71' (gonna be) a one of a kind custom

[71' Custom]

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

Mind taking a couple close pics of your upper shock mounts in front? And I was surprised that you didn't have to notch the frame for the steering rack, thought it needed a little. Nice, that's a good thing.

Here you go, let me know if that is what you needed

[71' Custom]

Has anyone ever seen this before?
It is in a 1971 4x4 3/4 Ton truck

My best guess is it being the speed for 2/4 high and 4 low
It has become the subject of some debate on Facebook
The brilliant people on there keep insisting that it is for kph and I keep pointing out that that math don't add up, lol

[knomadd]

I don't know what it is, but speed is speed, regardless of what gear or 2/4 high vs 4 low. If something is moving at 50 MPH in 2H, it will still be 50MPH at 4H. I'd never try to get that fast in 4L though, but if I did, it would still be 50 MPH.

You're right about KmPH to MPH being different. 120 KmPH = 75 MPH.

My guess is it's an aftermarket speedometer put behind the factory lens.

Edit: Got it.... It's out of a '63 Studebaker Lark, according to this ebay ad
Or from Motor Trend, a 1962 Studebaker Lark Wagonaire Daytona speedometer

[swamp rat]

Interesting look but i think i would have painted over the stock numbers had i installed it.

[71' Custom]

I am less than a week away from cranking the motor for the first time! Ordered the last couple of parts needed today.

I am kinda getting the itch for a air ride/drop suspension. Just not sure how well that would work with the Hotchkis suspension I already have. I was looking at the Air Ride bolt on 4-link rear setup; if I left out the replacement cross member it looks like it would still work with my rear arm brackets. And it shows an available rear sway bar that looks just like the one I have on there. My rear suspension cross arms definitely won't work though. At least, not without some fairly substantial fab work. Then there would be the front, which (I think) should just be a matter of figuring out if the air bags would clear the upper control arms without rubbing. Thoughts?

[71' Custom]

Tomorrow is the day! I will be starting my engine for the first time in the morning! I will be uploading a video, be on the watch!

[swamp rat]

Yea leave the suspension as is and fire it up! Good luck and keep the R's up around 2000 for 20 minutes, looking forward to the vid!

[71' Custom]

https://youtu.be/ab980gUtOZY

[swamp rat]

Sounds healthy from what i can hear in my shop...

[71' Custom]

Small update,
Took my MSD 6AL box apart and sent it to the coater.

Got it back together and running fine!

[71' Custom]

Hey guys, it has been a while since I have been on here. I haven't done a whole lot on the truck lately, I have the core support and radiator in now. I have been spending all my money on my upcoming marriage and honeymoon. I wanted to share a little info that I have come into lately. As most of you know, instead of a carburetor I installed the MSD Atomic EFI system. I can not say enough how awesome this system is. Something like a day after I bought the system, I started having buyers remorse when I heard about a similar system made by FiTech that cost about half as much. But, I figured oh well, might as well just stick to my guns and stay with what I already have. So at work we had a customer bring in a beautiful 1986 CJ Jeep that has a Chevy 350 in it. The customer tells me that he would like to put fuel injection on it but don't want to spend a lot of money. So instantly I start thinking FiTech! So we order this system along with the fuel command center that they suggest to go with it. After 3 months the system cam in but no fuel command center. The fuel command center is still on back order. With the customer getting impatient (rightfully so) I decided to just order a regular in line fuel pump. Let me tell you, this thing doesn't not like the fuel pump I installed, lol. In FiTechs infinite wisdom, they decided to put a internal vacuum controlled fuel pressure regulator on this thing. That to me seems really stupid. So now I think my only move is to try and bypass this regulator and install a real regulator on the return line. I will never install another one of these FiTech systems again. Garbage

[swamp rat]

Thanks for the update and congrats! Good to hear things are going well!

[notchbackgta]

Originally Posted by 71' Custom

I will never install another one of these FiTech systems again. Garbage

A friend that does fuel injection installs pretty much said the same thing

[71' Custom]

Originally Posted by notchbackgta

A friend that does fuel injection installs pretty much said the same thing

Yeah, from what I have heard, the Holley Sniper EFI is a much better option for that price range. But, I am glad I went with the MSD Atomic EFI. It was well wort the price.

[71' Custom]

Hey guys, here is (finally) an update: I now have the core support and radiator installed. Although, you can't see it from this picture. But what you can see is the water pump and the beginnings of a March pulley set up. I also do have a set of Derale fans over in the corner, I am thinking of doing some customization to them though.





On another note, The housing market in my area is on fire. I have been getting several letters in the mail from Realtors saying they have clients interested in my house. And if I sell right now I stand to make between 50K-80K. So I will be moving soon, lol. My wife found a nice house south of the DFW area for us that is sitting on 2 acres of land, has a detached two car garage, and (this is what sold me) a 60'x60' shop that already has a lift in it! We are going this weekend to look at it. Guys, you know you have found the right woman when she is searching for a house and only looks at the ones that have a shop just for you.

[knomadd]

Nice!! Good luck!

[swamp rat]

Good luck! Thanks for the update.

[71' Custom]

So we have a contract on a house out of the city! Really nice house on almost 2 acres. We stand to make around 50K profit on my current house which is going into building a really nice shop at my new house. So I decided to get the truck ready to go into storage until the new shop is built. I put the cab back on the frame to keep it all together.

In doing this, I finally got to see just how much moving my engine rearward 3 inches messes with my firewall. It is not hitting anything, but I don't like it either. So I am thinking I will be making some modifications to the firewall now. I have learned that if you take a little off of the firewall and make the section that curves back toward the floor and box it off, you end up making more room in the engine compartment and give yourself more leg room too!

[71' Custom]

Oh, I also got my power steering pump attached too!

[71' Custom]

Hi guys, I know I haven't been on here in a while. We have been very busy with the process of selling our house and buying a new one and there has been no progress on the truck for now. Mostly because the truck as been in storage for a while. But, we got our new house, we are now out of the city like we wanted and have the land that we wanted. Which means I now get to build the shop I have always wanted!

In addition to a shop we are having the driveway extended more out toward the street, Don't know why it wasn't done when the driveway was paved because the driveway is new. Just weird.

I like the driveway though because it wraps around the side of the house. So, I am going to extend it into the back yard leading into the shop.

And here it is, today the concrete is getting poured. The shop is 30x40 and 6" thick (for when I put in a lift or two, lol).

[BossHogg69]

Congrats on the new house and the shop! 30x40 is a great size for a home shop imho (that's what mine is). Throw a lift in there and you're set!

[71' Custom]

Thanks Adam, the plan is to put in one lift for now and I am thinking about making a collapsible paint booth in there as well. And maybe a small office, if I have the room.

[swamp rat]

Way to go!

[knomadd]

Congrats on the house and shop! That's what I need to do.

[71' Custom]

All the concrete is done....







Went this past weekend and had plans drawn up for the shop. Should start construction in the next two weeks