102179305S425x425Q85.jpg)
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Thanks My computer was messing up while I was trying to post.
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Sweet progress. You have been holding out on us...
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Looks good so far. :) Keep us up dated.
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yeah very nice. its good to see someone appreciate the dually, it doesn't get credit where due. definitely keep us posted on this. I am interested in seeing some more build photos and info, thanks for sharing.
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sweet rig man! Long and Low, kinda like a wiener dog! ;D Sorry our daschsund just walked past me as I was typing.
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Thanks. I tore it down in July and I am pretty close to getting it started this week for the first time. here is a link to the progress.
http://rides.webshots.com/album/561303375LQqZyX (http://rides.webshots.com/album/561303375LQqZyX)
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You do gook work. Are you going to put a billet grill in or just leave it alone? Rims? I also noticed the step side in the corner. Any plans for that baby? 8)
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Thanks, I tend to get bogged down with all of the detail work but when the project is finished it make a really big difference. I build Airplanes for a living and there is no room for error so I tend to take that expierence back to my shop.
I am not sure about the billit grill I have been mainting a pretty strict budget and so far most everything installed has been used or extremily cheap. The engine came from my stepside, and the front end came from a $300 suburban I bought to strip.
As far as the stepside I did a frame up rest from 1996 to 1999. it has a chris alston 4 link, art morrison roll cage, autometer guages. with the 454 that I removed and put in the dually it ran low 13's.
After the dually is complete this spring I plan on taking it back down to the frame and do a few things I should of done the first time.
The new engine is a 489 BBC,(4.250 stroke crank, 4.280 bore, and 6.385 rods). and eventually F2 procharger. I also plan on narrowing the rear end a little to run 15 x 12 Rims.
Here is a link to my projects
http://community.webshots.com/user/Thorenson (http://community.webshots.com/user/Thorenson)
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That step side look good at the track. Nice looking big block. What kind of small block was that in the pictures. Where did you have the fogger set at if you don't mind me asking? Yeah, that 77 is real clean. It is not to often you see the wooden bed floors maintained soo nice.
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nice trucks man!
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Thanks Guys
I bought the stepside in 1990 when I was a senior in high school and I've dragged it all over the country since.
That engine was a 383 and I ran 350 shot through it until a took a big chunk of piston out of one of them :(
The wood bed was from Mar-K I put that together in 1996.
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The truck has seen the sunlight for the first time i months ;D
I took atvantage of the nice day and primed the hood and a few small parts while the primer was drying I washed it and snapped some photos.
I will hopefully have it running tomorrow I am have some electrical problems that I am troubleshooting.
here you go....
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looking good. ;D
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Well I had a major setback this weekend ??? While I was breaking the engine in I snapped a push rod and my cam chewed up some of the pieces :'(
I have decided to take it in stride and build my 489 that I had set aside for my stepside. It's a 4.280 bore x 4.250 stroke with 6.385 rods. I'll make sure I take alot of photos.
To simmer my temper I sanded all the doors from a donor surburban tomorrow I'll remove the windows and finish the sanding and prime everything next weekend.
Enjoy...
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nice christmas card! :P So what happened? Valve adjusted too tight I take it? That sucks the big one
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To bad it looked like you had it coming along pretty good. :(
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Valves were set right, There was no abnormal wear on the lifter. when I pull the engine out I'll re check the valve train dimension and spring height. I was extremily diligent when I assemlbed it. The only thing I could think of was I reused the pushrods from a high milage engine I tore apart a couple years ago and it failed. The really bad thing was that when the pushrod broke a 2 inch peice fell into cam and chewed up a couple lobes. then engine started runny crappy shortly after inital start up.
Since my stepside is still on the back burner for a while I plan on taking the 489 that I have had on the stand for a couple of years and build it.
It's a 4.280 bore with a 4.250 crank shaft, flat top single valve relief. I'll use the 781 oval ports heads, dual plane instake manifold and a fairly small hyd camshaft. It will have about 9.0 to 1 but should still make plenty of torque.
I have a tall deck truck block that I'll put together for the stepside when I start working on it sometime lte this year.
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That's gonna be 1 bada-- machine! I guess it's true you have to break a couple eggs when making a cake. This probly doesn't help much so i'll just say keep up the good work!
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Well I removed the engine this weekend and I found out what happened The block I was using has been zero decked and when I put the engine together I installed the wrong head gaskets. I installed .039's and I should of installed .062's >:(
when I rotated the engine over by hand nothing was hitting only when I revved it up the intake valves made contact.
I have decided to use my 489 for the dually, it will be a high doller tow engine ;D 4340 forged 4.250 crankshaft, forged H beam 6.385 rods, and forged flat top pistons
My stepside will be getting a tall deck 496 with a long connecting rod.
4.310 bore x 4.250 crank with 6.800 rod. I have a set of Grumpy Jenkins Merlin heads. The F2 procharger will complete the assembly :D
Any way here are some snap shots of the piston, my 489, and the tall deck.
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Geez that's way too tight tolerance. You could fly cut the pistons, throw in a new set of valve and pushrods and you'd be up and running
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This engine has been around for quite a while. WHen I origanally built it in 2003 I decked the block and fly cut the pistons for a big solid roller and 2.30 intake valves then in 2004 my wrist pin had failed and tore up the bore so I had it sleeved, when the block got sleeved they had to deck the block again to clean the sleeve off, I had them do both sides so I did not have mis match gaskets. I just pulled a bonhead move when I put the engine back together for the dually. The pistons are still in great shape I think I have it sold to a buddy of mine I'll just use that money to finish the 489.
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Too bad, it is a good thiong thatg you have a some back up motors. :-\
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I am getting back to working the duallu this weekend. I just got a new windshield installed and I had him put the back glass in as well. Today I sanded the bed and fenders and tomorrow I'll prime the bed, doors, and some small parts, Then Sunday I'll be painting the door jams and under hood and hopefully I'll have time to spay in the bedliner. Next week I'll be building the 489. My heads will be back from the machine shop.
here are some photos...
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its coming along good keep up the good work
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Four Hundred and Eighty Nine Cubic Inches of fat Momma Chevy ;D ;D
Just finished the rotating assembly My heads and parts to finish the engine off will be in on Monday.
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sweet!
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Geez.Nice work cubicdollars. No sleeves in this one.
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That should move your truck around just fine. ;D
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Take plenty o measurements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Well I finished the Assembly today and I feel pretty good about the way it went. I ended up using a lunati Vodoo Hyd Flat Tappet camshaft, and all measurments have been triple checked. I am hoping to have it running tomorrow on the engine stand then install it in the truck on Tuesday after work.
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Looking good. ;D
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cool engine stand. Engine's lookin good
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Thank Villa ;D
I finished wiring the engine stand and hooking up the engine I need to order some break in oil additive tonight and hopefully have it running Thursday night after work.
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I was woundering if you could do video of the motor running so we can hear that badboy? ;D
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No Problem I only have a camera that shoots short films but I am sure it will be good enough. I plan on firing it on Wed night I have a couple more small parts coming in from Summit tomorrow whaile I am at work.
Thanks
Dan
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It Lives ;D ;D
Well got the 489 fired up and broke in this weekend, It sounds pretty good but a fairly smooth Idle, 14 inches of Vaccum. The cam is a Lunati Voodoo Series Hyd flat tappet cam.
I broke the cam in on my run stand and tonight I warmed the engine up reset the valves and the retorqued the head bolts. I think I might play hooky from work and install the engine back into the dually :o
Well here is a quick vid
<embed src="http://p.webshots.com/flash/smallplayer.swf?videoFile=http://videoserve.webshots.com/video/23799/3060439540102179305rerFWH_v_0.flv&audio=on&displayImagePreview=http://videothumb40.webshots.com/thumb/23799/3060439540102179305rerFWHstill_002_0.jpg&videoPageUrl=http://rides.webshots.com/video/3060439540102179305rerFWH&autoPlay=false&shareLink=http://cards.webshots.com/ecard/personalize?photoId=3060439540102179305%26source=v" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" quality="best" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed><br/><br/><a href="http://rides.webshots.com/video/3060439540102179305rerFWH">mov01470.mpg</a>
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I made pretty good progress today I should be able to start on the bed tomorrow and finish it next weekend. the engine runs great :D here are some picts.
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I should have the majority of the work complete this weekend ;D I took wed and thursday off just to work it.
here is the picts
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Looking good!
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Looks and sounds great ;D
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Looking forward to your finished product Dan! I just filled up my heavy hauler today-$4.19 per gallon (diesel). Ouch! That hurt!
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The truck is making good progress, I have been spot priming and doing body work for the last couple weeks >:( I am really getting tired of sanding.
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Looking good. I just started sanding my front fenders today and I'm already tired of it.
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Well finally got some white paint on it ;D, Body work is so miserable ???
I had plenty of PPG white paint so I decided to shoot a coat in the garage so I can find all of the flaws then scuf sand it and bring it down to a body shop booth in town, The owner of the shop is going to let me use the booth on a friday afternoon.
here are some snapshots enjoy :)
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looks like the block work paid off, freakin awesome.
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I am ready to start sanding again for the final time, the first coat looks pretty good from a distance :)
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Looks GREAT!
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I am Finally Done ;D ;D ;D Almost ;)
Got the truck back from paint and put it together this week I am so happy the way it turned out. I was so tired of sanding, priming, then sanding again.
I do have plenty of things I want to do yet like,
Remove the 1 ton leaf springs and install 3/4 ton set up and then add a set of heavy duty airbags.
Buy a new bumbers for the front and back.
Tint the back window.
buy some more speakers and hook up my stereo.
and the list goes on.......
any way enjoy the picts, The entire build is on my webshots website.
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Awesome, I like the way it turned out and the fact you kept it stock looking!
Good job, you have a beautiful truck
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Awesome dually.Job well done..(haha, it will never really be done, now will it?????)
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Looks good, I'm sure all the sanding paid off looks like it was worth it.
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Looks great. Some more pics please
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Looks like all of that block sanding paid off, looks great!
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Thanks Guy's ;D
I started the work over the 4th of july last year and for the most part I am finished.
The engine is 489 cubic inch's with oval port -781 heads, Lunati Hyd cam, Holley intake and Holley Carb, Granny low 4 speed, hyd clutch set up, dual 2.5 mandrel exhaust that y together into a single 3 inch Flowmaster, Bell Tech 4 inch drop shackels and spindles.
It turned out exactly how I imagined and it runs great, I am actually pretty happy that the other engine I had in it had problems I am very pleased with the drivability and the low end torque of the stroker engine.
http://community.webshots.com/user/Thorenson (http://community.webshots.com/user/Thorenson)
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SWEET! Turned out Great!
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I scored a Sir Michiels steel roll pan on saturday ;D it was purchased about 7 years ago and never used, Got it a really great deal on it ;D I also just my stimulous check today so I planning on ordering the airbags this week :D
I am just about finished and I am starting to buy parts for my stepside so I can get it wirked this fall after the heat is over.
Thanks for all of the words of encourgment
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oh man, that truck is so beautiful! you have done a wonderful job on it!
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Great Looking Truck CD 8) Glad to see you got a Rear Pan, and are going to bag it! To me Dually's look so much better Draggin', then they do stock or raised.... 8) 8) 8)
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Thanks Guy's ;D I appreaciate all the kind words from everyone.
I built this truck for my tow rig to take my stepside to the track I am putting airbags in the back only to lift it back up after I remove some springs to get a better ride when there is no load on it.
I really do not have alt of money into it as a matter of fact I did not put one thing on my credit card. I sold some parts and I was able to get some paint from work. The main expense was the engine and that was bought and paid for about 4 years ago. after the dust settles this build cost me less than $3000 with out the engine and with the engine it was around $6000. Ad the price of the truck when I got it $2100 and I have one bad ass tow rig that I have touched almost every bolt and nut on and I know exactly what I got.
Even though it will run me at least $100-150 in gas to go to the drag strip I am not paying $600 per month on a payment on a truck that will sit more than it's driven ;D
I would eventually like to put a Cummins with a 5 speed in it but when I do that the only way it would pay for it's self would be to make my own diesel ;D
My stepside will be getting the attention now and I'll start a new post with the progress as well.
Thanks
Dan
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Wow, awesome setup for sure. Dig the step too. That roll bar setup reminds me of a guy in my hometown who also had a 80's stepside that had roll bars extended thru the window down to the bed. Had a nasty 355 in it and tubs as I recall. Is that a 1 piece Lexan rear window?
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Yes it is a 1 piece of Lexan that has been notched for the cage, I am pulling the parts together now for the engine and truck. It will have a long rod 505 with a ATI F2 procharger, (4.250 crank X 4.350 Pistons with a 6.800 Rod in a Tall Deck (10.200) BBC
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Just got back from my Dually's first roadtrip. Went to the dragstrip about an hour and a half away. The truck ran great ;D, it does have a slight drinking problem though :( . Got alot of thumbs up on the way too..here are some photo's
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Sweet!
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Thanks for sharing everything Dan. All 403 pics! Really classy work! I love the fact you didn't have to go into debt for your project!
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That is an awesome build! I looked every picture. Makes me want to find a 1 ton when I get done with my 87 1/2 ton build.
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Thanks Guy's I appreaciate the feedback.
I got a tonnue cover the other day and I am in the process of prepping the tailgate for paint ;D
I will document my stepside build the same.
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just curious, why did you leave the handles and locks in, and sand instead of just scuff the interior?
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I am an over achiever ;D, Actually I replaced the doors with a set from a suburban that I had picked up for the front end, and the burb had full power locks and windows, since I am not a big fan of power windows in these trucks I swapped everything out then installed all of the manual parts that were in the origanal doors.
Hope this answers your question.
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I just picked up an NV4500 5 speed today for the dually ;D I'll be installing it sometime this winter. I am in the process of body working the tailgate this weekend.
Also working on an aluminum home made tonnue cover for my stepside I think it will turn out pretty nice.
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I need some advise ??? ??? ??? I Just found a set of Alcoa aluminum rims for $500.00 should I get them for the dually or should I leave the steel's with chrome covers and spend that money on my 505 rotating assembly for my stepside.
Please help :-\
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Pics of the rims?
Guess this one's sorta a matter of preference anyway. But I'd spend the money on the motor if you've already got rims on the dually!
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Unfortunatly no pics yet I am headed down to Springfield MO dragstrip for a doorslammer shoot out and I was going to stop and look at them , the chrome simulators fit pretty good on the steel rims and I think I am leaning towards keeping them and buying the Engine parts this week and maybe down the road I'll find another set. I am sure I'll be pretty pumped to get the stepside back on the road after seeing all the Horsepower they are suppose to have out today ;D ;D
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some cummins power would work nicely in front of the nv4500.. ;)..looks AWESOME!
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My opinion good deals on wheels don't happen often and you end up getting the engine parts anyway.
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Alcoa's are so common, but so are chrome caps on steels. I would look for something differant.
But I do like the 505 idea.
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I decided to wait on the Alcoa's if they are still around in a few payday's I'll pick them up, Thanks for the input. 79diesel I am hopeing withing the next year I'll be able to find a cummins but the NV4500 will be going in shortly :)
The track was awsome last night I didn't get home until 4:30 this morning. I will be ordering my 505 rotating assembly tomorow :):):)
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Hey Everyone... It's been a while for an update, I was promoted and moved to the night shift so my schedule was jacked up for a while.
Any way my tailgate is finally finished and installed it looks great and I did get the alocoa's a while back but they came with no lug nuts and caps so today I broke down and ordered those $240. >:( for lug nuts.. I should get everything mounted next weekend and update some photo's.
I also started getting part's for my 505- So Far I recieved my Callies dragon Slayor crank 4.250, and My SRP flat top pistons 4.350. I still need to order my 6.800 Compstar Rods, Ring's, Balancer yet and a few more parts. I really need to finish this dually so I can build big power ;D ;D
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These are the photo's of the tailgate installed and the Alcoa's mounted....Enjoy ;D
(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v824/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_37932_3821.jpg)
(http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v824/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_37933_4070.jpg)
(http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v824/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_37941_6040.jpg)
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That looks awesome! I love white on any of these trucks from blazers to cc's. Those wheels look MUCH better.
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That is one CLEAN truck!
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nice, very nice, gret job...
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Thanks guy's :D
It took alot of Blood , Sweat , and Beers in about a year and a half of labor. Still not quite done yet though ;D
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The wheels look great really set it off nice job all around. The roll pan looks sweet too
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Thanks JR :)
Your truck is Awsome ;D
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Love the wheels!
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Always love the dually's. I've had 2 '99 crewcab dually's back in 2000 and loved them. Awesome job and real clean.
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always love to see those one that don't have to lay rocker and look super clean!!! Very nice truck brother!!!!
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This truck is great. :o
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Here are a couple of new shots of the truck, I have nothing new added recently just been saving cash up to get my 505 back from the maching shop.
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1965/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_68355_5472.jpg)
(http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1965/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_68357_6027.jpg)
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dang that looks good! Did you fill the seams on the rear fenders?
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I used Aircraft panel sealer when I installed the rear fenders it seals out the water and dirt as well as filling in the seams. It's paintable as well as durable
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That looks good. Looks like it's molded in.
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I used Aircraft panel sealer when I installed the rear fenders it seals out the water and dirt as well as filling in the seams. It's paintable as well as durable
Are they the original dually fenders?
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The left is origanal and the right was an aftermarket that fit pretty nice.
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The left is origanal and the right was an aftermarket that fit pretty nice.
Don't suppose you know what make the aftermarket one is?
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sorry :( I went to my local auto repair shop and he ordered it I'll stop down this week and see if he can give me a manufacture
How is your project comming?
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Bit slow tbh....!
Stirling's very weak compared to the Dollar at the moment, so ordering large parts like dually fenders is very expensive... ::)
Need to find a reputable make of dually fender too.
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That is one awesome looking truck. Makes me wish we still had our 83 black GMC crew cab dually. You did a really great job on it. Love the details and the progress reports along the way.
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Thank OldYeller ;D
I love this truck it turned out exactly the way I planned, and I was actually pretty frugile when it came down to the parts.
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I've got a few ?'s for you! first what size,brand tires are you running. second wher did you get the mud flaps and clear clearance lights. Last thing is where the aftermarket fender came from??? i desperately need a drivers side fender! Thanks in advance and awesome work. I hope my truck looks that good some day!? ;D
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Hey Busman
Well I'll get you the info on the tires, the lights are for a mid 90's dodge truck they are clear LED's I did have to make a template for the new light's and fill in the old holes, the mudflaps I ordered online through this site
http://www.pickupspecialties.com/dually_mud_flaps_GO.htm (http://www.pickupspecialties.com/dually_mud_flaps_GO.htm)
and the fenders I ordered through a local autobody shop, might want to check with Chris (CaptKaos) he might be able to order them in.
hope this helps if you look at my webshots page I have the complete build
Thanks
Dan
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cubicdollars, thanks for the quick reply and i will check out your build page. and again i love your truck!
:D
busman
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Hey Every one I just got a chance to use my dually for what was built for. I ran down and picked up another project car. The truck did great but I definatly need to get the 5 speed in and the Pro-Jection, I averaged about 6.8 MPG :( oh well at least I do not have payment's and my tags and insurance are really cheap :) oh well here are a couple of picts.
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2409/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_136011_2469318.jpg)
(http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2409/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_136012_4390076.jpg)
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6.8mpg?! At least you look good doing it. ;D
Nice T-type!
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Truck looks great! I feel your pain about the gas milage, I've got a 3/4 ton that gets about the same but like you said its paid for.
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Truck looks good
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::) Well got to pull my heaviest load so far! and it pulled great with no big issues ;D
(http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs082.snc1/4562_1099431458537_1609180490_218872_259017_s.jpg)
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4562/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_218873_4362288.jpg)
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Haulin' that off to the scrap yard, huh?
;D
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Naw, It's my friends 70 F*** truck the starter was going out and it chewed up the flywheel. We are taking it to my shop to R&R the flywheel Not looking forward to that be he helps me out on my paint work so I really cant say no:)
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Sweet!
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Got the F*** truck fixed and out of my shop this weekend and I was able to load up a real truck today and run it down to the carwash to clean the frame for paint ;)
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4562/160/90/1609180490/n1609180490_225963_6638304.jpg)
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It's been a long time since I've done any work to my dually,The truck has been running great it's got plenty of power and it's very dependable but at 6 MPG it does not get driven very much so I am in the process of picking up a Cummins 5.9 out of a 96 3/4 ton truck and installing it. I have a chevy NV4500 that I need to install the Dodge bell housing and input shaft I am also picking up a 91 Suburban to steal all of the AC componants and the electric speedomiter package. As soon as I get the engine out of the doner I'll update this page.
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Sweet, so you are converting? Did you see crewcabfred's Cummins Crew?
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=14761.0
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Yup, that's what made my final descision I chatted with Blake H on a 2003 8.1ltr swap and found out its almost the same amount of work to do a Cummins swap so I decided to go for the Cummins. The engine I found is at my friends Junkyard it's in a wrecked 96 3500 and it has 130,000 miles on it he also has the bellhousing and input shaft that I need to convert my chevy NV4500 to use. Fornutatly he has done a few Cummins swaps and used to have a performance diesel shop so he is going to give me a hand on my swap.
I am not sure what I'll do with my BBC thats comming out I guesse I'll have to find another project car :)
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AWESOME. PLEASE document it on here. Would love to see the progress.
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AWESOME. PLEASE document it on here. Would love to see the progress.
x2 nice truck
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x3 I would love to put a cummins in mine
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That is one sweet truck you have. I checked all of your pics..NICE work!
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Thanks :)
I pick up my 86 Cummins engine friday along with the NV4500 Bellhousing and input shaft to install it into my dually. It's got 130,000 miles on it and I paid $2400 for the engine and componants, intercooler, tubing, bell housing input shaft, hyd clutch setup and any other essential items from the doner truck.
I will report the progress as needed.
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man i love this truck, its so clean, and just nice looking, id love to find one of these trucks and build it to do the same and also show it, deff post pics of anything you do it, and the motor swap looks good as well as the stepside
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Subscribed!