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Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
I know...I am so far behind on doing this, and many of you have asked. This thread will document the beginning to present of my current C10 love, Dianah. She is a 1972 c10 stepside that is currently bagged, and has begun surgery to become a 6.0L LSx recipient with a 6-speed manual for gear selection. I toyed with this combo or a while, and it is happening. Stay tuned for pics and more info!
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Bout time buddy!
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
alright....you know better then to start a thread and not post any pics !!
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
I know.......here I come
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
So, when I bought my C10, I still had my 70 C10 and my 72 GMC C1500. At that point, I was at 9 cars and trucks, and my wife said I was getting crazy....so I had to slim the fleet down some.
Here is my C10 the day I brought it home. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge.../stage-1-1.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Of course I knew that the bed was not right, but I did like the look of it being a stepside. I would find the proper bed for it once I got further along. To me, first things first - get it running the way it needs to (adjust carb, new brakes, and a tune-up....oh yeah...get it one color in preparation for its altitude adjustment).
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge.../stage-104.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
At this point, I could deal with it. I was hoping to bag this one, and then bag my 72 GMC as well...but Operation Slim the Fleet was in effect...sold the Porsche, two Bimmers and my GMC.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge.../stage-107.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge.../stage-109.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge.../stage-123.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Shortly thereafter, I began the debate on if I was going to do a static drop and some 20 or 22" Coys, or just bag it, and run whatever wheel I wanted when I wanted to. I started doing the numbers, and the parts for the static drop were looking mighty close to those of the bag pricing. I figured at the end of the day, I may not be happy with the stance of the static drop, and after putting coilovers on my BMW, I liked the option of adjustability...and feared if I had a load, or got stuck in my driveway, etc...that would be an issue. So BAGS it was.
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
I decided that I have plenty of cars with computers and whiz-bang cool stuff in them...I wanted to keep my truck as simple as possible. This helped a lot when I was driving and I would have to replace the alternator or voltage regulator or a power steering belt....these things were fixable on the side of the road with simple tools. So, as much as I liked the AccuAir ads (I watched the GMC one at least 3x a day), I was going to use switches, and set it up in a way that would not have side-to-side transference of air when in turns, and would be quick enough for up and down action. I was not trying to hop my truck (even though it can do that). I decided on 3/8 lines and valves, 2 ViAir Compressors with a 5 gallon tank and Firestone bags.
I did the aluminum tank instead of chrome http://www.coolcars.org/air/hi_res/5gal9portsilver.jpg http://www.coolcars.org/air/1multiportkit.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
My goal was to be able to lay frame, still keep the truck drivable and usable as a truck when needed.
To get the front down low, we did a Z in the front, boxed and gusseted for strength. The long tube headers that were on were ditched for Sanderson Shorty Headers to make room for the laying low... http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...rame-C10-3.jpg In the rear, a mild c-notch and custom trailing arms/4-link suspension were created. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...rame-C10-5.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...rame-C10-7.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...ame-C10-15.jpg The finished product at the time: http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...ame-C10-50.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
At some point, I began contemplating where I wanted to go with this truck. I originally was going to do motor/transmission upgrade, then consider the bags...but I thought that the bags were more fun....and did them first. I then decided it was time to require the truck for ease of use and efficiency. So I drove the truck down to Summit Racing, and bought The Painless Wiring (18 circuit kit), and all of the gauges that I needed: Tachometer, Speedometer, Fuel, Water, Voltage and Oil. I had the typical three gauge cluster under the dash that most people had, but I wanted to remove the three hole cluster, and fill it with these Autometers...and that is what I did.
I wanted to get rid of this under hood situation, and be ready for the day I do my engine upgrade. Here is what I had to deal with first: http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50007.jpg The solution: http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-500-1.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50000.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50002.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50004.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Ok, I have a lot more of this information to share with you all...but I need to get ready to head to the office. I will pick up where I left off later this evening...
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
looking forward to the progress !
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Can't wait to see more.
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Always liked this truck.
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Thanks guys! I will be posting more shortly!
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
As I mentioned before, here are the AutoMeter Gauges that I bought. 5" Speedo and Tach, 2 1/16" Fuel, Water, Voltage and Oil.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...LzE8UWJPuk.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...HEQn9xKbzA.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Looking good man, I am glad I am not the only one to start a build thread a year after I was into it :lol: Can't wait to see some pics of the bag install??
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
looking forward to updates
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
lookin good
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
LOL!
Yes, more pics are coming. I accidentally posted the thumbnails up there. I have a lot more to post...stay tuned |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Cool! #TeamStepside!
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
One thing about the year late threads is the pics come along quicker, for sure. Looking forward to seeing more.
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Nice looking project so far. Was it hard to find the six speed?? Asking because I have been looking at it for my 68 long bed.
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Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50011.jpg
The aforementioned Autometer Gauges. This and the Painless Wireless kit are some of the best money spent on this project. Removed seat, and began prepping the dash for the installation of the new gauges, as well as trimming the original hole for the fusebox. It is significantly larger than the stock eyeball damaging glass fuse box. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50012.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50016.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50017.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50018.jpg New gauges are a beautiful thing. I decided that I would do something fancy with the housing later - just depended on where I go with the theme of the truck. For now, this was a step up, because the original speedometer was broken (guess it wrapped around 80 a few times and snapped), and I needed clean and functional vs. beauty. |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Yes, Jim! #teamstepside!
We should create a club. For real. Like with just steppers. And have the hashtag on t-shirts and the whole nine. Andrew, I did my homework, debated on what route I wanted to go, and decided that if I cut corners and just do the 4l80e or whatever, I would not really be happy...so finding it was not too hard...just have to be persistent and patient. More on that coming soon... Thanks Zoomin' - I know. I have videos, pics and all kinds of stuff to share! LOL |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Now that the gauges are set the way I wanted, I butt-connected everything, zip-tied and taped them nice and neat for the installation later.Complete with inline fuses. I chose amber since I have been driving BMWs for the last 10+ years....
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50022.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50028.jpg These are neatened up once I get them in. Just run long enough so that I can test them before securing everything. |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Now that I have removed the wire loom from the wires under the hood, I really was not happy with the 40+ years of adjustments made by the PO. Here is what I got rid of (wires that change color a few times over)
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50033.jpg I ripped them all out. #Freshstart http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50034.jpg Below, I am mapping out exactly where everything is going to be routed. This was a little intimidating, but I looked at it like eating an elephant. #onebiteatatime http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50035.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
A lift would have come in handy at this point, but I had the truck on casters for easy manueverability. I wanted to ensure that I am taking effective bites out. Here I was preparing to wire the starter, battery charging circuit, and lighting. At this point, I had also completed the wiring for the radio, the airbags, gauges, and fuel.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50039.jpg Let there be light! (That is a good sign - everything is getting juice on the first try). Sweet! http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50040.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50041.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50043.jpg
I finished the rear lighting, and wiring, and got the truck ready for a maiden voyage. It was definitely great to have dependable fuses, and not fight with the glass ones if they popped. Here is a pic of when I went to a park. Still had the old bed on it. Meanwhile, I picked up some Moons from Summit, and was having them powdercoated, as this was the look I wanted to rock for a while. More on that to come... http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50044.jpg I was here to do a photoshoot. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50045.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
First 50 miles. Trouble free. What a great feeling.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50049.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50050.jpg
Look ma! Clean underhood. Wires go where they belong. Nice and neat. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50051.jpg Got bored and wrote "SLOW and LOW" on the side (front and rear). The ricers seemed to think this truck could not move. Boy what a surprise they got when they saw it lift up and actually leave them behind. Ricers include domestics too. 327/400 in this truck was not bad. But at this point, I decided I wanted more. I loved the sound the long tube headers gave me...the torque and punch that is in the M5 and the attitude the truck would have when I was finished. At this point, I decided it was time to go hard. Determine how much power I wanted (I knew a minimum of 400HP was necessary, even in my light truck), and that I wanted a stick...I love the sound it makes when running through the gears and letting off. Yup. MY first intention was 383 stroker crate motor...440HP/450TQ and figure out the tranny....I was leaning towards the TKO600... http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50059.jpg |
slightly off topic
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50061.jpg
Look at how low my truck is compared to my lowered BMW 5 series. It is on 19s, but sits higher than my truck. Handles like 911 though. Love it. |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
My rolling stock had come in! I was really excited about these. I wanted to run them just like this....no caps.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50074.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50076.jpg I really liked how they looked nice and deep with the caps off. They are 15x8 +4.25 BS all around. 215/65/15 tires. |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Early one morning, as always, I was scouring Craigslist in the southeast for C10 parts. I came across a SWB Step bed for sale in Columbus, GA. I contacted the guy, and he said he had it....so, I figured out that it was my first roadtrip in this truck...ever. Everything was local...you know, to the office, to a photoshoot, grocery...I live in-town, so I am extremely convenient to everything. Oh yeah, I forgot to post that I also added some Navigation for creature comforts. Definitely helpful in getting around town.
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50078.jpg You see that? Two things: 1) my voltage regulator died 60 miles out of Atlanta. I run electric fans. I was at 8 volts but she still got me home. 2) my oil pressure gauge is not connected here...it is still on another gauge as the lines are different, so I was going to wait until this time to hook it up in my LSx. 3000+ miles and just minor upgrades needed (alternator, voltage regulator). But she has been faithful. BUT....Columbus is 200 miles ONE way. He assured me that he would help me out and take my bed in a partial trade...but most importantly, help me get it off my tuck and place the other on, as my bed easily weighs 500 pounds. (Steel floor). Well, as you can see here...I ended up returning with my new bed on top of the old bed. Turns out my exhaust hangers were welded to the floor of the bed, and they could not help me with that part. So, I had to drive 200+ miles with my new bed on top. Yes, I rode just like that...low to the ground and happy. Lots of thumbs up on the way! http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50079.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50080.jpg Ok...more to come :) Stay tuned for the removal of the bed and all of the fun associated with that :) |
Gripes
Time to the mount the bed. But first, I had to have the exhaust changed.
Unfortunately, this is one of the things that I will have to have redone since the guys that did the work did not do it as I asked. Expensive mistake. I had to purchase a new hi-torque starter to get this finished. Almost $1,000 when it is said and done. Since this exhaust was not done the way I like, I have to do it over. When I lay out, it is on the ground...not above the frame as I instructed. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50084.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50085.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50092.jpg
Now that the exhaust is removed from the steel floor of the bed, I can pull the bed. Let me tell you - this sumbeach is heavy! I was able to remove it, and list it on Craigslist and sell it by that evening. Nice, right? Here is my frame. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50093.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50094.jpg Make note of the tank and compressors. They will be moved later. Here is the bed removed. Note the small bed notch. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50095.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50096.jpg Here is me test fitting the new bed http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50097.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50098.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50102.jpg Due to the way my trailing arms were made around the old bed, I had to remove the frame supports on the steps. I will address these later. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50103.jpg I will probably be cutting this out in the midst of the build so that I can fit some fatter rubber in preparation for bigger HP numbers. |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
Looking better already with the new bed!
#teamstepside http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50104.jpg The new bed does not have a floor, so I will address this by actually doing a raised floor. I anticipate that I will be going wider in the rear at some point, and also removing the tank from the cab, so it only makes sense. The view from above of the compressors and tank http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50105.jpg Notch and 4-link http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50107.jpg Laid out with new bed http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50111.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50112.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50113.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
New attitude
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50116.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50117.jpg http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50118.jpg Now when the @ss end is up, it actually looks like it, and when it is down, it is balanced in appearance. The other bed threw that look off with the shorter wheel opening. Yes, I am pleased. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50120.jpg At this point, I am rewiring the tail lights and connecting the loom where needed to the frame. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50121.jpg |
Re: Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56
http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50122.jpg
22" tires. Do I really want to go taller? Probably not. Well, at least at this phase. http://cdn.c.photoshelter.com/img-ge...se-2-50124.jpg |
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