It almost looks like a truck again... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 05-19-2003, 09:55 AM

Well, maybe not. I was excited to see it look like something again even if it is only temporary. Lost Wages helped me get all the panels lined up to get the doors adjusted so I could then start cutting out old cab corners.

Now if I could just photoshop this setup on the frame...

**1971Stepside** · 05-19-2003, 09:57 AM

powdercoating done over the weekend. I was able to set the 72BB motor stands on the frame. Looks like I will need to drill two more holes for them.

**CPNE** · 05-19-2003, 10:09 AM

Yes you need to drill those holes. You plan on driving it? It looks like you are building a show truck.

hambone1958 · 05-19-2003, 10:13 AM

Sweet looking frame how about some more pics.

griesel72 · 05-19-2003, 10:48 AM

It's gonna be the nicest daily driver i've seen in a while

david

**MikeB** · 05-19-2003, 10:50 AM

How well does it corner with those small wheels and castors?

On a serious note, how did you strip and prep the frame before painting?

superchevy · 05-19-2003, 10:56 AM

What are the dimensions/specs on that cab dolly?
I need to build one so I can work on mine and just wondering what you used to build it?
Thanks, SC

**1971Stepside** · 05-19-2003, 11:12 AM

The truck will not be a daily driver, but it will be driven. I want a show piece, but something we can go cruise in and have fun.

The frame was sandblasted and powder coated.

The cab dolly needs some dubs, but the hardware store was out of dub castors!

It was built out of 2x4's and it rolls very nicely. In fact I wish I would have bought castors with brakes as it will take off on you if not careful. I have a Visio document that illustrates the deminsion if you have Visio I can email that to you. Let me know. I think XXL has some deminsions on his web site. His are close to what I used.

Thanks for the compliments!

Mudder · 05-19-2003, 11:50 AM

I will be getting up there soon for an inspection!

**1971Stepside** · 05-19-2003, 11:53 AM

come on up Mudder, but bring your welding helmet!! LOL

Mudder · 05-19-2003, 11:56 AM

I'm gonna bring these 3/4 ton axles and transfer along too I found for ya! HeHe

**1971Stepside** · 05-19-2003, 04:16 PM

LOL, I was thinking it would look good with some 33" boggers while sitting on that cab stand!

progress · 05-19-2003, 04:34 PM

What did you do to get the fenders, doors and cab line to match? I have seen several posts where others were asking those questions and looking for some help. How to and hints would be great.

BTW...that is really sweet! I had to drill the same holes in Orence1's frame for his BB mounts.

**1971Stepside** · 05-19-2003, 04:48 PM

progress - that is a good question. I basically started with the doors. The reason is because the door only has so much wiggle room to begin with. Once we had the door close in both directions (up/down and front/back) we worked on the angle of the door from top to bottom. If you are reusing doors that came off your cab they should still be pretty close. In my case, I was using different doors so every angle needed adjusted. It is for sure a two person job.

Anyway, once the doors were close (we only snugged a couple bolts on the hinges) we set the fender. Granted it is not perfect because the cab is not mounted to the frame, but it gave me an idea of the body line for the cab corners. We lined up the fenders (this was a big check to make sure the lower front cab pillars I replaced were in the correct spot...they were) and then the cowl.

By doing this first it will also let me know if anything "sprung" a little while all the bad stuff was cut out. I found that my passenger side didn't move at all, but the drivers side did expand a little. It can easily be pulled back when I put the rocker in.

I hope this helps. I have just put a lot of thought into each step and taken a zillion measurements before and after. If you need any specific pics let me know.

It looks like I need to clean off my camera lense! LOL

Alexis · 05-19-2003, 04:50 PM

Dude thats look great. keep it up!

progress · 05-19-2003, 09:26 PM

1971Stepside, That helps, and like any good answer just leads to more questions. I removed and reworked a badly damaged fender and could not get it perfect. I obtained another fender, bolted it on it was impossible to align. The third fender I could get the body line matching but had to slide it back so now the hood line is off...I am chasing this thing around the truck to the other side...LOL! I have seen some show trucks that are laughable when it comes to body panel alighnment. I guess the more you know the more critical you get. I talked to a local custom shop that has had national show winners. They confided that they will sometimes remove body panels and add 1/16 to 1/8" to the edges of the panels then grind them back to make them "perfect"!

Sorry for the long post but I will be very curious as to how this works out. I think the sequence is important and if you could document the process it would help lots of us.

Thanks

dons72 · 05-19-2003, 09:31 PM

I drooled on my keyboard looking at that frame. Really nice job.

9teen69 · 05-19-2003, 09:32 PM

Looks awesome! What kind of paint did you use on the motor mounts and springs?

70c10 · 05-19-2003, 09:44 PM

You're going to need another garage to hold all those trophies you're gonna win!. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!

**1971Stepside** · 05-20-2003, 09:24 AM

Progress, I will be happy to document all of this as I go. This is my first time tearing one down this far, so I am learning as I go. It really went back together slick on the test fit, but I know once it is on the frame it will get more challenging.

Is your cab on the frame? If so, you may try loosening up your cab mounts a little until you get the front clip settled into place.

The springs and motor mounts are powder coated with a Grey Hammertone color from Cardinal Coatings.

It is a very long ways from done, but thank you guys for the compliments. Those keep a guy motivated.

superchevy · 05-20-2003, 11:07 AM

71Stepside, I don't have a Visio reader for the cab dolly specs, and can't find them on XXL's site.
Does anyone else have a set of plans?

**1971Stepside** · 05-20-2003, 11:15 AM

let me see if I can copy it over into word for you....hang on a few...

VTKidder · 05-20-2003, 11:27 AM

That is a rediculous job on the frame!!! Zowie! Let's hear it for the perfectionists!!! Very well done.

**1971Stepside** · 05-20-2003, 11:30 AM

OK, I am going to try to attach a .gif file....l

**1971Stepside** · 05-20-2003, 11:32 AM

OK, looks like it worked. What I found on mine is that the entire thing could be about 2 inches wider where the cab sits on the top. So, use this to get you close. Good luck.

05-19-2003, 09:55 AM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	It almost looks like a truck again... Well, maybe not. I was excited to see it look like something again even if it is only temporary. Lost Wages helped me get all the panels lined up to get the doors adjusted so I could then start cutting out old cab corners. Now if I could just photoshop this setup on the frame... Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-19-2003, 09:57 AM	#2
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	more powdercoating done over the weekend. I was able to set the 72BB motor stands on the frame. Looks like I will need to drill two more holes for them. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-19-2003, 10:09 AM	#3
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	Yes you need to drill those holes. You plan on driving it? It looks like you are building a show truck. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

05-19-2003, 10:48 AM	#5
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	It's gonna be the nicest daily driver i've seen in a while david __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

05-19-2003, 10:50 AM	#6
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,597	How well does it corner with those small wheels and castors? On a serious note, how did you strip and prep the frame before painting? __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

05-19-2003, 10:13 AM	#4
hambone1958 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Point Harbor NC Posts: 299	Sweet looking frame how about some more pics.

05-19-2003, 10:56 AM	#7
superchevy Got big-block? Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,453	What are the dimensions/specs on that cab dolly? I need to build one so I can work on mine and just wondering what you used to build it? Thanks, SC __________________ '68 CST SWB factory 396/T400 buddy buckets, a/c, ps, pb '72 Corvette convertible 454/4spd/ac, ps, pb '73 GMC Sierra Grande short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '77 K5 Blazer black on red, 350/T350/NP205 ps, pb, ac all original '78 GMC Sierra Classic short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '72 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 38 built. '73 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 71 built. '75 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 25 built. SOLD! '72 GMC K25 4x4 468/4L80e/NP205 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post4324423 SOLD!'55 Chevy gasser 496/4spd build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post4324396

05-19-2003, 11:12 AM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	The truck will not be a daily driver, but it will be driven. I want a show piece, but something we can go cruise in and have fun. The frame was sandblasted and powder coated. The cab dolly needs some dubs, but the hardware store was out of dub castors! It was built out of 2x4's and it rolls very nicely. In fact I wish I would have bought castors with brakes as it will take off on you if not careful. I have a Visio document that illustrates the deminsion if you have Visio I can email that to you. Let me know. I think XXL has some deminsions on his web site. His are close to what I used. Thanks for the compliments! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-19-2003, 11:50 AM	#9
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I will be getting up there soon for an inspection!

05-19-2003, 11:53 AM	#10
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	come on up Mudder, but bring your welding helmet!! LOL __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-19-2003, 11:56 AM	#11
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	I'm gonna bring these 3/4 ton axles and transfer along too I found for ya! HeHe

05-19-2003, 04:16 PM	#12
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	LOL, I was thinking it would look good with some 33" boggers while sitting on that cab stand! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-19-2003, 04:34 PM	#13
progress Gotta luv a clean shave Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 226	What did you do to get the fenders, doors and cab line to match? I have seen several posts where others were asking those questions and looking for some help. How to and hints would be great. BTW...that is really sweet! I had to drill the same holes in Orence1's frame for his BB mounts. __________________ Welding while you wait...you can help if you like and it...might even save you a little as long as you don't mess things up! We make house calls too...just like the old days!

05-19-2003, 04:48 PM	#14
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	progress - that is a good question. I basically started with the doors. The reason is because the door only has so much wiggle room to begin with. Once we had the door close in both directions (up/down and front/back) we worked on the angle of the door from top to bottom. If you are reusing doors that came off your cab they should still be pretty close. In my case, I was using different doors so every angle needed adjusted. It is for sure a two person job. Anyway, once the doors were close (we only snugged a couple bolts on the hinges) we set the fender. Granted it is not perfect because the cab is not mounted to the frame, but it gave me an idea of the body line for the cab corners. We lined up the fenders (this was a big check to make sure the lower front cab pillars I replaced were in the correct spot...they were) and then the cowl. By doing this first it will also let me know if anything "sprung" a little while all the bad stuff was cut out. I found that my passenger side didn't move at all, but the drivers side did expand a little. It can easily be pulled back when I put the rocker in. I hope this helps. I have just put a lot of thought into each step and taken a zillion measurements before and after. If you need any specific pics let me know. It looks like I need to clean off my camera lense! LOL __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far." Last edited by 1971Stepside; 05-19-2003 at 04:52 PM.

05-19-2003, 04:50 PM	#15
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	Dude thats look great. keep it up!



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05-19-2003, 09:26 PM	#16
progress Gotta luv a clean shave Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 226	1971Stepside, That helps, and like any good answer just leads to more questions. I removed and reworked a badly damaged fender and could not get it perfect. I obtained another fender, bolted it on it was impossible to align. The third fender I could get the body line matching but had to slide it back so now the hood line is off...I am chasing this thing around the truck to the other side...LOL! I have seen some show trucks that are laughable when it comes to body panel alighnment. I guess the more you know the more critical you get. I talked to a local custom shop that has had national show winners. They confided that they will sometimes remove body panels and add 1/16 to 1/8" to the edges of the panels then grind them back to make them "perfect"! Sorry for the long post but I will be very curious as to how this works out. I think the sequence is important and if you could document the process it would help lots of us. Thanks __________________ Welding while you wait...you can help if you like and it...might even save you a little as long as you don't mess things up! We make house calls too...just like the old days!

05-19-2003, 09:31 PM	#17
dons72 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Newport News, Va Posts: 230	I drooled on my keyboard looking at that frame. Really nice job. __________________ 72 cheyenne super

05-19-2003, 09:32 PM	#18
9teen69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,048	Looks awesome! What kind of paint did you use on the motor mounts and springs? __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB C10 (daily driver) (Super fake cause I just love the glovebox emblem) 70 Camaro RS (frame-off in pieces) 70 Camaro RS (daily driver backup) 69 Custom LWB C10 (son now drives)

05-19-2003, 09:44 PM	#19
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	You're going to need another garage to hold all those trophies you're gonna win!. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

05-20-2003, 09:24 AM	#20
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Progress, I will be happy to document all of this as I go. This is my first time tearing one down this far, so I am learning as I go. It really went back together slick on the test fit, but I know once it is on the frame it will get more challenging. Is your cab on the frame? If so, you may try loosening up your cab mounts a little until you get the front clip settled into place. The springs and motor mounts are powder coated with a Grey Hammertone color from Cardinal Coatings. It is a very long ways from done, but thank you guys for the compliments. Those keep a guy motivated. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-20-2003, 11:07 AM	#21
superchevy Got big-block? Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,453	71Stepside, I don't have a Visio reader for the cab dolly specs, and can't find them on XXL's site. Does anyone else have a set of plans? __________________ '68 CST SWB factory 396/T400 buddy buckets, a/c, ps, pb '72 Corvette convertible 454/4spd/ac, ps, pb '73 GMC Sierra Grande short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '77 K5 Blazer black on red, 350/T350/NP205 ps, pb, ac all original '78 GMC Sierra Classic short wide 454/T400 ps, pb, ac '72 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 38 built. '73 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 71 built. '75 GMC Sprint SP454. 1 of 25 built. SOLD! '72 GMC K25 4x4 468/4L80e/NP205 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...23#post4324423 SOLD!'55 Chevy gasser 496/4spd build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post4324396

05-20-2003, 11:15 AM	#22
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	let me see if I can copy it over into word for you....hang on a few... __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-20-2003, 11:27 AM	#23
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	That is a rediculous job on the frame!!! Zowie! Let's hear it for the perfectionists!!! Very well done.

05-20-2003, 11:30 AM	#24
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	.gif file OK, I am going to try to attach a .gif file....l Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

05-20-2003, 11:32 AM	#25
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	OK, looks like it worked. What I found on mine is that the entire thing could be about 2 inches wider where the cab sits on the top. So, use this to get you close. Good luck. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

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