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

[502ms]

Thanks guys!
Yes, Eric is really cool! He should come pick up all of our trucks for the tour
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[808_67C10]

Good lookin truck... Subscribed!
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[VA72C10]

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

[Rusbuilt]

Moving along!!

[dragonwrecker]

Originally Posted by 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

See Leon I told you had a little redneck in you lol
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[502ms]

Originally Posted by dragonwrecker

See Leon I told you had a little redneck in you lol
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LMAO! You are funny as heck! Yessir! I believe in getting the job done, come hell or high water.

[502ms]

Here is the new wood bed floor. What do you think?
It ended up being quite versatile, and strong.







Post 30 day restain ^^^






Model: E'Qajh-Anih. Great friend and model.


Brought to you by Leon Millette Photography.
http://leonmillette.com

[502ms]

This brings us to this phase, which I call Phase IV.
The truck has gone through a few small upgrades, I will share as we move along. It has had a starring role in many fashion model photoshoots, and even a TV Pilot .




So now that she has done everything, it is time to begin the process for the engine swap. Remember when I told you earlier that I was torn between the LSx/T56 and the brand-spanking new 383/TKO600? Yeah. The guys at the parts store did not help much...most of them advised that I should go LSx vs. the brand new crate motor that I could buy from them ready to install. Hard to turn down advice from the people selling you $8,000 worth of drivetrain, right? So, between that, MPG, potential for MORE power with little bolt-ons or internal upgrades, I could exceed what I would have paid for with the crate motor. That was a no-brainer. So the search began for the desired drivetrain for me: either LQ4 or LQ9 (6.0L Iron block from the trucks). I knew that I did not want drive by wire, so I made sure that I could adapt that to what I needed.

When I was in Europe last April-May, I read "GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual" by Joseph Potak. As I read this for a third time, I realized that the answer was right in front of me. And they even tell you how to get 500 HP just using N/A parts. Imagine what I could do with power adders! This was the way to go. Proven, tried and trued LSx power. Not a rebuild with questionable quality, not a motor that might have been built on a Friday.

So...the beginning of January...or end of December, Walter (Dragonwrecker) reached out to me when he saw what I was doing, and we have created a cool bond - the following images will include us beginning what I call the next phase of this truck (Happy Birthday, Dianah!)


This is where I had to decide where this was going to go with the fuel tank being removed

[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.

[502ms]

Notch and a shot of my horns


Removed the 1-piece driveshaft


Remember what I was saying earlier about my exhaust? Yes....all that money down the drain. But the new system WILL go up and tucked close to the frame...but above the ground for sure.



I had a last-minute transmission leak, which made everything grimy


It's all good. The entire underside and engine bay will be getting a solid bath...soon

[502ms]

Full tank of fuel...dumping now.



Tranny lines are next. Motor mounts were unbolted, tranny unbolted.


Coolant removal is next




Yes...it is happening

[502ms]

All power was removed earlier when we determined that we were going to do it now, vs. me going home and coming back when my engine arrived, as I had already ordered it, the ECU and harness.
Positioning the picker to pull the motor and trans in one swoop.

[67cheby]

the smooth front bumper gets my vote

[widewhite70]

Looking good!

[project 67 sub]

Originally Posted by 67cheby

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

Mike was a real cool stand up guy/friend as well, was great to meet you and Sarah and check out Cloud 9 and the beginning of square pegs build

Originally Posted by 502ms

Thanks guys!
Yes, Eric is really cool! He should come pick up all of our trucks for the tour
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lol, and Leon is a cool guy as well, cool enough to give me his old wheels from his truck (even though we just met) for me to use on my burb which i ended up not being able to use because of clearance issues... a real stand up guy/friend

Originally Posted by 502ms

going a little fast (90mph) arent we there speedracer... lol

jk jk lol, i see your gps says 63mph

[502ms]

Haha! Thanks Eric!

Mike, I did not mention this, but I will have the 67 front grill and fenders as well...that billet grill is going bye-bye

[67cheby]

Nice , that will look good !
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[502ms]

The removal begins...












...and she is out!

[502ms]

I reckon there is enough room in there for something nice...what do you think?



But first, there is about 35 years of grease and grime that we need to get rid of (benefit of the doubt that the first 6 years were ok)



Dragonwrecker's truck may be the lucky recipient of this motor/trans combo. Good placeholder, anyway. We will see if he comes along for the LSx ride as well.



Off to the showers...all of that grease and gunk gone to make room for a beautiful new motor and tranny!





PS - the black stuff is sandable primer. Just a placeholder for when the truck was going to be painted



The clean product:

[Jimbabwe]

You're going to scratch the roof with the hood up there.

[shawno72]

[bigguy69]

Looking forward to the rest of this!
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