Project "Funky Monkey"

[funkytechmonkey]

Project "Funky Monkey" is finally underway!

To give you a little history of myself. I'm 31, married and a kid on the way. I was a Network Administrator for over 10 years and just recently bought a restaurant franchise and I have NEVER wrenched on a truck a day in my life... until a week ago.

The wife and I...


Last week I finally found a a 71 GMC C10 shorty. Its in decent shape and I actually drove her home over an hour away.

On the way home I had to stop by my buddy Dustys house and put her next to the 56. Dusty is on these forums somewhere.



Here she is from the front. If anyone is interested in a really nice clean 71 hood let me know. I am going with a 67 front clip so all of the front will be going on the classifieds soon.









The bench seat is in great shape except for that drivers seat. BTW it will be posted in the classifieds too.


Already starting to take her apart.




For all of you first time builders like myself this is a MUST...


And for those rusty bolts.... This is a MUST as well!!




Went and picked up a little cherry picker from my buddy Tom...


and made a quick stop for the bare necessities..


My buddy Tom helping me out. Cause I dont know the first thing about motors. Believe me I have learned aLOT tonight.


My lil neighbor and the father in law come to help out.


The 350 is out! (will also be going on the classifieds with the tranny both ran GREAT just moving on to a big block


Coming along pretty good for only 3 nights after work wrenching on her.


I ripped her heart out and she bled all over my garage floor. (remember this is my first time wrenching so the tranny fluid is my rookie mistake)




The end.... well... to be continued

[gopokes]

Looks like you are off to a good start!

[Willys47]

when going to the 67 front clip. I belive all you have to change is the hood and hood latch that mounts to the rad support. The frnder trim can come off and you wil have the same frnders. didn't indent them like chevys. The top crome grill strip that is riveted to the grill needs to be changed to 67/68 style and you have a front end you want. thats 3 parts instead of a whole clip.

[funkytechmonkey]

Thanks Willlys... After tearing her down it looks like the truck had a TON of body work done to it and it was done with bondo. So I am going to replace everything anyways.

I was a little disappointed with the amount of body work that was done before and the motor was a HUGE disappointment... I was told it was a 350 when I bought it, yanked it out and it turns out to be a 307.

[funkytechmonkey]

I havent been able to get away from work to work on her like I wanted. So the progress is VERY slow. And doing this with NO experience at all is prob making it even slower. Id love to have someone help me with this that actually knows what they are doing. I keep refering back to the forums and everyone here has been really helpful.

Well... I finally got her down to the bare frame.


There were a few things wrong with the frame that I had to put attention to. There were two plates welded to the frame that I had to cut and grind off. and the dross members were a little bent so I straighten them out.


After all the work on the frame. Brown showed up with some goodies from Porterbuilt.


Like Christmas!!


Porterbuilt builds some good lookn stuff.

[funkytechmonkey]

I started marking up the notch and boy did I screw this thing up. The only thing I am disapointed with is Porterbuilt lack of detailed instructions for their kits. Im sure most people that purchase these kits know what they are doing or have some kinda experience in building one of these trucks with their kits. I have no clue what I am doing so its pretty much a guessing game. I did call Nathan and talk to him after my first cut and he gave me better instrucations and measurements to go by.

Placed for markup


This is how far the first notch was off. Luckly I didnt cut the second, found the correct measurements and corrected it.


My buddy brought his new welder over and this is my VERY FIRST weld. I have never even held a welder before.


My frame upside down... you can see how far my cut was off.


Notch is in


When I spoke with Nathan he said the top part of the notch should measure 31" to the rear. So I am dead on now.


Not sure how I am going to cut this out when it comes to mounting the bags. Any suggesstions would be great. I know these bolts are not suppose to go in there.. They are there just to hold the notch in place while I drilled the rest.


Picked up a new set of fenders from a member


Both are in.

[funkytechmonkey]

I am really curious if anyone else has had this problem. I may need to post it in the suspension forum. But my Shock mount crossmember is exactly 1/2" short. I called Nathan and he said he has never had that happen.


This is a measurement for INSIDE the frame.




another measurement to check work.


Starting to mock up the rear end.


I picked up a 67 rear end from a forum member so I started to mock things up. I was a little disapointed in how hard it was to actually get the U bolts in and tightened up. PBs logo is a little too high inside to allow you to put the nut on. This is just small potatoes but for a rookie like me its pretty aggravating . I had to try and bend the ubolts to fit and after I started to get them in I had to hammer them in place, that messed the treads up. I had to back the U bolt out a bit to get the nut on.





So far this is where I am. I really hope to get a day off soon to do some work on it. The front crossmember, control arms, and rach n pinion should be here this week

[funkytechmonkey]

Here is a funny video of my crazy rottie.

YouTube - Damian attacking the sparks

[kac383]

Looking good, looks like it is coming along quickly. I am sure you are learning quite a bit as you go.

Kevin

[funkytechmonkey]

Thanks Kevin... Yes I have learned a ton. This has been a really good learning curve. I can not wait to finish this one and start a new project. I will have the next one planned out a little better. I'm trying to document the porterbuilt suspension install the best I can in case someone in the future is going to do the same build.

BTW... Today I orders posi and a set of five lug axels. Hopefully tomorrow I will get a chance to order the rear disc breaks. By the time I finish that the front dropmember will be in and I can start on the front. I love seeing it coming back together.
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[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by funkytechmonkey

Thanks Kevin... Yes I have learned a ton. This has been a really good learning curve. I can not wait to finish this one and start a new project. I will have the next one planned out a little better. I'm trying to document the porterbuilt suspension install the best I can in case someone in the future is going to do the same build.

Posted via Mobile Device

Looks like it is coming along quite nicely. We do have pretty detailed instructions for this kit on the new forum I sent you the link to: http://www.porterbuiltfabrication.co...Deluxe-Version

The rest of the goodies head out tomorrow.

[butternut1972]

Your makin good progress. It is really looking good.

[RaceAGMC]

Keep up the good work. You've got a lot of nice parts, will be cool to see them all on the truck when it's finished.

[funkytechmonkey]

Thanks guys! I ordered the posi yesterday and got it today!! Didn't even pay for overnight shipping.
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[STOCKISH]

Looks like an amazing build, keep up the good work!

[nuke1]

Very nice truck and build so far, that dog of yours is NUTZZZ. wow. lol. If you are wanting to get rid of the lower trim on the truck, let me know, may be interested.

[funkytechmonkey]

Nathan... Those instructions were great and helped out a ton. I need an "install for dummies" lol. For example.... the 31" measurement from the end of the frame would be good information to add. Installing the notch is documented great. But for noobs like me I didnt even know what or how to install the studs for the shocks. I got some more pics today that I will post up. I mocked up the rear end and the axels line up perfect in the notches.

[funkytechmonkey]

Does this housing look like it will hit the bottom of the bed?


Looks like she is going to sit pretty low.


The bags are not mounted yet... just stuck them in there to take a pic.


Brown came in again today

[JasonBird]

now you need to change your signature! you're a wrenching fool now! Keep up the great work. cool parts you are putting on there!

[67cheby]

looking great !!!

[bigguy69]

great work!

[Hart_Rod]

Nice build. The housing "should" clear the bottom of your bed.

[RCbowtie69]

Hey from N.C., nice build & keep the pictures coming.It's going to be a nice truck,keep on truckin''

[funkytechmonkey]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it! I disassembled the rear and sent everything off to blast and Powdercoat. I will post some additional pics up tonight. I was debating on powdercoating or just painting the frame and I've gone with painting. So this past week I welded in the front notches for the rack n pinion, put about 3 coats of primer and 2 coats of paint, I'll put a few more coats of paint then start putting things back together. I've got the rear suspension back from Powdercoat. I decided to Powdercoat all the PB stuff blue and paint the frame and rearend black. So I HOPE it turns out nice.
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[67cheby]

looking good