Father n Son 71 Short Bed

[71chebbysb]

Has anyone ever seen a power steering box pull the frame apart like this before? The big problem is that the lower bolt is even with the wall of the frame rail so I can't get a socket on it to remove the steering box. I decided to use the persuasion tool and a wooden block to see if I can move it enough to get a socket on it. I whacked it a few times and really couldn't even tell that I did anything. Any ideas??

[71Sleeper]

Originally Posted by 71chebbysb

Has anyone ever seen a power steering box pull the frame apart like this before? The big problem is that the lower bolt is even with the wall of the frame rail so I can't get a socket on it to remove the steering box. I decided to use the persuasion tool and a wooden block to see if I can move it enough to get a socket on it. I whacked it a few times and really couldn't even tell that I did anything. Any ideas??

Looks like a pervious owner might have taken it stump jumping and caught one on the bottom end of the steering box. Diffidently something new I haven't seen before.

[Xeen]

That is unusual for sure I have never seen one but I'm sure if it happened to yours it has happened to another one before.
Your only two options is to force it back into position or drill the head off.
Try loosening the other bolts first to relieve some pressure off of the broken part of the frame.

[WarMonger]

Great build so far. You guys are doing some good work.

[raggedjim]

You might try to weld a longer bolt (maybe an old starter bolt) to the head of the lower bolt and see if you can turn it out that way.

Good luck, Rg

[71chebbysb]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

You might try to weld a longer bolt (maybe an old starter bolt) to the head of the lower bolt and see if you can turn it out that way.

Good luck, Rg

Yeah I am afraid you are right. I will take pictures of whatever I do.

[71Sleeper]

Moving along nicely. Now the real fun starts. Years of road grim and oil to clean off. We just clean ours today with 4 cans of oven cleaner and a pressure washer. Much nicer to work with now.

[71chebbysb]

Originally Posted by 71Sleeper

Moving along nicely. Now the real fun starts. Years of road grim and oil to clean off. We just clean ours today with 4 cans of oven cleaner and a pressure washer. Much nicer to work with now.

That is precisely my next step too. The PO had cleaned the frame up a little and then sprayed primer over what he didn't clean up under the bed area.

[71chebbysb]

Well not long after my last post I ran across a screaming deal on a ..... gulp... I'm afraid to say it..... a Crew Cab 4x4 Dodge Dakota for my son. We both agreed that he may be graduating college before we finish the 71 C10, so I bit the bullet on this Dodge so he can have something to drive in High School and possibly college. You will have to admit that it looks good in this picture and the interior is perfect with leather. It needed a few things fixed, but that didn't bother me. The one thing that I didn't realize was that it needed a heater core, which was a real pain, since we had to take the entire dash out to remove it. While we were at it, we replaced the AC evaporator & accumulator, blower motor & resistor, valve cover gaskets, O2 sensors, spark plugs, water pump, radiator & hoses, and thermostat. I'm probably forgetting something, but you get the picture. A lot of this was just me being anal and making sure it would be reliable for my son to drive.

[71chebbysb]

So now that the Dodge is in good working order and basketball only has one more weekend (in the Middle School State Championship game if I may brag about it). Last week we pulled the frame back in the garage and got re-started. Here are a few pics of the little progress made.

[71chebbysb]

There are some major holes left where the Power Steering Box was mounted. I may just fix them and go with a R&P. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

[Jason7121]

Coming along nicely. WHAT a good father son project!

[71chebbysb]

Thanks, but as always I wish there was more son in the father - son project. Between football and girls there doesn't seem to be much time for this project anymore, but he does still join in when he can.

[71chebbysb]

Santa Claus in brown and white trucks dropped off some presents for me this week!!! My plan is to re-use as much stock as possible but replacing all bushings, bearings, hoses, brake components, etc. I was thinking I would do with a 3.5/5 drop but I didn't realize that was low enough that I would need to do a C-Notch in the rear so I may do a 2.5/4 drop now but I will have to swap my 1" drop front springs.

[OLDYELLOW]

Originally Posted by 71chebbysb

Thanks, but as always I wish there was more son in the father - son project. Between football and girls there doesn't seem to be much time for this project anymore, but he does still join in when he can.

I know the feeling. My son plays travel baseball, takes up a lot time and money, but you have to support their interest.

Frame looking good. It is fun when you start putting them back together. I'll be watching along.

[71chebbysb]

Haven't made much progress with suspension assembly but I did receive my rear springs, shocks and misc HW. Dropped off the cab and rear end to get media blasted a few days ago and in the mean time I started building the Tip and Flip Cab Dolly:

[mitchell72]

I will be following too. The painted frame looks nice and clean.

[MMcMasters]

Originally Posted by 71chebbysb

Thanks, but as always I wish there was more son in the father - son project. Between football and girls there doesn't seem to be much time for this project anymore, but he does still join in when he can.

I'm going through this as well. Between sports, his friends and now girls his interest level to be in the shop is at an all time low. It's probably been one of the hardest things I have went through being a parent. We have always been inseparable but lately he would rather be with his friends. I hope it's just a phase.

[71chebbysb]

Thanks for the encouragement on the Father - Son side of this build. I also remember those days when I was a teenager and now I really understand more how my dad must have felt. We were still always very close and he was my best man in my wedding. He passed away in 1998 at age 58 so I'm sure that has something to do with my desire to get my boys in the shop with me.

[Seventy Two]

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[71chebbysb]

This whole not working for a couple of weeks is awesome. I have plenty of family time and still making time to work on the truck. Got the trailing arms bushings in and bolted in with the 5 inch drop springs and shocks. Also got the 1 inch drop front springs and 2.5 inch drop spindles in. This is pretty freaking exciting for me!! My goal was to have it standing back on its own 4 feet before New Years and it looks like that may actually happen!!!

[YJ_Aaron]

Just went through the whole thread. Looking good!

[69moneypit]

I'm lowered 5 inches in rear . No c notch needed

[JD'S 69]

Looks good.

[71chebbysb]

Originally Posted by 69moneypit

I'm lowered 5 inches in rear . No c notch needed

Thanks for letting me know that 69moneypit. I think I will stay the course and stick with the 3.5/5 drop. I hope to get some assembly done this weekend but the honeydo list is pretty long after being out of town 2 of the past 3 weekends.