Sweet...why the hell not then. I like having it posted in a few places because it helps me get ideas as I go along. So here's an exact copy of my original post from the other forums:
Can I honestly say the project started, just because I moved the trucks inside the shop in an attempt to force me to begin?
The subject: 1994 Chevy C3500HD cab & chassis
This is when "HD" really meant something on the end of the name. Completely different frame and suspension from the lighter trucks, they have 3" wide rear leafs with a whole separate overload pack; the front axle is a straight beam/kingpin setup which is also leaf sprung, and they come from the factory with 10 lug 19.5" wheels (the front pattern is a large 5 lug on the same 10 lug wheels.) They are in the 14,000-16,000 lb GVWR range; I don't have the specs in on this exact truck yet.
This truck came with a 6.5TD and NV4500 5-speed. The 6.5TD is blown and long gone. It also had a Western Hauler style flatbed which is gone. My plan is to convert it to my new yard wrecker/trailer hauler, using the Hytech Sneeker wheel lift unit off my '98 crew cab. I'll use the Vortec 7.4 engine from a '96 C3500 and either the existing NV4500 in the HD, or possibly the NV4500 from the '96 C3500 as well. I may slice-and-dice a flatbed I have on a '91 C2500, and mount a 12,000 lb. Warn Industrial series winch on it. I'll likely do the interior upgrade with the later model dash and door panels, converting to power windows/locks while I'm at it. I'll have to use a side mount gas tank, which will likely come from a '92 C3500 cab & chassis here. I'll finish off by installing the near-new Goodyear 245/70/19.5 GSS-647 tires that are currently on my '98.
I may even swap the entire '96 C3500 cab over to help facilitate the new interior swap (the steering column supports are different) and to keep the VIN/engine info the same for emissions test purposes.
Every project needs "before" pictures:
The '96 C3500 engine/possible trans donor:
It's going to be a slow project; I'll probably try to get it together for pulling the trailer first, then figure out how to chop up the wrecker unit to go on. I need to do it in a way so that my current '98 crew cab wrecker has minimal downtime during the swap.
Wish me luck and patience, I'm gonna need it! You can wish me money, too; it sure couldn't hurt...
(p.s. this is going to be a low-budget project, so don't be appalled when you see non-critical things cobbled together, or the whole truck liberally doused in flat black spray paint!)
Richard