Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

The fender got rained on before I could get it mounted, so it looks dirty.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

After spending all morning trying to make sense out of the wiring mess on the truck, I decided to pull the trigger on a new engine harness.

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/prodin...er=EH03680%2DH

I probably would not have done it, if it weren't for the fact that it is also ready to go for HEI. ( I am running HEI, newer internal regulator alternator and converting from idiot lights to guages.)

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

looking good keep up the hard work,congrats on the new additon to the family :metal:

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

That paint that's on it now might be airforce, mine was an Army thus my name that was sold or transfered to the Airforce and painted blue

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

No progress for the last couple of days. I got side tracked on one of my other "projects"

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=423556

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

The weather has been so nice that I just have to work on stuff!!!

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

I got a little more done the past few mornings. I got the new Brothers wiring harness partially installed. The old one was all hacked up. I wish I had a wiring diagram to tell me what everything is for. This new harness is built for HEI, so I got that figured out OK (DUH). I also figured out the starter wires and brake warning light, but there are a few others to figure out. THe truck oriiginally had warning lights, but I am changing it to stock guages. The cluster I am running has a tach as well. Does anyone know if it will work OK with the HEI? I am thinking it will. I had a 1971 El Camino SS in high school that I swapped an HEI into, and I don't remember having any problems getting the stock tach to work...

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

Does anyone else know, or have input as to what shift linkage they used in swapping in an O.D.? There are several threads on here regarding swapping them in, but no details as to the linkage, so I assume that the old TH 350/ 400 linkage works on the 700R4 I am installing (?) I have all of the stock TH350 pieces (rod, frame brackets and intermediate piece that slips over stud n frame bracket) with the exception of the piece that bolts to the trans gear selector shaft and the lock nut/ trunion that goes on the tab on the column.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

On the tach, it should work fine. A power source from the fuse panel, ground it good, and hook the tach up of course to the tach outlet on your HEI.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

...like I did on the 71 EC SS...

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

Can someone tell me which wires go to which poles on the starter solenoid? There is a purple and a yellow. I bought this truck without a drivetrain. When I pull an engine, I always label everything first...

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

I made some progress Monday on my day off. Nothing really photo worthy, though. I got the torque converter bolts in and tightened up, all of the AC and shift linkage cleaned and painted, lower radiator hose and clamps installed, flex fan and spacer installed, water temp sensor installed, starter and battery cable installed. I still ahve a ways to go.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

Still need to do the following before I can get the truck started:

Time engine and install dist
Install new spark plugs
Run new plug wires
(Possibly) rebuild the Q-Jet carb
Install A/C brackets so that I can get the exhaust manifold gaskets in place and the manifolds tioghtened down


Things to do before I can get it moving under its' own power:
Locate a longer TV cable for 700r4
Devise a mounting bracket for TV and throttle cables
Install rear trans mount
Locate the shift finger (?) that mounts to trans for shift linkage
(Possibly) drill holes for trans cross member (700r4 trans
I believe I am going to have to get a new driveshaft, as I don't believe the stock one from when it had a TH350 is going to work

Things to do to get it driveable:
Bleed brakes, possibly (likely) rebuild brakes completely
Buy new tires

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

Progress today:

Installed dist
Installed new spark plugs
Installed A/C brackets, exhaust manifold gaskets in place and the manifolds tightened down
Tightened up ps hoses
Tightened up trans cooler lines
Installed clamps on radiator and hoses
Cleaned, painted and installed an oil pressure gauge line I purchased on the forum from Teeitup


Ordered a longer TV cable for 700r4 (trans was originally behind a 6.2 diesel with a really short TV cable)
Located and ordered the shift finger that mounts to trans for shift linkage from Athey's truck parts

Pics to follow soon

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

I got a few vacuum lines run, carb bolted down and plug wires run. I got the truck to crank over, but I think I need to double check the timing. It wanted to pop back throught the carb. I ran out of time this AM, but will give it a shot again tomorrow. BTW, I will be painting the air cleaner. I just wanted to see how it fit.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

looking good....definitely check the timing and if it's still running off...re-stab the distributor making sure it's at TDC...mine was off a tooth from the PO and ran ok..but much better when we figured that out....

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

I got her fired up nd moving under her own power! Loaded up and headed out for paint! My dad is still going to pull the bed, front and rear glass and interior before dropping it off. He has more time on his hands since he is retired, and I have a baby on the way!

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

After we loaded it up, I took it to a local tire shop about a mile down the road to have a set of almost new Dayton Timberline A/T P235 75 R15 tires I picked up for $80 (!) mounted on an extra set of rallys and installed. We will put a more permanent chain and boomer on it before it hits the highway.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

In my current role as an airport electrician, I have learned that the reference to "Form 139" has to do with the FAA and airfield rules and regulations.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

No progress to speak of, but I did pick up a nice grill guard today.

http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/2064595646.html

I got it for $60. I think that is a pretty good deal! I'm not sure if I will install it on this truck or not, though. It would look more at home on my dad's 71 GMC SWWB stepside (my avatar). It has more of the "farm truck" vibe with the 250 6 cyl. 3OTT, manual brakes and steering, radio delete.

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

Over the Christmas break, my dad and I pulled the bed off to clean and paint the frame and paint the rear of the cab. A P.O. removed a couple of the crossmembers to install a goose neck ball hitch. I am in need of the third and fourth from the rear cross members for my 72 stepside project. Please include shipping cost to Lolita TX 77971. (I believe LMC has them for around $30 + shipping.)

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

When I was in the Air Force from 1985-1991 there were still ab bunch of '69-'72 Short Steps on bases. I tried to get one so hard but just couldn't get them to sell me one.
There is a guy in my hometown that's been driving an O.D. Green original Army '72 Short Step for YEARS!

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

these army trucks are cool

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

looking good :metal:

Re: 72 SWB STEP "Army truck" Budget Build
 

Not much progress lately, my mom and dad took the truck to their house a few months back, but my momma was sick a lot and passed away a week ago Sunday. THe funeral was this past Thurs, and it all still seems unreal. I talked to my daddy this AM and he said he had started back on the truck to keep himself busy and his mind off my momma passing away. I had let my dad have the truck so that he and momma would have one with AC PS PB to drive and be more comfortable than his all manual 71 GMC with 2/ 55 air. One of the last times I was home, she asked me when i was going to have it ready to drive! She didn't care much for driving them, but loved to ride. A few years ago she made a trip from Lolita, TX to Williamsburg Va with my brother in the 71 Cheyenne Super big block 402 he bought. She said that the gas stops timed pefectly with her bathroom breaks!