Project "1972 LWB Stella"

[Fattback]

First off total noob at this Resto/Lowering truck stuff. Growing up dad always showed me how to do maintenance on our cars and truck but he wasn't into restoration projects (he worked hard to support our family and was on the road a lot). Now 40+ years old thought its time to give it a try

Family have always been Chevy people. First truck I learned the drive a stick shift was a 69-70 4x4 that was my uncles on old logging roads in the mountains of Northern Idaho.

Truck is 1972 long bed bought for $1000 bucks. Has an engine but needed rebuilding.

Plan is Long and Low.

My list so far

Porterbuilt A-arms on stock crossmember, SS7 bags
Weld in rear notch with Firestone 9000 bags
Manuel Air valves from DLOE65 (still need to buy)
POR 15 Frame
Stock 350 engine and 350 tranny all donated from friend Fred (Derf Berry)
New cab corners
Weld up rust spots in floor
Body work
Paint- I have no idea change my mind monthly
List to grow as we go along.

My main focus is the frame. Make it roll. I bought Porterbuilt stage 1 kits front and back but decided not low enough so i got a weld in notch from 2002yanks and though I would try to make a Poor Boy's version of the Dropmember.

Always believed trucks /cars need a name and it must be female( Gone in 60 Seconds??? ). Since I'm a home brewer and one of my favorite Beers is Stella Artois Im going to call her Stella.

Want to say thanks to Fred (Derf Berry) could not do this without you bro, also Travis at Pro Performance for putting up with and answering all my question. Also thanks to all the board members I messaged over the last year or so.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated like I said Noob here

I have had the truck for over a year so here are some pics to get you caught up.



Pic of my grandfather. He was a foreman for a logging company in N Idaho. Thought it was a cool Pic






Truck as advertised on craigslist




Before and after pics of the engine from Derf Berry.






















Goods from Porterbuilt.






Starting to fit up the notch


Been some time since I have welded but thought it should hold lol




Didn't seem to move when the frame was cut loose

[longbed67]

That's a sweet pic with your grandpa! This should be a fun ride! I'll follow along!

[Fattback]

Thanks Adam. Been following along with you too great build!!!


Rob
Posted via Mobile Device

[2002yanks]

looking good. nice job on the notch.

[Fattback]

Originally Posted by 2002yanks

looking good. nice job on the notch.

Thanks was some what nervous about the notch but I'm happy with it so far.

Rob
Posted via Mobile Device

[Fattback]

Thought I would share my welding/plasma cart. Since this build is taking place in my garage I'm some what limited on space.

Took a planter hook of my wife's (did get the ok lol) modify it and welded it too two plates on the side of the welding cart for the leads.

Makes it nice having them both together.

[low&slow]

Following this one. Nice project.

Cool little improvement to your welder/plasma cart too.

[Fattback]

Originally Posted by low&slow

Following this one. Nice project.

Cool little improvement to your welder/plasma cart too.

Thanks Low


Rob

[Fattback]

Porterbuilt Control Arms this week. Almost just want to shoot clear on them welds look so good

[longbed67]

That would be sick! Showing off the beauty of raw metal and clean welds! A good wipe down with MEK and shoot some automotive clear would give a sweet look!

[Fattback]

Flipped the frame, finished welding notch and started to fab and tack in box in plates fwd and back of the notch. Also got the Firestone sleeve bags from Travis

[Pro Performance]

Looking really good Rob! Glad to see you finally got a build thread going. I will be watching it come together.

Good idea on the welder / plasma cart.... I like it.

- Travis

[2002yanks]

rob, nice job on that notch. the boxing in is looking good also. i planed on using that notch, but with work and triing to get my box painted i didnt want to spend what little time i get each week welding it up(and i will admit i was alittle scared to weld it in--havent done alot of welding, but have a good teacher). those bags look familiar(got mine from travis also). whats your plan for mounting them? on the axle, behind/infront, inside or outside the frame? i plan on going outside the frame like porterbuilts. i have a coworker cutting some for me on his plasma table.

something to consider with your fab skills would be a front crossmember section. heres a how(you might have seen it). you have to take the steering into consideration(thats the main hold up).
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543729

you can get alittle lower(anywere from 1-2"`s) and gain clearance with this. this is another poor mans dropmember. lol.

[Fattback]

Originally Posted by Pro Performance

Looking really good Rob! Glad to see you finally got a build thread going. I will be watching it come together.

Good idea on the welder / plasma cart.... I like it.

- Travis

Thanks Travis

[Fattback]

Originally Posted by 2002yanks

rob, nice job on that notch. the boxing in is looking good also. i planed on using that notch, but with work and triing to get my box painted i didnt want to spend what little time i get each week welding it up(and i will admit i was alittle scared to weld it in--havent done alot of welding, but have a good teacher). those bags look familiar(got mine from travis also). whats your plan for mounting them? on the axle, behind/infront, inside or outside the frame? i plan on going outside the frame like porterbuilts. i have a coworker cutting some for me on his plasma table.

something to consider with your fab skills would be a front crossmember section. heres a how(you might have seen it). you have to take the steering into consideration(thats the main hold up).
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543729

you can get alittle lower(anywere from 1-2"`s) and gain clearance with this. this is another poor mans dropmember. lol.

Thanks for the kind words

Plan for the rear bags is behind axle outside the frame.

Thanks for the link on the front crossmember I will check that out.

[Fattback]

Got the bottom side of the notch welded, cleaned up and painted. Also got the frame flipped back over now trying to figure out where to mount the sleeve bags.

[Fattback]

My concern now is figuring out ride hight so I can know if my drive shaft angle is ok. I'm going to stay with 2 piece drive shaft. Prob just need to do some more research


Rob

[VA72C10]

nice work so far!

[Fattback]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

nice work so far!

I appreciate it.


Rob
Posted via Mobile Device

[67c10rustbuket]

Looks great Rob. Nice parts and you have done some great work on that frame. I'll be watching.

Where about in Oklahoma are you?

[Fattback]

Originally Posted by 67c10rustbuket

Looks great Rob. Nice parts and you have done some great work on that frame. I'll be watching.

Where about in Oklahoma are you?

Thanks Dan

I live in Broken Arrow.


Rob
Posted via Mobile Device

[Fattback]

Started painting new and old steering parts. Looking forward to getting all that together to see what my stance is going to look like.

I will try to post some pics this weekend of my progress

Rob

[Fattback]

Had a good week working on the truck. Buddy of mine helped out a ton.

Front suspension parts painted and installed
Front bags installed
Holes drilled in front crossmember and rubber grommets installed for air lines
Wheel bearings cleaned and re-packed

Glad to have her rolling again.

Rob

[trashmanryan]

Posted via Mobile Device

[VA72C10]

looks great!