Bonnie 1971 SWB LSX

[Curtb1971]

Alright, got a little side tracked by a wall art project that I started but back at it. I've tried to figure out what drop spindles came on the chassis for too long and ordered new cpp spindles so I can get the front brakes finished up. Put those on the back burner for now and buttoned up a few other things. Got the LS3 manifolds back from being ceramic coated and installed. Need to mock up down pipes for the exhaust. Then finished installing radiator hoses, steam lines, and clamps. Getting antsy

[leisure67]

Nice truck! Like the colors.

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by leisure67

Nice truck! Like the colors.

Thanks man Had a fun, productive day today with the old man rebuilding the cluster of a chassis I bought. The spindles, tie rod ends, ball joints were a mix and match of parts and couldn't get any brake rotor to line up right. So I started from scratch. Shout out to "Truckin Krazy" (Tom Korinek) down in Phoenix for getting me a set of 72' cpp drop spindles delivered to my door and Rods for helping me through the process. Thanks guys for the help I can finally say the suspension and brakes are done. Now on the mocking up exhaust and a air intake is next on the plate

[toolboxchev]

Awesome Build Curt! I like the way you are doing things especially in the dash unit. Custom is Custom is looks like there, is that an complete unit or are you fabbing your way through it?

By the way, thanks again for the exhaust manifolds, they have found their way onto my daily driver and working perfectly.

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Awesome Build Curt! I like the way you are doing things especially in the dash unit. Custom is Custom is looks like there, is that an complete unit or are you fabbing your way through it?

By the way, thanks again for the exhaust manifolds, they have found their way onto my daily driver and working perfectly.

Thanks man
Ahh, most of everything on this build has been fabbing my way through it but there is a lot of custom options guys are making for swappers. The dash cluster is a variety of parts from different members. LS1NOVA makes the speedo overlay (also the info to put it together), captainfab makes the housing the s-10 speedo mounts in and tbone1964 makes the volt gauge conversation. These guys make life easier making parts, putting the puzzle together is more of the challenge haha. Glad the manifolds are working out are your daily.

[Curtb1971]

Been super busy with work but got a chance to get her towed to the exhaust shop to get some pipes. Also installed the factory bucket under floor braces. Sure has collected a layer of dust lately

[boynton]

Looking good. You’ll be driving shortly!

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by boynton

Looking good. You’ll be driving shortly!

Thanks man It's close to being roadworthy. Had to change out all 8 injectors because it had two sticking and wanted to be safe by swapping them all. Got her fired up and running smooth. Still need to have a tuner make sure its running as it should. Have a couple small issues to fix (leaky bango brake fitting, swap tie rod couplers for correct ones) then a the good old tape measure alignment to get it to the alignment shop. Wheels and tires are wanting to hit pavement!

[Curtb1971]

Been awhile since I've updated on the progress so.... She finally moves under her own power I hit another snag with the so called "rebuilt chassis". The po cut the front coils and I didn't notice until I put it back on the ground with the new wheels and tires. The A arms have only an inch of travel to the bump stops and the brake hoses have no room to spare turning. Order a new set of cpp drop springs and I'm working up the nerve to change them out. I guess we can call it a completely rebuild chassis when I'm done with these because I've replaced every part in it Hopefully I'll have a video to come soon before the snow flies

[68Gold/white]

Sometimes a worn out set of stock springs will be squeezed down enough to maybe do what you want, without the higher ride height of a new set. Older V8 pickups without AC usually had the weaker springs on them.......

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Sometimes a worn out set of stock springs will be squeezed down enough to maybe do what you want, without the higher ride height of a new set. Older V8 pickups without AC usually had the weaker springs on them.......

Interesting, I thought the only difference in front coils was big block vs small block. I have a set of 2" drop springs from cpp and I'm curious as how the truck will sit in addition to the 2"drop spindles. There is only 4 coils left on the ones in the truck and when it's jacked up they aren't under much load at all so getting them out won't be the scary part.

[Curtb1971]

Installed the 2" drop springs today and the truck sits up another inch. I'm very happy with the stance and suspension travel. There is still the issue of the brake hoses though. After more research I found that I'm not the only guy with this problem. Turns out that on the 71/72 frame the mounts for the brake lines/hoses are on the front and a longer hoses are needed with drop spindles. There is a lot of suggestions of using a C20 brake hose and after a trip to napa I confirmed the info on the board that napa doesn't stock the longer C20 brake hose. So I'll order some up and go from there

[Curtb1971]

Well, finally got front brake hoses from inline tube installed and brakes bleed again. Happy to say everything on the suspension and brakes is done
I was going to take her on madien voyage today but the rain here put that idea in the back burner I've been working on installing the bed wood and boy is that a task. First a dry fit wood, then sqaure the bed, install wheel tubs, mark out holes to be drilled, then pull it all apart, drill holes and varnish. I used a marine grade spar varnish and had to wait 24hrs between sand and coats. Next up I'd put it back in and start on the vintage air

[Curtb1971]

And where credit is deserved I must come clean as to who actually did all the work

[clay68c10]

That’s looking great! Nice to have some help out in the shop, family style.
Good talking to you the other day, Curt

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

That’s looking great! Nice to have some help out in the shop, family style.
Good talking to you the other day, Curt

Thanks Clay Its not too often she makes it out to the shop but every time we tinker on something together we have a blast. Good talking to you too and anytime you're up this way feel free to give me a shout

[TBONE1964]

Hey Mr Curt,

Cannot believe I just looked at this. Very nice attention to detail and I love the cluster work. Pretty tedious deal, yeah?? Super attention to LS install detail. It is one thing to drop it in, another to make it look nice in the hole. You did good

I was nice to speak with you on the phone yesterday. I appreciate everything.

Keep up the awesome work. It reminds me of my 72 SWB orange and white I had back in 84. (no ls then of course.)

Tom

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

Hey Mr Curt,

Cannot believe I just looked at this. Very nice attention to detail and I love the cluster work. Pretty tedious deal, yeah?? Super attention to LS install detail. It is one thing to drop it in, another to make it look nice in the hole. You did good

I was nice to speak with you on the phone yesterday. I appreciate everything.

Keep up the awesome work. It reminds me of my 72 SWB orange and white I had back in 84. (no ls then of course.)

Tom

Thanks Tom Had a blast talking old trucks over the weekend as well. Going a little crazy on this build but I've meet some awesome dudes along the way. That S10 speedo swap was a pain and the funny thing about mine is that I forgot to install the needle stop. Haha, it will bug me until I pull it and glue it in I got a little destracted this weekend installing the bed wood but hopefully be sending some goodies your way soon

[68Gold/white]

the MRS. did a great job on the boards!!!

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Curtb1971

Thanks Tom Had a blast talking old trucks over the weekend as well. Going a little crazy on this build but I've meet some awesome dudes along the way. That S10 speedo swap was a pain and the funny thing about mine is that I forgot to install the needle stop. Haha, it will bug me until I pull it and glue it in I got a little destracted this weekend installing the bed wood but hopefully be sending some goodies your way soon

Cool stuff Curt. Thank you and no rush on the package.

[Curtb1971]

YOU GUYS!!!! It runs, it drives, it goes fast!!!
My old man and I buttoned up the bed and took her for a spin today outlaw style. Made sure we had brakes then laid a couple lines in the pavement. Put the first almost mile on it and filled the tank. There are some bugs to work out.
1. The power steering gear is leaking at the front seal so need to get a spare rebuilt.
2. S-10 electric speedo is wayyyyy off and need to research a fix on that.
Just way pumped to have it out on the road and not locked in a cage

[SchreinerM]

Do you happen to have a link to the intake you are using? Looks like it fits the engine bay nicely.

[toolboxchev]

Haha dig it! Good thing you took pops with ya to keep your foot on the sane side!

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by SchreinerM

Do you happen to have a link to the intake you are using? Looks like it fits the engine bay nicely.

I still have the box for the air intake hiding somewhere and will post it up this week. It was the only one I could find that didn't have some company name molded somewhere on it. I had to modify the MAF to run the blade style. More pics to come.

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Haha dig it! Good thing you took pops with ya to keep your foot on the sane side!

I have to come clean again on this. I was absolutely nervous as heck when we took it out and babying this thing down the road. I was pretty much shaking with excitement. After we checked for brakes (the hydro boost really comes alive!) I was still babying it. My dad looked over and he said "I went for a ride so get on it and let's see what this will do!". Ahh the peer pressure. So after we burned a little carbon off we had to go do a little burnout in front of the house. He was definitely not doing anything to stop the mayhem just egging on moreGlad I knocked the nervous cob webs off and had some fun but that's what dad's are for

[toolboxchev]

That's Funny!

Sweet, Pops likes it, nothing like a good ole kick in the pants. Getting the working man going today.

Long ways for me yet! One piece at a time.