Check out my buddy's truck.

[bigblock73]

GM NEVER made a 73-87 crew cab short box...2 or 4 wheel drive. If you see any of them, they were done by a conversion company or by the owners themselves.

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Sure...

Thanks for the info. Very cool, indeed.

The stance looks good. Boy, those 17s look like 15s.
BTW, although it is a 3/4 ton, did he use drop spindles designed for 1/2 tons? There's been questions in the past whether drop spindles for 3/4 tons exists or whether they are the same regardless of the rating.

Again, thanks...

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

Thanks for the info. Very cool, indeed.

The stance looks good. Boy, those 17s look like 15s.
BTW, although it is a 3/4 ton, did he use drop spindles designed for 1/2 tons? There's been questions in the past whether drop spindles for 3/4 tons exists or whether they are the same regardless of the rating.

Again, thanks...

Are you sure it is a 3/4 ton? Those look like 5 bolt wheels to me.

Slonaker

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

Are you sure it is a 3/4 ton? Those look like 5 bolt wheels to me.

Slonaker

Slon-

You're right, they are 5 bolts. But, Tx FF mentioned that it was 'technically' a 3/4 ton. My guess is that he's using dropped spindles, rotors, A-arms and crossmember from a 1/2 ton.

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

Slon-

You're right, they are 5 bolts. But, Tx FF mentioned that it was 'technically' a 3/4 ton. My guess is that he's using dropped spindles, rotors, A-arms and crossmember from a 1/2 ton.

I was thinking he just went with 1/2 ton suspension with heavy duty springs. Then it would be "technically" a 3/4 ton because it was originally one. Just like a truck converted from the Oldsmobile based diesel to a gas engine is still "technically" a diesel as far as emissions testing and things go.

Maybe the OP will tell us.

Slonaker

[Tx Firefighter]

Sorry for the confusion.

He used a complete 1/2 ton front crossmember and suspension with the BellTech stuff for 1/2 ton application.

The reason I said it's "technically" a 3/4 ton is that the title if for the original 4 door heavy duty donor truck he started with. In Texas, that gets him off the hook on needing catylitic converters and smog pump and junk. Just pure hotrod SBC under the hood that passes inspection every year without worry.

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Sorry for the confusion.

He used a complete 1/2 ton front crossmember and suspension with the BellTech stuff for 1/2 ton application.

The reason I said it's "technically" a 3/4 ton is that the title if for the original 4 door heavy duty donor truck he started with. In Texas, that gets him off the hook on needing catylitic converters and smog pump and junk. Just pure hotrod SBC under the hood that passes inspection every year without worry.

Thanks for clarifying, Tx FF...

[454ss_2]

Man! that is one sweet ride.

[N2TRUX]

Got any more pics?

[Ziptar]

Nice! I think a 2WD SB Crew Cab is going to be the next project for me.

[Jim85IROC]

I liked it better as a 4x4, but still very nice.

[tbirdman88]

This is question for tx firefighter
i need to find out what your buddy did about the rear shocks,when he put the 1/2 ton rear end in it. im building one also,youve probably seen it , listed as 87 shortcrewcab. is there any way i could get in touch with him, i have a few questions. you can send me his number by e-mail or have him e-mail me.

thanks-donnie
tbirdman88@msn.com

[Crank]

Hah. That gives me ideas. I just picked up a 79 Crewcab yesterday from the engine builder in my town. It's a 3/4 ton, I think I'll leave it that way, with the 14 bolt and big lug wheels, They make some decent looking 8 luggers nowadays. But I'd like more info on the shortbed conversion if he has any. I'd like to shortbed my truck I think. But that truck is probably one of the sickest I've seen. Do they make drop spindles and trash for 3/4 tons?
Brandon

[bluex]

Originally Posted by Crank

Hah. That gives me ideas. I just picked up a 79 Crewcab yesterday from the engine builder in my town. It's a 3/4 ton, I think I'll leave it that way, with the 14 bolt and big lug wheels, They make some decent looking 8 luggers nowadays. But I'd like more info on the shortbed conversion if he has any. I'd like to shortbed my truck I think. But that truck is probably one of the sickest I've seen. Do they make drop spindles and trash for 3/4 tons?
Brandon

Not sure about the lowering stuff, but as far as making it a shortbed:

Get your new bed. Toss it up on there (after you remove the longbed of course ) Whack about 4.75-5" off the end. Measure about 15 times and whack 14" out of the middle. Get a shortbed 16 gal gas tank, Shortbed brake line from under the cab to the axle, shortbed parking brake cables and have your driveshaft shortened.

Congrats you now have a shortbed. Its not as much work as it sounds. Park brake cables are $10/each new from LMC. I got a junkyard tank, brake line and bed for $450, $78 to have my DS shortened and balanced with new u-joints. $60 for a friend to come over with his welding rig and help me chop and weld it back. All in all about 2 days hard work.

[tbirdman88]

hillshotrods.com
check out this link, this is one they did ,it was in the may 2004 truckin magazine.
donnie-87 short 1/2 ton crewcab

[bagged74]

Originally Posted by tbirdman88

hillshotrods.com
check out this link, this is one they did ,it was in the may 2004 truckin magazine.
donnie-87 short 1/2 ton crewcab

that one is still 3/4 ton, but still bad a$$

[candyman70]

very cool truck! it looks much better on the ground!

[Russell]

Is your buddy from here in Ardrossan?

There is a rig that is the perfect clone of that one up here, and yes, its absolutely gorgeous!

[milehightoyz]

Originally Posted by bluex

Not sure about the lowering stuff, but as far as making it a shortbed:

Get your new bed. Toss it up on there (after you remove the longbed of course ) Whack about 4.75-5" off the end. Measure about 15 times and whack 14" out of the middle. Get a shortbed 16 gal gas tank, Shortbed brake line from under the cab to the axle, shortbed parking brake cables and have your driveshaft shortened.

Congrats you now have a shortbed. Its not as much work as it sounds. Park brake cables are $10/each new from LMC. I got a junkyard tank, brake line and bed for $450, $78 to have my DS shortened and balanced with new u-joints. $60 for a friend to come over with his welding rig and help me chop and weld it back. All in all about 2 days hard work.

Yes, I've built one before and did it the same way as bluex. Iit can be done fairly inexpensively and fairly quick as well. Be sure take out your 14" deadnuts and the shortbox will bolt on perfectly, if done right all 8 bolt holes should line up and your cab to bed gap should be even too.

I am about to build another one this week, but this time im going to attempt taking a complete reg cab shortbed and just stretching the frame it 33" under the cab and just swapping the reg cab out for a 4 door cab. i initially thought this would be a quick and easy swap but upon closer look under the 2 cabs the crew cab has straight frame rails and the reg cab frame kicks up after front body mount. Shouldnt be too bad but that does ad a little twist to the plans. I will post info and pics of the build if anyone has any interest in seeing this done. btw, beautiful truck! Looks awesome!!

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by tbirdman88

This is question for tx firefighter
i need to find out what your buddy did about the rear shocks,when he put the 1/2 ton rear end in it. im building one also,youve probably seen it , listed as 87 shortcrewcab. is there any way i could get in touch with him, i have a few questions. you can send me his number by e-mail or have him e-mail me.

thanks-donnie
tbirdman88@msn.com

Donnie, sorry, I just saw your post. I'll send your email address to him. He's a good guy and will surely answer your questions.

[75Chevy90Kawi]

very nice! i think a little better as a 4x, but still nice. not a big fan of the cowl hoods on our year trucks though. just my .02

[longhorn70gmc]

MAN!!!!!
TX FIREFIGHTER, Your buddy's truck is sweet looking!!!!!! I love the color!!!
Respectfully