"The possum" build - 1970 4x4 LWB on mid 70's chassis

[madmopar]

Originally Posted by swamp rat

Oh, I did read on other threads that there could be a potential for gas comming out of the filler on a rear fill tank mounted to these trucks, i fail to see how that could be when the tank is used in cars without a problem, i assume you have dispelled the mith?

I used a roadrunner tank, which is originally installed more level than some of the GM tanks that have been used by others... I can see how it might leak on a tank that is supposed to be mounted at an angle (camaro) - OR if you parked on an extreme angle right after filling it up.

Honestly though, I've only put 5-10 gallons in this tank so far... I haven't made the trip to the nearest gas station (15 miles away) to top it off, as the truck is unlicensed, uninsured, and has only the front driveshaft!

It seems to be working well though.

Thanks for your replies... I'm on page 3 now! How many more pages until it is road ready?

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by madmopar

Thanks for your replies... I'm on page 3 now! How many more pages until it is road ready?

Well, you have it mobile under it's own power. I have a truck build thread on here with a couple more pages than yours and it isn't road worthy or running, and might not be for a few months. I need to knock over that dang money tree! So I'd say you're doing just fine.

[madmopar]

Sorry, no pics again - I didn't do much this weekend. I hooked up the speedometer - which should've taken 20 minutes, but turned into 3 hours...

First, the old speedometer cable was broke off in the speedo gear shaft... so I had to get that out... tried a big magnet, no luck... then ended up taking it out and leaking fluid all over everything... then it took me 30 minutes to coax it out by tapping on it...

Re-installed the gear shaft, and after that, I ran the cable up front... removed the gauge cluster and broke the oil line! so I had to replace that... then I routed the speedo cable into the dash and guess what? the ends were different! The cable I had was the push on style that is held on with a clip to the back of the speedo... but the speedo itself had a screw on fitting!

So I swapped to the '75 speedo I had... I had to grind the mounting ears off the tin guage face on it, but it had the older style mounting on back of the unit too, so it basically bolted right in...

I did have to make a clip to hold it on - but that was pretty simple.

Now I have 2 sets of numbers... they line up perfectly, so I guess I coulda scraped them off of the new speedo (or the lens)... but oh well... it looks like it has a KPH/MPH speedo now... except they read the same!

I'll probably scrape one set of numbers off eventually. I want to add an aftermarket fuel guage (for my chrysler fuel tank and sending unit) in the factory tach hole and put a tach in the factory fuel guage spot. I'm hoping I can find an old Ford or Mopar to donate both guages... or find them at next springs swap meets...

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice progress.

[madmopar]

Sorry I don't have any updates... I got a tire repaired... the valve stem was bad... thats about the only thing I've done to the 70 Chevy. I put an old set of radial tires on the 70GMC, and got rid of the split rims... I've been using it to haul wood into the house from the woodshed... like a big wheelbarrow!

I spent this past weekend cleaning out my shop/shed. It can hold 4 cars but I was down to 1 small space to work... I've reclaimed 2 large spaces. I think I may bring the GMC in for the winter and do a total tear down of it... then a 4x4 conversion... I keep saying "might as well" to myself... If I do, I'll start a new build for it...

I've also got lots of other things going on...

We are expecting a BABY GIRL any day... so I've been helping do little things around the house, and waiting.... and waiting... and waiting...

The next couple weeks will be spent helping with the baby, and hopefully I'll get to sneak out and deer hunt a couple days... Then, it'll be Thanksgiving... then Christmas... so I don't think I'll be adding much more this year... I'll check in from time to time though... and I may post pics of the baby... and the deer!

Thanks to everyone who is following this build... I hope to make some real progress next spring!

[madmopar]

I have not been working on the truck at all. We had a baby girl on 11/11/2010. Here is a pic of the happy family:



Here is my little girl with her eyes wide open!

[swamp rat]

Congratulations!! Guess some things just take presedence huh?

[drjeffdc]

congrads!!! Looks like a good egg!!!

[Dieselwrencher]

Congradulations!

[madmopar]

Well since its been warm, I've been itching to work on the truck. I went parts hunting at a local swap meet last week... looking for a tailgate and doors... I bought a couple doors with all the glass and even chrome trim around the vent windows for $60! only problem with them is the hinge plates need welded... and they have huge trim holes... I'm thinking I might find some upper trim for the truck... but I'll have to fill in the lower holes. I'll get pictures ASAP!

[madmopar]

Not much news... but I've done some more parts gathering... I got a set of 40 series flowmasters - 2.5 inches in and out... probably too big for my stock 350... but I got room to upgrade... and it'll sound cool anyway...

I also picked up a couple sets of big tires: 36x14.50x15 and 35x12.50x16.5. I'm looking for some wide wheels as we speak... I've also been marketing them locally looking to trade for some 33's... I think with 36's, I'll have to lift the front... which might need done anyway. Also if I could get 33's, I could stick with my wheels... but I'll probably lift it anyway...

hmm... hard to see, the future... always changing, it is... *Yoda*

[madmopar]

UPDATE - This trucks transmission was going out when I put the drive train in it... that combined with a house move, and the salvage title issues, and I kinda lost interest in it. Its been taking up space in my barn, and I had been debating parting it out, but I just picked up another project that this will be a parts truck for. This will be parts/donor on a 72 c/20. The motor and the bed are for sure going onto the 72. I'm not sure what my ultimate goal is with the 72 c/20... I'm leaning rat rod/ shop truck - logo on the door type... might be a new thread...

[Matt72blaze]

Hey Mopar,
I'm thinking about doing a body swap like yours. I'm trying to decide where to start. Did you line the front wheels up in the wheelwell and then work your way back? Or, did at least one set of frame/cab mounts line up and you started there?

I'm thinking I'll take off the cab mounts on my '84 frame and use the mounts on my '70 to get the cab on. I know I'l have some fabbing to do either way. I'm also thinking I can set the '70 body down over the rad support mount and use DIY4X's b52 kit to move the axle forward some.

Any tips???