Project "Buffalo Blizzard Surprise" 71 SWB build

[loudchevy]

Looks amazing! Congrats.

[clay68c10]

It looks good!
Man, that's a great color!

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by loudchevy

Looks amazing! Congrats.

Thank you.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

It looks good!
Man, that's a great color!

Thanks. I have some more pictures of it out in the sun and it looks different.

[derotoreut]

So after 11-months my friend and I traveled from Buffalo, New York to Roger Burman's shop (Lakeside Rods & Rides) in Rockwell City, Iowa to pick up the truck. All the final body and paint work has been completed by Roger and his crew. At this point I still had all the wiring, fuel lines, brake lines and interior work to be completed yet. Since I have to finish all the wiring, the truck still has not yet been running. This was the first time I got to see it in person. Wow! I was blown away!

[derotoreut]

The truck was loaded into my friends trailer and we were ready to make the 1,000 mile trip back. What a road trip.

[zicc1835]

stunning ....congratulations ....safe travel

[derotoreut]

Here is the truck back home into my shop. At this point I still have a lot of work to do on it. All the wiring still needs to be finished as does fuel lines, brake lines and interior.

[MellowYellow70]

Wow! Your truck is gorgeous!

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow70

Wow! Your truck is gorgeous!

Thanks for the kind words. It has been a long haul with this project. Over 12-years now!!! There is finally light at the end of the tunnel. There were times that I thought about giving up and selling the project, but my wife convinced me to push on. Glad that I kept it going.

[derotoreut]

Time to get working on the electrical. Way back when... I bought the American Auto Wire Highway 22 kit. I welded up a mounting plate for the fuse box up underneath on the driver side. Before welding it up, I drilled and tapped holes for mounting it. All that electrical needs to be run from front to rear.

There are a lot of electrical components that need to be installed and hidden. I'm using the Holley Terminator X Max system for my computer. That is mounted up front on the transmission tunnel, and should be hidden by my future console. I also have to install my Dakota Digital modules. I have modules for the HDX gauge cluster, a BIM module interface for the Holley Terminator, a GSS-3000 gear indicator, DCC-4000 HDX style climate control and a module for my keyless ignition. I also need to leave room for stereo components, as I want a strong sounding system.

I also plan to install an E-Stopp electrical emergency braking system along with American Autowire push-button remote disconnect.

Sounds like 10-pounds of $@!t in a 5-pound bag!!!

[derotoreut]

More wiring in process. The electric window controls are hidden just below the dash on both driver and passenger sides. This is a real mess of wires.

[MellowYellow70]

I used the same American Autowire 22 circuit kit with my Holley TermX and Pro Dash setup. Has worked very well over the last 3yrs of cruising/racing. I'm converting to a faceplated t-56 magnum/E-Stop brake system currently, so it's nice to see someone using the same products.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow70

I used the same American Autowire 22 circuit kit with my Holley TermX and Pro Dash setup. Has worked very well over the last 3yrs of cruising/racing. I'm converting to a faceplated t-56 magnum/E-Stop brake system currently, so it's nice to see someone using the same products.

How do you have that Holley Pro Dash setup in your truck? I don't know much about them and wondered if they have some good way of mounting the display in our trucks.

What do you currently have for transmission setup? You must do some serious racing?

[MellowYellow70]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

How do you have that Holley Pro Dash setup in your truck? I don't know much about them and wondered if they have some good way of mounting the display in our trucks.

What do you currently have for transmission setup? You must do some serious racing?

I have all the lights integrated into the Pro Dash, as well as using the pro dash to control fans or test pumps when not running. I love the setup, and not too much extra wiring, but I'm a controls electrician and millwright. I thought I had a good pic of it in use, but here's my display setup pic. I used an off the shelf Holley dash. I started with the Munsey Carbon fiber dash, but it wasn't up to par imo for what I use the truck for.

I'm going from a Jakes Performance Stage 3+ 4L80E to a faceplated magnum T56 from rpm. This will allow me to run more classes if the event won't let me in the Gasser class.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow70

I have all the lights integrated into the Pro Dash, as well as using the pro dash to control fans or test pumps when not running. I love the setup, and not too much extra wiring, but I'm a controls electrician and millwright. I thought I had a good pic of it in use, but here's my display setup pic. I used an off the shelf Holley dash. I started with the Munsey Carbon fiber dash, but it wasn't up to par imo for what I use the truck for.

I'm going from a Jakes Performance Stage 3+ 4L80E to a faceplated magnum T56 from rpm. This will allow me to run more classes if the event won't let me in the Gasser class.

That is so cool. I love to see different stuff like this. Honestly I never thought about using the Holley dash, but it is a cool option. I have a friend that integrated it into his Grand National. One thing I'm thinking about changing is going from the 3.5" screen to Holley's bluetooth set up. I'm an Apple MAC guy, so using a Windows PC based computer doesn't work for me. Going with the bluetooth set up will allow me to use my IPhone. We'll see. Thanks for sharing.

[MellowYellow70]

Originally Posted by derotoreut

That is so cool. I love to see different stuff like this. Honestly I never thought about using the Holley dash, but it is a cool option. I have a friend that integrated it into his Grand National. One thing I'm thinking about changing is going from the 3.5" screen to Holley's bluetooth set up. I'm an Apple MAC guy, so using a Windows PC based computer doesn't work for me. Going with the bluetooth set up will allow me to use my IPhone. We'll see. Thanks for sharing.

Not a problem to share.

I have the Bluetooth PC version, but I'm always leary of losing connection at the wrong time. So, I keep my 3.5" screen and PC cable in the glovebox by the termx ecu.

[derotoreut]

More wiring work from the front end. Put the truck up on the lift to save my back. I bought headlights from Dapper Lighting. I used them for my 70 K10 and was extremely happy. This go around I'm using 7" LED Seven Halo headlights with HDR Switchback feature. Since I no longer have turn signals in the bumper, I had to come up with some something. These Halo's have a white halo ring that will switch to amber when the turn signal is used.


Here is my final connection for the headlights



Like I said, I put the truck up on the lift to make it easier to work at the front



You can see that I have the one 7" Dapper LED installed, while I'm still working on the other. While it's up here I will also install my fan relay kit from CE Auto Electric Supply. The relay kit will integrate with my Holley Terminator X Max ECU. The set up allows me to run both fans at half speed when the temp reaches about 165 deg. Once it gets to about 185 deg, both fans will run at full speed. I also have a trinary switch interface that allows a single fan to run in High Speed when the A/C is turned on and the engine coolant temperature is below the Low Speed set point in the ECU.

[MellowYellow70]

How much of the headlight bucket had to be modified for those lights? I tried 2 different hid and halo light kits, and ended up going back to stock or id have nothing left of the buckets.

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow70

How much of the headlight bucket had to be modified for those lights? I tried 2 different hid and halo light kits, and ended up going back to stock or id have nothing left of the buckets.

Minimal modification. I only rounded out the hole a little bit so it would fit snug. They have very nice lights.

[derotoreut]

Working on getting the horns installed. Got a good deal on these. Lol. Don't worry about it... It's just a horn.

[derotoreut]

Engine bay looks good, but needs something.


Going to try some Holley 2-piece coil valve covers.

[derotoreut]

Removed my D514A coils.



Removed the stock valve covers.



Installed the 1st piece of the Holley valve cover



Found out that the D514A coils wouldn't work with the Holley valve covers. I had to buy new D510C coils, so they would fit. Holley's bolts didn't fit either. They were too short.



New D510 coils installed.

[derotoreut]

Here is the finished install of Holley's red 2-piece valve covers. I like the touch of red with the blue engine bay. My buddy would have liked black, but we all have our own tastes. That's what keeps this hobby so much fun and interesting. Now it's back to finishing up the front end wiring.

[derotoreut]

Working on the brake lines. I needed a bulkhead fitting to mount my passenger side brake line. Instead of buying one, I decided to make one out of aluminum. It turned out pretty good.