"Chalky White" 71 stepper

[GAc10boy]

EDITED checklist below with changes and parts purchased


Finally!! Joined this forum a few months ago in anticipation of building one of these fine trucks. Well, I can officially start this thread and hopefully continue to learn a lot from you all along the way. Really thankful I found this forum as it has a ton of useful info and I've received a lot of guidance from forum members here.

Now, on to the truck...

Oh, really quickly, the name. I chose Chalky White for obvious color reasons but also because I'm huge fan of Boardwalk Empire on HBO. If you watch the show, you'll know exactly who that character is. One of my favorite characters on the show!

NOW, on to the truck!

It's a 1971 base model c10 stepper with SPID and title still intact. I set out to find a "patina" type truck with mostly original paint and sheet metal on an extremely modest budget (and when I say modest I mean as inexpensive as possible!!!)

Wanted a '71 for obvious reasons: 5 lug, front discs, etc.

The good:
- all original paint
- all original sheet metal
- interior mostly intact although will be upgraded
- drivetrain and engine (250 6 cylinder) in good working order (aside from tune-up, been sitting for 2 years)
- has SPID and title
- basically all original aside from the TH350 auto addition (a plus for me...and my wife for that matter)
- appears to be rust free firewall

The bad:
- usual rust in rockers, cab corners, and two quarter size spots above windshield at drip rail
- right rear fender is original but been primered
- bringing fuel system back to life after sitting for 2 years (usual tune up stuff)
- base model so no ac, ps, or pb
- dash has been cut for radio (pet peeve but had to settle there)
- non original grille (restoring back to factory)
- PO painted original door panels black from factory green
- cracked original front glass
- hideous mirrors

My plans
- ECE/CPP/Belltech 3/5 or 4/6 with Bilstein shocks (3" Belltech Spindles & 2" blocks w/ Moog upper/lower ball joints, new wheel bearings/seals, and control arm u-bolts - will add 2" ECE coils all the way around)
- 18 or 20 inch wheels (purchased AR Daytona 20/22 w/ 255/40/20 & 265/40/22 Proxes)
- Headers, exhaust, intake manifold for the 250 (going LS swap)
- CLR/wax treatment on body (complete)
- Rust replacement in future ($$$$$!!!!! I'm not a body man by any means)
- New windshield
- Update interior with new seat cover, dash pad and add carpet
- Replace wood bed floor
- Chrome bumpers and original style grille (replaced with OEM grill and OEM white bumper)
- more low profile mirrors

Once I get it running well, I'm going to try to maintain a goal of it staying driveable as I update and hopefully better the truck. Overall goal is to breathe life back into this truck and drive the mess out of it!

Anyway, enough chat...here's a few pics until I get some better ones.

My son with truck. He's pumped!


PO bringing it to its new home from around the Augusta area

[zellway]

Always cool to see the start of a new ride!

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by zellway

Always cool to see the start of a new ride!

Thanks, zellway. It'll be a slow process but I'll be steadily working on it.

[flashed]

I like it and plan to watch your build ,congrats .What part of Marietta do you call home ?

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by flashed

I like it and plan to watch your build ,congrats .What part of Marietta do you call home ?

Thanks, flashed. Enjoyed picking your brain a bit a while back (via Pm) I'm over near the square off Whitlock.

[flashed]

Cute little truck guy you have there ,he will love this .

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by flashed

Cute little truck guy you have there ,he will love this .

Thanks, flashed. He's a good kid and really excited about getting his hands dirty working on the truck. He is already talking about wanting to build a 4 wheel drive 71-72 blazer for his first car. Let's see how many times that changes over the next 10 years!

[True 67]

Welcome to the Board..I see that we are close so if you need a hand lifting or what not.. hit me up..been collecting parts most of the time and I'm glad i don't have anyone telling me to move them out of the dining room..hopefully when it warms up i will be ready to go full swing with the transformation..

True

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by True 67

Welcome to the Board..I see that we are close so if you need a hand lifting or what not.. hit me up..been collecting parts most of the time and I'm glad i don't have anyone telling me to move them out of the dining room..hopefully when it warms up i will be ready to go full swing with the transformation..

True

Thanks, True 67. Trying to get it up and running reliably this week/weekend (about to start going through fuel system) and then move on to the fun stuff! Really appreciate the offer. Don't be surprised if I reach out to you.

I'm always seeking counsel and solid advice!

[flashed]

When you get ready for body parts I can hook you up with a AMD dealer that will treat you right .

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by flashed

When you get ready for body parts I can hook you up with a AMD dealer that will treat you right .

Thank you. Very much appreciated.

[zicc1835]

nice truck i too have a 71 wont start on that till i finish my 72 ...maybe in spring..... ill be following and welcome from snowee jeeeersee

[CC69Rat]

Subscribed - Welcome to the board. Nice start you have there for sure!

You mentioned a CNotch - still use it as a truck, ..etc. You wouldn't need to notch it at a 6" rear drop. Anything over that .. I'd start thinking about it, plus the rear end housing will start to get close to the bed floor anyway. There are a bunch of steppers out there with 4.5/6" drop.

I'm not too far away man, let me know if I can help you out.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Subscribed - Welcome to the board. Nice start you have there for sure!

You mentioned a CNotch - still use it as a truck, ..etc. You wouldn't need to notch it at a 6" rear drop. Anything over that .. I'd start thinking about it, plus the rear end housing will start to get close to the bed floor anyway. There are a bunch of steppers out there with 4.5/6" drop.

I'm not too far away man, let me know if I can help you out.

Thanks, Chad! Absolutely love Chattanooga!

You're one of the many voices on this forum that I've come to trust. I'll be sure to reach out. Thanks for the info on the notch!

[CC69Rat]

A little inspiration for you

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414742

IMO, .. just sayin .. You could do a shrader bag setup, maybe just on the back and still haul, use it as a truck .. just stop at a gas station and hit the bags a little, then let'em out on the way home. That's likely what I'm going to do on my 68.

With the Porterbuilt notch, there are 17 grade 8 bolts in it. Honestly I think it's stronger with the notch in it than it ever would have been from the factory. (Debatable, I know) but there's no harm in notching if you do it correctly.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

A little inspiration for you

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414742

IMO, .. just sayin .. You could do a shrader bag setup, maybe just on the back and still haul, use it as a truck .. just stop at a gas station and hit the bags a little, then let'em out on the way home. That's likely what I'm going to do on my 68.

With the Porterbuilt notch, there are 17 grade 8 bolts in it. Honestly I think it's stronger with the notch in it than it ever would have been from the factory. (Debatable, I know) but there's no harm in notching if you do it correctly.

I've read through that thread (and drooled) over that truck since i started looking for one again. Man, she's beautiful!

Most of my limitations right now are due to budget (saving to build a house) so that's why I'm thinking static and cast wheels, etc. I'll have to look into the schrader set-up - sounds interesting for sure.

This weekend, I'm working on replacing fuel system, cleaning out tank, etc so she'll run problem free on that front. As you know, it's a process and I'm just going to start checking off my list.

[chuckmc8]

subbininhere for fantastic build!

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by chuckmc8

subbininhere for fantastic build!

Thanks, Chuck! Excited to learn all I can from you, sir! Really appreciate your time.

Oh, and I'm still drooling over that Blazer! Wow

[Number98]

Sweet truck, looking forward to following your build and welcome to the board from another Peach State member!

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by Number98

Sweet truck, looking forward to following your build and welcome to the board from another Peach State member!

Thanks, Number98! Really looking forward to working on it. Glad the rain has finally ceased.

[Number98]

Originally Posted by GAc10boy

Glad the rain has finally ceased.

Yea right, heard its coming back this weekend..... it's like Seattle here now

[GAc10boy]

Finally got a chance to work on my truck today (been raining nonstop lately). Pulled the seat, floor mat, gas tank (going to radiator shop), and door sills. Going to clean it up a bit and lay some dynamat behind the tank for now until I can get the rockers done. Then I'll sound proof whole floor and add carpet. One good thing I found is that the rust isn't any worse than I thought.

Also got some CLR and went to town on the rear fender. Very pleased with results! This is with only 15 minutes of scrubbing.

[flashed]

If you need a radiator I may have a new one left over from a Chevelle I sold off before thr build got started ,same radiator as in my 72 truck.

[GAc10boy]

Originally Posted by flashed

If you need a radiator I may have a new one left over from a Chevelle I sold off before thr build got started ,same radiator as in my 72 truck.

Thanks, flashed. Haven't made it that far yet but if I do I'll definitely give you a shout. Appreciate the offer!

[GAc10boy]

Finally got all the parts for my new fuel system: rebuilt original carb, boil, sealed, and painted black gas tank, new fuel lines, sending unit, fuel filter and fuel pump. Hoping to get started on it tomorrow. Hopefully this thing will run seamlessly now!

Also making my final decisions on wheels this weekend!!!!