1988 Crew Cab shortbed overhaul

[lt1wrangler]

Hey guys, Im new to the board but lurked on here for years. I have wanted a crew cab for years and just never found the right truck to restore. I pulled the trigger a few weeks ago and bout this truck. Its a 1988 7.4L, turbo 400 truck with dana 60's. The structure of the truck is very solid and all the cab and bed mounts a re in really good shape. One rocker has some rust and it needs a little mechanical work but runs out ok. I think the truck was restored once before and someone put a later front clip on it. I gave $6200(hope that was a decent deal). I drove it back 4 hrs from middle ohio.

The plan is to short bed, 4l80e, and do a frame off in some fashion. I don't know the in's and out's of the square bodies so feel free to correct me if I post dumb info, its just because I don't know the difference. I have already asked carboncrew a ton of questions and I really appreciate his helpfulness.

[lt1wrangler]

I did add some 35's and wheels I had on my quigley just to give it a different look for short term. These are not permanent. The bed, front fenders, and front bumper are all for sale also.

I drove a couple hours away on thursday and bought a clean short bed, four power doors with clean panels and a wiring harness from a suburban since mine has aftermarket power windows. I also picked up a late model column and instrument cluster.

[74project]

nice find and a good deal IMO..

[carboncrew]

Ha!...no problem man, glad I can help a little. Nice truck. Good luck on the project!

[daddyjeep]

Looks like a real nice truck to start out with. Good call on selling off that front bumper.

[lt1wrangler]

We pulled the bed, bumpers, front fenders, and all 4 doors today. Someone glued the carpet padding down so thats taking some time.

[lt1wrangler]

The rear springs already had an Off-road Design shackle flip kit. The truck sits a little to high for me, I may contact deavers for springs. I'm trying to have frame at sand blasting by end of week

[MTCK]

Sweet truck and seems like a fair deal to me. Probably has a 14 bolt rear. I'll be watching.

[lt1wrangler]

Question-Whats the fuel injected 454 worth? Motor runs good, has new distributor and only has 120K miles. Im going to swap to LS 6.0L

[MTCK]

Not trying to be a smart ass but whatever someone will give you for it. TBI peanut port head isn't really a motor people seek out for swaps. Your market is probably someone replacing a like-kind motor. Around here I would guess $800-1200.

[lt1wrangler]

Yep, it's getting serious!

[NastyBuzzard]

Its an eerie feeling when you make that first cut!!

[396ci]

Originally Posted by lt1wrangler

Yep, it's getting serious!

is this type of cut stronger when completed? i know some that have 'step cut' the frame but also heard that a horizontal weld on a frame isnt desirable. just curious, cool build. i have a lowered ccsb but mine was already cut down when i got it. good luck with the project!

[HunterRotten]

I'm interested in that 454, my dad and I are in Richmond quite a bit. I'm not looking for a high dollar motor though.

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by lt1wrangler

Yep, it's getting serious!

For a minute I thought you took a picture from my build. My frame had the same mark in the same white crayon a couple months ago. I did a ton of reading on different forums and articles about the best cut and from what I gathered the 45 is the way to go.

[Jaysonb]

Looks like a nice solid truck!

[lt1wrangler]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

For a minute I thought you took a picture from my build. My frame had the same mark in the same white crayon a couple months ago. I did a ton of reading on different forums and articles about the best cut and from what I gathered the 45 is the way to go.

Haha, I did read your build thread and we agreed at my shop that the 45 was the way to go also. Once you weld and fish plate it on the inside , its solid and Im comfortable with the fab work.

Just for guys looking to cut the frame, it is exactly 14" in the front. The front two bed holes need to 10 3/8" apart. The holes were originally 24 3/8" apart.

[lt1wrangler]

Originally Posted by HunterRotten

I'm interested in that 454, my dad and I are in Richmond quite a bit. I'm not looking for a high dollar motor though.

Id sell it complete for $800. i just listed it locally yesterday and should have it out today. I own a transmission shop and Im using the TH400 for an off road desert truck build for a local customer.

[lt1wrangler]

Front clip off, drivetrain tomorrow.

[lt1wrangler]

I'm really surprised how clean the floor was after we got the padding removed. I'm gonna start dynamatting Monday.

[NastyBuzzard]

Keep us posted on how much dynamat it is going to take. I plan to do my crew cab soon.

[lt1wrangler]

We got the cab off yesterday then pulled drivetrain. Frame is going to sandblasting on Thursday.

[MTCK]

100 sf will get all the floor, most of the roof and a good bit inside each door.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice truck to start with! You're making some killer progress on it too.

[lt1wrangler]

We got it down to the frame now. I'm gonna keep the axles under it till he can sandblast it next week. I'm surprised how at how clean the frame was around the body mounts.