Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic

Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 12:17 AM

Well...the cab came back from the paint shop today, Bed isn't finished so I talked him into letting me take the cab so I could start the axle install...here we go...

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 12:18 AM

Other side...

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 12:19 AM

Old rear out...

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 12:21 AM

New A body 8 3/4 in, new brakes installed, bled, emergency brake hooked up, driveshaft installed, almost ready for a test drive.

Posted By: magnum440d100

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 12:34 AM

i like it

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 03:04 AM

SSWWWEEEETT!!! that is looking nice!

kool how a A-body 8 3/4 will just bolt right into the trucks.

are you going down low with it? fliping the shackle? how long did the drive shaft wind up being? bed tubbed yet?

I cant tell by pics but hope the shocks have room with the pipes,they get spred out a good ways.

I had to clearance the cross brace for a fat airshock,stock shocks fits ok if pipes are not in the way.

I just drove mine for the first time with all 3 gears,went 150 miles so far,I think you will like it. my face cheeks hurt from

the whole way.

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 06:03 AM

I just drove mine for the first time with all 3 gears,went 150 miles so far,I think you will like it. my face cheeks hurt from the whole way.

Its about time..

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 06:28 AM

Quote:

SSWWWEEEETT!!! that is looking nice!

kool how a A-body 8 3/4 will just bolt right into the trucks.

are you going down low with it? fliping the shackle? how long did the drive shaft wind up being? bed tubbed yet?

I cant tell by pics but hope the shocks have room with the pipes,they get spred out a good ways.

I had to clearance the cross brace for a fat airshock,stock shocks fits ok if pipes are not in the way.

I just drove mine for the first time with all 3 gears,went 150 miles so far,I think you will like it. my face cheeks hurt from the whole way.

Burnout Vid

Posted By: bill8121

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 07:23 AM

Dude that's really nice. Should provide years of entertainment!

Posted By: basketcase

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 12:35 PM

that truck is sweet!

and Scratch...no pics...it didn't happen..

Posted By: bigblock340power

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 01:32 PM

Nice truck!

I tried to send you a PM, but your box is full. I have a question about your choice of muffler. What brand and part# is it. I plan on doing the same thing for the my exhaust. PM me please.......
Thanks

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 08/12/12 02:18 PM

Quote:

SSWWWEEEETT!!! that is looking nice!

kool how a A-body 8 3/4 will just bolt right into the trucks.

are you going down low with it? fliping the shackle? how long did the drive shaft wind up being? bed tubbed yet?

I cant tell by pics but hope the shocks have room with the pipes,they get spred out a good ways.

I had to clearance the cross brace for a fat airshock,stock shocks fits ok if pipes are not in the way.

I just drove mine for the first time with all 3 gears,went 150 miles so far,I think you will like it. my face cheeks hurt from the whole way.

Scratch, I'm only doing the axle flip for now and lowering the front the same by trimming the coils a little, the bed is tubbed with S&W steel tubs and honestly, the drive shaft has me a little nervous...when I attached it to the rear end it sure did slide a long way up into the trans...

, gotta do some more checking on that. The shocks look like they are going to clear the pipe, however, when I get the new engine in I may remove them anyway, not sure yet, may go with turndowns and bigger pipes.

Posted By: racerx

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/03/13 12:23 PM

I can't find your original thread on this build

i don't get a chance to hangout over here much,I think the last i'v herd on it the guy that did your body-work did not finish

so i was just wondering if anything new going on with this project?

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/06/13 02:44 AM

Quote:

I can't find your original thread on this build i don't get a chance to hangout over here much,I think the last i'v herd on it the guy that did your body-work did not finish so i was just wondering if anything new going on with this project?

Hi, yeah, truck got finished (kinda), after months of dealing with the painter, I got what I paid for...half aced job...shame on me...the truck has about 8 dime sized solvent "pops" about the size of dimes scattered randomly about the truck...it will have to be re-done at some point. On the positive side I drive it almost every weekend and it is a blast, even winning it's first "contest" with a 69 Chevy of unknown powertrain with small front tires and wide backs, short bed step side haven't seen him since

Here are the latest pics of the lilblacktruck:

Posted By: racerx

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/07/13 02:32 AM

That's nice it reminds me of the 73-d-100 short bed i use to own,i trade it in on a 95 ram back in 98

i kick myself for trading it.I'll like to find another one and do a turbo setup

those trucks have lots of room under the hood

Posted By: bigdad

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/07/13 02:54 AM

It looks great !

I'd love to find one of those

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/08/13 02:34 PM

Yeah, I was surprised at how hard it was to find a pre-80 swb, truth is I actually wanted a 72-76 but settled for this 78 because it was all I could find at the time, and then had to go to eastern Tenn. To get it. Sometimes I wish I had put a big block in it because it needs more torque off the hit, but for now I'm considering spray or a Pro charger

Posted By: Kevin I

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/09/13 06:26 AM

That truck looks great. I love the "poverty" caps and the fatties out back.

Posted By: Robbins

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/09/13 01:39 PM

Quote:

That truck looks great. I love the "poverty" caps and the fatties out back.

Me too!

Posted By: JD340

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/11/13 05:28 AM

Wow! How did I miss this build the first time around??? Looks darn fine to me!

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/12/13 12:16 AM

Thanks, lots of work in it, it was supposed to be a quick "throw together" for something to ride around in while I'm restoring the GTX but I kind of went overboard...

. Now it's not fast enough, whodathunkit.

Posted By: bigdad

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/12/13 12:30 AM

Sits nice

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/12/13 03:28 AM

Quote:

Thanks, lots of work in it, it was supposed to be a quick "throw together" for something to ride around in while I'm restoring the GTX but I kind of went overboard... . Now it's not fast enough, whodathunkit.

even at 20 mph it still looks awsome. the body lines are looking good with the rear flared a little with the fattys. the mid 80s body lines look good also.but now I remember why I am so fond of the mid 70s truck.

Posted By: 11secdart

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 12:29 AM

Looks great!!! I`m considering tubbing and big tireing my 92, I really like the look, now that I know an A body 8 3/4 fits under even better, I have a question for you and/or scratchin, how far in did you go with the wheel tubs? to the frame rails? Thanks!

Attached picture 7586019-IMG_0226.JPG

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 02:40 AM

I cut my bed to within a few inches of the frame, wasn't any sense in going any further due to the stock spring location, I left enough to have a flush mounting surface for the S&W steel tubs and then butted the tubs flush against the bed wall. I also left a short flange on the factory tub for support. See below pics. Assembling the tubs was probably the most challenging part of the mod.

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 02:44 AM

I went flush with the floor support that sits on top of the frame.

I used 1 full set of tubs welding them to the 1/2 tubs in the bed.

here is a pic that you can see the floor support and where I cut it. this makes it in past the spring flush with the frame.

I used a shackle flip and floped the A-body 8 3/4 on top of spring with same wheel/tire combo.

IIRC,Max just floped the 8 3/4 on top of the springs and used pre-made wheel tubbs.

***FYI*** the A-body 8 3/4 needs the large brake offset axles with 5 on 4.5 wbp. this make the whole 8 3/4 wider by 1/2" = 1/4" each side. so it tucks the 12" rim with a 4.5 backset on rims running a M/T 29x15x15 tire in the fenders.

if running a skinny 1 3/4" brake A-body axle you need a rim with 4 1/4" BS( best measure tire bulge/leaf spring clearance )

Attached picture 7586214-tubsundercoat#2.jpg

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 02:50 AM

2 different ways well done by both of us I might add.

Attached picture 7586222-fullpimmerinthesun#2.jpg

Posted By: RapidusMaximus

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 03:36 AM

..."IIRC,Max just floped the 8 3/4 on top of the springs and used pre-made wheel tubbs."...you are correct sir. I tried doing my tubs like yours and couldn't find any that weren't beat to heck...but I tried, still have the scrapped evidence behind my shop

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 04:34 AM

I was glad to see a set like yours done up. pics are worth a thousand words. I want to use a set on my next project and plan to just flop the axle for a low stance like that. (can i just swap fenders/doors/bed to a mid 80s chassis for the body lines?)

kinda like the frontend drops,so much info and more than one way so it can be adjusted for the stance you want.

I cant wait to score a shortbed 4x4 for a 2x gasser truck build.

Posted By: 76dodgeboy

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/13/13 07:43 AM

Quote:

I was glad to see a set like yours done up. pics are worth a thousand words. I want to use a set on my next project and plan to just flop the axle for a low stance like that. (can i just swap fenders/doors/bed to a mid 80s chassis for the body lines?)

kinda like the frontend drops,so much info and more than one way so it can be adjusted for the stance you want.

I cant wait to score a shortbed 4x4 for a 2x gasser truck build.

Yes you can just swap clip door and box. That's what Im doing to my 84 Crewcab

Posted By: 11secdart

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/14/13 12:28 AM

Thanks Guys Great info! p.s. rear bumper in picture now gone and theres a roll pan in its place.

Attached picture 7587253-IMG_0174.JPG

Posted By: JDMopar

Re: Back from the paint shop...kinda...and axle install pic - 02/14/13 03:40 AM

Nice truck!