Another OLD BLUE Build Thread - 71 Chevy

[OldBlue71Chevy]

Originally Posted by Rust_phoenix

Glad to see you back at it, nice "to do list" especially #12 be sure to take pics or a video when completing that one i can't wait

I am looking forward to #12 also








Not to spam up my thread, but I am looking to raise some $$$ to put into some parts on the truck. Decided I am not going to use the wiring harness that I bought. If anybody is interested, PM me. Lets make a deal.


1967-72 Painless Wiring Harness + A/C harness 10206

Wiring Harness from Jegs

A/C harness from Jegs

So I bought this harness thinking I was going to semi-restore my truck. Well it turns out that probably half of everything I am going to do to it will require custom wiring.


A/C harness not in pic.

I literally opened the box stared at it, and then put it in the corner in my "to do" pile.

Brand new, both in box.

Jegs wiring harness $455.99 and A/C harness $111.99 would come out to 567.98 + Shipping and handling.

Package deal, both for $500 shipped!!!!!

Will separate, PM me and we can discuss.

[OldBlue71Chevy]

Progress!!!!

The start of my home-made B52 kit. I was going to weld them together but wifey was using the dryer, and I wasn't about to stop her progress :p

Broke the swirl ring on my plasma torch so I got to cut these all out by hand with a grinder/chop saw...

For those that say they don't have the right tools. This goes to show you a drawring, some angle grinders and a small drill press go a long way.


Now I just need to integrate some body mounts then start building the slider boxes.

[OldBlue71Chevy]

Shackle Sliders:

Start with Homebrew expresso stout and some planning


Cut materials (I made the OD of the shackle boxes 9" and the slot 7")


Drill 3/4" holes to show the beginning and end of the slot

When I am trying to make multiple identical plates, I tack weld them together so the holes all line up.


Get friendly with my 7" metabo making the slots


Assemble with some 3" spacers to establish width


Bam, I present you home-made shackle sliders


Still need to cut the UHMW and bolt spacers.

Ran out of motivation, off to make/drink some beer.

[OldBlue71Chevy]

Cut the UHMW bushings today with the FIL's table saw. Came out pretty good.

Just gotta drill them out now.

Made ~10 so I have some spares just in case.

[OldBlue71Chevy]

Progress!!

Drilled out the UHMW pucks


It was snowing outside and I had nothing better to do, so I got a wild hair and switched the machine over to TIG. Probably haven't tried/done TIG for ~2 years or so.

For whatever reason I couldn't figure out/get the footpedal to work so this is just with the trigger on pulse.






Tried to TIG on a couple of spots on the inside of the brackets, but it was a PITA, so I will MIG weld the inside next time I am out working.

[OldBlue71Chevy]

So, it seems I have come to the end of my ~2 month hiatus. During the break I managed to go to Ireland with the wifey for 10 days (absolutely gorgeous place) and get a new job (waaay less stress, better pay, better hours, and I enjoy it :smokin: ).



Spent 1/2 the day Saturday cleaning the garage. It seriously helps soo much the next day when you get to lay on a semi-clean floor and know exactly where all of your tools are.


Here is a pic of the Leaf spring sliders assembled, but with the spacer on the outside of the bracket so you can see what it looks like when it is inside the slot.




Got the front and rear leaf spring hangers mostly installed. But I am now having some serious doubts that it will be low enough... (yes, you guys were probably right about the D60 being quite a bit taller) Right now I just have the main leaf and a body mount puck in there to take up the gap for the missing leaves.

The only way to really know is to put the full leaf pack in tomorrow and get the whole truck's weight on it.

Suspension Compressed:


Drooped (It droops further if you put weight on it):


And just because I thought it was a cool pic. D-side up, pax side no tire and drooped. No rubbing.



If I am OK with the ride height, tomorrow I plan to final weld and assemble the suspension then build bumpstops/engine xmember, shocks, brakes, etc, etc.

[Rust_phoenix]

Nice work, glad to see you back at it, good to see old blue gettin some love again.