Estep project

[TeamEstep]

Well, my story started a year ago when I joined this forum. I live in the Pacific Northwest near Tacoma. I was interested in a 67-72 truck and wanted to learn as much as I could. After a few months of research, I finally decided it was time to buy and I began to search Craigslist. I was seeing the same trucks week after week. I began to expand my search statewide then neighboring states. Six months later, I found a truck in Boise Idaho. Fortunately, my father in law lived about five miles from the seller and checked it out for me. My 21 year old daughter is into cars and trucks so we went to Idaho to get it. I have a son-in-law who works as a mechanic for Alaska Airlines and he got us some standby tickets. My daughter and I embarked on our very own "Roadkill" trip. I packed up some hand tools in a bag and we flew to Idaho early on a Sunday morning, my in-laws met us at the Boise airport and drove us to the seller. We closed the deal and drove to my in-laws house where we changed the oil and then hit the road. We drove over 500 miles back home the same day in a truck I had only seen in pictures. Here is a picture of the truck about half way home. This was taken near Yakima.

[1968aj]

looks like a good start. keep us posted on progress.

[frenchy51]

Nice looking truck. Good job and I'm sure it was a fun trip both of you will remember.

[Steve Cole]

Great story! Welcome!

[hugger6933]

Awesome story the fact that your daughter went will make that truck all that more special.

[70sLover]

Nice truck and great story! Also glad for you that the truck was in drivable, reliable condition for your trip (which is rarely the case lol).

What are your plans for it?

[Already Gone]

Great looking truck and story, reminds me of go getting mine the same way last year. Especially precious is the memory you and your daughter will have of the adventure.

[flashed]

Great story and truck ,Im in to see more of it .

[Sleepy Cheyenne]

Awesome story, love the Roadkill guys too.

[TeamEstep]

Here are some "before" pictures after I got home. It is a '71 with the 292 and 4 speed. I have a 350 and a Super T10 that I plan to put in it. It does have a little rust but not too bad. The previous owner thought it was originally from eastern Oregon. The color is, um, well it was green and white. I think the green had been rattle canned at one point and being it sat in the Idaho sun has faded into sort of a grey. The previous owner was going to convert it to a short bed and had started to do a little work like replacing the tailgate and new bumpers. His circumstances changed and he was no longer able to work on it.

[TeamEstep]

Everyone loves pictures. Here are a few more "before"

[Sleepy Cheyenne]

If only it was a GMC I6, those engines can make a fast car/truck.

[OldGG]

The rally wheels look good on your truck.

[kentucky_smith]

Good looking truck. I like your taste in colors and wheels.

[88Stanger]

Nice truck!
I had a similar story, wanting a truck, hanging out here and finally finding one after many weeks of searching, it was in Yakima and I am in Kennewick, so road trip, 800.00 and drover it home. Parked it long enough in the drive way to take pics, then she disappeared into the shop where the transformation from LWB to SWB began. Maybe we will see each other at a show this next year.

[TeamEstep]

So Kentukcky_smith, that is what my truck color is supposed to look like! Nice truck by the way. Sadly, the picture with the new wheels and tires is a trick of the light and the fact that it was still wet from washing it when I took the picture. New paint will happen some day.

[TeamEstep]

88Stanger, do you have a build thread?

[kentucky_smith]

Robert Duvall approves.

[OldGG]

So TE have you tryed to compound the paint you have ?

[TeamEstep]

OldGG, No I haven't. Body and paint work is a ways away yet. I am considering changing the color to the dark blue/white instead. You don't see that color combo much around here. Of course you don't see the dark green much for that matter either. My wife and daughter want a custom color such as a maroon/white combo. It is "TeamEstep" so we'll have to come to a consensus on that. For now, I'm pretending I'm into the "patina" look.
Part of the problem is that we are currently renting but looking for a house to buy. Actually I'm looking for a nice shop to buy that happens to have a house too. Once I have some space to work, I plan to do body and paint. For the time being, I can work on mechanical stuff such as brakes, suspension, engine and trans.
The master plan is:
Swap the 292 for a 350. (I have a motor ready to rebuild)
Swap the granny 4 speed for a Super T10. (I have that already too)
Change to power steering. (I have the steering box and the pump for the 350)
Change to power brakes.
Static drop but not slammed.
Paint colors to be determined.

Since my wife drives it, the first thing I can/should do is the brakes. I'm shopping for a booster conversion now.

[OldGG]

Oh yes, brakes are good...

[TeamEstep]

So I've been able to do a little work on the truck. I haven't seen this issue too much on the forum but my door hinge was tearing the sheet metal at the door. I took the door off and peeled back the torn layers and welded it up. Unfortunately, I don't have a TIG welder. All I had to work with was a borrowed 120V flux core wire feed welder. It has three heat settings: Don't bother, too little and too much. After much tacking and grinding, I was able to make a passable repair. The door has other issues and may be replaced before bodywork is complete but at least I can keep the door closed. Here are a few pics

[TeamEstep]

So the big brake overhaul has begun. I am converting the truck from manual brakes to boosted. I purchased a booster brake conversion kit and proportioning valve from Summit, new brake lines from the proportioning valve to the frame as well as the flexible brake lines from Inline Tube. I also got new calipers, pads, shoes, cylinders and hardware kits from O Reilly's. Today is Friday after Thanksgiving so I had to keep the truck rolling long enough to get a Christmas tree. I was able to get started so here are a few pics. I hope to get more done this weekend.

[TeamEstep]

So I ordered a booster conversion kit from Summit. I could only find conversion kits for automatic transmissions and wondered what the difference would be. I didn't see how there would be any clearance issues so I figured I could make it work. Everything seemed to fit fine until I went to install the pedal linkage. Turns out that the adjustable threaded rod is about 1 1/2" too short and is set up for the pedal to be closer to the floor and not equal like the clutch pedal. I cut the ends off, took a grinder the ends and put a slight taper to them and tapped them into a 1/2" nipple which was cut to length. I welded up the ends and it works great.

[TeamEstep]

My intention was to replace as much as was practical. I replace the calipers and brake hoses on the front as well as the brake lines from the proportioning valve down to the tee fittings. The brake lines I got from Inline Tube were great but I think they were pre bent for a stock proportioning valve and not the aftermarket one that I bought. A little careful bending and it all hooked up. The real problem came when I went to replace the rear brake hose. One of the brake lines was kinked over next to the tee fitting. As soon as I tried to straighten it out, it started dripping. Another order for Inline Tube and I was able to replace those as well.

More pics