Shorty Highlander: Too Stock

[mitchell72]

If your under fifty and really like custom builds, this may not be for you, just move on. I bought this truck when I was fifteen, it was on my rather long, rural bus route. I saw it every day and it was the highlight of my day (perhaps this explains my grades). Nonetheless, I wanted it. Then, one day it was gone. I did not know what to do, I thought i had lost it. Then, one day on the ride home I saw it on the side of the highway for sale. So I emptied my bank account, and on a Sunday my dad and I bought it. It some rust, a cut out radio, cut out speaker holes ( all are my pet peeves) not too much rust, and a rotted out wood bed. It had Cheyenne badges, but the SPID said custom deluxe, so we were able to knock down the price some. It was when I contacted member SS Tim to ask him some questions when he told me the truck was a Highlander. I was excited to have a swb highlander, an odd truck, so after some coaxing, I Decided to bring it back to stock, or 98%+ we will see when we get there.
enjoy guys, enjoy your comments.
P.S, I listen to Waylon, Willie, and the boys.

[mitchell72]

Here is the SPID. I enjoy this truck, not that its rare, its just a little odd. Highlander, Shortbed, Leaf Springs, and a Wood Bed. So with this combination, I want to bring it back to stock.

[mitchell72]

O yeah, SS Tim also explained that the 458 White and Red Orange Paint is a killer 2 tone hugger orange.

next is a picture of a a body bolt that pretty much tells the full story. It was orange, then green, then an pos red color.

[re1]

Looks Good !
I'll be watching for updates.

[mitchell72]

Because the truck came with white bumpers from the factory, I bought a front and rear paint grade bumpers, one from LMC, and the other from Ecklers. Both came with minor dings. I guess the kamikaze's who flew that crap over hit some turbulence.

Other than this I rebuilt the front end, all Moog. inners, outers, uppers and lowers, rotors, bearings, and Wagner pads of course.

Lately, I replaced the headboard, the original was rotted out. Unfortunately, being a re-poop, it didn't fit. Only the three lower bolts went in. the Philips style body screws, only one went in. When its time for body work I will need to solve this issue. Taiwan!!!

[mitchell72]

OK, so here is where I am now. But I'm working on getting the wheels and bumpers painted. So for now (since I don't like rally's) I took the beauty rings off and put some PO1's on. Please forgive me.

The hub caps below, i picked up on ebay, then painted the Bowie using a board recommendation, krylon true blue. worked great.

[mitchell72]

EDIT: I should have mentioned. When painting the bowties, do not use the green 3m tape as pictured. Because the edges of the bow tie are beveled, the tape allowed the paint to bled. I went back to the paint shop and got the higher end 3m tape, which is blue. This worked flawlessly. IMHO

[mitchell72]

I had a new set of Gm stock heads that are freshly rebuilt. I was going to throw them on because the truck acted like it had a burnt valve. So I took the heads off and they looked fine. Maybe it had a rich condition, thats all. So I was perplexed. Then I rolled the engine over and there was a large amount of oil that gets past the rings. So now I am yanking the block, and I am going to install new bearings, and rings, freeze plugs, water pump, fuel pump, and generally, just do some heavy cleaning and painting.

Ps cylinder walls look great. So maybe a just a hone job.

My new best friend is VHT Chevy Orange

Before I hot tanked the intake manifold, I broke off the head of the Philips screw that was on the manifold. So here is the tap. I drilled it out and chased it with a 3/16 tap.

[mitchell72]

By the way, I discovered Purple Power at wally mart. The one gallon jugs are cheap, and they work as good as other products i have used.

Here is me painting the timing over and bolts. I have some spare time now and I am having fun doing all the detail work.

[mitchell72]

Here it goes again. didn't load the first time.

[mitchell72]

last time

[Dirt's72]

Can you skin a buck and run a trot line?

Great story on your truck. Won't you use highlander full wheel covers?

[mitchell72]

Great one Dirt's72!
About the wheel covers. My truck did not list in the SPID anything about wheel covers. I know that most Highlanders have the Monte style covers. And thats what I assumed that my truck would have. After talking to SS Tim, he told me that they only came on highlanders that had them listed in there SPID. Which is fine with me, because i don't really like them. SORRY. My truck is a base model Highlander, ie white front bumper, so the wheels will match perfect.

[mitchell72]

I am really not sure about the SWB Highlanders. I have seen one on ebay, and a member who lives in the great state of Texas has one, I think with a big-block! Which is my ULTIMATE truck, IMHO. (especially if ti was a Janesville truck)
But I think most of the SWB trucks were customized, lost the SPID, lost the plaid seat, parchment panels and other appointments. Its for this reason why I am trying to attempt an original example.

[TheCougarine]

I really like the direction it sounds like you're going in. I also love painted bumpers and white hubcaps so its nice seeing you going back to that rather than all the chrome a lot of people go with.

[Dirt's72]

Well I look forward to your project as it progresses. Keep it real!

[mitchell72]

Here is the freshly painted intake manifold. I was pleased with the outcome.

[mitchell72]

tt

[68bowtie]

subscribed! and i'm only 33...

[zicc1835]

im following this i am definitely over 50 and counting ...... subscribed

[zicc1835]

Originally Posted by mitchell72

By the way, I discovered Purple Power at wally mart. The one gallon jugs are cheap, and they work as good as other products i have used.

Here is me painting the timing over and bolts. I have some spare time now and I am having fun doing all the detail work.

Purple Power ???? let me in on that

[low&slow]

ha, I'm not even half way to 50. I like all kinds of builds though. As for the truck, I'll be following along. I have a 1971 c20 with a stock 396 in it. Truck is 100% original. I got it non running. Runs now, but smokes. Anywho, your truck is coming along nicely. Purple Power is defiantly some great stuff to use. I've used it on just about everything I wanted to be clean of 40+ years of grease.

[mitchell72]

zicc1835, its an all purpose degreaser/cleaner. you can get a one gallon jug for about 5bucks. Its not bad, and for the cost of gunk these days, you cant go wrong.

[Blue/72]

Nice truck and cool story! I got my truck when I was only 7 or 8 and I have loved it ever since. I will be following this build for sure!

[RatPwrd72]

34 years old and I dig it, about time somebody does one that's not an LS and the same 20" wheels the last guy used.