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h0nke's 77 GMC Shortbox Build

H

h0nke

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May 3, 2005
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Location
Firth, ID
Well howdy everyone from the fine state of Idaho. My 77 GMC shortbox project is now back up and rolling again, after a never ending winter. This year will be different, I finally broke ground on my shop.

shop1.JPG


Here is what I started with for $500. Had a inline 6 cylinder and stock 1/2 ton axles with no lift.

1st-pic.JPG


Over the winter we swapped in a 350 engine and front/rear axles out of a 70's 3/4ton truck. My buddy donated a 4" lift kit with front springs, rear blocks, and rancho shocks. The wheels/tires where off of an F350 I had for a while. Here is a shot of it in December.

snow2.JPG


Here is a pic of the inside. It has the SM465 4 speed, NP205 transfer case, a tilt column out of an automatic truck, Grant steering wheel. Other than that, pretty much stock. The electrical is a nightmare, about half of everything doesn't work.

cab3.JPG


My plans once tear down begins:
- All new wiring harness
- New carb (the quadrapuke runs awful) and new intake
- Some engine work maybe just hone/re-ring
- Dana60 front and regear axles to 4.10 from 3.73
- High steer setup
- Custom flatbed and paint/body work on cab
- Revamp interior with new dash, gauges, seat, headliner, glass
- Disc brakes on the 14bolt

And so on, you know the drill. Anyways I will post back here with updates and things progress. Take care guys.

-Eric
 
Oh ya, picked this up yesterday for $100. The guy just had it redone with new pads and upholstery. It's like brand new! He was pissed because it didn't fit in his project, so I got it for cheap.

newseat.JPG
 
that seems to be a fairly optioned truck to originally have a 6 cylinder in it :waytogo:.
wood grain and fact. tach. nice. i like those late 70s gmc grills too
nice start.
 
Don't give up on the quadrajet yet though. Those things can be made to run great, especially off-road where you're off camber or going up and down big hills. I knew a guy who got frusrated at his stock q-jet, so he put a Holley street carb on his 350. It ran great on the street, but it would starve for fuel when he would go off-road and hit some bumps or get the truck tilted up or down a little. I'd hate to have my truck stall out on a scary hill descent when I needed my brakes and steering to work.

Also, you need to quit rubbing it in about your Idaho weather.:D I have to do just the opposite of you and wait until winter to work on my truck so I can stand to be outside long enough to work on it without getting sick and passing out.:mad:
 
andyblack said:
Don't give up on the quadrajet yet though. Those things can be made to run great, especially off-road where you're off camber or going up and down big hills. I knew a guy who got frusrated at his stock q-jet, so he put a Holley street carb on his 350. It ran great on the street, but it would starve for fuel when he would go off-road and hit some bumps or get the truck tilted up or down a little. I'd hate to have my truck stall out on a scary hill descent when I needed my brakes and steering to work.

Also, you need to quit rubbing it in about your Idaho weather.:D I have to do just the opposite of you and wait until winter to work on my truck so I can stand to be outside long enough to work on it without getting sick and passing out.:mad:
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There is a guy I know in town who rebuilds carbs, I'm sure it just needs a kit. It doesn't run half bad once the engine is warmed up.

And point taken about the weather. It's supposed to be 77F today! :woot:
 
h0nke said:
There is a guy I know in town who rebuilds carbs, I'm sure it just needs a kit. It doesn't run half bad once the engine is warmed up.

And point taken about the weather. It's supposed to be 77F today! :woot:
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Wow. I think it was about 80 when I left my house at 5:30 this morning. Oh and the humidity automatically goes up to 100% at night here. Fun.
 
More parts. Buddy had a 4speed/205 he pulled out of his 73 pickup. 3rd gear is guess is shot, so tranny needs rebuilt. But the tcase is good.

spare465-205.jpg


Also got some doors off of an 80's truck with good panels and no rust. Could use new window regulators.

newdoors.jpg
 
If the 4 speed is an SM465 then all of them eventually start jumping out of third gear. That's a real common problem. Same thing with the NP435. I think I remember that someone on here was saying that it was a bearing or something that always went out and wouldn't let the trans stay in third gear. I think you may be able to fix it without taking the whole transmission apart, just the top cover. I guess when you say third gear, you're talking about "1 2 3 4" and not "L 1 2 3 right"?
 
Its the sm465. So I guess on the shift patten it would be 2, since there is a low. Good to know, once the shops done will pop the cover and see what I got.
 
Well here she is: 87 Chevy K30 parts truck. Drove her home. Fuel injected 350, 4speed, np205, dana 60, 14bolt. Will be swapping in the EFI engine, clutch hydraulic setup, axles, and probably using the front clip. Finally got a Dana 60!! :eek1:

87.jpg
 
You also just got a 32 spline 465 mated to a round pattern 32 spline 205...which as far as 465/205 combo's goes is the holy grail to find.

Rene
 
andyblack said:
That's what I was thinking. It should have TBI. The parts truck may make a good buildup. Unless the body is really bad.
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Ya it's got the throttle body. Engine is supposed to only have 35K if the previous owners aren't pulling my chain. Body is fair.
 
please dont part that out. atleast put an 8 lug 44 under the front of it and use it for towing or hunting.
sorry, i'm just partial to those:D
but in all seriousness, it's your truck, do what ya want.
 
1BEATK5 said:
please dont part that out. atleast put an 8 lug 44 under the front of it and use it for towing or hunting.
sorry, i'm just partial to those:D
but in all seriousness, it's your truck, do what ya want.
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Sounds like there is a following for the old body crew cabs. But i need so many of the parts! Engine, trans/tcase, axles, front clip.
 
h0nke said:
Sounds like there is a following for the old body crew cabs. But i need so many of the parts! Engine, trans/tcase, axles, front clip.
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You should look at the pics on this site and on Pirate of all the crew cabs that people have built. That may change your mind. Google the names "Willard" and "Off Road Design" and look at that crew. I'd love to have one of those.
 
Hey can you use the stock 87 TBI intake manifold if you put cast iron Vortec heads on the engine?
 
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