New Member / New Build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Diggers Dad · 03-10-2015, 07:31 PM

I've been a member a short time and thoroughly enjoy reading threads every day. I recently bought a 71 shortbed. Well, a LB to SB conversion. I've never done a body off restoration, so here goes. Although being a mechanic and shop owner for 40 years, body work and rust are a new challenge. Thanks to all for your help.

Mike

**LockDoc** · 03-10-2015, 07:51 PM

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Nice lookin' truck! The guys on here can help with about anything. There is a paint & bodywork forum and that would be a good place to ask your rust repair questions.

Welcome to the board....

LockDoc

Diggers Dad · 03-11-2015, 10:05 AM

Thanks Doc Unfortunately the truck is not near as good as the pictures! I'll post some more pics later.

Mike

Diggers Dad · 03-11-2015, 05:54 PM

Okay Here we go. Had to sell the bed, rear fenders, wheel wells. Too much serious rust. While checking out the frame I found a bad hack job of shortening the frame. Poof, their goes the frame. Fortunately, our local yard, DVAP, had a perfect one in stock. Very lucky. I had the frame blasted and powdercoated satin black. Az Powdercoat did a beautiful job. Here's a few pics.

Mike

**LockDoc** · 03-11-2015, 09:50 PM

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Frame looks good. Too bad you are having to replace so much stuff... That is why I always take a piece of cardboard and a good strong light with me when I go look at a truck. That way you can slide underneath it and check it out real good.

LockDoc

**70cst** · 03-11-2015, 10:56 PM

Hey Diggers Dad ...

to the forums and

from Ohio.

Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you but I am sure it will be worth it.

Diggers Dad · 03-12-2015, 10:15 AM

Hey Doc and 70. Thanks for the replies. I'll post some more pics later on the engine and other goodies from the shop.

Mike

engineer_gregh · 03-12-2015, 11:16 AM

Welcome to the forum. Looks like you're off to a great start and taking no short cuts. Going to be a nice truck!

Diggers Dad · 03-12-2015, 12:18 PM

EG Thanks. Here's some pics of a 75 Jimmy that my shop changed the drivetrain to an LS w/ a 700r4. The Jimmy had a 400 SB. So I built that engine. Stock crank, polished, honed, stock cam, roller rockers, Edelbrock Performer, Q-jet, HEI, shorty headers. Lots of free horsepower. Built for cruisin', hopefully decent MPG w/ a 700r4, 3.08 rear gear.

Diggers Dad · 03-13-2015, 05:41 PM

How do I switch this thread to the Projects and Builds Forum?

Mike

03-10-2015, 07:31 PM	#1
Diggers Dad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 28	New Member / New Build I've been a member a short time and thoroughly enjoy reading threads every day. I recently bought a 71 shortbed. Well, a LB to SB conversion. I've never done a body off restoration, so here goes. Although being a mechanic and shop owner for 40 years, body work and rust are a new challenge. Thanks to all for your help. Mike Attached Images

03-10-2015, 07:51 PM	#2
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,402	Re: New Member / New Build - Nice lookin' truck! The guys on here can help with about anything. There is a paint & bodywork forum and that would be a good place to ask your rust repair questions. Welcome to the board.... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-11-2015, 10:05 AM	#3
Diggers Dad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 28	Re: New Member / New Build Thanks Doc Unfortunately the truck is not near as good as the pictures! I'll post some more pics later. Mike

03-11-2015, 05:54 PM	#4
Diggers Dad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 28	Re: New Member / New Build Okay Here we go. Had to sell the bed, rear fenders, wheel wells. Too much serious rust. While checking out the frame I found a bad hack job of shortening the frame. Poof, their goes the frame. Fortunately, our local yard, DVAP, had a perfect one in stock. Very lucky. I had the frame blasted and powdercoated satin black. Az Powdercoat did a beautiful job. Here's a few pics. Mike Attached Images

03-11-2015, 09:50 PM	#5
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,402	Re: New Member / New Build - Frame looks good. Too bad you are having to replace so much stuff... That is why I always take a piece of cardboard and a good strong light with me when I go look at a truck. That way you can slide underneath it and check it out real good. LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

03-11-2015, 10:56 PM	#6
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,365	Re: New Member / New Build Hey Diggers Dad ... to the forums and from Ohio. Looks like you have a lot of work ahead of you but I am sure it will be worth it. __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

03-12-2015, 10:15 AM	#7
Diggers Dad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 28	Re: New Member / New Build Hey Doc and 70. Thanks for the replies. I'll post some more pics later on the engine and other goodies from the shop. Mike

03-12-2015, 11:16 AM	#8
engineer_gregh Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Smyrna TN Posts: 1,153	Re: New Member / New Build Welcome to the forum. Looks like you're off to a great start and taking no short cuts. Going to be a nice truck! __________________ 1971 Longbed BB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed SB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed Highlander Custom Deluxe 1975 K5 4x4 full convertible Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645165 Greg Smyrna TN

03-12-2015, 12:18 PM	#9
Diggers Dad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 28	Re: New Member / New Build EG Thanks. Here's some pics of a 75 Jimmy that my shop changed the drivetrain to an LS w/ a 700r4. The Jimmy had a 400 SB. So I built that engine. Stock crank, polished, honed, stock cam, roller rockers, Edelbrock Performer, Q-jet, HEI, shorty headers. Lots of free horsepower. Built for cruisin', hopefully decent MPG w/ a 700r4, 3.08 rear gear. Attached Images

03-13-2015, 05:41 PM	#10
Diggers Dad Registered User Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scottsdale Arizona Posts: 28	Re: New Member / New Build How do I switch this thread to the Projects and Builds Forum? Mike



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