My truck kit was delivered today. Will be open wheeled. I have the crate LS3 6.2 with a T-56 manual. Moser rear. Wilwood brakes.
Haven't decided on wheels yet, but soon I hope.
Inventory tomorrow :-)
Finally making some progress on my build. Either I was out of town, or I had company.
Brakes plumbed, suspension and steering installed.
I had firewall hydro-dipped with a carbon fiber pattern. Hard to see in pics, but it does look cool.
Painted the engine and now installed with transmission. Using LS376/480 with a T-56 Super Magnum.
When I installed the electric power steering motor it was hitting the LS oil pan, so it needed to be clocked down to clear the pan, but this made it the lowest thing hanging under the chassis, which I didn't like. So I ordered 2 oil pans from Summit to see which would work. The first one I opened was the GM 12628771, and this fit the power steering motor perfectly. The motor is 3/4 inch below the pan, but still 3/4 inch above the chassis. I also had to use oil pickup 12558251, and windage tray 12558253. The original dipstick worked fine. The other pan was Holley 302-3, and I never opened the box, just returned it to Summit.
Took me a while to find wheels that I liked, and fit. I liked the looks of these Milanni Kapri, but they were discontinued. The 20s were still available, but not the 18s. I saw a set of used 18s on eBay but seller wouldn't sell me only 2. So in late March I was in Los Angeles visiting my son and discovered that the wheel distributor with the used set was in East LA. So I drove over there and measured the back of the wheel to be sure my Wilwood calipers would clear, and they did. They still wouldn't sell me 2, so I bought all 4. Then 2 days later they sent me an email saying 2 of the wheels got damaged in the warehouse preparing for shipment, so they refunded half my money and I got the 2 that I wanted to begin with. And was able to get the 20s on clearance somewhere else. Winning !
Next on to fuel system.
Last edited by DamnYankee; 04-15-2019 at 09:30 PM.
The foam sandwich floor is part of the kit now. Has a bottom piece of aluminum underneath, then the rigid foam, then top piece of aluminum. Acts as a heat barrier and sound deadener.
Mounted my LS fly-by-wire gas pedal. I cut up the bracket which came with the pedal, then welded it to the side of the pedal box. Because of this I'll have to move the fuse box mount about 2 inches to the right.
Wipers installed -
I know many people decided not to install wipers, but my plan for the truck was to make it an all-weather vehicle. I installed wipers in my Cobra when I built it. So I wanted wipers from the truck one way or another.
I looked at a few different styles including the simple motor units like Speedway sells or Mighty Wiper. But the motors were too big to not interfere with the dashboard.
I ended up with the Universal Wiper Kit WWK-2 from Specialty Power Windows which arrived today via UPS and I installed it in about half a day or so. It uses the tube and cable system same as the Cobra uses. The transmissions are small and fit where I wanted.
So for those interested I'll outline what I did below. Total cost with arms and blades was $368.
First step is to determine where to drill the holes for transmission shafts and how to space them. I kinda copied the way they were spaced on my Cobra.
Driver's side shaft is 9 3/4" from edge of windshield. Passenger side shaft is 15" past the driver's side shaft.
Drilled 3/8" holes located 1/2" above the cowl. I wanted the transmissions to be as low as possible to not interfere with dashboard.
Did not use any bezels, not needed
I ran the jam nut on the shaft down tight against the transmission body, put a 3/8"flat washed on, and slid into the hole from the inside. Cable channel is on the bottom. Top of the transmission will be at the bottom of the fiberglass lip for the windshield.
From there follow the instructions to shorten the shafts.
Thanks for the post. I’ve been comptinplating on weather or not to go with wipers but I might have to here in Illinois to get through inspection. I’m at the crossroads right now with body work and removing the cab for paint so now would be the time to do it . However I’m at somewhat of a standstill due to too much work and going up to Canada fishing so my build is on hold for a month and a half or so. Thanks. Rob
Thank you for this post!!! my DMV requires wipers and I have been waiting for someone to figure this out.....I already ordered this setup. Which wiper arms did you order?
I was wondering what Rear End Gear Ratio you used for your build and what your first and final gear ratios in your tranny were? The T-56 seems to come in may different sizes.
I was wondering what Rear End Gear Ratio you used for your build and what your first and final gear ratios in your tranny were? The T-56 seems to come in may different sizes.
Rear is 3.55
Trans gears are:
2.66
1.76
1.30
1.0
.80
.63
In full bodywork mode now. I can build or fix anything, but I am not a body guy. However I am doing this myself with tips from the forums and coaching from my buddy who is a 30+ year body/paint man.
Doors are fitted, hood and radiator cowl fitted. Bed is drilled for mounting. Currently doing the cab seams. This is worse than sanding drywall spackle, which I also hate !
In full bodywork mode now. I can build or fix anything, but I am not a body guy. However I am doing this myself with tips from the forums and coaching from my buddy who is a 30+ year body/paint man.
Doors are fitted, hood and radiator cowl fitted. Bed is drilled for mounting. Currently doing the cab seams. This is worse than sanding drywall spackle, which I also hate !
In full bodywork mode now. I can build or fix anything, but I am not a body guy. However I am doing this myself with tips from the forums and coaching from my buddy who is a 30+ year body/paint man.
Doors are fitted, hood and radiator cowl fitted. Bed is drilled for mounting. Currently doing the cab seams. This is worse than sanding drywall spackle, which I also hate !
The key is to not cheap out on the body filler, use premium quality products like Evercoat Rage, Rage Ultra or Rage Gold, they sand MUCH better and self seal as well. It will save you time and money in the long run. As well make sure you borrow your buddies long sanding board to get that flat smooth surface. Once you get the bodywork out of the way the rest is a breeze!!
Good Luck!!
Black & Copper #1028 ("The Mistress" according to my wife! )
Brought home: Nov. 2017, GoKart: May 2018, will be Plated & on the Road April 2020
Andreas