‘76 K5 LS swap fiberglass body

[Asherk5]

This weekend I went to the body shop and we started fitting the inner roof and dash structure. This is a ton of work but it’s starting to come together and looking more like a truck!

 

[Asherk5]

We got fenders and doors mocked up a few weeks ago. The body mounts did require custom Delrin spacers to make everything line up but matches stock spacing to the frame. No effective body lift. Last thing we completed was mock-up of the brake booster with factory stiffener plate.

 

[Asherk5]

Top and tailgate fitment is close to done. We will have to put a steel structure in the back because the driver side quarter panel is laying out a bit. This added structure will serve as tailgate hinge mounting as well.

 

[Asherk5]

it’s been a few weeks and we have been trying to figure out a hidden rollbar to fit inside the body. Here are some pics of what we came up with. We are sandwiching the bed rail fiberglass between the upper and lower section with bolts and using an extra body bushing before the frame mounted section.

 

[Asherk5]

Been busy at work lately but I got some time this weekend to design my new trans mount to include a 1.5” drop to help my rear driveshaft angle a bit. Planning on 2” square 1/8” wall and put a piece of 1/4” strap material to bolt through.

 

[Asherk5]

Trans mount is coming to reality.

 

[Asherk5]

Some December progress. Taillight hinge roof skin, and dash are glued in. Trans crossmember is fabbed and several parts are finally rolling in.

 

[82355]

Have you already committed to the visor?

Martin

 

[Asherk5]

Have you already committed to the visor?

Martin

I haven’t but the wife really wants it. Why do you ask?

 

[max 02]

I haven’t but the wife really wants it. Why do you ask?

Not a fan of them probably… I’m not either but can look ok on the right truck. IMO

Yours not mine. All good.
And I’m not speaking for Martin.

 

[82355]

Yeah, I am indifferent to them. That being said they serve no practical purpose, and they are hard on fuel economy.

Martin

 

[Blue85]

Awesome project. Hope it works out well. Always dreamed of a fiberglass body as a middle finger to the orange trucks that ravage the North (not that it's that simple...) That is maybe the smallest Swamper I've ever seen.

 

[campfire]

Is that a hinged taillight?

 

[82355]

I assumed that is where the fuel fill was going.

Martin

 

[muddybuddy]

Thats where the tail light fluid goes!

very cool, keep it up!

 

[AJMBLAZER]

You guys never flipped out the tail lights and checked the blinker fluid?

 

[Asherk5]

Is that a hinged taillight?

Yes. We are planning to use a 2000-06 suburban filler neck/hose inside the passenger taillight.

 

[Asherk5]

We built a rotisserie jig to put the body on while we reinforce the floor a little more than USbody did originally. We will also be applying lizard skin coating for sound and heat resistance.

 

[muddybuddy]

nice work!

 

[muddybuddy]

Yes. We are planning to use a 2000-06 suburban filler neck/hose inside the passenger taillight.

with factory 25/31 gal tank or going with a cell or burban 40 gal?