80s Chevy wagon build thread

[demoboy333]

OK guys we all seem to like the build threads so I figured why not make one as I build my spring\summer car. It's a 80s Chevy wagon that I picked up for 100 bucks with bad fuel pump had steel rear bumper already. General building rules no hump plates, no welding of seams, no leafing, no swapping brackets or shocks, no cradles or tranny protector and no tilting.

This car will be being built with a bolt-in cage I'm building to save me time in future builds. I've got ideas for other builders bolt in cages to build one that will fit me. The cage will be 5 ft side bars with dash bar, seat bar and gas tank protector. Door welding will be 5 on 5 off. I'm unsure which front bumper I'm going to use just yet, allowed a loaded bumper. Body mounts will be changed to half inch.

Just started stripping the car out to get the build started. And I picked up 47 ft of steel for this cage hope it's enough or I'll make another trip to get more. Here's pics so far of getting it stripped before rolling it in garage.

[demoboy333]

OK guys so we all know the 77 up gm give a arms forward. Hard or soft front bumper and pointed or flat? I got a lot of choices but I can pick up others if better.

Normally I'd run a mild bumper on it flat on my 77 up gm. But I have thought here lately I do need point to help break ball joints\axles.

My favorite bumper has been a 74 to 75 Monte rear bumper seem to give some but holds its own against loaded bumpers to save some pressure on the rails.

[boom61]

What are your bumper mounting rules?

[lincoln]

Cut the frame off as much as you can. At least back to where the vertical curves in the frame are straight and run a stock seam welded, flatish bumper.

[demoboy333]

Mar 11, 2021 17:57:11 GMT -5 boom61 said:

What are your bumper mounting rules?

Hardnose or stock shock\bracket of the car you are running.

[lincoln]

Hardnose it. Don’t want any more leverage out front and unless you can plate back to the a arm nothing else does any good anyway

[demoboy333]

Mar 11, 2021 23:03:16 GMT -5 lincoln said:

Hardnose it. Don’t want any more leverage out front and unless you can plate back to the a arm nothing else does any good anyway

Ya I can't plate till it bends for this promoter but thinking 74 to 75 monte rear bumper seam welded. Last one I got lasted 6 shows and backing bent a Lil but never folded in half like others. Gonna pressure the rails together before welding it on. And flip the bumper upside down works nice.

[Hotfoot674]

weld up all the bits that wanna fall off, and a nice beefy bumper, add the 47 feet of steel somewhere (preferably around yourself) and use a bit to strengthen the frame NOT, and LET ER' EAT

[demoboy333]

In a short answer yes but there's so much more lol. I been around 77 up gm since 1998 when that's all my dad started running.

[cheezwhiz31]

cut inch and half-2 out of shock and shove it all the way in. Then add a better angle bracket to the back of shock where it bolts to the top of the frame and bolt it through the frame where factory rear shock bolt goes. tap the bottom hole you make and nut it on the bottom... if ya follow me.... Upside down Monte on the front...

[demoboy333]

Worked on the car today to get the engine ready to pull out. Got the clip off and out the way and surprised at how clean is is at the firewall. I've had some rusted way out around the body mounts.

Any one off hand know how wide the reared are actually? I haven't measured it and keep forgetting. I got a rearend I'd really like to use with my 4.88 gears. I haven't put it under a full size yet

[marked17]

Under your feet and under the back seat and your good, Leafed a few and they were tanks back in the day.

[marked17]

Mar 11, 2021 17:28:27 GMT -5 demoboy333 said:

OK guys so we all know the 77 up gm give a arms forward. Hard or soft front bumper and pointed or flat? I got a lot of choices but I can pick up others if better.

Normally I'd run a mild bumper on it flat on my 77 up gm. But I have thought here lately I do need point to help break ball joints\axles.

My favorite bumper has been a 74 to 75 Monte rear bumper seem to give some but holds its own against loaded bumpers to save some pressure on the rails.

[marked17]

Mar 14, 2021 0:45:32 GMT -5 marked17 said:

Mar 11, 2021 17:28:27 GMT -5 demoboy333 said:

OK guys so we all know the 77 up gm give a arms forward. Hard or soft front bumper and pointed or flat? I got a lot of choices but I can pick up others if better.

Normally I'd run a mild bumper on it flat on my 77 up gm. But I have thought here lately I do need point to help break ball joints\axles.

My favorite bumper has been a 74 to 75 Monte rear bumper seem to give some but holds its own against loaded bumpers to save some pressure on the rails.

When we ran them they only bent a arms forward if you fixed under your feet and left the rest be if you didn’t have a cradle and allowed chain links off motor mounts.

[smashincwa]

Mar 13, 2021 0:50:24 GMT -5 cheezwhiz31 said:

cut inch and half-2 out of shock and shove it all the way in. Then add a better angle bracket to the back of shock where it bolts to the top of the frame and bolt it through the frame where factory rear shock bolt goes. tap the bottom hole you make and nut it on the bottom... if ya follow me.... Upside down Monte on the front...

On the front shock do this, but use a hardened full thread bolt that is long enough to go through the top of the frame, through the shock bracket, then reach the bottom of the frame. It will take some grinding to get the length right.