My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.

[lyrikz]

Took the bed off yesterday.... Pretty fun.... I found an issue i need some help with...



That tube just had some tape over it.... What do i do there???? Plug it off completely???

Heres my bed removed.

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

That tube just had some tape over it.... What do i do there???? Plug it off completely???

Put a section of hose on it and curl it up. Just needs to be able to breathe, but you want the hose long enough so gas doesn't puke out of it.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

Put a section of hose on it and curl it up. Just needs to be able to breathe, but you want the hose long enough so gas doesn't puke out of it.

Got some updates. I spent all weekend finishing up a few things. Modified the exhaust to give me a bit more room where the pipe goes through the crossmember. No pics of that. Installed the carb, installed the dist.. Drivetrain is almost 100%..



Need to run some plumbing, didnt realize you had to remove the pass. side header to fit the starter, so off comes the exhaust for the twelvth time. ahaha



then on to the fun. I installed the pass. side cnotch. I bought this notch from McGaughtys and it fits like ****. Bottom line. I had to heat it up, bend it, and a bunch of crap and there is STILL some gap where the frame curves. I bolted the notch in and welded the rest. Im not worried about the gap between the notch. I mightttt cut it and bang it in place and weld it, but i honestly thing it would just be a waste of time. I would never buy anything from these guys. THis is supposed to be a bolt in cnotch. Bull****....

Here are the Plates for the RE7's. I basically welded the plate on the bottom and ran a bolt up into the bag.



Here is where i first started the notch. Now you see the bolt to the left, with the FRONT bolt in, that bolt hole was 3 inches away from the frame. I had to heat up the notch and screw the bolt in to bend it into place and there is STILL that gap.




You guys see any need to weld that gap??? I was thinking of cutting it and bangin it towards the frame then rewelding it. I just dont think its necessary, but you guys would know.

To be continued.

[lyrikz]

Here is the bag.

So that side is done. I will do the other side this week, then start looking for a tank and compressor....




Once i get the drivetrain all done, going to finish the body work on the cab and get to puttin it all back together... Fun fun.. Anyone have any recommendations on tank size and what compressor to run?? Just going to run rear bags for now, Front bags will be later, but i dont want to have to upgrade anything when i add the fronts.

[hp1967c10]

I would be interested to know where you got your bags and the part numbers as well.

[BACKYARD88]

Cool!

[1969stepside]

i like the q-jet on there nice touch

[BACKYARD88]

Looking good mang

[deweychop]

I love this thread!!!! Great job!!

[WIDESIDE72]

Just curious. are you planning on using the fenders on the truck now and installing a 68 Chevrolet grille and hood, or swapping out the fenders so that you can run the 72 Chevrolet grille?

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 1969stepside

i like the q-jet on there nice touch

I talked to ALOT of people and everyone has their choice on carbs, but most of the people i talked to said go with teh Q jet. ITs 750cc, i lose some low end, but im not racing it. I want something reliable. I guess if iwent with an edelbrock or a holley, i would get a ton more power down low.

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

Looking good mang

Thanks man...

Originally Posted by deweychop

I love this thread!!!! Great job!!

Nice, thanks.

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Just curious. are you planning on using the fenders on the truck now and installing a 68 Chevrolet grille and hood, or swapping out the fenders so that you can run the 72 Chevrolet grille?

uhm... The front end is GMC.. Im using the fenders and my grille i have. I love the GMC stuff. I think its all 71 or 72 GMC stuff. I already have a cowl GMC hood for it...... Am i missing something? Are those fenders i have off a different year??

[lyrikz]

Have an update. No pics yet. Airbags are in the rear and notch is done. The left side of the notch was easy compared to the first side.

Quick question on how you remove side bed strips that are welded on the side. YOu just have to use drill bit remover type thing???

[lyrikz]

Welpers, Update time.

Kind of have a blast from the past here. WHen i first started doing this truck, i had no idea. I didnt have the right tools and or knowledge... Well here is an example.

I started the pass. side rust repair on the date on the picture.. Oct.


I have it almost finished here. You can see that time line. OCt- March. There were some things in between i was doing.. This wasnt everyday either. But you get the picture.



Moving back to the present, i talked my work into buying a plasma cutter.. Yay... Here is where i am now. This is the cutter.



That cutter gets you this.



That gives you the next post.

[lyrikz]

You can see the date on that. I started that sunday and here is where i am at as of monday.

[lyrikz]

My last inner kick panel came out not so good... SOme filler will fix it, but this one came out almost 100% perfect.



And how it sits now after about 8 hours of work from start to finish.




I tilted the cab up to get some underside pics for kicks.




Currently i am working on the bed, core support, and finish welding and grinding the cab...

[BACKYARD88]

Looks nice They should have some big grommets at your local truck stop.

[estig70]

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

Looks nice They should have some big grommets at your local truck stop.

or Hardware store.

Eric

[lyrikz]

Found the grommets that i needed. I used PCV grommets. The other side i found some reg. grommets that work. I have a few more questions. I have to run one of my airlines RIGHT next to the leader hose. ITs coming from the front left airbag. Is that going to be ok? The line is safe up to 180 degrees.. Would it be ok like this?? OR would that leader line melt it??




A side note. Most of the work i do on my truck, the twins are out in the garage. "daddy what are you doing", "daddy, whats this do". It gets a TINY bit grinding when the kids just hammer out the questions, then you get funny moments like this. This is my daughter. This is her with her favorite dolly.


And this is what happens when i ask if daddy can borrow her dolly to use to finish drilling some holes...

[Riveted1]

Too funny!

[lyrikz]

Havent updated in awhile...
Finished the front air bags. Just need to mount the front valves.




Finished welding in the cab corner and the rocker. I then started smoothing out what the PO just covered in bondo. i got a stud puller so i iwll get pics of that once i start working on that.



Here you can see all the creases and what not.. That metal was all smashed in and just filled with bondo.. Gross.. I will get a before and after pic when done.


Next

[lyrikz]

I have some rust spots where the back window went.. I cut a section out of a spare cab and replaced the rusty stuff with it..




I then moved on to getting the underside of my cab finished so i could put it back on the frame and clear up some room and start moving along. I picked up some DP40lf and returned it for the same epoxy but white. ahaha... So, a dp40 but in white....



That leads me to my next step.. undercoating.....

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Found the grommets that i needed. I used PCV grommets. The other side i found some reg. grommets that work. I have a few more questions. I have to run one of my airlines RIGHT next to the leader hose. ITs coming from the front left airbag. Is that going to be ok? The line is safe up to 180 degrees.. Would it be ok like this?? OR would that leader line melt it??

Since no one answered, I would seriously look at getting any non braided lines away from any braided ones. Heat could be an issue, not sure how hot the leader line will get but I can tell you that steel braided lines cut just like a file over time. ANY movement will cause the braided line to cut through the plastic line. Even if YOU don't think there will be any movement, any vibration, expanding and contracting due to temps, etc. will wear a hole in it. I have seen braided lines cut thru steel inner fenders before.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Since no one answered, I would seriously look at getting any non braided lines away from any braided ones. Heat could be an issue, not sure how hot the leader line will get but I can tell you that steel braided lines cut just like a file over time. ANY movement will cause the braided line to cut through the plastic line. Even if YOU don't think there will be any movement, any vibration, expanding and contracting due to temps, etc. will wear a hole in it. I have seen braided lines cut thru steel inner fenders before.

Thanks.. I will drill a hole above it and run it through... I was wondering if there would be an issue...

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Since no one answered, I would seriously look at getting any non braided lines away from any braided ones. Heat could be an issue, not sure how hot the leader line will get but I can tell you that steel braided lines cut just like a file over time. ANY movement will cause the braided line to cut through the plastic line. Even if YOU don't think there will be any movement, any vibration, expanding and contracting due to temps, etc. will wear a hole in it. I have seen braided lines cut thru steel inner fenders before.

Oh ya, I was gonna say those leader lines get kinda hot when the compressors are running. Doubt it would really hurt the air line, but I wouldn't chance it myself. Chevy_mike does bring up a good point about rubbing.

[68 short step]

looks good, keep upp the good work