Project 'dark blue demin'

[TwinsSpeedShop]

I started this project back in August probably and have just now slowed down enough both personally and professionally to start a build thread. I post a fair amount on FB and Instagram but not much on the forums as you can tell from my post count. I rely a ton on this site for research when I hit a snag in my build or are coming up with new ideas. This is my third truck in as many years but I don't intend to sale this one. Each truck has funded the next and I have taken this truck further than any others mostly because the last truck made enough money to take it this far. I will start with where we are today and update how I got here as I go.

I went with a new company for my suspension this time. GSI machine and fab launched their new drop member back mid year and I liked the look at the kit and the company as a whole. Everything has worked out great with only a few snags where more detailed pictures of the install would have been helpful.

History on the truck, I have chased this particular truck for 5 yrs and the old man finally let me make him an offer. When I first saw the truck, I was amazed at how solid the truck was considering how long it had been sitting behind his shop. I can only imagine how soils it was when he parked it 15 yrs ago. I have pics of the floor boards and such I will add later, but I have only found a quarter size hole in one rocker and some rust where the weather strip is attached at the rocker.

Here is where we are today

[TwinsSpeedShop]

This is the truck when I first picked it up. The plans changed along the way as it evolved, from just keeping the 350/3speed and laying frame to where I am today with the ls 6.0/T56 combo laying frame. I pieced the motor and trans together off of cl and buddies who had stuff laying around. It's the first time I've ever pieced a motor trans together but it seems to be working out. Since I've done a lot of these swaps in jeeps and c10's , I wanted to do something a little different look wise with the motor/ intake.

[TwinsSpeedShop]

I can't say enough about the GSI kit as it has went together very well and everything cam bagged and tagged where it goes. The kits were in stock and shipped within a week of ordering, arrived with everything in place and nothing missing. The few times I have had questions I have either called or emailed and gotten a response very quickly. Here is the frame when it was all together and able to move. I have other pictures of individual parts and pieces of anyone is interested in seeing more detail

[TwinsSpeedShop]

And the motor

[brushbuggy]

cool truck, subscribed

[ls1nova71]

Looking good! Do you have any more before pics? Looks like it was a really nice find, swb, cst, dont see those very often, let alone that nice!

[68basket]

looks awesome! I am very interested in the gsi suspension parts. Did you use the rear back half kit also?

[TwinsSpeedShop]

Originally Posted by 68basket

looks awesome! I am very interested in the gsi suspension parts. Did you use the rear back half kit also?

GSI isn't a full back half kit, just a 4 link and notch. It was the only part that was weld on of the whole kit

[tinos555]

Nice truck! Gotta love them CST's!

[dec010974]

Twinsspeedshop, "68 SWB fleetside, 6.0/T56 Hawks sinister cam, spec stage 3 clutch, GSI drop member and rear notch. Stock 15" wheels with full centers, white wall tires", I would like ask you a couple question in reference to your crossmember and the t56. Please continue with the build. I'm watching this one.