Build The Clustertruck Rides Again - Refurbishing a 1975 Chevota

Member Build Threads

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

I am an idiot - my tires say 31x10.5R15...so these are obviously 15 inch wheels. I guess I should be measuring by where the bead sits, instead of edge-to-edge?

That said, still looks like a lot of backspacing...
 
bsilva132 said:
I believe the stock backspacing is 3.5". 4" is a lot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, explains why my TRE's barely clear...

I'd love to go back to stock steelies, but I'll have to wait on that, this truck has other plans for my money!
 
Shackles In - On to the next one...

Spent about 6 hours with my girlfriend's dad this weekend, installing fresh shackles and pins at every quarter. After all the horror story threads about people having to burn out their bushings, I really thought this would be more difficult. I guess hitting them with penetrating oil a couple times a week for 2 weeks helped!

We probably spent 2 hours, total on the shackle that is wedged between the power steering box and the frame horn. The replacement shackle I used up front were about twice as thick as the old stock one, and it had to be clearanced in order to achieve proper rotation. I found I could back the steering box out the the last couple of threads on the bolt, and tie it up out of the way to give me a couple fractions of an inch more to work with. Even then, I had to cut a bolt in half, and trim down the shackle bolt, to allow it to clear the box. That said, everything articulates now, and the box still sits flush against the frame.

Another 40 minutes was spent trying to align one of the rear spring pins - for some reason, it was a rear pain getting the bushings and spring mount holes to align, and get the pin through.

The rest was relatively easy...

The end result:

1. No more bent front shackle (that had to be cut off with a grinder)

2. a tiny bit of life (shackles 0.75in over stock)

3. Suspension that moves like it should!

Unfortunately, now my Caster angle is off, and putting a straight shackle where there was a previously bent one tweaked my steering by about 1/8 turn, so it looks like I'll be re-aligning the truck, and the wheel, again, in the near future.

Ignore the angle of the front shackles in this first picture - the truck was still on jacks. That said, I'm not overly thrilled with the shackle angle - a little close to vertical, BUT still way better than what I had been running previously.
front shackles.webp
Rear Shackles 2.webp
rear shackles 1.webp
 
Last edited:
MOVING! Plus, Projects for Winter 2013-2014

As I may have mentioned previously, I currently "borrow" a garage from a family friend, since my house doesn't have one. This has been great for keeping the truck out of the rain, but it's a tiny, 1-bay unit, and I'm not allowed to work on it there. Well, this friend is moving in November, so the truck will be heading to a new home - closer to my new home, in MD. Fingers crossed it survives the hour drive!

Disadvantage of this new garage - it has a dirt floor...which I'm not thrilled about from a rust standpoint...

Advantages - it has air tools, it's about 30 minutes closer to where I live now, and my buddy who is taking in my truck ALSO happens to be something of a gear head, which means I should be able to tackle some bigger projects, and actually tear down the truck for more than a weekend at a time. Oh - and I'm paying rent in :beer::beer::beer:.

Moving forward, here are the plans for this winter:

1. FRONT AXLE/BRAKES OVERHAUL: This is the big one. I have a lot of up-and-down play in my passenger-side front tire, my brakes are weak, and my knuckles are bleeding badly. It's time for a rebuild. I have a line on some FJ60 knuckle components and some 1981 FJ40 Birfields. The objective is going to be to drop the front axle out of my 75 entirely, reseal the differential (currently leaking), swap over to FJ60 disk brakes up front, and clearance the housing for the larger pattern birfields. Then, paint the axle, and put it back under the truck with fresh U-bolts, and caster shims, if necessary. Then, I'll top it off with fresh brake lines, and an FJ80 Brake Master Cylinder. Still debating large-piston 4Runner calipers, or FJ60 calipers.

2. Pull the front and rear heaters, bypass the heater lines. These won't be going back in for a while, but I plan to refurbish them.

3. Drop the auxiliary fuel tank - this makes working at the rear of the truck a pain. It also sits too low to be of any real use. I also hate that it bolts through the floor. Will most likely sell it, and patch the fuel-filler hole in my quarter panel drilled by the PO, along with the holes in the floor.

Given my current budget, this should tide me over until about April.
 
Vae Victus said:
Does the dirt floor get wet?
Click to expand...

It's essentially an old corrugated sheet-metal barn - so my guess is there is going to be water/humidity that leaches in. That said, I imagine it's still better than 24/7 exposure to the elements, which is my other option. If all goes according to plan, this will only be for a year or two, then I'll be buying my own place (with a garage) and I'll be able to store the truck appropriately. It was sitting in a barn for 6 years in MD before I bought it, and the rust didn't eat it alive...I'll be working on this frequently so if rust/moisture becomes a big concern, I'll work out an alternative. Ideally, in the next year or two I'll be buying a house, which in turn will resolve the garage issue. In the mean time, rust converter!
 
Well, I saw this guy who has a cover for sale. Hmmm, let's here, here's the link I think: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts...mpire-cover-titan-v-5l-suv-cover-size-u2.html.

And you can park it on rubber tiles to keep the tires clean. Keep a large desiccant pack (or 5) in it, and run a dehumidifier in the barn if it is too humid.

Good desiccant: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrosorbent-Gram-Silica-Cubic-SG-900/dp/B0028M7WK4/?tag=ihco-20

Humidity controller: http://www.titancontrols.net/products/temperature-and-humidity/eos-2.aspx
 
Vae Victus said:
Well, I saw this guy who has a cover for sale. Hmmm, let's here, here's the link I think: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts...mpire-cover-titan-v-5l-suv-cover-size-u2.html.

And you can park it on rubber tiles to keep the tires clean. Keep a large desiccant pack (or 5) in it, and run a dehumidifier in the barn if it is too humid.

Good desiccant: http://www.amazon.com/Hydrosorbent-Gram-Silica-Cubic-SG-900/dp/B0028M7WK4/?tag=ihco-20

Humidity controller: http://www.titancontrols.net/products/temperature-and-humidity/eos-2.aspx
Click to expand...

Thanks! I've heard mixed reviews about car covers - yes, they keep the weather off your car, but I've also heard they don't let moisture out well either, so it creates an even smaller, humid, micro-environment. This seems like a risk factor in an already potentially humid garage.

I'm really not THAT worried about the humidity situation. I'm mostly concerned with keeping it out of the salt in the winter, and this barn should do nicely. This trucks has a nice surface-rust "shield" on it in most places, so I think it will be fine. The only cancer I can find is in the hard top. Hopefully I'll have a chance to get it off the truck this winter and see how badly that has translated to the tub...
 
Depends on the cover. This one breathes and is fuzzy in the inside.

I was thinking more of the dust. I have a barn w/ a dirt floor, and it makes my Gator and all the other stuff stored in it absolutely filthy from the dust. I'd never put my truck in it without a good soft cover.

I was mostly kidding about buying mine, and a being a bit punchy about the humidity stuff. Just started searching and thought hmmm, neat stuff. I'll post it in case someone else sees/needs it. The electric dehumidifiers were $300-600 - I didn't even post bout those. Yikes.
 
Vae Victus said:
Depends on the cover. This one breathes and is fuzzy in the inside.

I was thinking more of the dust. I have a barn w/ a dirt floor, and it makes my Gator and all the other stuff stored in it absolutely filthy from the dust. I'd never put my truck in it without a good soft cover.

I was mostly kidding about buying mine, and a being a bit punchy about the humidity stuff. Just started searching and thought hmmm, neat stuff. I'll post it in case someone else sees/needs it. The electric dehumidifiers were $300-600 - I didn't even post bout those. Yikes.
Click to expand...

I thought about an electric dehumidifier, actually - Decided against it because my friend is letting me keep the truck there for free - I'd rather not thank him by running up his electric bill.

I have long considered a cover for the truck (yours included!) but I have continually opted against it because the truck is 1. already filthy, 2. the moisture-trapping aspects (though I understand yours breathes, which is nice) and 3. It's an old, rusty truck. While it can certainly get worse, it doesn't seem to be heading in that direction anywhere fast...
 
I have long considered a cover for the truck (yours included!) but I have continually opted against it because the truck is 1. already filthy, 2. the moisture-trapping aspects (though I understand yours breathes, which is nice) and 3. It's an old, rusty truck. While it can certainly get worse, it doesn't seem to be heading in that direction anywhere fast...[/QUOTE]

Gotta say, I always love your logic Rick :) Work from last week look awesome! Whats the rig in the first pic sticking out to the left?
 
Mikenice32 said:
Gotta say, I always love your logic Rick :) Work from last week look awesome! Whats the rig in the first pic sticking out to the left?
Click to expand...

That would be my girlfriend's dad's 51' Mercury. He was my second set of hands for the shackle work (plus, impact wrench was key).

You think you've seen rust, you haven't seen anything until you've seen what he rescues. His current projects are the mercury, and a 31' Model A dump truck.

Believe it or not, this merc runs, drives, and stops - original flathead v8 that looks as if it has never been out of the car.
image-697577089.webp
 
Last edited:
RWBeringer4x4 said:
That would be my girlfriend's dad's 51' Mercury. He was my second set of hands for the shackle work (plus, impact wrench was key). You think you've seen rust, you haven't seen anything until you've seen what he rescues. His current projects are the mercury, and a 31' Model A dump truck. Believe it or not, this merc runs, drives, and stops - original flathead v8 that looks as if it has never been out of the car.
Click to expand...

Put some clear coat on it and call it a day!
 
Vae Victus said:
Put some clear coat on it and call it a day!
Click to expand...

Close - he went with a matte primer green, but he was thinking of clear coating it. I think the only other thing he may do to it is get the stance a little lower - the drive it as is. He is very into the "rat rod" scene.

I have often debated clear coating my 40 and calling it a day. Not too many of these left with original paint! That said my engine bay is already black, and the PO (attempted) to stop rust in some places by using about 5 different colors of primer - so I'll most likely repaint...someday.
 
Last edited:
RWBeringer4x4 said:
Close - he went with a matte primer green, but he was thinking of clear coating it. I think the only other thing he may do to it is get the stance a little lower - the drive it as is. He is very into the "rat rod" scene. I have often debated clear coating my 40 and calling it a day. Not too many of these left with original paint! That said my engine bay is already black, and the PO (attempted) to stop rust in some places by using about 5 different colors of primer - so I'll most likely repaint...someday.
Click to expand...

Show him these two cars: http://www.icon4x4.com/dr/derelicts/gallery
 
Yeah - that's exactly what he has been going for lately - his last project was a 38 Dodge (below) he has done plenty of actual restos too - I think he just got bored.

Really love the rat rod look - there's a pretty cool FJ45 rat rod out there - definitely not what I'm going for but I can appreciate it nonetheless. Someday when the 40 is done I may do a 50's or 60's car - never used to be a fan of that era but it has been growing on me.

In any case - getting way off "tech" and 40's altogether, I'll be back with updates when it comes time to tackle the axles...
image-4030355259.webp
 
What is this "done" 40 you speak of Rick? You holding out on us? Ya' got a "nicer" rig on the side?

It's not like they EVER get done. The last "grand" just seems to fuel the next. Silly machines they are.

///Will work for ARBs\\\

Okay, maybe just a nice heater, it's startin' to get cold.....


lefty b
 
lefty b said:
What is this "done" 40 you speak of Rick? You holding out on us? Ya' got a "nicer" rig on the side?

It's not like they EVER get done. The last "grand" just seems to fuel the next. Silly machines they are.

///Will work for ARBs\\\

Okay, maybe just a nice heater, it's startin' to get cold.....


lefty b
Click to expand...

I am absolutely certain you are correct, Lefty. However, diversity is the spice of life - and I'm going to need options...It's not a question of the work ever being done, it's a matter of wanting to be able to CHOOSE which old beater I want to drive on a given day. Right now, my "dream garage" is my 75' 40, A Triumph GT6 Mk II, and a 1936 Packard Model 1400. That said, I'm sure a house, a wedding, kids, etc. will get in the way - so I'll most likely just stick to my 40 for the next couple of decades. It is currently all the money-pit I can afford! STILL $250/mo cheaper than :princess:'s horse though :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom