Low Buck T-all Resurrection

[vegestar]

Bought this 68 1100C 4x4 off CL a while back for $500, it's a little rough around the edges but a good solid platform to build from. My thoughts change daily for a direction with this build but one thing remains: cheap as possible! I can't take too much money away from the Traveler project which has been in the works for almost 7 years now. Here's a pic of how the truck looked when I picked it up.


And here's one I took today after I brought it home from storage



The orange Scout in the back is going to donate it's 345 for the greater good. This is going to be a temporary solution until I gather all the parts (more like dismantle my F-250 for its powerstroke and ZF 5-speed) for the real work to come. The idea is to get the truck on the road and have a rolling project to fix up before I swap in the diesel. And trust me, there is a lot to do! I'm planning to upgrade the axles and springs and prob the steering column. And there is plenty to do in the interior, I'm working on pulling the carpet out now. It rained here this past week and it's all wet in there, not good...

[72Travelall]

that looks good to me. congrats on your new project.

[vegestar]

Thanks! It looks pretty good from a distance haha

[vegestar]

I hadn't even removed the chain that was use to pull the rig in the yard before I was underneath looking at the possibility of installing this nice big fuel tank from an '84 diesel Blazer. Would have made a nice upgrade to the dangerous and rusty stock tanks but looks like it may be too much work to get it in there. There is not enough room between the crossmember for the spring mounts and the shock mount above the axle. Almost looks like I could fit it in front of the axle but it may interfere with exhaust. However, axle, spring and shock mountings could be slated to move...



I was hoping to retain the stock axles until the proper GM replacements fell in to my lap. Drum brakes don't bother me one bit and I wasn't planning to do anything crazy with the truck. But something looked a little funny with the front left wheel so off it came. This is what I found:



I tried to remove the other side to see what other surprises I was in for and 2 of the 5 lugnuts are rusted to the stud and the whole thing is just spinning in the hub. Not good... So needless to say the axle swap just got moved in front of the engine swap. I started searching CL for some suitable replacements and the first add that popped up was exactly what I need and in my budget. Guy is selling a Dana 44 front and a 14 bolt full floater from a 1 ton Chevy, 400 obo or trade. Says he has everything for 8 lug or 6 lug, whichever I want. You guys might think I'm crazy but I have a nice set of 6 lug wheels I'm gonna use. I told him I don't have any money and asked what he's looking for in trade. I rattled off a few things from my junk pile and he took the bait! He's gonna come by tomorrow and we'll make a deal.

So far so good with this project, wish my poor 1980 diesel Traveler project would gain some momentum like this. But that truck is thirsty for Nissan diesel parts which don't come cheap. Stay tuned, I hope to finish ripping the carpet out today as it is finally done raining and supposed to get warm later this week. Cheers!

[vegestar]

In case anyone is concerned, I do have a tailgate for the truck. It's not the original and seems to be missing some parts but most of it is there, should be able to get me by. I do need some new hinges though... And anyone who wants that enormous, heavy hitch bumper can have it! I'm not welding that monstrosity back on this truck. lol

Haven't made any progress this week but I did find myself at the junkyard yesterday for work. So I wandered on over to the truck section and scored a hydraboost with a new master cyl from a 1 ton Chevy. Lots of new parts on that rig actually, radiator, full tune up, A/C stuff, brakes, etc. Don't know why someone would pour all that money in a truck only for it to end up in Pick N Pull in a couple months... What a shame, anyway, their loss my gain.

[guidolyons]

Originally Posted by vegestar

I started searching CL for some suitable replacements and the first add that popped up was exactly what I need and in my budget. Guy is selling a Dana 44 front and a 14 bolt full floater from a 1 ton Chevy, 400 obo or trade. Says he has everything for 8 lug or 6 lug, whichever I want. !

1 ton or 3/4 ton? Sounds like an 8 lug 10bolt to me. If it's newer than '76 it's not a D44. If it's 1 ton, then it's 8 lug D60/14BFF combo.

6 lug 14Bolt Full floater doesn't exist (stock OEM, there are aftermerket hubs) probably the baby semi-floating 9.5" 14BSF if he's got it in 6 lug flavor.

IF it's really 1 ton 8 lug D60/14BFF combo...then good on ya.


What did you get and what did you trade for it?

[vegestar]

Well, the axle guy got busy and couldn't come by. I'm not sure exactly what he has, haven't seen it for myself. But from the sound of it these were axles he put together for his Blazer project. That's why he has all the parts for 6 or 8 lug. I think... Funny thing is my junk he is interested in trading is the Blazer frame that I happen to have. He said he bent the frame on his Blazer project. But what I want to know is how come he is parting with the axles to get his project back on line? Seems fishy, we'll see.