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87' GMC Custom Crew Cab Short Bed CUMMINS!
- Thread starter OYMC
- Start date
I can't believe this thread has been on CK5 as long as me and I've never seen it. Hope for good updates
Woohoo, that is awesome news. I remember reading this thread when it was being updated and just went over it again. Can't wait to see the new updates.
Really glad to see this build back up and moving!
I appreciate all your support! I had been on the fence a few times about just parting to old girl out considering I just have not had the time to get her going... My told me that if I wanted to finish it bad enough I would make time! So, I am taking her advice. Enoug excuses! Time to get to work 
my plan is to get one task completed per week. For the last two weeks I was able to set my engine up exactly where it needed to be, build new engine mounts, and built a new (altered) transmission crossmember. This week I plan to work on completeing my floor and maybe start on the trans tunnel... progress should pick up a bit more in two weeks which will be the end on my soccer season which I currently coach three teams .. Soccer coaching and working sucks up a huge handful of time but no more excuses lol...
my plan is to get one task completed per week. For the last two weeks I was able to set my engine up exactly where it needed to be, build new engine mounts, and built a new (altered) transmission crossmember. This week I plan to work on completeing my floor and maybe start on the trans tunnel... progress should pick up a bit more in two weeks which will be the end on my soccer season which I currently coach three teams .. Soccer coaching and working sucks up a huge handful of time but no more excuses lol...
With the engine adjusted to this installed height I can avoid issues like the fuel filter assembly and starter hitting the frame, the AC compressor has more clearance and the power steering pump lines also have plenty of clearance... I understand now why most Cummins conversions on square bodies require a body lift... I'm not a fan of body lifts so my body will just have to wrap around my drivetrain 
Using my originally scratch built trans crossmember I was able to make a few cuts, add two new sections, and achieve a nice 6 degree installed engine balance. I plan to add reinforcements to the lower chassis to help further strengthen the chassis and support the massive torque it will have to handle... once my reinforcements are in place I will continue boxing the chassis until I reach the back of the cab.
On a side note this is some of what has been keeping me from the crew cab:
1975 cummins Fj40 cruiser build (work)
1958 Chevy Nomad (work)
20' car / equipment trailer scratch build (Me)... once the trailer is finished I am having it powder coated the same color I will be powder coating the crew cab chassis / suspension / engine parts... Color? Probably a gun metal grey of some sort... BTW My 1989 crew cab dually is a gas 2wd truck. I recently purchased a diesel registered basket case 1984 crew cab dually 4x4 which you guessed it, will be used to turn this dually into a 4x4 12 valve cummins truck... The 12 valve cummins is only about a million times easier to convert on these old squares... this project will NOT start until my 24 valve 1987 GMC is DONE!
1975 cummins Fj40 cruiser build (work)
1958 Chevy Nomad (work)
20' car / equipment trailer scratch build (Me)... once the trailer is finished I am having it powder coated the same color I will be powder coating the crew cab chassis / suspension / engine parts... Color? Probably a gun metal grey of some sort... BTW My 1989 crew cab dually is a gas 2wd truck. I recently purchased a diesel registered basket case 1984 crew cab dually 4x4 which you guessed it, will be used to turn this dually into a 4x4 12 valve cummins truck... The 12 valve cummins is only about a million times easier to convert on these old squares... this project will NOT start until my 24 valve 1987 GMC is DONE!
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I always like looking at your work!
Very nice!
Very nice!
Nice work!! What's your plan for fuel tank(s)?
I always like looking at your work!
Very nice!
Thank you Max
I purchased a new Suburban tank I'll be installing in the same location as the suburban and then relocating the stock fuel filler in the bed to properly fit the tank... I also have the tank skid plate i'all be reusing...
This is the correct usage of the apostrophe. Twenty feet.
Incorrect usage. The apostrophe goes in place of the missing numbers, so it should be '89 (1989) and '87 (1987). Otherwise you are calling one eighty-nine feet, and the other eighty-seven feet.
Sorry, it was bothering me.
Now please continue to update the build thread.
Martin
I must have been out of it to write it out that way lol! Thanks for noticing my error!
Wow! How have I missed this thread?!
Outstanding work (except for that apostrophe error ^^^
)
The front frame rails are a thing of beauty!! I will be following this.
Outstanding work (except for that apostrophe error ^^^
)The front frame rails are a thing of beauty!! I will be following this.
Yeah the apostrophe error ruined it for me... lol jkWow! How have I missed this thread?!
Outstanding work (except for that apostrophe error ^^^
The front frame rails are a thing of beauty!! I will be following this.
Gonna have to scrap the whole build because of a grammar error. Tough luck. Better luck next year ....
Honestly I think on the whole of Ck5 that's one of the lesser errors anyway.
Honestly I think on the whole of Ck5 that's one of the lesser errors anyway.
I'll be continuing a write-up that started on 67-72ChevyTrucks.com but was cut short because of a dispute the ended with me being banned for LIFE... IF you care to hear about the drama that unfolded you can read about it in the "Lounge".. If you don't care, I COMPLETELY understand...
I considered starting where I left off but I think I'll begin where I started, cut out the parts that caused this project to take longer than it should have and condense it into a clean "Cut and Dry" build write-up...
So to begin I am building a 1987 GMC Crew Cab Short bed 4X4.
Here are the parts I am using:
2007 Dodge 24 Valve Cummins with a G56 6 speed manual trans and an Atlas 3:1 Gear reduction transfer case
GM Dana 60 front axle with a cross over high steer setup
GM 2WD steering box
Skyjacket 8" front leaf springs, and Skyjacker 6" lift rear
2005 GMC Corp 14 disc brake rear axle
2005 Tahoe power front seats, and rear bench seat
Blazer 30 gallon fuel tank
Toyo 37X13.50X17 M/T tires
Centerline Vector wheels
and a bunch of other fun stuff!
This Crew cab started as a donor for a 1954 Chevy Shop truck build I was working on but quickly realized that I had hidden feelings for this crew cab that I could no longer ignore...
The truck was purchased from a guy who was selling the crew cab for his Dad in Pollack Pines, CA. I was told that all it needed was 2 charged batteries and it could be driven home... When I arrived it had no interest to show even a flicker of life with the two fresh batteries I brought. The guy decided that rater than mess with it just to dump it so the price went from $1500 (Which was still a smoken deal) to $600. When I got home I pressure washed it, found that the positive battery nut on the starter had melted in half, replaced the starter and drove the crew cab for the next 2 months before deciding to move forward on the build.. All the while I drove this old turd of a truck my 2005 GMC Lift Crew Cab with 35,000 miles just sat in the drive way.. It was apparent early on that my heart had shifted and what was once going to be used as just parts would be the center of my fabrication universe....
These are the first photos I took of the crew cab:
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