LBZ: Project Unconcoured

[S Phinney]

Finally found me a nice regular cab 4x4 LBZ. I have been looking seems like forever for a clean lower mileage truck that wasn't beat up and didn't have rust. I found me a company truck that came from South Georgia. Picked it up for 9900 bucks. I have many ideas on what I want to do but would like some suggestions or advice from experiences you guys have or trucks you have seen around maybe. I want to convert it to a short bed truck. Are there any things I need to consider before converting? I know there aren't many if those out there. Are there any negative handling issues after the conversion? I am also wanting to transplant my lb7 crew cab engine into the regular cab and out the lbz and six speed in the crew cab. Any suggestions or negatives to consider when doing that switch? What is the best most efficient way on making the long bed a short bed? I have many questions so I'm sure I will keep asking for input. Here are a couple pictures of the starting platform.


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[jliddle]

Pretty sure Cornell had a thread on here about his RCLB that he had shortened to a short bed. Iirc the frame was seperated at a factory seam in the rear and shortened there. Two halves slid back together and welded. Keeping factory appearance.

Something I would look into is one piece driveshaft vs carrier bearing. Not sure if the 4wd regular cabs came with a 1 piece.

With the bed I would just find one from a wreck or scrapyard. Cutting a bed apart to shorten would be a giant pain. Inner panel, floor and bedsides would need serious amounts of work.

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

I'm pretty sure you can't legally put the lb7 in the lbz. You can go forward but not backwards on emissions...


I'd go quadrasteer bed if you can, they look mean lowered on an extended cab and I'd bet even better on a short bed...

 

[skintback]

Nice find Shane :thumb:

 

[Ne-max]

I did a 2wd before. It was a riot but would not want the short wheel base if you are planning on big power. Most guys will drop the whole rear end. Cut frame and relocate rear end. Fuel tank will need to be swapped. Should already have 1 piece driveshaft.
I think the hardest part is all the wiring for motor swap.

 

[TheBac]

1) Long to short bed: http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16264
http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43617

2) As far as drag racing/handling a RC/SB, look no farther than prostreeter600 here. Heck, he could also walk you thru the conversion. I dont see any issues with big power on a short wheel base if you set the suspension up correctly and use your head -- which I know for a fact describes you to a tee.

Sounds like fun, Shane. Look forward to the progress.


Qsteer bed -- :thumb: The big problem is finding wide wheels with a usable backspace that fit big enough slicks for these trucks, and also small enough for matching fronts.

 

[S Phinney]

I'm pretty sure you can't legally put the lb7 in the lbz. You can go forward but not backwards on emissions...


I'd go quadrasteer bed if you can, they look mean lowered on an extended cab and I'd bet even better on a short bed...

Oh emissions don't really matter on a race truck right? LOL


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[S Phinney]

1) Long to short bed: http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16264
http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43617

2) As far as drag racing/handling a RC/SB, look no farther than prostreeter600 here. Heck, he could also walk you thru the conversion. I dont see any issues with big power on a short wheel base if you set the suspension up correctly and use your head -- which I know for a fact describes you to a tee.

Sounds like fun, Shane. Look forward to the progress.


Qsteer bed -- :thumb: The big problem is finding wide wheels with a usable backspace that fit big enough slicks for these trucks, and also small enough for matching fronts.

Tom I have been looking for a very long time. I suppose the main goal is to have a really fast truck that I could run safely and be competitive. Does anyone here know for certain if I could change out the six speed with the five speed to work with the lb7 with me having all the parts or will the computer and harness not communicate and be compatible? I have so many ideas floating around and would like to make those most out of the parts I have. Then buy whatever else I need to complete the truck. I'm thinking coilovers in the front and lowering the truck with some four links on the rear and QA1 shocks all around. I'm sure it will take me a little time to put together but hope to have it close to where I would want it in a year or less.


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[TheBac]

Id stay with the 6speed. I dont think you can back-track.

I completely understand about constantly thinking up new ideas during a build. :hehe: Keep tossing out new ideas. Some will work, some wont. Only way to find out is to try.

Whatever you decide to do, I know it's going to be a well-put-together truck. Good luck.

 

[NC-smokinlmm]

Oh emissions don't really matter on a race truck right? LOL


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Haha, yea, that'd be a diffrent stroy. I'm sure it wouldn't ever see the street...

 

[S Phinney]

Haha, yea, that'd be a diffrent stroy. I'm sure it wouldn't ever see the street...

Only on occasion, when one of the loud mouths want to talk a lot if crap!


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[JeremyDon88]

Glad to see you finally got you a reg cab..

 

[S Phinney]

It has taken me a while Jeremy. I'm hoping to kit have to buy too many new parts. I already know it will be getting expensive


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[JeremyDon88]

Yes sir but u will get there.. My truck handled awesome with no negative results besides no traction whatsoever in 2wd! Lol just cut 18'' from the front half of frame get u a short bed n custom driveshaft n go to to track after u get that LB7 n that bad boy! Lol oh if it were as easy done as said we would all have one n the trailer! Lol

 

[S Phinney]

Yes sir but u will get there.. My truck handled awesome with no negative results besides no traction whatsoever in 2wd! Lol just cut 18'' from the front half of frame get u a short bed n custom driveshaft n go to to track after u get that LB7 n that bad boy! Lol oh if it were as easy done as said we would all have one n the trailer! Lol

I am kind of torn between that and just building the lbz. Too many things to contemplate. I just want the least amount of problems in the end.


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[cstephens93]

. I just want the least amount of problems in the end.


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Story of my life.

 

[JeremyDon88]

Yes I think it would save a lotta headache to just build the lbz and 6 speed but u already have a bad ass LB7 so I can see how ur torn.

 

[S Phinney]

I getting all my info together now. I believe I will be doing the lbz, short bed conversion and coil overs at all four corners.


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