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

[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]

Now that the gauges are set the way I wanted, I butt-connected everything, zip-tied and taped them nice and neat for the installation later.Complete with inline fuses. I chose amber since I have been driving BMWs for the last 10+ years....



These are neatened up once I get them in. Just run long enough so that I can test them before securing everything.

[502ms]

Now that I have removed the wire loom from the wires under the hood, I really was not happy with the 40+ years of adjustments made by the PO. Here is what I got rid of (wires that change color a few times over)



I ripped them all out. #Freshstart



Below, I am mapping out exactly where everything is going to be routed. This was a little intimidating, but I looked at it like eating an elephant. #onebiteatatime

[502ms]

A lift would have come in handy at this point, but I had the truck on casters for easy manueverability. I wanted to ensure that I am taking effective bites out. Here I was preparing to wire the starter, battery charging circuit, and lighting. At this point, I had also completed the wiring for the radio, the airbags, gauges, and fuel.


Let there be light! (That is a good sign - everything is getting juice on the first try). Sweet!

[502ms]

I finished the rear lighting, and wiring, and got the truck ready for a maiden voyage. It was definitely great to have dependable fuses, and not fight with the glass ones if they popped. Here is a pic of when I went to a park. Still had the old bed on it. Meanwhile, I picked up some Moons from Summit, and was having them powdercoated, as this was the look I wanted to rock for a while. More on that to come...



I was here to do a photoshoot.

[502ms]

First 50 miles. Trouble free. What a great feeling.

[502ms]

Look ma! Clean underhood. Wires go where they belong. Nice and neat.



Got bored and wrote "SLOW and LOW" on the side (front and rear). The ricers seemed to think this truck could not move. Boy what a surprise they got when they saw it lift up and actually leave them behind. Ricers include domestics too. 327/400 in this truck was not bad. But at this point, I decided I wanted more. I loved the sound the long tube headers gave me...the torque and punch that is in the M5 and the attitude the truck would have when I was finished. At this point, I decided it was time to go hard. Determine how much power I wanted (I knew a minimum of 400HP was necessary, even in my light truck), and that I wanted a stick...I love the sound it makes when running through the gears and letting off. Yup. MY first intention was 383 stroker crate motor...440HP/450TQ and figure out the tranny....I was leaning towards the TKO600...

[502ms]

Look at how low my truck is compared to my lowered BMW 5 series. It is on 19s, but sits higher than my truck. Handles like 911 though. Love it.

[502ms]

My rolling stock had come in! I was really excited about these. I wanted to run them just like this....no caps.




I really liked how they looked nice and deep with the caps off. They are 15x8 +4.25 BS all around. 215/65/15 tires.

[502ms]

Early one morning, as always, I was scouring Craigslist in the southeast for C10 parts. I came across a SWB Step bed for sale in Columbus, GA. I contacted the guy, and he said he had it....so, I figured out that it was my first roadtrip in this truck...ever. Everything was local...you know, to the office, to a photoshoot, grocery...I live in-town, so I am extremely convenient to everything. Oh yeah, I forgot to post that I also added some Navigation for creature comforts. Definitely helpful in getting around town.

You see that? Two things: 1) my voltage regulator died 60 miles out of Atlanta. I run electric fans. I was at 8 volts but she still got me home. 2) my oil pressure gauge is not connected here...it is still on another gauge as the lines are different, so I was going to wait until this time to hook it up in my LSx. 3000+ miles and just minor upgrades needed (alternator, voltage regulator). But she has been faithful.

BUT....Columbus is 200 miles ONE way. He assured me that he would help me out and take my bed in a partial trade...but most importantly, help me get it off my tuck and place the other on, as my bed easily weighs 500 pounds. (Steel floor).

Well, as you can see here...I ended up returning with my new bed on top of the old bed. Turns out my exhaust hangers were welded to the floor of the bed, and they could not help me with that part. So, I had to drive 200+ miles with my new bed on top. Yes, I rode just like that...low to the ground and happy. Lots of thumbs up on the way!




Ok...more to come

Stay tuned for the removal of the bed and all of the fun associated with that

[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]

Up (Shot rarely seen)


Down



Still figuring out the next move with the bed floor.


Kind of liked looking back and seeing everything work while moving. But sucks when I want to carry anything. Ok, time to make a move.

[502ms]

Rear wheels mounted


At the office

[502ms]

Now that the wheels are mounted, it is time to really get the bed situated.

[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]

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]

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