Ackattack
10-16-2006, 12:21 AM
I was originally going to start a PT '68 camaro sometime in the future (which I still want to) but have decided to put it off for the time being.
Instead I've decided to make my pickup into a PT truck. The goal/use of the truck will be show vehicle/cruising around/bracket racer. Though it still has to handle well.
Here's the current setup/specs/whatever
72 GMC long bed pickup with leaf spring rear suspension. Lowered 2.5 in the front with spindles and 4 inch in the back by removing leaf springs (now I get wheel hop...imagine that). Its riding on 17x8 TT2s with 275/50/17 tires. The brakes are stock front disk/rear drums. The engine is a stock internal TPI 350 from an 87 camaro with a built 700r4. Right now its in what I would call "decent" condition. I had it repainted in 99, but 7 years later now its showing its age from sitting outside the whole time. There are some rock chips, rust bubbles, and cracked paint. It looks good from 20 feet, but isn't great anymore.
So here is what I'm planning:
First I'm going to get a different frame. Probably will be a long bed coil spring frame (this is the trucks that "truck arm" suspensions were originally put on) I will then cut and reassemble the frame to make it into a shortbed frame. Shortbed pickups are a lot harder to find and a lot more expensive. Cutting the frames on longbeds is actually fairly common and there are good references on how to do it right (incase some people are concerned at doing an "extreme" thing like cutting the frame).
I haven't decided what I want to use for springs. Airbags are looking apealling because they an easy install and a proven system, but I'm concerned about handling though I won't ever take this to a road course I'd still like it to handle good....but from what I've been reading air bags will probably fit the bill pretty good...so that's where I'm leaning towards (Plus I got the corvette to take to the road course :twothumbs )
The stock panhard bar on the coil spring trucks is really short, so I'll be using a longer, relocated panhard bar. I'll also incorporate a rear swaybar and get a larger front bar.
With the new, lower stance I'll be running 275/40/17 in the front and 315/35/17 in the back on 17x9 and 17x11 (or 12).
I haven't decided what to do for the brakes. The 72s come with the "more desirable" 5 lug pattern.....but I was thinking that the 4 wheel disks brakes that come on the current chevy pickups would be a nice upgrade, but they use a 6 lug wheel. Plus, I'm not sure how the front brakes are set up on the newer trucks, and if I could adapt them to use on my truck??? Or maybe I'll just have to go aftermarket, or maybe 3/4 ton something will work. Don't know yet, so more research will need to be done in the brake department, but I do know the current setup is highly inadequate and will need to be changed.
Then we get to the engine. The stock TPI 350 is running just fine. I'm getting something like 16.5 mpg. But it runs a horid 15.9 @ 84. Pretty pathetic. The goal is to run 12s in it. With a weight of around 3800 lbs (right under 4000 right now as a long bed) its going to take ~400 HP. I'm planning on rebuilding the 350 to take more abuse. I'll be using the holley stealth ram intake to keep the fuel injection. As for heads I'm thinking I will use the new small runner bowtie vortec heads.....but a buddy is really touting the new AFR eliminator heads....so I'm undecided. Then I haven't decided on a cam yet either. Plus roller rockers, upgraded ignition setup, new fuel system, tuning, etc, etc. If all of that isn't enough to run 12s, then I'll spray a little. Also, I'll be getting a mild torque converter.
As for the body work. I'll basically be getting a whole new bed when I switch to the short bed. I think the only thing I'm going to be able to reuse on it is the tailgate. I'm going to put a wood floor in it too, plus a toneau cover. All of the trim is already removed and I really like the natural lines the body has. I'll pretty much leave the rest of the body the way it is now, just fixing the areas of concern and repainting it.
Other features: Air conditioning. Originally it had A/C but that got ditch somewhere along the way. Power windows and locks. Found these cool window switches that use the original window cranks instead of a button. Not sure on seats, kinda thinking a seat out of a newer chevy PU too that has the integrated seat belts. Right now I just have a lap belt. All ready have a full set up Autometer ultralite gauges. Move the tank from inside the cab to under the bed.
So what do you all think of my PT pickup idea? Not too extreme as far as handling goes, but I think its still in the PT theme with the fuel injection, upgraded brake, suspension and modern ammenities.
Maybe my overall goal should be to out perform a Ford Lightning in all catagories???? For a name does GMC Thunder sound good? Or what about a Hurricane (instead of syclone/typhoon???)
Instead I've decided to make my pickup into a PT truck. The goal/use of the truck will be show vehicle/cruising around/bracket racer. Though it still has to handle well.
Here's the current setup/specs/whatever
72 GMC long bed pickup with leaf spring rear suspension. Lowered 2.5 in the front with spindles and 4 inch in the back by removing leaf springs (now I get wheel hop...imagine that). Its riding on 17x8 TT2s with 275/50/17 tires. The brakes are stock front disk/rear drums. The engine is a stock internal TPI 350 from an 87 camaro with a built 700r4. Right now its in what I would call "decent" condition. I had it repainted in 99, but 7 years later now its showing its age from sitting outside the whole time. There are some rock chips, rust bubbles, and cracked paint. It looks good from 20 feet, but isn't great anymore.
So here is what I'm planning:
First I'm going to get a different frame. Probably will be a long bed coil spring frame (this is the trucks that "truck arm" suspensions were originally put on) I will then cut and reassemble the frame to make it into a shortbed frame. Shortbed pickups are a lot harder to find and a lot more expensive. Cutting the frames on longbeds is actually fairly common and there are good references on how to do it right (incase some people are concerned at doing an "extreme" thing like cutting the frame).
I haven't decided what I want to use for springs. Airbags are looking apealling because they an easy install and a proven system, but I'm concerned about handling though I won't ever take this to a road course I'd still like it to handle good....but from what I've been reading air bags will probably fit the bill pretty good...so that's where I'm leaning towards (Plus I got the corvette to take to the road course :twothumbs )
The stock panhard bar on the coil spring trucks is really short, so I'll be using a longer, relocated panhard bar. I'll also incorporate a rear swaybar and get a larger front bar.
With the new, lower stance I'll be running 275/40/17 in the front and 315/35/17 in the back on 17x9 and 17x11 (or 12).
I haven't decided what to do for the brakes. The 72s come with the "more desirable" 5 lug pattern.....but I was thinking that the 4 wheel disks brakes that come on the current chevy pickups would be a nice upgrade, but they use a 6 lug wheel. Plus, I'm not sure how the front brakes are set up on the newer trucks, and if I could adapt them to use on my truck??? Or maybe I'll just have to go aftermarket, or maybe 3/4 ton something will work. Don't know yet, so more research will need to be done in the brake department, but I do know the current setup is highly inadequate and will need to be changed.
Then we get to the engine. The stock TPI 350 is running just fine. I'm getting something like 16.5 mpg. But it runs a horid 15.9 @ 84. Pretty pathetic. The goal is to run 12s in it. With a weight of around 3800 lbs (right under 4000 right now as a long bed) its going to take ~400 HP. I'm planning on rebuilding the 350 to take more abuse. I'll be using the holley stealth ram intake to keep the fuel injection. As for heads I'm thinking I will use the new small runner bowtie vortec heads.....but a buddy is really touting the new AFR eliminator heads....so I'm undecided. Then I haven't decided on a cam yet either. Plus roller rockers, upgraded ignition setup, new fuel system, tuning, etc, etc. If all of that isn't enough to run 12s, then I'll spray a little. Also, I'll be getting a mild torque converter.
As for the body work. I'll basically be getting a whole new bed when I switch to the short bed. I think the only thing I'm going to be able to reuse on it is the tailgate. I'm going to put a wood floor in it too, plus a toneau cover. All of the trim is already removed and I really like the natural lines the body has. I'll pretty much leave the rest of the body the way it is now, just fixing the areas of concern and repainting it.
Other features: Air conditioning. Originally it had A/C but that got ditch somewhere along the way. Power windows and locks. Found these cool window switches that use the original window cranks instead of a button. Not sure on seats, kinda thinking a seat out of a newer chevy PU too that has the integrated seat belts. Right now I just have a lap belt. All ready have a full set up Autometer ultralite gauges. Move the tank from inside the cab to under the bed.
So what do you all think of my PT pickup idea? Not too extreme as far as handling goes, but I think its still in the PT theme with the fuel injection, upgraded brake, suspension and modern ammenities.
Maybe my overall goal should be to out perform a Ford Lightning in all catagories???? For a name does GMC Thunder sound good? Or what about a Hurricane (instead of syclone/typhoon???)