1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

superkingd · 08-05-2009, 12:08 PM

Well it's time for a build thread, I've watched so many so now it's time for mine. I had a 1978 jimmy that my wife and I took offroad quite a bit. It was in pretty poor shape and our 2 year old son was starting to go so we needed something more enclosed.

I do like opinions so let me have it.

I will say opinions differ on the BEST way to do things so with that said lets begin.

The jimmy tear down

superkingd · 08-05-2009, 12:10 PM

ok i know a crew cab won't fit so the frame needs modified

it is 1/4 inch thick tubing that will be plated and have a crossmember.

Now I know this may not be the ideal way to do it however 2x2 1/4 inch thick tubing is what I had access to CHEAP and I know it'll hold.

superkingd · 08-05-2009, 12:21 PM

now it's time for crew cab install.
just a note I stretched frame 21 inches so that I can have 1 inch of clearence between the back of cab and the 38 inch tire

superkingd · 08-05-2009, 12:32 PM

now it's time for the boat sides, If you haven't noticed this is playing a lot of catch up to get to where I'm actually at. And I did get A LOT of inspiration from off road designs cousin willard truck.
I cut 7 3/8 of an inch from doors and then cut floor, rocker, and pillars even with that. Then I welded in a piece of 2x2 from below hinge on front door that runs back to the middle of back door.

I also added a 8 inch piece of 2x4 box weld to 2x2 and then welded to body in two places, under a and b pillar(i'm pretty sure its considered the pillar still when it contacts the rocker but not 100% on that.

I have .100 thick aluminum sheets that I will lay on braces going from rocker to frame. That way I can slide over whatever.

The braces are welded right to the frame, this is a off road only truck and I wanted to stiffen frame and have a good place to eventually attach cage.

superkingd · 08-05-2009, 12:35 PM

And now I'm starting rocker on pass side then onto attaching cab floor to 2x2 rockers and then build brace for radiator that will be in the back. more to come as I get to it. Looking to go out in it labor day weekend so we'll see.

tvblazer78 · 08-05-2009, 06:39 PM

That is a very sweet project, I will be keeping my eyes on this one..

1976HighSierra · 08-06-2009, 11:25 AM

cool idea

superkingd · 08-06-2009, 11:07 PM

Well got some stress off my shoulders today. I traded my S10 for a 454 dually 2wd. So now I don't have to worry about driving my suburban until I really have time for it.

The dually has 169000 3sd auto ac works. Needs some rust repair but not to bad overall.

Igotachevyor2 · 08-07-2009, 08:05 AM

cool project.

LiveAnimals · 08-07-2009, 10:29 AM

I cant wait to see more of this build

Da88burban · 02-09-2011, 09:51 PM

Updates?

superkingd · 02-10-2011, 12:06 AM

Wow I had totally lost this. I will post some updates with pics soon.

08-05-2009, 12:08 PM	#1
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build Well it's time for a build thread, I've watched so many so now it's time for mine. I had a 1978 jimmy that my wife and I took offroad quite a bit. It was in pretty poor shape and our 2 year old son was starting to go so we needed something more enclosed. I do like opinions so let me have it. I will say opinions differ on the BEST way to do things so with that said lets begin. The jimmy tear down Attached Images

08-05-2009, 12:10 PM	#2
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build ok i know a crew cab won't fit so the frame needs modified it is 1/4 inch thick tubing that will be plated and have a crossmember. Now I know this may not be the ideal way to do it however 2x2 1/4 inch thick tubing is what I had access to CHEAP and I know it'll hold. Attached Images Last edited by superkingd; 08-05-2009 at 12:12 PM. Reason: info

08-05-2009, 12:21 PM	#3
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build now it's time for crew cab install. just a note I stretched frame 21 inches so that I can have 1 inch of clearence between the back of cab and the 38 inch tire Attached Images

08-05-2009, 12:32 PM	#4
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build now it's time for the boat sides, If you haven't noticed this is playing a lot of catch up to get to where I'm actually at. And I did get A LOT of inspiration from off road designs cousin willard truck. I cut 7 3/8 of an inch from doors and then cut floor, rocker, and pillars even with that. Then I welded in a piece of 2x2 from below hinge on front door that runs back to the middle of back door. I also added a 8 inch piece of 2x4 box weld to 2x2 and then welded to body in two places, under a and b pillar(i'm pretty sure its considered the pillar still when it contacts the rocker but not 100% on that. I have .100 thick aluminum sheets that I will lay on braces going from rocker to frame. That way I can slide over whatever. The braces are welded right to the frame, this is a off road only truck and I wanted to stiffen frame and have a good place to eventually attach cage. Attached Images

08-05-2009, 12:35 PM	#5
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build And now I'm starting rocker on pass side then onto attaching cab floor to 2x2 rockers and then build brace for radiator that will be in the back. more to come as I get to it. Looking to go out in it labor day weekend so we'll see.

08-05-2009, 06:39 PM	#6
tvblazer78 Low & Fast! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 3,110	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build That is a very sweet project, I will be keeping my eyes on this one.. __________________ Southeastern Mini Truckin' Nationals April 27 and 28, 2012

08-06-2009, 11:25 AM	#7
1976HighSierra Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Jackson, TN Posts: 27	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build cool idea __________________ God Bless America

08-06-2009, 11:07 PM	#8
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build Well got some stress off my shoulders today. I traded my S10 for a 454 dually 2wd. So now I don't have to worry about driving my suburban until I really have time for it. The dually has 169000 3sd auto ac works. Needs some rust repair but not to bad overall. Attached Images

08-07-2009, 08:05 AM	#9
Igotachevyor2 Apache Club Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Goodlettsville,Tn. Posts: 1,294	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build cool project. __________________ 58 CHEVY APACHE I 74 CHEVY C-10 I 78 K-10 donor truck I 89 SONOMA My Trucks Apache Sitting Idle MySpace Project Dad's Truck (74 C-10 to K-10 conversion) .

08-07-2009, 10:29 AM	#10
LiveAnimals Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Antelope, CA Posts: 681	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build I cant wait to see more of this build __________________ Kameron YESTERDAY IS HISTORY - TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY I'm a Middle ClASS HOLE 07.5 Dodge 3500 CTD -- Daily 73 C10 Factory BB SWB 2WD

02-09-2011, 09:51 PM	#11
Da88burban GM's 4 Life Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 363	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build Updates? __________________ Jack '54 Chevy 3100 "Just a Mess" '74 Chevy Super 10 468BB "One Fast Rust Bucket" '86 Pontiac Fiero GT '88 Chevy burb "Tha Big Turd" '93 GMC Safari "Bone Crusher" .................____________ .............../______l___\|___\____ ;,;,;,;,;,;,;\|__(O)_\| __l___l__(O) \|

02-10-2011, 12:06 AM	#12
superkingd Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wingate, IN Posts: 52	Re: 1978 jimmy into 1984 crew cab build Wow I had totally lost this. I will post some updates with pics soon.



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