Well, I finally got to the point to start the write up for my new build, so here it goes...

I originally bought the truck to do a body swap on my 4x4, cause although the paint looks great, the body is in bad shape and some of the body work I did started to show through (really minor stuff, but it still bugs me). So I found this 2wd on craigslist, a complete truck with a working motor and transmission but no title for $500 (I know some of you guys have gotten better deals than that, but things seem more expensive where I live). After getting the truck home and getting a closer look at it, I decided it was in too good of condition to part out so I decided to build it instead... plus I figured the 4x4 would get beat up offroad anyway, so whats the point of making it look even better than it does now.

So here are the pictures of the truck from the craigslist ad just for some "before" pics...

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I've actually had this truck sitting around for most of the summer, but my summer classes got in the way of starting it sooner. I did, however, already start buying parts for it. I have a 9.25" rear axle that I have rebuilt with 4:10s and brand new clutches in the LSD. I plan on making brackets for disc brakes to finish the axle. I also got some gen II 16x8 wheels like the ones on my 4x4 (I like those, can you tell :P) and I plan on running 255/70/16 tires on them (or at least something close to that).

Here is a picture of the truck with the front body panels off and the engine/transmission pulled out with the wheels and size tires I'm going to run...

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After those last 2 pictures, my next step was to take the cab off the truck. This was kinda tricky with just me and a jack, but I got it done...

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So with the cab was off, today I cleaned out a space in the garage for the frame, took the bed off and now I'm down to the bare framerails. I also started removing the old axle so I can fit the new one in place...


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... and then I got tired, so I came in here to write this, but this is where I stand right now.

Upcoming plans for the next couple weeks are to fit the new axle and measure out, design, and start building traction bars for it. Then I'll strip the frame down to just the frame rails (as in remove all suspension parts) and sand them down to bare, clean metal and repaint them black.

 

Kick *** man i was wonderin when youd put an official thread up, keep up the work, looks like your doin good at it, you plan on workin on it durring the winter to or just when its still warmer out

 

I'll work on it through winter, central NC has some pretty mild winters.

 

Looks quite familiar for me! Good job.