Chassis Swap (1972 onto a 2002 Chassis)

[FoPAR]

So after heating and beating one of my spare bumpers back into shape and almost straight again. I cut off one end of the bumper and matched it up to the stone deflector, marked off the end of the deflector to match the bumper and then cut it. I did this to both ends and that brought the ends of the bumper in about 2-1/4" I then chopped off the extra off of the middle section and welded the bumper back together and started tacking it to the deflector.



































So this is what I have so far. I have more metal work to do to make it all smooth and fit together right, but you can start to see the idea coming together. I will body work it and primer it to see how it turns out before I decide if I'm going to use it or stay with a more stock look.

[Dirty Offio]

Bravo Sir!! Very nice work, on both trucks!

Greetings from Bellingham by the way!

Offio

[FoPAR]

Bravo Sir!! Very nice work, on both trucks!

Greetings from Bellingham by the way!

Offio

Thanks!Grew up over by Tacoma, living in Eastern WA now but we will be back on that side of the mountains for the Seahawks vs 49ers game!!! PrimeTime game and we will be there, I'll have to record it and see if we get on TV...


Well been working on the truck but ran into some problems getting things to line up, so I had to blow the front end apart again. The radiator core support isn't lining up with everything else. I marked where the mounts should be with everything bolted to it and lined up but it still isn't working out, my holes I drilled didn't end up right at all. (to far forward). So I had to stop and think this one out before doing any more fab work. The frame rails are different sizes from side to side and the driver side sit a 1/4" lower. Spacers will work to make up the difference but still need to get the mounts in the right spot. I have a plan to fix it so hope to have more pic's soon.

[FoPAR]

Ok, so after a lot longer than I wanted I finally have the radiator core support done, as you can see from the pic's the first round hole I drilled didn't line up to well and you can really see it looking down through the bolt holes. Still not sure how I got it so far off








I leveled the frame to the shop floor and took some measurements. With the front end all lined up and bolted together you can see that the bottom of the radiator core support is at 26" on both sides but the top of the drivers side frame rail is 1/4" lower than the passenger side.






So I took the supports I had cut off of the 2002 frame and cut them to match what I needed for each side.









I then lined them up and tacked them into place.










On the passenger side I cut right down through both the new plate and the frame then clamped it in place and welded it in.






The drivers side I traced it onto the frame & cut it out. Then tacked it into place to check how it lined up.






Burned in the drivers side, cut off the rounded part that was sticking out and welded in a little plate. and then ground everything smooth.








So now I can bolt the front end back on and get back to the front bumper...

[GHOST]

very very nice..keep up with the updates..

[Joshpow]

looking good.. love the bumper idea there..

[FoPAR]

looking good.. love the bumper idea there..

Thanks Josh, hope to be back at it soon. Had an unexpected take-over of my shop.... a dam chevy moved in.... I ended up getting a great deal on a 1997 suburban parts rig for $450.00 (no engine or trany) but I needed a new fender and a bunch of small items for our suburban so a lot of left over parts to sell. I think I should be able to clear $2000.00 very easily, and that will help out the ol project a lot!

[sargentrs]

Those seats would look good n somebody's crew. Nobody has to know they're chebbie.

[tylerb43]

A Chevy in the shop??!?! WTF, man! Just kidding buddy, I get it. I take several breaks on mine to earn project funds, I just don't tell you guys about it!

Awesome fab work so far, can't wait 'til you get back to it and see what else you come up with - awesome stuff!

[FoPAR]

Well the parts rig is still taking up space in the shop so the project is still on hold. but had some fun with the boom truck from work again. Sure makes parting out a vehicle a lot easier.....

[Alstoyz]

I can't think of anything sweeter than another Chevy biting the dust!!!

[wndsofchng06]

you don't play.... bring in the heavy equipment to rip that apart!

[FoPAR]

So my wife says my truck is my mistress and that I spend more time with it then her, so today being Valentines Day I bought my truck a gift. a new dash bezel and white gauges.. not really my wife got them for my Valentines gift. Here are a few before & then the new one.













Have to say she did a very good job on picking out my gift this year...beats the box of chocolates any day.

[wndsofchng06]

Awesome! Looks good, the white faces help the visibility a lot!

[Alstoyz]

I would have to say, "SHE'S A KEEPER!!!' The wife & the mistress...