72 GMC Short Step Build

[Z10]

Originally Posted by diceman50

With the understanding that this is not what I suggest for your situation I will tell you what we did on Z10's truck.

As for the push rod. It depends on whether or not your truck had power brakes from the factory or not. We used the pushrod that came with the CPP booster on Z10"s truck. On a vacuum boosted system there are 2 separate push rods. (I don't know about the hydro boost units) One from the pedal to the booster and one from the booster to the M/C. The one on the pedal can be installed and adjusted independently of the other. I suggest installing the booster without the master cylinder and hooking up the pushrod to the pedal. You can then adjust the rod until there is approx. 1/2" pedal travel before engagement. Make sure that the pedal bushings and other hardware are in good condition.

If your truck had a manual brake system originally there are different pedal ratios and pushrod lengths and possibly other differences.

As for the M/C you must use the bullet with a vacuum booster. If you look at the front of the booster you should see a short pushrod protruding from the center. This short pushrod will not engage the piston in the M/C unless the bullet is installed. With a straight edge and ruler measure the distance from the front of the booster (where the M/C bolts on) to the end of the pushrod. Then measure from the same mating surface on the M/C to the center of the cup on the bullet. Make sure the bullet is fully seated in the M/C. The second measurement should be close to but not greater than the first. In other words there should be slight clearance between the pushrod and the bullet when the brakes are not applied. Without some clearance the brake might not release completely when applied and released.

As for the thread sealant we used a Teflon based pipe dope being careful not to get any on the face or the first thread of the plug.

As knomadd said the Wilwood instructions say you can plug one of the front out lines. On Z10"s truck the adapter for the stainless flex lines required a different size tube nut than the original line. Instead of cutting and reflaring the original I decided it would be easier and look better to make a separate line for the left side. I replaced the "T" fitting on the cross member with a coupling of the same size.

These suggestions are just that and are my opinion only. You may get some different views form other people but, it is your responsibility to decide what to do. Also, I don't care to get into a debate on this and I will respond only to you on this subject.

What he said.

[jmking9]

Thanks for the response. I finally opened some of the boxes tonight and read through the paperwork. I should have done that before asking a couple of those questions, and I apologize for that. I'm still curious about one thing. Earlier it was said not to use the short rod and the bullet. And that using them could result in the rod falling out of position and having no brakes. That could only happen if the short rod was too short, correct?

[diceman50]

The only time you don't use the bullet is on a non power brake system. On that setup the pushrod goes directly from the pedal to the M/C piston and extends into the M/C the same distance as the bullet. This is to prevent the pushrod from falling out of the M/C if the pedal retracts a little too far.

[Z10]

Retrosound Install

Well it was time to get Double E in on the fun, so he tackled the audio install. The truck finally has some tunes and it sounds excellent. The system consists of a Retrosound Model 2, JBL P26t tweeters, and Custom Autosound Undercover II underseat enclosures with 8" woofers and 2each, 2" piezoe tweeters.

I had already adjusted the Retrosound head unit to the dash, so Double E was set loose to install everything. We test fit the JBL's in a few different locations on the dash, above the visors, and decided the top of the dash sounded right and would make for a clean install. Two pilot holes were drilled for each tweeter using a slick drill guide Double E fabbed up, cross overs added and wiring was run to the head unit.

The front seat was removed to make access to the area below easier to access and make running the necessary wiring easier also. Velcro was added to the bottoms of the Undercover II's to stop them from moving around. Double E did an excellent job of wiring everything and the head unit was switched on. With some fine tuning of the tone and balance controls, the system sound great to these old ears. I had run the Undercover II's previous to this with and old head unit and no tweeters and they were a bit muddled do to them firing at the bottom of the seat, really lacking highs. The JBL tweeters made all the difference. If you're not running tweeters up high, you should consider adding them.

This Retrosound Model 2 is a full featured head unit a vast menu and extensive features. Bluetooth audio, Bluetooth phone, USB 1, USB 2, 2 audio in's, and the list goes on. I'm much happier so far with this head unit than the older Custom Autosound unit I have in my 69 Camaro. If I drove the Camaro more I'd replace it with Retrosound. Side note: Keep the instruction manual handy, because this thing has all kinds of tricks it will do, but you'll never remember how to control and set this up with out it. Fortunately it's dialed in, and I primarily use my iPhone 6 plugged into USB1 to feed the deck music and it will also charge the phone. If not using the iPhone, I'm using the radio.

So here's a few pics.

[Z10]

McGaughy's Drop Spindles

Look what the brown truck delivered!

After we installed the 2" lowering blocks for the rear, it was apparent to me that I needed to lower the front, just enough to give the truck a small amount of rake. The McGaughy's have a good reputation and gave me 2.5" of drop without changing the factory geometry. More pics of the results in a few days after these get installed.

[Z10]

Jr. Gearhead Update

My 2 year old grandson, loves this truck and has watched Car Boss & EE work on it now for over a year. So, he decided to pitch in and give us a hand.

The little dude is going to make a great gearhead.

[Advanced Design]

Awesome. That is so cute. Our 3 year old gradson cries when he has to leave the shop.

[C10Wizard]

Originally Posted by Z10

Custom Aluminum Fan Shroud and OEM Electric Fans

Car Boss has been busy this week. I purchased a two row aluminum radiator a couple of months ago and had intended to use a traditional fan/clutch set up. But once again we made a turn and decided to go with electric fans. Buying an off the shelf solution, just wasn't in the cards, so Car Boss, Double E, and I went shopping at our local car salvage yard. Our goal has been to use as many factory replacement parts as possible to aid in future parts availability from auto parts stores. So we picked up a couple of electric fans from a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am.

That's where Car Boss comes in. I sometimes think he would rather fabricate than eat. So enjoy the pics of a custom fan set up, made from scratch.










Give him a hand!!

Now Double E, will work his electrical magic with his computer.

You're the luckiest guy I know! To have a boss who does such clean and great fabrications for you is awesome. I wish I had a guy w that sort of expertise and experience much less think out side the box when improving a part or two. I don't!!! But glad to see someone else does and I can pick up some tips here and there w all the photos members post. Thanks for the post!
Shawn

[Z10]

Originally Posted by C10Wizard

You're the luckiest guy I know! To have a boss who does such clean and great fabrications for you is awesome. I wish I had a guy w that sort of expertise and experience much less think out side the box when improving a part or two. I don't!!! But glad to see someone else does and I can pick up some tips here and there w all the photos members post. Thanks for the post!
Shawn

Shawn, thanks for the recognition. Although Car Boss is not actually my "Boss", he is certainly the Boss on this build. As I've mentioned before, I would have a rather basic 72 Step, if it weren't for he and Double E. These guys are problem solvers, creative, and highly skilled. I'm always counting my blessings.

[Z10]

Speaking of Car Boss......he's also working on his 58 Apache "Hank". Check out what he's doing to supercharge his straight 6.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653268

This is one special fuel injected covert 58. Here's a pick of Hank, and my engine.

[Advanced Design]

That was nice work on the radiator! I am enjoying his build on the engine as well. Very talented friends you have!

[C10Wizard]

Originally Posted by Z10

Speaking of Car Boss......he's also working on his 58 Apache "Hank". Check out what he's doing to supercharge his straight 6.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653268

This is one special fuel injected covert 58. Here's a pick of Hank, and my engine.

That's sick! What a great idea saving a little on weight and keeping the gas prices down for more driven. Well, you notice too all the newer cars that used to have v8's and known for their power are all converting to 6cyclindee Super charge or turbo.
I might try on my next build.

Thanks for sending!

I'm headed to my shop now and will finally get some pics from both my project truck and my baby Blue.:-)

Shawn
Posted via Mobile Device

[Z10]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

That was nice work on the radiator! I am enjoying his build on the engine as well. Very talented friends you have!

Thanks, and it is working great. I would highly recommend this radiator. Now getting him to fab up another fan set up, is another question.

[Z10]

Fender Mount Spare Tire

Well many of you have asked why I haven't mounted my fender mount spare. The truth is, I've had a heck of a time locating all the parts to do it. I found the main mount and the brace that mounts under the fender, but the other two part have been elusive.

Diceman to the rescue. Here's a few picks of his work, prior to mounting. After looking at photos of other trucks and using his imagination, he fabricated a small bracket which mounts between the bed rail and the fender and the vertical support that that mounts above the step. All of these are complete with captive nuts to ease installation.

Excuse the sideways pics, I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong?

More pics to come. Need to paint the parts.

[Possmguts]

Man.. where can I get me one of those Car Bosses? They sure look handy...

[Z10]

Here it is painted and mounted with a custom fabricated aluminum spacer by Diceman.

[Z10]

And one last one. Now I need to bolt on the Firestone and Boss 338 spare.

[Z10]

Here it is mounted with an 18" Boss 338.

[lolife99]

Your truck looks much better with the new suspension adjustment!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Z10

Here it is mounted with an 18" Boss 338.

Looking good! Really digging the Boss rims

[Average Joe]

Spare looks great! You guys do nice work.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Your truck looks much better with the new suspension adjustment!

Thanks Keith. I think it's a good compromise.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Looking good! Really digging the Boss rims

Thanks Mike. I like the look and if you're willing to "Clearance" the front spindles you can make them work.

[Z10]

Originally Posted by Average Joe

Spare looks great! You guys do nice work.

Thanks from the team Joe.

[65 Fuelie]

You'll have done some great work. I thought the truck was nice the last time I had a ride in it and looking foreword to a second ride next time I am in town. Your team get's an at-a-boy all the way around.