71 4X4 Frame off Restoration

[DWilbur]

This project is a mid life crises project. Got a bug up my a** to do a frame off restoration so I bought this 1971 4X4 about 8 months ago. It did not run very well. With a little work my nephew did on the carb he got it running. I was trying to restore most of it and keep it running. Well plans changed. My brothers think I'm crazy. Maybe just a little. I was going to hold off posting this build project until I have the cab and frame painted. but changed directions and in in a world of rust and rut. so I will post some pictures and get this thread up to date and see if I can get some help with the rot.

[DWilbur]

Picture of new 6" lift and wheels and tires.

[DWilbur]

Bought a Dana 60 and 14 bolt with disk breaks. rebuilt the 14 bolt with new ring pinion and locker. cleaned up the Dana 60 as it is in great shape just need new pinion seal.

[DWilbur]

14 bolt after I had relocated the spring purch as the leaf springs are not the same from 71 to 73. Ya I should have cut off the shock mounts when I moved the spring purchs. I can do it at a later date.

[DWilbur]

Well after driving the truck for a while I decided that the cab is not as big as I remember it when 2 of my friends had them 20 years ago. So I'm thinking about extending the cab or building a quad cab. this why my brother think I'm crazy. so I bought a doner Suburan.

[DWilbur]

Befor the suburan I picked up a 2004 LSX 5.3 engine and rebuilt it. lower end is stock with all new pistons, bearing and gaskets. heads rebuilt by Total Engine Airflow to stage 2 mods. Comp cam 281 grind. 1.8 to 1 roler rockers, double roller chain, 1-7/8 headers from Doug Thorley.

[DWilbur]

I need some advice on the rust rot issue. Not sure if the Apill is the same on a truck and Suburan.

[54blackhornet]

Boy you sure are a craftsman ! I looked at your post because I too am doing a 71 K-10 build, but your work is far removed from my "Rebuild". Keep at it , the Burb & welding guru's will chime in soon. I wish I had your skills,
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[DWilbur]

Hello 54 Blackhornet
This is my first time working with sheet metal to this extent. The last build project I did was for a good friend of mine we rebuilt a 60's vintage Stevens Hydro in the mid 90’s and it was wood and fiberglass and I'm carpenter by trade. My dad taught me how to weld after high school. I took a welding class at the carpenter apprentice school and convinced my dad to buy a miller mig welder. I have been melting metal ever since.

[swamp rat]

Awesome and subscribed too! But this really belongs in the 4X4 builds section.

[71blksuper4x4]

I am almost positive that they are really close if not 100% the same. Trevor

[DWilbur]

Hello 71blksuper4X4
Thanks for the info. I will be looking close at the 71 truck cab I have in 2 weeks to make sure it will work replacing the A piller. I have my fingers crossed.

[DWilbur]

Hello swamp rat
Thanks for the reply. I'm new the the site and did not konw there is an 4X4 section. It was late last night when I started the thread and I was looking for some help with the rot issue I'm batteling.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Hello swamp rat
Thanks for the reply. I'm new the the site and did not konw there is an 4X4 section. It was late last night when I started the thread and I was looking for some help with the rot issue I'm batteling.

I'm sorry i cant help with the A pillar question, but you might try giving Wes at Classic heartbeat a call he knows these trucks inside and out and could probably answer your question. he is also a vendor here on the forum.

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/

[DWilbur]

I will call Wes when I get back in town.

[DWilbur]

I'm back from vacation and still looking for some help with the rot issue. Any help welcome.

[DWilbur]

I worked on the truck cab all day today. removed the windshield this morning and it did not go well. The good thing is it was cracked when I bought the truck. to remove the rear window I cut the rubber to save the window.

[DWilbur]

I finished stripping the cab of all parts then bagged and labled them as my memory is not the best with what bolt goes where 6 Months later. The good thing is the A piller is in very good shape and it matched up the the suburban cab. Sunday I plan on cutting spot welds in preporation to swap out the Apiller. I sold the long bed last week end and 4 front fenders last night. I have been looking for fleet side short bed and they are not easy to find. local shop wants $ 1,500.00 for half way desent bed.

[DWilbur]

Friday I removed the A pillar from the quad cab. yoo can see in the picture of the top of the A pillar the rust. later in the day I cut out the rest of it and there is a hole about 3/4" in dia that when the rain gutter fails water can find it's way down to the bottom and rust out the cab floor like I see in both of the truck I have. the othe proble that let water in is the cab upper cowl. the water runs down to a gutter in side that channels the water to the bottom of the front fender and the bottom of the Apiller. if only Cheverolet rust profed these locations it would not be so bad. my 1971 truck cab does not have the 3/4' hole at the top and it is not rusted and rotted out the the suburban is. The both have rust and rot issue in the rain gutter.

[DWilbur]

On Saturday I cut out the A pillar from the truck and cleaned it up and it is almost ready to install in the suburban. I still have some work in the upper part of the quad cad before I can install the Apiller. So far it is working out quite well. My brother dropped off a plasma cutter 3 weeks ago and its a good thing it made it easer to remove the parts I needed.

[swamp rat]

Now that is brave cutting out the pillar like that, I'd be pretty worried i'd be looking for a new cab before it was all over..

[Vova]

Let me know if you need any parts.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=599412
I'm local.

[DWilbur]

It is scary cutting it out. I have been removing small sections at a time as I only have 1 chance to get it right. I will be installing it next week end. I just have to remove some metal at the top of the quad cab started on it last night and should have it ready for next week end.

[swamp rat]

Good luck! I hope to start my sheet metal next summer, i don't have a large enough garage so i have to work under a car cover in the side of my garage for that part.

[DWilbur]

I don't have much room either. part of 2 car garage and my driveway. Right now the Suburban and truck take up the driveway and my daily driver is parked in the street. do you have the option to inclose your carport for the build.