"FRAME OFF" Has Begun - Wish Me Luck! - Pics

[Rack Man]

Originally Posted by Billhilly

Just wondering how you are getting on with the wheel alignment thing?
One thing I did with mine during the build up of the chassis was snap a centreline lenghtwise under the chassis and then drew lines under where the front and rear diff's sat. I also measured the distance between the two diffs. Turns out both diff's wern't square to the centre line, and not parallel in relation to each other. I sratched my head for a long time and ended up turning one rear leaf end for end, and slotted out the hole in the right side of the front diff to allow the diff to be squared up. Got it 'pretty close' to everything heading in the same direction! Have no idea if any of this made it drive nice. Years away from finishing!
Let us know how you got on.

I took it in to have that work done....they adjusted the steering box, caster & toe.....oh yea and he actually had to add some tapered shims underneath the leafs on all four corners....he explained why but I honestly still don't understand what he was talking about....It was placed directly under the bottom leaf and was bolted to the spring pack!

[Rack Man]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

Dang dude!

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Damn that turned out nice..

Originally Posted by 0331grunt

That is a beautiful truck!! Congrats

Originally Posted by bowtieguy79

Nice Job! Love the color! you can't beat a Blue Chevy with a White top!

Thanks again guys....she came out pretty nice...not perfect but not bad...Now that the paint has been sanded and buffed it is like glass...now I just wish the panel alignment was a little better!....

[Rack Man]

Well got her back from my buddies shop where he did the alignment, power bled the brakes, charged the AC and lubed everything.....Then I got to enjoy my real first drive in it.....Ran awesome and the AC blew ice cold.....Still got some finishing touches to do but she is driveable and legal!...

[Teck]

Truck really looks awsome. Great job.I just hope my blazer looks that good when I'm done with it.

[Critter]

MMMM...that looks DELICIOUS!

[msgross]

looks nice but you need to add some tow hooks now!

[sdailey]

It turned out awesome Dan. Congratulations on a job well done.

[SMORT]

Better than new!!!
She's BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by SMORT

Better than new!!!
She's BEAUTIFUL!!!!

that was my opinion too its is more perfect than when it was driven out of the factory

[72Levi]

Very nice, I admire your handwork and dedication. Many people have good intentions to actually do a frame off but you did it, congrats. Love the color!

[BAD4X4]

Dan truck looks beautiful!!!!

[msgross]

better get your trophy case ready! Let me know and I can replace any of these pics that I posted in here... good luck what year was your truck?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=407877

[Rack Man]

Originally Posted by msgross

better get your trophy case ready! Let me know and I can replace any of these pics that I posted in here... good luck what year was your truck?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=407877

Hey Mike, thanks for the nomination....I didn't even notice that!...Cool...

I haven't taken any new pics lately, so those are gonna have to do for now...By the way, the truck is a 70....I just went with the earlier style interior.....Have always loved the buddy buckets!


To everyone else who commented....thanks a bunch!.....I really appreciate it....Still have a few things left to do....gotta find time!




RM

[mcbassin]

Congratulations on the Green name and totm award! truly an awesome truck and my favorite year too!

[cable666guy]

Congrats on TOTM!! Just went through the whole build, awesome job!! Also, I think this is the first one I've seen finished!! LOL!!

[ERBSIX]

This is probably an inappropriate question, but how much did the entire vintage air setup set you back?

The 78 Silverado I purchased has been retrofitted with the newer AC system, but it is definitely showing wear and tear, plus the VC system takes up a LOT less space...

So if you don't mind, I would greatly appreciate knowing.

Also, I echo cable666guy's statement that this might be the first truck build on this forum I've seen completed...

[ERBSIX]

I just took the time to read every post.

Looking at the final pictures just doesn't do what happened to this truck justice.

No one (except who has read this thread or watched you step-by-step) who sees this truck will ever appreciate the craftsmanship, attention to detail and amount of work that went into this beauty.

By far one of the prettiest trucks I've seen. Hands down.

[Rack Man]

Originally Posted by ERBSIX

This is probably an inappropriate question, but how much did the entire vintage air setup set you back?

The 78 Silverado I purchased has been retrofitted with the newer AC system, but it is definitely showing wear and tear, plus the VC system takes up a LOT less space...

So if you don't mind, I would greatly appreciate knowing.

Also, I echo cable666guy's statement that this might be the first truck build on this forum I've seen completed...

If I rememeber correctly, I think it was about $1,200.....kinda spendy, but it is a very nice system...and their customer service was top notch!

Originally Posted by ERBSIX

I just took the time to read every post.

Looking at the final pictures just doesn't do what happened to this truck justice.

No one (except who has read this thread or watched you step-by-step) who sees this truck will ever appreciate the craftsmanship, attention to detail and amount of work that went into this beauty.

By far one of the prettiest trucks I've seen. Hands down.

Thanks Man...I really appreciate that comment.....The trucks not perfect, but it is the best that I could do with the knowledge and resources I had available....I had never done anything like this before, so everything was a learning experience.....Luckily, I had this forum and couple buddies who helped guide me through a lot of it....




RM

[ERBSIX]

If that trucks not perfect, than I don't know which one is! :-)

Have you been driving it much?

What does the little lady think about it?

The ultimate test was I showed my wife your truck yesterday and she just loved it, which is saying a lot, she is really picky. :-)

She wants me to duplicate the same blue you used, and I'm set on a silver second tone. Much like the truck already looks (see here).

Finally, how does the vintage air system handle? Does it get cold fast and stay cold well? Also, since you're running an engine attached fan with shroud does your truck run hot when idling while the VA system is wide open cold?

I'm fairly positive I'm going to run dual electric fans instead of a motor mounted fan...

[Rack Man]

Originally Posted by ERBSIX

If that trucks not perfect, than I don't know which one is! :-)

Have you been driving it much?

What does the little lady think about it?

The ultimate test was I showed my wife your truck yesterday and she just loved it, which is saying a lot, she is really picky. :-)

She wants me to duplicate the same blue you used, and I'm set on a silver second tone. Much like the truck already looks (see here).

Finally, how does the vintage air system handle? Does it get cold fast and stay cold well? Also, since you're running an engine attached fan with shroud does your truck run hot when idling while the VA system is wide open cold?

I'm fairly positive I'm going to run dual electric fans instead of a motor mounted fan...

I have put about 500 miles on it so far, just trying to get everything broke in....and fix any of the 'Settling of components" issues....LOL

My Woman loves the truck but at the same time prefers to drive in her new car

Silver is one of my other favorite colors....but the blue I painted mine has always been my all time favorite color....I think it has a lot to do with the 69 Camaro I use to own, that was Lemans Blue & White.....I miss that car!

The VA system works perfect and blows ice cold.....and stays cold!....I live in AZ where the temps have been in the 110 to 115 range lately and it has performed perfect....I have had no problems with the truck getting hot at idle either......but the engine is pretty stock and the 4 core radiator really helps...Th e only thing with VA system (and the other aftermarket systems) is that the fan is on the interior of the cab, so it is louder than the factory systems...




RM

[ERBSIX]

Awesome news on all accounts.

Thanks a million for answering my million questions. :-)

[Rack Man]

Well its been a good journey but it looks like I'm gonna have to sell her.....Just finished being audited by the IRS yesterday for a business I was a partner in back in 04, 05 & 06....and it did not go good......Let's just say, I guess I owe them a crapload of $$....I am so upset and sick about this....Our tax system is a joke and does nothing but confuse everyone....including my accountant who handled all of our books.....So with the economy still as bad as it is here in AZ and not having the money to pay them, I'm gonna have to sell the truck.....SUCKS!

[corvetteman10]

That is a damned shame. I'm really sorry to hear that. I've been watching this build for a long time and it is one of the nicer originals I've seen. I wish I had the money to take her off of your hands. Beautiful truck. Just get back on your feet and do it all over again! Good luck man!

[dammitmitchell]

willing to take trade? ill bring mine!
that is unbelievably crappy brother..
there's gotta be a way to settle it..
that's just redicilious..
or at least a reasonable payment plan...

[ERBSIX]

No dude. This is crap.

Listen, my mother is a CPA and I understand there are legalities involved in this.

Is the IRS going to FORCE you to sell your assets to pay the bill?

Is there any way you can sell them for less than they are worth, legally?

Because we could easily have a board member purchase the truck from you for say, $100-$1000. Hold it for you until this crap is over, and then sell it back to you for the same you sold it for.

That is, if you want to keep it.

I would drive to Arizona to do that for you so you don't lose this thing.

Screw the IRS.

Ask your Attorney, CPA or IRS Auditor if you can sell the truck, say exactly this:

"I have already found a buyer for my truck. They will give me $1000 for it tomorrow. Can I sell it?"

And see what their response is.

If you legally can, then find a family member, or someone you trust, have them buy it, and buy it back later.

I HATE THE IRS!