Dirty Dianah (No)... Bagged 72 Stepside/LSx/T56

[Jimbabwe]

Cool! #TeamStepside!

[Zoomin]

One thing about the year late threads is the pics come along quicker, for sure. Looking forward to seeing more.
Posted via Mobile Device

[AndrewK]

Nice looking project so far. Was it hard to find the six speed?? Asking because I have been looking at it for my 68 long bed.

[502ms]

Yes, Jim! #teamstepside!
We should create a club. For real. Like with just steppers. And have the hashtag on t-shirts and the whole nine.

Andrew, I did my homework, debated on what route I wanted to go, and decided that if I cut corners and just do the 4l80e or whatever, I would not really be happy...so finding it was not too hard...just have to be persistent and patient. More on that coming soon...

Thanks Zoomin' - I know. I have videos, pics and all kinds of stuff to share! LOL

[502ms]

[502ms]

Riding dirty



Face down.... [Dirty Dianah.....NO!] (sing it)



Full Up


Full Down (well....on the exhaust....but yeah)



Do you think I need the caps? You do? Ok. Well, here you go. I made a special trip down to my favorite store to get them.

[502ms]

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

Reinforcing the bed/frame situation.








Finished product




Oooh. Shiny



Trip to Home Depot and I get the following pressure-treated lumber



Getting ready to meet Eric at the QT in Atlanta. He had a load in the SE and wanted to link up. That was really cool. (Eric drives that green 67 suburban with black wheels on the Porterbuilt goodness.


Eric's truck and my truck

[502ms]

Time to the mount the bed. But first, I had to have the exhaust changed.
Unfortunately, this is one of the things that I will have to have redone since the guys that did the work did not do it as I asked. Expensive mistake. I had to purchase a new hi-torque starter to get this finished. Almost $1,000 when it is said and done. Since this exhaust was not done the way I like, I have to do it over. When I lay out, it is on the ground...not above the frame as I instructed.

[502ms]

Now that the exhaust is removed from the steel floor of the bed, I can pull the bed. Let me tell you - this sumbeach is heavy! I was able to remove it, and list it on Craigslist and sell it by that evening. Nice, right?

Here is my frame.




Make note of the tank and compressors. They will be moved later.

Here is the bed removed. Note the small bed notch.



Here is me test fitting the new bed




Due to the way my trailing arms were made around the old bed, I had to remove the frame supports on the steps. I will address these later.


I will probably be cutting this out in the midst of the build so that I can fit some fatter rubber in preparation for bigger HP numbers.

[502ms]

Looking better already with the new bed!
#teamstepside


The new bed does not have a floor, so I will address this by actually doing a raised floor. I anticipate that I will be going wider in the rear at some point, and also removing the tank from the cab, so it only makes sense.

The view from above of the compressors and tank


Notch and 4-link


Laid out with new bed

[502ms]

New attitude






Now when the @ss end is up, it actually looks like it, and when it is down, it is balanced in appearance. The other bed threw that look off with the shorter wheel opening. Yes, I am pleased.

At this point, I am rewiring the tail lights and connecting the loom where needed to the frame.

[502ms]

22" tires. Do I really want to go taller? Probably not. Well, at least at this phase.

[502ms]

Rear wheels mounted


At the office

[502ms]

Stain used:






Trimmed to fit.
Alright....more to come. Hope you enjoy!

[Katrina/10]

Thanks for posting all those new pictures. Good story.

[67cheby]

Great pics, looking good ! Eric stopped by to see me a couple months ago great guy !

[project 67 sub]

subscribed

[502ms]

Thanks guys!
Yes, Eric is really cool! He should come pick up all of our trucks for the tour
Posted via Mobile Device

[808_67C10]

Good lookin truck... Subscribed!
Posted via Mobile Device

[VA72C10]

Love the super speed build thread! Nice work so far! Love the stepper's stance!

[502ms]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Love the super speed build thread! Nice work so far! Love the stepper's stance!

Thank you sir! Great compliment coming from you!

Thanks 808! Would love to drive my truck out there!

Rusbuilt, looking forward to seeing your truck(s) in real life.

More coming now...

[502ms]

New glass headlights with built-in parking/turn signals.



Pulled the front bumper in anticipation of the 67 front end. In anticipation of this, I upgraded to glass headlights with built-in turn signals.


I know...I jumped ahead on the last thread as a teaser. Kind of excited!

[502ms]

Here is the 67-70 bumper vs. the 71-72 bumper.
Debating on if I am going with this bumper or a roll pan....hmmm
What do you think?

[502ms]

Now we get into the heart of the matter.
Removing 40 years of grease and grime, and when I thought I had a 350/TH400, I actually have a 327 in here. It definitely was a bulletproof setup. I enjoyed it...but I really want more power, more gear selection and better fuel economy. But more power first.

[Rusbuilt]

Moving along!!