1980 Stepside gmc

[bagged01extcab]

Originally Posted by dads79gmc

frank, i figured you'd be watching this build. It's a great example of a two link system without a big c-notch.

I'd like to see the actual links on both ends of the trac bar.

Well done!!!

Thanks mike

[bagged01extcab]

Today I finished body working the passenger door and glove box. I got them primed with evercoat super build. This stuff is awesome! If you haven’t tried it, you should!





That’s all I’ll get done till probably next week, as I’m headed to lst tomorrow and have a busy work schedule this next week

[808_67C10]

Originally Posted by bagged01extcab

It’s not a “Texas Metal” (Ekstensive Metalworks) built two link. I built it myself. Texas two link, is just what I called it due to it seems more common in Texas. Ekstensive rear kit uses a pan hard bar. Mine is a trac bar. I’ll try to get some pics of trac bar mounts today

Ah, I get it. I am no expert but, how does the trac bar keep the axle square under the frame and keep it from shifting when it is mounted to both the links? Those spring pockets don't have a lot of strength much less the strength of the single bolt holding the link. Shouldn't one end be mounted to the frame to keep shifting to a minimum? By the look of the wheels you are running, you don't have a lot of side to side room to play with. Not to mention the need for strength of keeping the axle in place under load.

Not dogging your engineering, just trying to understand it as I am about to do mine soon. I really like how you mounted the bags with the cross bar. I was thinking of doing a wishbone to keep the axle square under the truck and give it another point of strength with the two link - and it won't allow the axle to go from side to side like a pahhard bar does. I had that problem with my 67 c10.

[bagged01extcab]

Originally Posted by 808_67C10

Not dogging your engineering, just trying to understand it as I am about to do mine soon. I really like how you mounted the bags with the cross bar. I was thinking of doing a wishbone to keep the axle square under the truck and give it another point of strength with the two link - and it won't allow the axle to go from side to side like a pahhard bar does. I had that problem with my 67 c10.

a diagonal bar is an extremely simple component that connects between the respective lower links of the suspension. By connecting the bars diagonally (and by using rod ends on either side of the diagonal bar), the housing cannot move from side to side, but it’s free to move up and down. In some applications with considerable travel, there will be some side-to-side deflection.

I copied and pasted the above from an online explanation. I call it a track bar but the proper term is a diagonal bar. Look at phat phabz as he uses it on his rear suspensions also

[bagged01extcab]

Well, after several weeks of looking, I finally found a decent drivers side door. Mine was spider cracked around the upper hinge. I have test fitted it and got it body worked and primed. I didn’t get any pics other than this one.

I also got the vintage air unit/block off plate permanently installed. Today, I started body work on the front fenders. I knew the passenger side had a small spot of rust but after I started stripping the fenders they both had rust in them. I decided that I’d rather buy nos fenders and not patch these. Hopefully the new fenders will be here this week

[Dads79GMC]

Great work Trey! Mike

[aggie91]

Did not realize you had a build thread on here Trey. Truck is coming along nicely.

Hope to see it out this summer some time!

[SCOTI]

I'm digging this one.

[bagged01extcab]

Thanks everyone! Aggie, I’m hoping to be done with it by the end of May! I’m ready to get it out and enjoy it! Plus I’ve got other projects that I need to Finish! Lol

Got a pic of the vintage air installed


I started stripping and body working the ins De of the doors. I am stripping all of the old seam sealer off. After priming, I will seam seal these areas again. On the body work, I’m not trying to get it laser straight, just smooth out the dents. Somebody was hard on the side of the drivers door.