My first truck, purchased April/2011

[chevypoint]

Good looking truck. Looks like yours is in a little bit better shape than mine. I did get mine for free though.HaHa. Good luck with the build.

[Root_Drum_Co]

haha nice try milner! but no ones takin my baby! i'll have this truck till im dead and gone for sure

[chevroletracer350]

Great lookin truck. I was at Muffler Man today with my Dad, next to his truck, was a 68 stepside in white. It's always good to see these trucks around.

[Root_Drum_Co]

thanks man, and it sure is nice to see em around. I've loved gm trucks since i was little. plus i haven't seen to many white steppers come to think of it. ill have to look that up.

p.s. has anyone thought of the simplest, most budget friendly way to get these 5 lug rally's on this 6 lug truck yet? i sure could use some advice

[milner]

I just did this to my 70...took the front suspension(crossmember and all) off of the frame in my avatar...along with the rear end. I could have just swapped the axles but wanted the posi...cheapest and easiest way I know of

[tantrumpipeline]

great start for a build, $400?? is there not a law for autotheft in GA? I would kill to find something that clean for that kind of money, the rear fenders alone are worth that a piece used if they're as good as they look, congratulations. The 70-72 rear is a 5 bolt and the 73-87 front crossmember will do the 5 bolt for you with upgraded suspension and if you want you can run the stock steering components until the outer tie rods, which you will need and adapter for and cpp sells them for $50 or so, I have an extra set you could have but being so far away it'd cost the same to buy from them I bet.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by tantrumpipeline

great start for a build, $400?? is there not a law for autotheft in GA? I would kill to find something that clean for that kind of money, the rear fenders alone are worth that a piece used if they're as good as they look, congratulations. The 70-72 rear is a 5 bolt and the 73-87 front crossmember will do the 5 bolt for you with upgraded suspension and if you want you can run the stock steering components until the outer tie rods, which you will need and adapter for and cpp sells them for $50 or so, I have an extra set you could have but being so far away it'd cost the same to buy from them I bet.

so the 70-72 rear end and 73-87 crossmember will work, but will they bolt right in place of the stock or is there some retro-fitting required?

and no, there are no auto theft laws here. the guy i stole it from even gave me the keys and let me borrow his trailer to steal it with!

[iehotrod]

Thats almost free! And thruck looks really nice. Are you planning on leaving the paint as is? I would.

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by iehotrod

Thats almost free! And thruck looks really nice. Are you planning on leaving the paint as is? I would.

thanks man! and nah im not going to leave the paint, it's getting a fresh paint job as soon as everything else is squared away. It's going to be a really dark green, almost a black-ish green. but i do want to get a truck with patina paint for my next project, but who knows when that'll be haha.

[tantrumpipeline]

the crossmember isn't a direct bolt in but very close, and if you do a search on the board you'll see how easy it is, I went with the CPP full kit but it would have been this route on mine had I known prior to ordering my kit that the 73-87 is much stronger and durable than the pre 73 series. Good luck with the build I'm in to watch the progress for sure

[Root_Drum_Co]

thanks tantrum. i'll deff. look into that. and ill try and get more pics up of my progress as soon as i can.

[Root_Drum_Co]

i was poking around on the web about this whole lug pattern ordeal....

what do you think about this for the rear? pro's - con's?

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t.../photo_01.html

[tantrumpipeline]

I don't see any real cons unless the machine shop gives you a ridiculous quote and rather than reuse the old drums you could buy 70 rear drums as they will work with the 67-68 brake internals and they will assist the machine shop if anything, then all you need to do is drill the backing plate to adjust your star wheel and find a rubber plug that will seal your new opening as the 67-67 adjustment hole was on the drum, even with my CPP rear lug conversion I have to do this mod. Also if you are doing this swap any local napa dealer can provide you with a rear axle bearing with seal combination that is worth every penny and the 10 minutes to install while your axles are out, but be sure to inspect the axles as any scoring on the axles will require replacement anyway and is a good excuse to upgrade to 5 lug moser's. Wish I would have more research on modifications prior to ordering everything, it's amazing how many modifications can be done for relatively cheap and even fairly easy by a hobby/learn as you go guy like myself, and then you can say "I" did this, not I ordered this kit etc

[Root_Drum_Co]

thanks! i think this is what i'm going to end up doing on the rear for sure. i know a good machine shop that we've used before and he should give me an ok price. but ill keep u guys posted thanks for the help so far and all of the thumbs ups!

________________
Root_drum_co

'69 GMC stepper
'76 Triumph TR6

[Root_Drum_Co]

here's a pic of the interior after a little spit shine.

everythings good just no guage lights, no guages at all really, the steering wheel's gotta go, and the glove box latch is broken. other than that the interior is pretty solid!

[Root_Drum_Co]

Cleaning out the gas tank....and the rat's nest under the seat

[Root_Drum_Co]

here was my (maybe misguided) attempt at drying the gas tank

[litew8]

damn, they didn't mess around in making that seat! You're doing what I intend to do in a day or two, remove the seat and clean-up. And look, you found a fresh beer hiding underneath of it! score

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by litew8

damn, they didn't mess around in making that seat! You're doing what I intend to do in a day or two, remove the seat and clean-up.

yeah these pics are from right after i got it. i rebuilt the carb, changed the plugs and changed the oil and it fired right up. the tank cleaning came a few days later. the first few days i had it running, i had it fueled by a red plastic gas can with some rubber fuel hose stuck down in it. i knew the tank was gunked up but i had to get it running!! im too impatient

[Root_Drum_Co]

Originally Posted by litew8

And look, you found a fresh beer hiding underneath of it! score

hells yea!

[litew8]

[Root_Drum_Co]

looks like u've got a fun project goin on over there yourself litew8. ill be keepin up with it! good luck!

[Root_Drum_Co]

carb rebuild-






my home-made air cleaner, a little sheat metal and a lawn mower filter from dads hardware store...maybe ill change it to a stock one eventually, but knowing me, probably not haha

[Root_Drum_Co]

side note- here's what im going for as far as stance.

i photoshopped my wheels on it (since they dont fit yet ) and lowered it about 2" in front and about 1" in back with photoshop.

before-


after-

[71Sleeper]

Root Drum I am loving the new air filter. I have to admit when I got to the title "My home-made air filter" the first that came to mind was some type of 'BEER CAN' fab going on.

And WOW!!! that cab looks to be in great shape.

Misguided is an under statement. That was some beer drinking advice standing around the burn barrel one night. I know been there done that. From one sounthern boy to the other "gotta watch what your buddies tell ya".

good luck with the build I'll be watching.