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1978 Chevy Crew Cab Ultimate Offroad Build

Awesome!!! A bit down the line but are you thinking interior or exo-cage?
 
It's big. Will it be too tall for top truck challenge? I don't really know, I don't follow many competitions.

Martin
 
Should be fine (maybe even on the small side), for comparison the Ford is on 54's.

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The only place I truly worry about how tall/top heavy they get is in the canyon in the Tank Trap. That wall loves to eat A pillars.
 
After watching this years TTC, we aren't planning on taking this truck there anymore. If we do it will be a different truck... something with a shorter wheelbase.
 
Been finding time here and there to work on the truck. Its starting to take shape and look like a truck again. The list in getting smaller but so are my funds. I am trying to save up for gears and lockers. Here is what I have accomplished since my last post.



Moved the front axle back a little bit and got the doors back on the cab



Finished up the rear frame section.







Mounted the Radiator and battery tray



Mounted the Fuel Cell





Once we got the bedsides aligned with the cab we trimmed for our race cut.
 
I mounted the radiator in the rear because this is a mud truck. I can now close up the engine bay and keep everything cool.
 
Finished building all the new brackets to mount the front clip. I have a few ideas on the grille but that will be one of the last tasks. I'm dying to drive this thing.





Now that all the body parts are mocked up, we completed all finial welds EVERYWHERE!


After two days and 11lb spool of wire, we finished all the welding and got the frame all painted. Started driving in to get brake, fuel and trans cooler lines and electrical ran down the frame.


Replaced a leaky rear main seal and the pan gasket, installed my new high volume water pump and get the rest of the motor all cleaned up. Was super excited to find someone locally selling the headers I was looking for a great price! Need to go get them coated. Still doing some research on what the best coating for mud will be.



I am working on getting the cab all cleaned up and the cage built. I hope to have the cage built my the end of the year. I am having to switch to working on putting my 1972 Chevy truck back together to sell for funds to finish this truck. So progress is going to stop until I'm finished with it.
 
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Can you post more info on the headers? Brand, tube size, etc.. Got any pics from the side to show how the headers hang outside the frame?
 
The headers I got were a used custom set that I bought from another guy. The headers I was looking at were MadDog Headers. They make the same header I got with different size primary tubes. http://maddogheaders.net/products/4x4

Here are more pictures of how they fit the frame

Pass side:




Driver Side:


 
Thanks for the info! I wish I had known about Mad Dog when I was building my truck, those headers dumped under the seats would sound amazing.
 
Sorry I have been posting much lately; I forgot to pay my forum fees and I've been so busy with work, family and the truck. My buddy and I finished the cage. That was not fun and we have sworn to never build one again. There must be a trick to welding DOM, because it is difficult to weld.

We finished the cage around the 1st of the year. Here are the pics of the cage evolution.




Tube Bending 101 :)












So after looking and sitting in the front and back seat we found some issues. The bottom X brace took away all foot room for my rear passengers. The upper X we narrowed to clear our heads. Overall the rest of the cage worked out perfectly.

 
Sorry these are out of order I was so excited about the cage I posted that first.

Back in Nov I was working on fixing all the rot on the cab. A buddy of mine came over and helped replace the cowl.

















 
So this post should get you guys damn near up to date. I hope you have enjoyed the fire hose of updates. lol

I have this week off to FINISH the truck! So I hope to be posting updates a few times this week with updates. Until then... these are the pictures of getting the rear axle all built.

Finished rebuilding the 14 bolt.
G2 Gears - 5.38
Yukon Spool
Ruff Stuff Disc Brake kit







 
I am so excited to be putting the truck together finally! My wife is happy too!!

So here is how she was sitting on Sunday when I started!







My view from the driver seat. Tyler is 6' tall.



Here are the cool parts that came is last week.






What I got finished yesterday was the front shackle hanger and getting it all boxed.. I don't think I have to worry about this failing.



Also mocked up the dash and center console frame

 
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