Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

OUCH. Funny how instincts take over, hope you heal up quick!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thanks..

Thanks Heath.. It's been almost a week and feels better already. Less throbbing lol.

Thanks Mike..
I am fortunate for sure. The white thing in pic is the tendon. Thanks Gage
That's funny.. Thanks

Thanks. Next Order is a park brake ;)
Thanks Duane.

Thank You

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

So this past weekend, the wife and I took our first road trip to her class reunion in CA in the truck, (Red Fred) which my kids named lol. We drove around 550 miles, and averaged around 75MPH/18.8 MPG. It was so nice to have the bed finished, to carry all of my wife's crap lol.. Here are a couple of pics.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Bed pic

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Hell Ya, :metal: Congrats on the break-in, even though the bed was full of girlie stuff...:lol:

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Wow , looks really good man!
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Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Lookin' good! Congrats on the successful trip.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thanks Heath...

Thank You.

Thanks Duane...

It's been a while since I've updated my build, I have been busy driving my truck and enjoying the holidays with my family. I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I did get my wing windows rebuilt and installed, which was a lot easier than I expected. My goal is to finish up the interior and order my A/C system in the next 2 months.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Pic 2

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Pic 3

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Looks like the American Cherry is getting darker, I like it!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Man that truck is saaaawwwweeeeet!!!!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

If you're feeling up to it.... Next Sunday the 10th it the Espresso and Exotics meet at Boca Park on Charleston Blvd... It's starts at 8am

https://goo.gl/maps/Lwzjzt1r6tF2

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Very nice work on the vent windows. I love the wood bed. It looks great, as does the rest of your truck. Keep the pictures coming.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thanks man!

Sounds like a plan Rich. I'll see you there unless it's raining.

I appreciate your help with the wing Windows and thank you for following my build for the last 5 yrs Mike!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

I didn't realize the rubber on the wing Windows was supposed to be tucked in. Good thing for silicon spray! I didn't have to pull the wing Windows back out.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Pic 2

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Awesome job on the wing windows Mark! Truck looks amazing!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

I just went through and read the entire thread, love the attention to detail! Awesome build!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Just checked out your whole build. Awesome truck! I love the color of the pc on the frame. Do you know the exact color of it? Getting ready to take mine in.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thanks Keith! I am looking forward to the updates on your new build.

Thank you for taking the time to read through it. That's what's so cool about this forum, that we are able to document our builds:metal:
Thank You. The PC on my frame is "hammered black". It looks more gray than black lol. See pic, I can get you a part number if you want it.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

This weekend me and a few friends spent the weekend at the "Mesquite Motor Mania" car show. We had a blast trucking together with our families and friends.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Another pic.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Such a beautiful truck :metal:

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

I just found your build thread tonight and spent a while hitting the highlights. Iam an old school guy and usually don't like the way trucks are getting modified these days. I don't like the slammed look and/or large diameter wheels at all. I have to say, I really like what you have done and how you've accomplished it. Your attention to detail is outstanding. The stance is perfect. Very very nice truck. I restore mahogany boats and have been a woodworker all my life. I don't know what your experience with wood is but expect your cherry wood to continue to darken when exposed to sunlight. A good marine varnish with UV inhibitors will slow the process. Enjoy your beautiful truck!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thank You Keith..:metal:

What an Awesome compliment! I have been very fortunate to have help from this forum, and help from good friends with my build! Especially, the unfamiliar areas, such as the wood floor etc. I respect you guys that work with wood and are good at it, since there's no room for error (unlike metal)!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Had to drive the truck to work today since we're in the upper 60's and put it on the truck scale. Weighed 3,720 lbs (no one in the seat) with a full tank of fuel and a 12 pack.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Your truck looks great Mark! I know how cool it is to drive them to work, I try to drive mine as often as I can.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Look at that Red shine, love it!

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thanks Mike. This weekend were hitting the mid 70's. Perfect cruising weather for a 3 day weekend:metal:

Thanks Keith.

After many hours of research, I have ordered my new rear end gears with posi traction. Now I will be able to use 5th & 6th gear on the freeway.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Congrats on the new gears Mark. I want to add a posi to mine but after my first go around with a gear swap, not too sure I want to tackle it.
I bet your truck will come out of the hole good with the 4:56.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Thanks Mike. It was A/C or gears right now. I decided to go with the gears for now, and hopefully A/C before summer. The chart on the left is my current set up with 3:73. The chart on the right is the 4:56 gears. Right now I have to use a ton of clutch to come out of the hole, and it doesn't pull like it should. so as you can as see by the chart with my current setup 3:73 @ 2000 RPM in 6th gear I had to do 106 MPH, and with the new gearing @ 2000 RPM in 6th gear I will be doing 79 MPH on top end. What I have read and feel while driving these LS motors, they like to run between 2100-2400 RPM.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Dropped the rear end today. I figured it will be easier to rebuild it on the bench rather than climbing under the truck a 100 times lol.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

The 4.56 gears look like a great choice. Heck looks like even 4.88's could work well.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Kurt,

I think so too. I know I'm going to shift more, but I am going to have more usable gears. 4:88's would be fun though..

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

That's interesting. I had a little different experience and I think its due to the differences in gear ratios in each trans. I'm running a TR6060 out of a 14' Camaro SS ( along with its stock hydraulic clutch) and the ONLY time I use 1st gear is if I'm starting on a hill. I can easily start in 2nd gear with my 4:10 rear gears that Mark Williams axles installed for me when widening my 12 bolt and doing the c-clip delete.

The motor is a VVT LC9 out of a 13' Silverado. The issue I have is bogging at 75mph+ on the highway pulling 6th gear moving this brick down the road. But I'm also comparing it to my old LS7 C6Z that pulled 1800 rpm at 80mph and had 100 extra cubes and 350 extra hp.

Time for heads/cam!:metal:

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

I totally agree with you, on the transmission gear ratios. Not until researching, did I learn which rear end gears to change to. I learned there are 2 different T56's; a close ratio and a wide ratio. I also didn't realize that my wheels and tires outside diameter, made a major difference. My outside tire diameter is 5" taller than the Pontiac TA with the same drive train.

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Pic

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Pic 2

Re: Started my first frame off - 72 SWB LS1, 6-spd manual
 

Mike you're right, I really wanted the satisfaction of being able to rebuild my rear end myself. After I tore it down and started the assembly process, I realized I wasn't skilled enough for such a large task. So, for less than $300, I had Dan's Driveline here in Las Vegas do the assembly for me, & I'm definitely glad I did.

I just finished My test drive a couple hours ago:metal: