71 4X4 Frame off Restoration

[DWilbur]

This project is a mid life crises project. Got a bug up my a** to do a frame off restoration so I bought this 1971 4X4 about 8 months ago. It did not run very well. With a little work my nephew did on the carb he got it running. I was trying to restore most of it and keep it running. Well plans changed. My brothers think I'm crazy. Maybe just a little. I was going to hold off posting this build project until I have the cab and frame painted. but changed directions and in in a world of rust and rut. so I will post some pictures and get this thread up to date and see if I can get some help with the rot.

[DWilbur]

Picture of new 6" lift and wheels and tires.

[DWilbur]

Bought a Dana 60 and 14 bolt with disk breaks. rebuilt the 14 bolt with new ring pinion and locker. cleaned up the Dana 60 as it is in great shape just need new pinion seal.

[DWilbur]

14 bolt after I had relocated the spring purch as the leaf springs are not the same from 71 to 73. Ya I should have cut off the shock mounts when I moved the spring purchs. I can do it at a later date.

[DWilbur]

Well after driving the truck for a while I decided that the cab is not as big as I remember it when 2 of my friends had them 20 years ago. So I'm thinking about extending the cab or building a quad cab. this why my brother think I'm crazy. so I bought a doner Suburan.

[DWilbur]

Befor the suburan I picked up a 2004 LSX 5.3 engine and rebuilt it. lower end is stock with all new pistons, bearing and gaskets. heads rebuilt by Total Engine Airflow to stage 2 mods. Comp cam 281 grind. 1.8 to 1 roler rockers, double roller chain, 1-7/8 headers from Doug Thorley.

[DWilbur]

Ok almost cought up to date. so I cut the Suburan in half and my plan is to cut the back of the cab off the truck and weld the 2 parts togeather.

[DWilbur]

Picking the suburan off the frame and setting it on the dolly I built so I can work on it in the garage. It has some rot in the typical locations that need some work.

[DWilbur]

picutre of it on the dolly so I can work on it and roll it around.

[DWilbur]

Rot repair on the drivers side lower A piller and floor cut out and pached back.

[DWilbur]

Ok now for the latest work and my biggest problem. I started on the right side know that it will be the most work. and it is bad. I have cut out 90% of the rot. I have the cab from the truck I could use to fix the A piller but I;m not sure what shape it is in until I start cutting in to it. the roof line below the rain gutter looks different. It might be because the window is still in the truck. I know the roof is higher on the Suburan. I'm looking at replacing the right window frame and A piller with the one in the truck. I removed the dash from the Surban today and cut out most of the rot. just have to finish removing the spot welds. Can you let me know if the window frame and A piller are the same before I cut the truck cab apart and try to fit it to the Suburan. I will be doing this work in about 2

[DWilbur]

I need some advice on the rust rot issue. Not sure if the Apill is the same on a truck and Suburan.

[54blackhornet]

Boy you sure are a craftsman ! I looked at your post because I too am doing a 71 K-10 build, but your work is far removed from my "Rebuild". Keep at it , the Burb & welding guru's will chime in soon. I wish I had your skills,
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[swamp rat]

Awesome and subscribed too! But this really belongs in the 4X4 builds section.

[71blksuper4x4]

I am almost positive that they are really close if not 100% the same. Trevor

[DWilbur]

Hello 54 Blackhornet
This is my first time working with sheet metal to this extent. The last build project I did was for a good friend of mine we rebuilt a 60's vintage Stevens Hydro in the mid 90’s and it was wood and fiberglass and I'm carpenter by trade. My dad taught me how to weld after high school. I took a welding class at the carpenter apprentice school and convinced my dad to buy a miller mig welder. I have been melting metal ever since.

[DWilbur]

Hello swamp rat
Thanks for the reply. I'm new the the site and did not konw there is an 4X4 section. It was late last night when I started the thread and I was looking for some help with the rot issue I'm batteling.

[DWilbur]

Hello 71blksuper4X4
Thanks for the info. I will be looking close at the 71 truck cab I have in 2 weeks to make sure it will work replacing the A piller. I have my fingers crossed.

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Hello swamp rat
Thanks for the reply. I'm new the the site and did not konw there is an 4X4 section. It was late last night when I started the thread and I was looking for some help with the rot issue I'm batteling.

I'm sorry i cant help with the A pillar question, but you might try giving Wes at Classic heartbeat a call he knows these trucks inside and out and could probably answer your question. he is also a vendor here on the forum.

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/

[DWilbur]

I will call Wes when I get back in town.

[DWilbur]

I'm back from vacation and still looking for some help with the rot issue. Any help welcome.

[DWilbur]

I worked on the truck cab all day today. removed the windshield this morning and it did not go well. The good thing is it was cracked when I bought the truck. to remove the rear window I cut the rubber to save the window.

[DWilbur]

I finished stripping the cab of all parts then bagged and labled them as my memory is not the best with what bolt goes where 6 Months later. The good thing is the A piller is in very good shape and it matched up the the suburban cab. Sunday I plan on cutting spot welds in preporation to swap out the Apiller. I sold the long bed last week end and 4 front fenders last night. I have been looking for fleet side short bed and they are not easy to find. local shop wants $ 1,500.00 for half way desent bed.

[DWilbur]

Friday I removed the A pillar from the quad cab. yoo can see in the picture of the top of the A pillar the rust. later in the day I cut out the rest of it and there is a hole about 3/4" in dia that when the rain gutter fails water can find it's way down to the bottom and rust out the cab floor like I see in both of the truck I have. the othe proble that let water in is the cab upper cowl. the water runs down to a gutter in side that channels the water to the bottom of the front fender and the bottom of the Apiller. if only Cheverolet rust profed these locations it would not be so bad. my 1971 truck cab does not have the 3/4' hole at the top and it is not rusted and rotted out the the suburban is. The both have rust and rot issue in the rain gutter.

[DWilbur]

On Saturday I cut out the A pillar from the truck and cleaned it up and it is almost ready to install in the suburban. I still have some work in the upper part of the quad cad before I can install the Apiller. So far it is working out quite well. My brother dropped off a plasma cutter 3 weeks ago and its a good thing it made it easer to remove the parts I needed.