Cascade Crew

[chevymad]

Since the 74 gmc is basically done, decided to start on the stepside project. Been sick all weekend so only got a few hours in per day, still accomplished a bit.

Heres what I started with...



It shows a rear under it in that pic.. but its just under there to hold it up. That rear didnt fit and was later sold.

Removed the rusty old steps/fenders, gotta love the torch!!




Cut the old bed loose. Amazing how light it is. Even with the tailgate I can pick up most of it with one hand!




Here it is down to the bare frame! All the grass and berries are stuff that grew up through the bed.




And here she is as a roller again. I had some problems because the leaf springs are thicker on the new rear, thought i'd have to replace the hangers, but figured out an easier way.



But before I figured that out, i'd allready cut the hangers off this trucks frame. It's nice having a backhoe around....

[rjmcgee]

Nice start.

LMAO though at how you gather parts for those things.

[Schultzy89GTA]

Nice B.. hope you get feeling better.

What did you come up with for the leaf spring issue anyway?

-Schultzy

[chevymad]

Last time I tried to fit the newer rear, I used the 70 hardware. The 70 stuff the u-bolts are square cut and sit directly on the leaf springs, then it has a plate under the rear that clamps down. Since the spring pads on the rear were wider then the holes in the plates it wouldnt fit. However if you use the 74 hardware, which has the u-bolts against the axle housing and the plate on top of the spring, it fits fine. There is a 1/8" gap on either side of the spring, but I dont think its goin anywhere. I will still have to modify the shock brackets though. The newer rear had the shocks outside the frame with one going forward, and one back. The truck is made to have both shocks going forward inside the frame. Figure i'll just cut the brackets off of the rear then weld them on inline with the original frame brackets, both going forward.

So.. you think a 454/th400 will make this thing go??