My 1975 Chevy Dually Build

[75Dually]

wow this is really coming along ! whens the deadline ?

If all the stars align properly the show I want to go to is in Austin, TX on the 26th and 27th of this month, the heat wave show is what I think it is called. Aaaaaaa!!!!! That is only a week AWAY!!!!

If for some reason I am not able to make that then I want to make the Slamboree in Shawnee, OK on the 2-3 Aug.

So far I am going to take it in primer if nothing else, because there is no way I can shoot paint by the first date, but maybe the second plan B date I might have it done by then. Either way I will post some updates as to the progress.

Last minute thrash here I come!!

 

[bigpokie]

I would love to go to Texas heatwave ! Don't let you closing deadline kill your momentum ! Keep it up and keep plugging away at it.

 

[75Dually]

So much for the last week thrash. I got a thorn in my right hand while dirt bike riding this weekend and had to have a surgeon remove it. Ouch! So can't do much in the shop for a couple of days to let it heal. So there goes the shows I was trying to get to. Well I guess I am going to have to find some other shows later in they year, or maybe shoot for some of the early show like the Lone Star Throw Down in February. Bummed...

 

[C. Smith]

If all else fails there's always Turkey Drag in December! Lol.

 

[75Dually]

If all else fails there's always Turkey Drag in December! Lol.

C. Smith you made my morning! At least in December you are not sweating your tail end off like at most shows! Thanks again!

 

[Zeke]

Chris the sheer I got was from Harbor Freight. The pic is below. Normally I do not buy cheap items like this. Not to put down Harbor Freight ( I actually like them quite a bit), but when I buy a tool like this I normally expect to keep them for a number of years. I don't mind spending more if I know I am getting a superior tool. However I really wanted to give it a try to see how good it would be. Right out of the box this sheer really impressed me. It cut 14gauge like it was butter. I have a couple more panels I need to cut and I know this will make short work of it.

Actually I would recommend it for someone who does occasional sheet metal work. If you don't have one go get it and you will be glad you did, and if it breaks in a year or less then you only out $45 buck or even less if you use their 25% coupon!

I'm a little late to comment on this but I have the older orange one and my impression is the same. Great tool. Someday the stigma will be gone and there will be many more of these in shops and garages. It just goes to show you how needlessly expensive some name brand tools are that are the same COO.

Now, back to duallys. I had an '81 BTW.

 

[75Dually]

I'm a little late to comment on this but I have the older orange one and my impression is the same. Great tool. Someday the stigma will be gone and there will be many more of these in shops and garages. It just goes to show you how needlessly expensive some name brand tools are that are the same COO.

Now, back to duallys. I had an '81 BTW.

Love tools, agree with your comments. Best investment other than God, wife, kids, and good friends!

All I have to say is that you need to get another one. This time trick it out the way you want to. Go radical you will never regret it!

Thanks again for the encouragement!

 

[C. Smith]

C. Smith you made my morning! At least in December you are not sweating your tail end off like at most shows! Thanks again!

No problem man! Turkey Drag usually seems to be a quality show as well. I'm here in Shreveport, La so usually try to make it out to Tyler for it. Loving the Dually build. Just had a truck meet here in Shreveport. Here's a rolling shot of a buddy's 90's model he built in his two car garage did everything other than mount the tires on the wheels and wrap the seats. Lol.

 

[75Dually]

That is one killer ride! Your friend has some serious skills!! Tell him for me that truck rocks! I hope to see you both at that show.

Thanks again!

 

[75Dually]

Small victories... Well I finally got back into the shop after getting my right hand worked on. Darn mesquite thorns! All I have done so far is strip the cowl and get it primed. I also have been doing the finishing work on the tail gate. Should have it completed this week and in it's final coat of primer. As I said small victories...

Next is the passenger side rear fender and the dually fender on that side. That should keep me busy and off the streets...

Stay tuned!

 

[bigpokie]

whats new. its been a while with no updates. should be driving by now

 

[75Dually]

whats new. its been a while with no updates. should be driving by now

Been slammed at work lately! So all I have been getting done are some small things when time permits. However this weekend it is back on the project! More body work... Oh well it has to be done...

 

[75Dually]

Sorry guys there have not been any updates lately. Work is still super busy, but it should slow down here in a couple of weeks so I can get back in the shop and tackle the rest of this body work.

Some small updates... I have gotten all the air ride items back on the truck, but have not had time to run the calibration again.

Stay tuned...

 

[AntonyJ1214]

Loving your build man! Glad to see that there are people building bagged trucks on this forum! Ill have to start a thread on my 02 Sonoma. I know its a much smaller build but atleast I have been working on it for like 4 years now haha. Great lookin dually man!

 

[bigpokie]

definitely start a thread ! i have a 00 s10 bagged and shaved and a 04 ram 1500 qc i just gat thats bagged and z'd.

this thread reminds me i need to find my edc and add it to my dodge

 

[AntonyJ1214]

Very nice! Any threads on your S10?

 

[75Dually]

OK so I am now back in the shop working on the truck finally! Work has (thankfully) still been super busy and not slowing down, but I finally took some vacation for some much needed time off.

I have been working on my dirt bikes and my buddies dirt bikes getting ready for riding in Colorado. We just got back last week. We rode up and around Durango for a whole week. Amazing country! See the pics below. Now it is time to get back into the shop...

Tonight I finished up one of the dually fenders (passenger side), and the rear tail gate. So next is the drivers side of the bed. The old dually fender on that side needs lots of attention to get it right. Before we left on our trek I bought a Sata spray gun for the finish work. Man what a fantastic spray gun! Can't wait to shoot the color coats!

I hope to get more updates in the next couple of days and weeks.

Stay tuned...

 

[75Dually]

So I am starting round 2! Got the drivers side on the table. Had to get all the water out of the shop first, we had 3" in 1 hour last night! Holy cow! So the shop got some leakage under the main door, and I got the job to clean it all up... Them's the breaks.

I also was looking through Craigslist last night and saw a guy parting out a square single cab. So after work today I went by and picked up this tailgate for $40 bucks. OK I know I just finished my other one, but I really wanted the version with the stainless trim across the rear, and this one was in pretty good shape. So I will pull it off and metal work it back into better shape. Then all I have to due to the blue tailgate is sand it down, primer it, and then shoot some color. Easy right!

If the weather permits I will get the drivers side all torn down and the gas hole welded up. Then I can get on that fender and knock this side out.

Stay tuned!

 

[bigpokie]

did you / are you going to have to raise the fenders any? i cant rememeber and are you going to try and keep a "stock" bed floor in it or just sheet metal it

Very nice! Any threads on your S10?

no, no threads made.



the tail lights i love !! not really the safest or the brightest during the day, per say, but damn they look good!!!!



and the new one. needs work but isnt to bad



sorry to thread jack

 

[75Dually]

did you / are you going to have to raise the fenders any? i cant rememeber and are you going to try and keep a "stock" bed floor in it or just sheet metal it

BTW Awesome rides!!!

That is a great question. I am actually going to leave the fenders in the stock position and unmodified. I am not a big fan of that style of fender being modified. When I am at full sag in the rear the tires are 1/2" from the top of the fenders so they are perfect for my current setup. I was never going to lay frame on this ride, just get it as low as possible with the stock set up and stock bodywork.

 

[bigpokie]

'preciate it.

I think the "stock" bed floor looks simple and clean. My 10 has an aluminum notch cover and the ram has tubs and sheet metal. Mark my words, I will have my stock floor one day ! (insert evil cheesy laugh ! Lol )

How close will it be from laying out ?

 

[75Dually]

'preciate it.

I think the "stock" bed floor looks simple and clean. My 10 has an aluminum notch cover and the ram has tubs and sheet metal. Mark my words, I will have my stock floor one day ! (insert evil cheesy laugh ! Lol )

How close will it be from laying out ?

I too like the stock bed floor as well. In fact I still have the bed floor from this truck and it is in pretty good shape considering it is a 75'... Still might use it, just not made up my mind on what I want to do yet.

As far as the height, I would have to go measure it to be exact, probably around 3-4 inches from the bottom of the rockers. The stock front cross member lays on the ground when air'd out. That is low enough for me!

 

[sean Buick 76]

Nice work, I like it! it would be even more bad *** it is were turbocharged!!

 

[75Dually]

Nice work, I like it! it would be even more bad *** it is were turbocharged!!

A man after my own heart! However if I turbo this truck it will be with a diesel at the end of that hair dryer.

 

[75Dually]

After all the Honey-do's today I got into the shop and with the help of my son we tore down the drivers side. Once we got the dually fender off I stripped all the trim off and then welded up all the holes. I also made a plate to cover up the old fuel outlet and welded it in place, and I welded up all the holes someone had made in the bed rail too. After that I cleaned up all the welds and then metal worked them in preparation for the body filler. Lots of clanging and banging in the shop today, glad my neighbors are so cool...

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Next is the dually fender, which was in better shape than I originally thought. Time to clean it up and get some primer on it.

 

[AntonyJ1214]

'preciate it.

I think the "stock" bed floor looks simple and clean. My 10 has an aluminum notch cover and the ram has tubs and sheet metal. Mark my words, I will have my stock floor one day ! (insert evil cheesy laugh ! Lol )

How close will it be from laying out ?

That bed on the S10 is beautiful! I love that look on the S10/sonomas. The tails in the rollpan are absolutely the way to go! Very jealous.

 

[bigpokie]

thanks

 

[75Dually]

A little bit of progress here and there. Been working on the drivers side body work tonight. Just a couple of spots to clean up, and then I will shoot it's first coat of primer.

Next is the dually fender... Glad it is cooling down some.

 

[75Dually]

Well I actually got something accomplished today on the truck. I was having a heck of a time trying to get the Accuair to calibrate. The tech guys at Accuair are super to work with by the way. The problem I was having was that I was starting the calibration when the truck was completely on the ground air'd out. So with some trial and error we figured out that I needed to start the sequence with it at ride height, and it did the trick. Now it is up and fully running, THANKS Shea at Accuair, you're the best!

Now I can get onto the body work... Hope to have all the rear bed parts in primer by tomorrow night.

 

[xtremek]

I subscribed to this a bit a ago and I'm slowly going back over the details, it looks awesome so far. I have a question for you. Why did you go with Accuair? I'm leaning toward Ride Tech, but I'm a newb to air systems (my truck's been static dropped for over 10 years), so I'm looking for impartial info and would appreciate anything you can tell me. The truck, when finished, will go to my daughter. She's going to learn how to weld yet. Thanks in advance for you help.

 

[bigpokie]

I don't have accuair but know people that do. Everyone says hands down better than other ride height controllers. Ease of use. Compact. Very very well built. Simple. And clean. Can be mounted anywhere. Small removable iPhone sized remote.

 

[75Dually]

Worked on a couple of things tonight. I started on the drivers side dually fender. Got some of the body work on it completed. I still have a lot of the small chip holes from stones being thrown at it over the years, but I think I am going to throw my first coat of primer on it first so I can see all of them clearly.

I also needed to rework the inner fenders. I did not like the first Bondo layer I threw down on either of them, so I cleaned it all out and started fresh. I still have some spots that need some body filler, and some tin canning on the side wall to get rid of before I lay down the bed spray coating on them.

Stay tuned...

 

[75Dually]

I subscribed to this a bit a ago and I'm slowly going back over the details, it looks awesome so far. I have a question for you. Why did you go with Accuair? I'm leaning toward Ride Tech, but I'm a newb to air systems (my truck's been static dropped for over 10 years), so I'm looking for impartial info and would appreciate anything you can tell me. The truck, when finished, will go to my daughter. She's going to learn how to weld yet. Thanks in advance for you help.

Thanks for the kind words! I too asked the very same questions that you state above. At this time the Accuair system is the best on the market, simply put that is why I went with them. They have excellent integration of all their systems, and it really is plug and play. The other great thing about them is the recent release of their iLevel system which moves all the functions on their standard remote to your smart phone (both Andriod and iPhone). You do everything including the entire set up right on your phone. Trust me that is a really big leap in todays air ride systems.

Now what I have is a hybrid system. Most everything is Accuair except for the air valve, that is from Airbaggit, and is their 1/2" model. However if I had to go back and do it all over I would have bought the Accuair valve instead. Such is life...

Back to the Accuair system. One of the key features is their ride sensors and how they control ride height. They are no contact "hall effect" sensors, which means that they are super accurate and reliable. No matter how much weight you put on the truck (extra buddies, gear, etc..), which in turn effects ride height, the system modifies the air at each corner to bring the vehicle back to the desired ride height. It does all this on the go, and keeps the vehicle at the perfect stance all the time.

I have nothing against Ride Tech, in fact Brent and crew make some really cool products. It's just that the Accuair system in my opinion is a step above and has been well thought out. In fact I think if you used Ride Tech's bag/shock units with an Accuair system that would be killer!

My recommendation for someone who wants plug and play, go buy the entire Accuair system because you are going to be super happy with the product, the support after the sale, and the overall package.

I hope that helps. If you have specific questions please let me know.

 

[75Dually]

Some real progress this weekend. Got a first coat of primer on the drivers side rear fender and the dually fender. I did a second coat on the passenger side as well. Now to work out all the small flaws...

Above the drivers fender is the inner fender with it's first coat of bed liner. One more coat and it should look good enough to install. Now to get the other side done...

At least I got some time this past weekend to work on it.

Stay tuned!

 

[75Dually]

Just to give everyone an update, my mother was hurt a couple of weeks ago and I have put all the projects on hold until she gets better. You can replace cars and trucks, but not mom!

My hope is to occasionally go out and get some small items done here and there. I guess my new target is going to be the Lone Star throwdown early next year.

Stay tuned!

 

[GRN96WS6]

Nothing can replace mom or dad, cherish the time with them, we'll still be here when the project picks back up. Enjoy your holidays!

 

[packofqtips]

yay! more bagged rides!
i picked up this dually a few years ago from texas, made a huge mistake when i traded it for this burban i miss my dually

https://scontent-b-lga.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash2/v/t1.0-9/1003864_10153123677410118_93780514_n.jpg?oh=7ade007ddea2e0a50f1b8ee1d685f4fd&oe=551775E6

 

[packofqtips]

hope your mother has a speedy recovery!

 

[xtremek]

Sorry to hear about your mom. I hope it wasn't too serious and she recovers soon.

 

[95riosnake]

You're doing some killer work! I'm about to start the install of a RideTech setup on my mustang, and it won't be even a fraction of the difficulty level of what you're doing. I have a serious addiction to bagged duallies, if I had a garage or driveway big enough for one, I'd probably have one! My prayers go out to your mom, I totally sympathize with putting the truck on hold for a bit. No car or truck can hold a candle to mom!