Project Clementine- 1965 GMC 3/4 LWB Long and Low Static Drop

[Big E65]

Originally Posted by B_Bob

I've got coil up front and leafs in the back. It's a 3/4 ton GMC, that's how most of them came. Not sure what you mean by "front and rear springs coils plus leaf springs on the back", unless you mean coil front, coil rear with helper leafs in the rear. That was also an option on the 3/4 trucks. Can't wait to get her just how I want her.

Yea thats what i meant I guess thats what I have? I didnt know they came with that other option? I feel the same way just trying to see how would I go about lowering it?
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[Alan's Classic]

I like stage 1!!

[B_Bob]

Originally Posted by Big E65

Yea thats what i meant I guess thats what I have? I didnt know they came with that other option? I feel the same way just trying to see how would I go about lowering it?
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Well, if you're on a budget (like me), Doing an axle flip in the rear with a bolt in c-notch will get the rear end down low. For the front you can get a pair of lowered spindles and cut a coil off the spring. Any lower and more modifications would need to be made to the truck in order to tuck the wheels in.

Lets see some pics!

[B_Bob]

Originally Posted by Alan's Classic

I like stage 1!!

Thanks Alan. That means alot coming from you!

[Bomp]

Like it Low

[B_Bob]

I tried my hand at photoshop for the first time. Which one do you like? I kinda like #2.

[Bomp]

Lik'em all
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[Desert.Chevy]

#3 all the way!
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[B_Bob]

I made no progress over the holiday break as I was out of town the whole time. When I got back I started to work on my T5. Unfortunately I made an unwelcome discovery. There was a few small chunks of aluminum in the bottom of my "recently rebuilt" trans. I can't tell where they came from but it can't be good. Not sure what to do with it now. The guy I bought it from won't answer my calls. I might have to have it rebuilt now.

[B_Bob]

Here's the other reason I've not made much progress. Just got the frame back from powder coating!

[B_Bob]

I did hook up a tach temporarily, just out of curiosity. When in 4th doing 65mph it was spinning 4000RPM! I can't wait for the T5.

[B_Bob]

I haven't made too much progress recently, but I did just get my replacement radiator in. The old one sprung a leak and was probably not fit to cool the V8 anyway. It's a Champion 3 row (CC284). I like the look of the old radiators, but the price was right, so aluminum it is! It fit perfectly in the saddles, but I had to get a new top hose because the old connection was in the center, and the new was on drivers side. For anyone with the same challenge, I got the hose from O'Reilly's part number 20607.

[B_Bob]

UPS also just dropped off my McGaughys drop spindles. Time to start rebuilding the front suspension.

[B_Bob]

Getting back to work now that the weather is getting cooler. (90's instead of 115!) I bought a HF blast cabinet. After 3 hours of assembly, I tried it out on the upper arms and calipers. Worked pretty well, might need a stiffer hose for the abrasive pick up. It has a tendency to kink easily. A few more parts to blast and then I can start the painting and rebuilding.

[B_Bob]

Also found another 20 inch steel rim! Only $20 for this one.
I was cleaning it with some degreaser and the paint just came off. Not sure what's up with that, but I was planning on painting them anyway. The raw metal looked cool wet. Anybody else think clear coated steel would look cool?

[TommyDuncan]

Originally Posted by B_Bob

Also found another 20 inch steel rim! Only $20 for this one.
I was cleaning it with some degreaser and the paint just came off. Not sure what's up with that, but I was planning on painting them anyway. The raw metal looked cool wet. Anybody else think clear coated steel would look cool?

It would look good but if you get it too clean and clear it most people think it is painted silver.

I have a 62 GMC 3/4 ton. I think about swapping the front to later coil spring suspension but it is a highly optioned truck and all the resto guys keep telling me not to.
For now I am cleaning it up and not doing anything I can't undo but who knows what might happen?
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[jmack91z28]

Hurry up and get those steelies mounted, that trucks going to look good when you're done.

[B_Bob]

Not all In-N-Out trips go as planned. The ol' girl has developed a slight electrical melty kinda problem. I'd say that's not good. Nothing I can't handle though.

[TommyDuncan]

Originally Posted by B_Bob

Not all In-N-Out trips go as planned. The ol' girl has developed a slight electrical melty kinda problem. I'd say that's not good. Nothing I can't handle though.

The exact same thing happened to me a couple weeks ago. It was the ammeter.

[B_Bob]

Little update.
-Wiring was fixed right away. The alternator hot wire melted on the exhaust manifold and totally melted the insulation from one end to the other. New wire and ends fixed the problem, also some cable ties to keep the wire away from hot things.
-I installed a 7 blade fan with a clutch. It works great. Moves a lot of air.
-While looking around my truck a bit, I discovered that my sloppy steering was not just a worn steering box, but mostly the result of a perished rag joint. It was torn in 4 places, 1 of which was all the way through. New one installed, Feels like a different truck. I can't wait for power steering!
-Crossmember and wheels are at the powdercoater,
- Cleaned up the 12 bolt rear a bit. Will need to rebuild the brakes and take a look at the gears before installation.

Getting very close to taking the truck apart.

[B_Bob]

The wheels look good white, but unfortunately have to be redone due to some discoloration. Apparently white is a hard color to shoot. It's going to look awesome though.

[B_Bob]

Can't wait to mount these babies.

[McMurphy]

On shooting white paint...
An old codger once told me the easiest way to paint over something that is going to be tricky, or a darker color with white; to paint it yellow first.

If you keep getting the discoloration issue, perhaps this will work for you.
They do look nice though !!

[B_Bob]

Originally Posted by McMurphy

On shooting white paint...
An old codger once told me the easiest way to paint over something that is going to be tricky, or a darker color with white; to paint it yellow first.

If you keep getting the discoloration issue, perhaps this will work for you.
They do look nice though !!

Cool trick. I will be painting some other parts white and will keep that in mind. The wheels are being powder coated. The first attempt ended up having a yellow tint to it around the area where the center meets the wheel hoop. They are going to blast them again and retry powder coating them.

[Red4x4]

The build is looking good so far.