Pebbles: 1 Family Mostly Stock 68 Build

svastano · May 23, 2018

Looking good!

chuckyb · May 31, 2018

Bolting on some shiny parts

I’ve done a little work in the front and a little work in the back. I have added a 2 degree shim on the rear, the leaf springs are sitting a hair “wide” compared to the 9” housing to line everything up perfectly. Back grease seals are in and Dana 30 rebuild kit is probably next.

chuckyb · Jun 11, 2018

Progress on the drivetrain

I delivered the Rancho overdrive to my engine builder who is also rebuilding the three speed and transfer case. He will mate the OD to the transfer case.

It was interesting to learn that the original 289 came from the factory with a 302 block. I guess this is due to the switch-over from 289s over to 302s. It is a late March 1968 build. Refer to the pictures of the castings. The block has a 68 build code and is stamped 302. The heads are stamped 289 and the crank shaft is for a 289.

I have been doing some research on the Rancho overdrive and chasing a few parts. It was missing a relay and a kickdown switch and I now have new ones. It also appears that the solenoid is damaged - it is out for repair. The OD unit had a little original seafoam greenish paint on it. I went with POR-15 Buick green engine paint to respray it. I have also gotten a couple of Spicer style yokes since my driveshafts are being rebuilt Spicer style. One yoke is for the front of the transfer case and the other will go on the back of the overdrive.

The internals on the transfer case and the transmission were in really good shape so they will not require major work. The 289 was showing it’s wear after 190k miles.

chuckyb · Jun 25, 2018

Y'all were right - Dana 30 is a PIA!

I am keeping the rig as original as possible and don't intend on doing much 4x4, so I elected to keep my Dana 30. Wow, what a pain to change out the new racings / bearings / dampners / seals. I have a little more upside down hammering to go to complete one lower set. The knuckles and kingpins are no picnic either. Evaporust was required to soak the kingpins apart. I finally found a use for grandpa's old pull scale to set the preload on the knuckle. One knuckle complete and one more to go.

My PS box is back fresh from West TX Offroad. It was back on my doorstep in less than two weeks.

After I get the other knuckle on, it is time for connecting the steering linkage and the front disc brake conversion. Hopefully my knuckle grinding is adequate.

rydog1130 · Jun 25, 2018

chuckyb said:
I am keeping the rig as original as possible and don't intend on doing much 4x4, so I elected to keep my Dana 30. Wow, what a pain to change out the new racings / bearings / dampners / seals. I have a little more upside down hammering to go to complete one lower set. The knuckles and kingpins are no picnic either. Evaporust was required to soak the kingpins apart. I finally found a use for grandpa's old pull scale to set the preload on the knuckle. One knuckle complete and one more to go.

My PS box is back fresh from West TX Offroad. It was back on my doorstep in less than two weeks.

After I get the other knuckle on, it is time for connecting the steering linkage and the front disc brake conversion. Hopefully my knuckle grinding is adequate.

looks fantastic cant wait to see some color on it!

sprdv1 · Jun 27, 2018

looking awesome man....

chuckyb · Jul 11, 2018

Paint!

The tub is back to her original Pebble Beige with the red oxide primer color underneath. Raptor tintable liner has been applied to the underside and interior.

svastano · Jul 11, 2018

Looks Great!

markw · Jul 11, 2018

Wow! Really really nice work.

rydog1130 · Jul 11, 2018

looking awesome man!

bronkenn · Jul 11, 2018

Love the uncut look. That is really nice. Ken

chuckyb · Jul 25, 2018

Moving along at the engine shop

Some pictures of the drivetrain components. The driveshafts still need more POR-15. Just a couple more hours work and should have the drivetrain on the frame.

chuckyb · Jul 25, 2018

D20 and Rancho overdrive

And one more picture with the transfer case and Rancho overdrive attached.

Fireball05 · Jul 25, 2018

Awesome progress, this one is going to turn out niiiiiiiice!!!!

Do you have anything painted wimbledon white that you could put next to the pebble beige for reference? I thought PB was a bit more "yellow" than your photos show.

chuckyb · Jul 27, 2018

Fireball05 said:
Awesome progress, this one is going to turn out niiiiiiiice!!!!

Do you have anything painted wimbledon white that you could put next to the pebble beige for reference? I thought PB was a bit more "yellow" than your photos show.

Thanks Fireball! Your build has motivated me. I think you are correct and agree the PB does not look accurate due to the shop lighting. Once the top gets painted, I’ll try to get a close up of the Wimbledon White next to the Beige.

chuckyb · Jul 27, 2018

Rolling chassis

I want to say thanks to everyone that’s provided me encouragement and feedback on the build. It’s been about two years since I started the tear-down and I’ve learned a lot.

I have worked my way through what I need to get the wheels back on. I lost a lot of time on the D30 rebuild. When I thought I was complete, I ran into thread problems on the knuckles. I eventually had to helicoil three threads to get the torque I needed.

The Rancho overdrive is adding complexity to the build. I had the driveshaft shortened 9” to accommodate and had it rebuilt Spicer-style. I got Spicer yokes for the front of the transfer case and the back of the overdrive. The Spicer yoke and the CV on the rear driveshaft are a perfect match. However, the output shaft on the OD does not match the Spicer yoke. All ideas are welcome as this is an open unresolved issue. Good news is that I do have time to figure it out.

Crawdad · Jul 27, 2018

Looking great Chuck!

chuckyb · Jul 30, 2018

Frame + Drivetrain delivered

Good times with my son this past week. He has not been very interested in the project lately, but something seemed to click for him when we put the wheels back on and dropped it on the floor. We got the 289+3 speed+Dana 20+Overdrive assembly secured to the frame. We got the rolling chassis delivered to the body shop along with the parts and hardware needed for the next phase. Seeing the tub painted for the first time got us both fired up. Next up is the 1” Wild Horses body lift, fenders and doors.

Weevil · Jul 30, 2018

You going to run a TruHi9 so fix the rear driveshaft angle ?
I did when I added a Klune V
My brother had a Bronc Buggie that was named Pebbles
Becaus if it broke it would go Bam Bam

chuckyb · Jul 30, 2018

Weevil said:
You going to run a TruHi9 so fix the rear driveshaft angle ?
I did when I added a Klune V
My brother had a Bronc Buggie that was named Pebbles
Becaus if it broke it would go Bam Bam

Hi Weevil

I have stock 9” and that is an overdrive on the transfer case. I added a 2 degree shim to address the angle. That said, I need to measure to see if the 2 degrees takes care of it. I will try to keep Pebbles from going Bam

Pebbles: 1 Family Mostly Stock 68 Build

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