Air Ride Install - '69 Chevrolet SWB Stepside

[tcb-1]

gang,

been a while, but I've been working on things; mostly on designs for the raised bed floor. not as easy as I thought, especially when I'm trying to make the bed floor look 100% stock and 100% aged. ran over to LMC and bought all of my bed bolts in regular steel. to get the rust on the heads as the original carriage bolts, I am blasting the heads, dipping them in an alkaline solution, and letting them set out in air. sounds like a lot of work though just for the patina-ed look, so that one is still being mulled over.

I'll post up the first step of the bed going back on as soon as my metal gets in and chips are flyin'...............

[sourkraut]

have you concidered using the acid to rust/patina them and then after the acid put a clear on to seal them so they dont ust anymore, stuff works great!

[drewfever1020]

did u relocate your front shocks or did u just slap on anothershock?
im looking to go with the same setup as u i like it alot

[69CST-V]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

to get the rust on the heads as the original carriage bolts, I am blasting the heads, dipping them in an alkaline solution, and letting them set out in air. sounds like a lot of work though just for the patina-ed look, so that one is still being mulled over.

...............

If you have bare metal you should use vinegar and salt to get the rusted look.....it will do less damage than an acid to the metal and can be sealed when you get the desired result without worry of acids that will remain in the pours of the metal that you can't neutralize....

The build looks great can't wait to see it driving in the metro...

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by drewfever1020

did u relocate your front shocks or did u just slap on anothershock?
im looking to go with the same setup as u i like it alot

nope, I didn't relocate the shocks. matter of fact, when I'm aired completely out I still have a whopping 1/8 of travel!!

[tcb-1]

oh btw, the bed is ON!! I still haven't raised the floor, but I at least wanted to get the bed mounted so I could mock up the raised floor supports. pics and details are coming, I just need to get one of the bed support rails media blasted, painted, and mounted.

pics on the way in the next few days, floor or not!

[drewfever1020]

ok thats good to know ill probly be coping a pare of those monroe shocks u got for the front.
what about the back did u relocate them or just put drop shocks?

[tommyd241]

I absolutely love this truck. Can't wait for some new pics of the raised bed, as well as some pics of some steelies.

[Jeffs70]

I am curious to why you must raise the bed floor if you did not channel the frame at all other then a C-notch and Notching the support just above the rear pumpkin?

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by drewfever1020

ok thats good to know ill probly be coping a pare of those monroe shocks u got for the front.
what about the back did u relocate them or just put drop shocks?

I bought the Early Classic rear shock relocators and went with a set of different shocks. take a look on previous pages, I believe I listed the shock I went with.

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by Jeffs70

I am curious to why you must raise the bed floor if you did not channel the frame at all other then a C-notch and Notching the support just above the rear pumpkin?

I want to have a completely flat bed floor instead of either (1.) a hole in the floor or (2.) a fabricated hump for the differential.

like I've said in previous posts, I want to look inside the bed and it look COMPLETELY original. no fabbed metal, no unfinished holes.

[crakarjax]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

I want to have a completely flat bed floor instead of either (1.) a hole in the floor or (2.) a fabricated hump for the differential.

like I've said in previous posts, I want to look inside the bed and it look COMPLETELY original. no fabbed metal, no unfinished holes.

Easy, just chop the top of your pumpkin off

[72BlckButy]

Okay Doug... we need some pictures of at least something. I'm chomping at the bit on not seeing any freshly updated pics of that clean beast.

At least post up some pics of the new mower in action...

[Jeffs70]

ok makes sense, I wasn't sure if the pumpkin had traveled that far up above the floor

[bobbo]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Okay Doug... we need some pictures of at least something. I'm chomping at the bit on not seeing any freshly updated pics of that clean beast.

At least post up some pics of the new mower in action...

[tcb-1]

Nato and Rob, my two buddies! don't worry, I'm busting my butt to satisfy your pic fix!! you know it has to be just right to show you all!!!

[Jeffs70]

hell yeah your doing a great job. your work is clean and perfect in my book, very helpful also.

[drewfever1020]

pics!pics!pics!

[tcb-1]

had a few minutes to bring it out of the garage this morning, before a torrential downpour

well here's the beater riding on air, albeit she's aired out now!





still need to torque everything down, run the wiring for the taillamps, and install the tail gate. the bed wood isn't in yet, but at least you can get an idea of where we're at today. the next steps will be the floor design, but at least I CAN DRIVE IT!

if I haven't yet, I like to thank Keith (lolife99) and Jared (grimss) for their help when I started this project. here are two class acts that gave me great advise and insight. also, thanks to all of you, my extended family, for coming by my thread and looking, posting, whatever!!!

I get some more pic once the weather clears and the tank is full!!!!

[OARNGESI]

That looks great

[PipsC10]

have never seen a stepside that made me say wow, until now. That thing is spot on, great job.

[sourkraut]

doug have you decided on wheels? just my 2cents leave'm on! dude that thing looks perfect with the stance and the wheel tone a shade or 2 off from the body! i love it!

[drewfever1020]

why doesnt it look low well it does but i thought it would look lower!

[72BlckButy]

Awesome work Doug!

That is what I'm talkin' about...

[bobbo]

THANK YOU! Looking great! Can't wait to check it out in person!