Project TLOW - 1971 stepside

[meenaggie]

Have you considered ditching the hard lines that run under the battery tray all together? You could just run hose for that entire section. Or at least that is what I did. Slightly different setup but I think it shows you an option if the hard lines don't work out.

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by meenaggie

Have you considered ditching the hard lines that run under the battery tray all together? You could just run hose for that entire section. Or at least that is what I did. Slightly different setup but I think it shows you an option if the hard lines don't work out.

So with you running soft lines right out of your condenser and have no issues that way at all (don't know why you would, but I ask anyway)? I suppose if I could find where to buy the extra fittings, that might be an option.

Thanks for the idea. I'll have to see how things pans out. I've already called it quits for the day, but I like the thought and idea. I love this type of "outside the box" thinking

[LakeAnna]

This is a great build! Nice work on everything...

[meenaggie]

Originally Posted by Rod Run

So with you running soft lines right out of your condenser and have no issues that way at all (don't know why you would, but I ask anyway)? I suppose if I could find where to buy the extra fittings, that might be an option.

Thanks for the idea. I'll have to see how things pans out. I've already called it quits for the day, but I like the thought and idea. I love this type of "outside the box" thinking

No issues. Make sure the hole in the radiator support is big enough for the fitting to pass through and use a quality grommet. Really the same applies to the hard line.

[Rod Run]

I always make sure to use grommets for stuff like this. Learned the importance of that many years ago.... the hard way

[Rod Run]

Made lots of boring progress this week.

Got my front sway bar finally installed. Had to relocate and make new brackets, because it didn't fit as I was expecting it to.

Got my steering column and linkage all finished up.

Tonight I also got my A/C mocked up for the final time. Tomorrow I will hopefully finish it all up, by cutting and crimping my lines, installing my heater hose lines and probably putting my front fender back on. When I post up pictures, you'll all understand that last sentence.

I am now dealing with parking brake questions, but I'm really moving in the right direction.

I am also placing 3 parts orders over the weekend. I already did my first one to Year One. I have one to place with Classic Industries tomorrow before their latest "up to 30% off" sale finishes tomorrow and one to finish placing with Summit Racing, because I have $50 in Summit bucks that expire on Sunday

[Rod Run]

After mocking everything up a couple times, I finally started on the final stretch.

First trimming up all the grommets to fit the different sized hoses and running them through an impossible area...

[Rod Run]

This hose crimping tool works absolutely awesome!

Probably finish their final install next weekend, when I can get a second set of hands to help me with everything. The hard part is coming up next, trying to fit them all tightly out of my kick panel. I have less than an inch of clearance around a couple of those lines. Then I need to fabricate some brackets, to keep them from banging around on the inside of the fenders

I also ordered a couple hundred dollars worth of Weatherpack connectors tonight, so I can start moving ahead on my electrical work in January. Just trying to keep things as neat and clean as I can, while just being a home garage hack

[Rod Run]

So I finally got my A/C unit mounted for the final time this weekend. I also got the block off plate all sealed up with dum-dum too. It sucked!

When you take the road less traveled to do something, there is a reason why others don't go the same way. As long as it leaks it's going to look real smooth all hidden away though

[Rod Run]

Then just for ****s, kicks and giggles, I threw the front grill on real quick, just to give me some motivation

[CURSED GEARS]

Looks good! How is that grill fitting for you?

[Rod Run]

I just threw it on there quickly for a picture and then boxed it back up.

I went through Ecklers for it and they had different price points for quality. I bought their most expensive one, that didn't have the lettering on it. Looks like I'm going to need to tweak it a little bit, but they are pretty flimsy, so it should be easy to do

[Palf70Step]

Looks like things are coming together nicely!

[meenaggie]

Looks great! AC install turned out really nice.

[CURSED GEARS]

Originally Posted by Rod Run

I just threw it on there quickly for a picture and then boxed it back up.

I went through Ecklers for it and they had different price points for quality. I bought their most expensive one, that didn't have the lettering on it. Looks like I'm going to need to tweak it a little bit, but they are pretty flimsy, so it should be easy to do

I was just wondering. I need a new grill. I've had two reproductions, and neither one has fit right.

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by CURSED GEARS

I was just wondering. I need a new grill. I've had two reproductions, and neither one has fit right.

Where we're they off? Not able to bend)tweak then to fit?

[Rod Run]

Finally remembered where I stored my steering wheel away almost 2 years ago. Going to be connecting it to the steering column soon

[CURSED GEARS]

Originally Posted by Rod Run

Where we're they off? Not able to bend)tweak then to fit?

Its off at the front of the fender. Grill don't go to the fender line on the side. You can get one side close, but when you try to get the other side on, disaster. Cant bring the fenders in any more, or I will have no hood gap. When I searched the problem on here, it seems pretty typical of some repro grills. I lived with it on the first rebuild, but want it right this time.

But enough of my problems, your going to have a nice truck when your done.

[Rod Run]

Thanks man, but now you have me worried about my grill. I'll just have to wait & see when the time comes

[CURSED GEARS]

Sorry, wasn't my intention. You think for as much as they cost, they would fit like a dream. Just thought if yours fit well, I buy the one you bought.

[Rod Run]

LOL!!

I'll probably be putting it on within a month or so. I'll post up the results when I do

[Rod Run]

I'm currently debating on if I should spend the big coin on these or not. JW Speaker makes some cool stuff, but it's not cheap

[BigDaddyV]

cool build, im in for the ride!

[garage_engineering]

Just read through most of your thread, great work so far! I live in Mass as well, hard to find trucks that solid up here.

[Rod Run]

This didn't start as a solid truck.

I bought new doors, floors, rockers and cab corners, along with patching a lot of the cowl. Ha!

Also found a better radiator support than I had and still sourcing rear fenders for the bed