1971 Stepside LS Build

[1971Stepside]

I was really hesitant to spend the money on this Boyd tank, but I am glad I did. It fits perfectly and the craftsmanship is too nice to cover up. Have two fittings on back order that kept me from completing the fuel lines from front to back.

[1971Stepside]

Ordered a BPAutomotive harness. Bill was exceptional in having the patience to answer all my questions. This harness is a work of art. It lays out very nice on the motor and is labeled incredibly well.

Not sure where I'm going to enter the cab with it just yet, but plan is just behind the hump.

[1971Stepside]

Progress is slow, but progress none the less. I ran the harness into the cab and I am working on the best placement of the ECM, fuse block, and DBW controls. If any of you have mounting locations or brackets that you used I would love to see those for ideas.

I bought the wife a new alternator for Christmas! She got a charge out of that...ba doom ba doom

Put the radiator support on and put on the battery holder to figure out battery cable routing.

Ordered my AC brackets and new compressor on Monday.

[1971Stepside]

Made a little more progress over the weekend. Installed Dirty Dingo AC brackets and a Vintage Air compressor. The quality and fit of the dingo brackets are very nice.

Also completed all the grounding straps that are needed except the battery. She is getting close to her initial test fire.

[1971Stepside]

Purchased some wire mesh cover from WireCare. Cleaned up the coil wires and made them look about as good as possible. Once final all of these will be tucked in and routed as clean as possible.

Went out for a beer with the wife on Saturday night and saw this truck hanging from the ceiling. Once I noticed it had 67-72 taillights I had to see if I could talk them out of it. The manager came by and I asked him what it would take to get that down. He grabbed a ladder and took it down and carried it to my car for me...free!! My wife was more than thrilled

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Purchased some wire mesh cover from WireCare. Cleaned up the coil wires and made them look about as good as possible. Once final all of these will be tucked in and routed as clean as possible.

Went out for a beer with the wife on Saturday night and saw this truck hanging from the ceiling. Once I noticed it had 67-72 taillights I had to see if I could talk them out of it. The manager came by and I asked him what it would take to get that down. He grabbed a ladder and took it down and carried it to my car for me...free!! My wife was more than thrilled

Looking good!

[1971Stepside]

Was trying to do a rough verification of the trans and rear end alignment and decided on a pool noodle with a broom handle running through it for the estimate...

I think the green looks pretty sharp

[MDPotter]

What steering gearbox did you use? I want to do the Astro hydroboost setup as well, but I haven't figured out which box to use.

[1971Stepside]

I used the 79 C10 gear box. I had my hoses custom made. I took the stock astro van and original C10 hoses and had them cut off and had the braided PTFE hose put in so I could tuck them in a little better and work around the SAE and metric fittings. It wasn't cheap to have done, but like women....pretty isn't cheap. LOL

[72 tigger]

Nice work

[1971Stepside]

Nice work

Thank you!

[1971Stepside]

Installed my radiator this weekend. I did not like how the factory hold downs sat on this radiator so I decided to fabricate a piece that would clean up the appearance some. I just rattle canned it for now until the body work begins, but it turned out good and holds the radiator very solid. It has been so long since I took this truck apart I forgot about how much radiator "lean" these things have.

[72 tigger]

Very clean- good idea

[notsolo]

Radiator hold down cover changes the look completely....Brilliant. Now I have something else to fab.

[1971Stepside]

Very clean- good idea

Thanks. I was originally going to screw it into the face of the radiator, but decided to weld the tabs on the back side to just pinch it in place. It is very solid.

Radiator hold down cover changes the look completely....Brilliant. Now I have something else to fab.

Started with a 32" piece of 16ga metal. Measure three or four times and it isn't too bad of a project. Good luck

[1971Stepside]

Installed the new power steering gear, battery, and an ugly temporary oil pressure gauge. I also wrapped up all the fuel lines and power steering lines. Found the original ignition and key. Hope to turn it over mid-February. Just need to finish up some wiring and add fluids.

[1971Stepside]

While I'm waiting for my radiator to return I went ahead and got the cold air intake set up.

[RedRider]

Lookin' great, are you going to put the Cuervo truck in your shop? As a mascot??

I like that air intake. I assume you went with a MAP sensor instead of MAF.

What are your plans for the rest of the gauges?

[1971Stepside]

Lookin' great, are you going to put the Cuervo truck in your shop? As a mascot??

I like that air intake. I assume you went with a MAP sensor instead of MAF.

What are your plans for the rest of the gauges?

The Cuervo truck is hanging in the shop above my work bench!

I went with the stock MAF. The picture below shows it. I turned it down for the wiring to reach.

As far as gauges go for start up I plan on reading temp from my ECM via an app on my phone. I'll test fuel pressure before we attempt start and then again when running from the schroeder valve. I'm a long ways from putting it in gear and driving it, so I just want it to start to keep the oil moving for now.

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Just some more slow progress. Original plan was to run the braided line the full distance, but then I started reading about vapor smell from the lines and decided to put a hard line in. Just mocking up here, but satisfied with the header clearance and the overall fit. Simply bought a 58" inch piece of 3/8" tubing. Virtually a straight run down the frame.

Can you give me details on this setup? I am doing the same thing on a 5.3 with a corvette filter/regulator. What fittings for both AN and aluminum did you use and how much braided did you use? I need to know what to purchase for my fuel lines. I already have the 3/8" aluminum line, but don't have any AN line or fittings yet and want to order the right parts...

Everything is looking good on you truck!

Tom

[1971Stepside]

Can you give me details on this setup? I am doing the same thing on a 5.3 with a corvette filter/regulator. What fittings for both AN and aluminum did you use and how much braided did you use? I need to know what to purchase for my fuel lines. I already have the 3/8" aluminum line, but don't have any AN line or fittings yet and want to order the right parts...

I ran braided 6an line from my fuel rail (no return) to the frame where I connected to the 3/8" metal tube. The tube runs to where the frame starts to bend upward. From there I go back to a very short piece of braided to the WIX filter. From the filter I go braided to the Boyd tank. Here are the parts I ordered starting from the fuel rail back to the tank. All part numbers are from Summit and I did mine in black.

1 - Fuel line adapter 3/8" RUS-644113
2 - 6an hose end female RUS-610025
3 - Russel 6 an hose (about 2.5' from rail to frame) RUS-632090
4 - 6an hose end female RUS-610025
5 - Male 6an to male 3/8" NPT ICB-AN816-06-06A
6 - 3/8" hard line - purchased a straight piece local that was flared with 3/8" female ends
7 - Male 6an to male 3/8" NPT ICB-AN816-06-06A
8 - 6an hose end female RUS-610025
9 - Another probably foot long piece of braided
10 - 6an hose end female RUS-610025
11 - 3/8" fitting for WIX filter push in type RUS-64090
12 - For the other end of your WIX you will have another 3/8" adapter (RUS-644113) and a 5/16" adapter (RUS-644123)
13 - Both fittings will need the RUS-610025
14 - Braided hose to your pump and return
15 - Pump line needs a RUS-610165 and a ICB-F06AN060R
16 - Return line needs a RUS-610165 and a SUM-220648B

I hope this makes sense. Draw it out on a piece of paper and I think it will become more clear for you. You will need your vent set up unless you ordered that on the tank from Boyds and you will need your drain plug in addition to what I listed.

Thanks for the compliments on the build.

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I ran braided 6an line from my fuel rail (no return) to the frame where I connected to the 3/8" metal tube. The tube runs to where the frame starts to bend upward. From there I go back to a very short piece of braided to the WIX filter. From the filter I go braided to the Boyd tank. Here are the parts I ordered starting from the fuel rail back to the tank. All part numbers are from Summit and I did mine in black.

Parts list:

I hope this makes sense. Draw it out on a piece of paper and I think it will become more clear for you. You will need your vent set up unless you ordered that on the tank from Boyds and you will need your drain plug in addition to what I listed.

Thanks for the compliments on the build.

This is why I love this forum, you rock!

Exactly what I needed. And I can tell from your list to mine I was doing everything backwards with the AN fittings. Thanks for this level of detail, it's much appreciated.

Keep up the excellent work I'll be looking forward to watching your progress.

Tom

[beaterku]

What I take tube/filter is this? I was going to fab one up, but the parts alone are near $100. The 4” pipe and silicone couples are what get you.

[rjs53]

If for some reason it turns over but wont start, before you start tearing everything apart, replace the old ignition switch with a new one. When they get worn they wont keep 12 volts to the computer long enough to get it to run. A friend just did the same swap. Went thru wiring, sensors even took trans apart thinking something was wrong it. Turns out ignition switch.

[FarmYard]

Good read. Are you going with hp tuners?