51' 3100 build in PA New to Site

[bjcaldwe]

Looking good.
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[a5Ben]

I got dibs on those rims and tires when you decide to change!!!!

Looking great btw.

Ben

[99 to Life]

Sept 19th weekend

a5ben, glad you like the tires. I get the most compliments on those and the biggest question asked is "what color you painting it? God I hate that question.

Got the windshield in- actually was easier than I thought, helps to have two people. I would recommend putting a rope in the inner side of the rubber that seats on the lip of the cab, make sure the end of the rope is on the inner side of the cab. Get it all in place and have someone on the outside push on the rubber and glass in one area, while the other guy pulls the rope from the inside. It works the rubber around the lip perfectly. Work with each other in the same direction. Took us about 15 minutes just to get the glass all in and secured. Oh, I had the glass cut locally for 90 bucks flat. I figured I would support the local community, it would have been almost exactly the same price through classicparts with shipping.

Finished sanding and undercoating the fenders, running boards and inner fenders. Began moching the front clip back up, as I am trying to cut these inner fenders to fit and they are a PIA for some reason. I think because of my bumper mounts I made, I have to cut the inner fender there where they meet. Once I get those on I will bolt the front clip on permanently and mount the radiator.

Next weekend will be trying to finalize the wiring as I made an hour one way trip the junk yard this weekend, to only find them to be closed. So I have to get some tail end pig tails from there and I can hopefully finish up the wiring.

[99 to Life]

Sept 26th Weekend

Went back up the the junk yard and scored some rear shocks and wiring pig tails for ten bucks.

Inner fenders were a pain for me. Found it easier to separate the front clip and bolt the inner fender onto the fender one at a time, put em on and start cutting away at them. They will be cut differently than one another. Pretty much have the front clip finalized with the exception that I need to buy a new radiator (on its way) and then I will make sure my rad support and all that fits the new radiator. Once I bolt the rad support in it will help support the front clip. I also have to make a custom splash guard for underneath the radiator.

Worked on some wiring. I am using EZ wiring. I like the kit, but I really wish they sold some pig tails, for example. Everything is set up to directly wire to something. I am trying to have most everything wire into pig tails or some sort of connector, that way if you ever have to take anything off, you don't have to cut wires, you simply unplug them.

got a pipe bender off of CL for 115 bucks and it is brand new, can bend up to 3" pipe. I am going to try and bend my own exhaust so I'll keep you all posted on if it is worth it. Put in passenger side window as well.

[bjcaldwe]

Looking good man.

The stance is perfect.

[99 to Life]

Oct 2nd Weekend

Well, still kind of at a standpoint with the wiring. Mainly because EZ wiring is about the hardest company to get a hold of. I am hearing really good things about Rebel wiring's tech support, so in the future I think I will go with them. However, got the ignition wired up. I think I figured out the turn signal, almost. Just need to know which wire the brake wire (EZ wire White) goes to on the turn signal. I am guessing the "rear left turn" as that is what controls the left and right on a splitting wire. Also my signal has a blue and black wire that is labeled to go to the "flasher" well, since the flasher is built into the box, there is one wire that comes out and is labeled "flasher" so I am not sure if both blue and black wires connect to that one flasher wire.

Got the exhaust started, pass side (easiest side) my headers are headmans and came with ball and socket reducers. Got a flex pipe for the headers to help with the torque, and then ran 2 1/4" all the way back to the axle. Just have to bend it over the axle and run the muffler past the axle. Driver side at this point is going to 90 at the gas tank, then 90 again to the back and run side by side with the pass side and the mufflers will both run past the axle. I will then decide where I want my tail pipe tips to exit.

Decided to just order up an aluminum radiator, as I was originally going to do. BUT it is on back order. I did get the relay, cost about 38 bucks shipped. Seemed pretty legit compared to some others. I think I might run this exactly how the directions say, straight to the battery and by pass the fuse panel. I think I might use the extra circuit that EZ has for fan relay and use it for something else. Maybe a light under the hood??

[99 to Life]

p.s here is a pick of the engine bay, so you can see the inner fenders on.
I ran my headlight wires up top on the inner fenders.

[xpickup]

99 to Life, I love the patina and very nice build. S10 seams to be a good way to go on the chassis swaps and the parts are very cheap.

[LEEVON]

Very nice s-10 swap. Looks like you're going to be on the road soon

[99 to Life]

Oct 10th weekend.

What do you know, couldn't get a hold of EZ wiring this week. By far the worst tech support I ever dealt with, or lack there of. Anyway, almost completed the wiring, but there are just a few things I wasn't sure of, so I didn't hook it up to any power yet. Parts stores close at 3 pm on saturdays and closed on sundays where I work on the truck, so A. that doesn't make sense and B. I get left high and dry and or driving 40 miles round trip to get anything. This is leading up to my exhaust situation. I am going to make an X or H pipe to connect these two pipes ( I am told you get better sound that way ) I then need to get the two pipes bent over the axle and run the mufflers after the axle.

Got another box from classicparts. Miscellaneous stuff.
Got a dimmer switch from Painless, which is actually nice because the harness just plugs right into it, and I will be able to mount it to the dash, not the floor.

lastly made some progress on my turn signal prototype

[99 to Life]

Oct 16th weekend.

WIRING- well my goal this weekend was to finish up the wiring. I must say, I am may not have completed all 100% of it, but I am relieved that I finally figured out my short I had. I spend all day trying to figure out why there was a pos touching a ground. I went through each fuse 2 and sometimes 3 times. It wasn't until I had the garage all locked up and ready to head back home that I got a call from tech support and they said try unhooking the alternator wire, then run through the fuses. Low and behold my cig lighter was the whole problem, (I don't smoke but it is nice to have an outlet). Boy what a relief that was. Checked the turnsignals, fourways, headlights and rolled the engine over. so far all is working. Got a few kinks to iron out and some accessories to wire up. Then she is ready to roll, well almost. Still waiting on my back ordered radiator.

also finally moved out of my neighbors garage and into mine, wow so much smaller. so I have been bouncing around trying to clean the damn thing and make some room.

while I was venting on the wiring debacle, I decided to get some work done on my tedious turn signals. Got them all cut and welded, just need to finalize them and put em on.

[63panel]

Did you go with the motor mounts you made or did you do something else.I know you said the fuel pump was real close to the crossmember.I'm trying to do the same build,also if you changed them out,pics would help.By the way don't paint it,looks great like it is.

[99 to Life]

63 Panel. Yeah no paint for sure. I don't often like seeing these trucks in paint. Motor mounts are 350 mounts, but the ones that bolt to the frame are moved forward about 2" maybe. I basically bolted a steel plate to the bottom mount, then mounted that to the engine. Then got the engine in place on frame. Tack welded the plates. Drilled the new holes through the plate and frame and then finished welding the plate to the frame. I have a pic that will show you how close I am to the frame rail. But my fuel pump is the kind that points to the right. You can get ones that point forward and you won't have as tight of space to get your fuel line in. PM me and Ill send you some pics.

Also something I didn't take into consideration. It is a pain to get all the bolts in because of the a-arms, you might have to take them off to get to all the bolts in.

[99 to Life]

Oct_30th Weekend.

Well only worked on the truck for a little bit on saturday. Spent hours cleaning out some space in the filthy garage I am now working in, but atleast I have a place to work on it.

Got the rear wired with an s-10 quick disconnect so I can plug in a trailer adapter harness. Been working on some interior wiring. Got headlight switch
bolted in, headlights, high/low, dimmer, high beam indicator light all working. Turn signals, four ways, brake lights, park, tail etc all working. BUT my turn signal indicator lights on my turnsignal, still won't work. I tried grounding the
actual turnsignal just incase and still nothing. Has anyone ever had that problem?

Also started working on some carpeting and got a Serape off ebay. It was about $50 bucks shipped I think. I am pretty happy with it.

Lastly, picked up a 46' Flathead. Will be working on over the winter. Also have plans to do another chevy. But you can't deny the look and sound of a flathead, will not be putting this in a chevy though.

[bjcaldwe]

Looking good.

[99 to Life]

Nov 6th weekend.

Wow it is cold in PA- no heat of any kind this weekend in the garage.
Anyway, got my turnsignals all finished. These are run in the rear as
well.

YouTube - 51' Chevy Pickup Custom...

Got my Radiator Finally from back order. Have to make new rad support.
I ended up getting a shorter rad instead of the stock 26-27" ones.

Got my battery wires finalized. I ran the battery behind the seat, then ran a kill switch in the cab (for quick access) then ran the rest up in the firewall and mounted it in a plastic wall socket. Worked out good. that way I can have access to power up in the firewall without the ugly battery. I will be running my fan circuit breaker right beside it and wiring into these terminals for the fan.

also began running my fan wiring. Maybe I'll change it in the future but for now I am running it right along the inner fender. Also put some heat sheath
down on my wires that run by the headers and also on my fuel lines.

[72Mountaineer]

Hey 99, I'm in Wheeling. Where you at in the Burg?

[99 to Life]

72 I own a screenprinting shop in the southside. My truck is up in Titusville 2 hours north of here. I don't have a garage in Pittsburgh, yet. So I go up there to work on it, on the weekends.

[99 to Life]

Nov 14th Weekend

Some Pros and Cons. Finally got my radiator in and finalized. I built a new rad support system than my previous one. This rad is actually meant for a bel air but I couldn't be much happier with the fit. I had to cut the lip off of the front grill apron, really didn't want to but it made fitting the rad so much easier and honestly I can only run the E-fan on the engine side, so that couple inches helped me out. I have about and inch from my E-fan to my pulley, cutting it close.

Anyway got coolant in the system. But my Ranco valve leaks I think and also
my heater core. So I bit the bullet today, going with the all in one heater from classicparts.com it comes with everything I will need. I got other problems to deal with than these leaky parts. I have more originals ones I can try in a future project. But I might try and incorporate the heater covers in there some how, I love the look of the OG heaters.

Bad news. I got the wiring done so I can start it up, BUT two things, I changed my plug wires and now the Engine barely will run and sucks gas like CRAZY. So I am hoping I got one on half A## or something. Two Truck will barely go into gear. So I am really hoping I need to bleed the clutch more. It doesn't leak so I don't know if it is the slave then or not. So I got more work cut out for me now.

On the up and up, I did for the first time have it in gear, started it up and flew out of the garage,so technically I drove it for the first time. But not really. I just can't wait for the day I can actually drive it.

[99 to Life]

Nov 20th weekend

Well, somehow or another the 750 carb I had on previously, the vacuum I had plugged off for the brake booster got taken out, so it ran like crap. Anyway I was eventually going to put on the 600 which is what you see on there now, so I did. It is running good, keeping good temp oil pressure etc.

Got my interior lights all working. Last weekend I come to find out my heater core was leaking. Although I love the OG heaters. I went and got an aftermarket 12v heater that has a three way switch. I am liking it so far, even though I had to drill new holes for it and now have to cover some holes in the firewall. got my radio hooked up (going to be hiding it) the pic is the repro speakers for the front.

I have to re bleed my clutch and bleed brakes and this thing will be drivable.
Hook up the ebrake, swap out my gas tank too, and finalize exhaust.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZGng-K251U

[bjcaldwe]

I really like the stance of your truck. I think that is about where I want mine to set when aired up.

[99 to Life]

Nov 26th weekend

Some more pros and cons. So I re bled the clutch. Took it for a test drive (with no breaks, yikes) It was the official inauguration run I guess you could say. Ironically, a year to the day is when I first decided ok I am going to just
build one of these trucks. I proceeded to buy my first parts from a 48' gmc last year on black friday, this year I drove one. However the 51' didn't really start until January.

Anyway, clutch MC and Slave are both leaking, so I kind of figured that is why it was loosing pressure. So I am going to be replacing them this weekend hopefully. Breaks are still giving me shiziitt so I tried bleeding the MC on it again and it seemed fine. So back to the drawing board there.

Played around with trying to get the sending unit from the original tank to read. My problem is my sending unit wire is not getting power, so I have to call EZ wiring up and see why that is. But my goal is to get the OG sending unit working and I want to adapt that into the s-10 tank.

Worked on the carpeting a bit. Have to cut and sew the top of my tranny hump and she is all done. I can say, I don't particularly like doing carpeting. also here is a rear shot, since I don't seem to take too many of those. This is with out the running boards and fenders obviously.

Lastly. Had the dump truck out to tow my buddy. I still got to put the windshield in. Not enough time on the weekends for me.

[99 to Life]

Dec 5th weekend - Well the snow is here for good. Kinda bumped I am just about to finalize my truck but I am not taking it out in this shizitttt.

I helped my friend sat and sunday switch his cab in a 87 chevy full size and then switch out his rear end, half of which was in the blizzard. geeeeeshhhh

So I FINALLY found my brake line problem. My MC had a rubber boot on the end of the Piston (prolly for shipping reasons etc) It got left on, so I think that was messing up my plung and release. Aside from that I re bled it. I had fluid to the rears in no time. I proceeded to just put new calipers and brake hoses on the front since that was one of the only things I didn't buy new. So I hooked that all up and now I have a nice firm pedal. I still have to start it up and check the pedal, and then prolly bleed them a little.

Put in my clutch slave cylinder as the old one was leaking. Replaced the MC with a better looking used one. Low and behold it is leaking too. (look at the bottom bolt in the pic, you can see it leaking down the firewall) I am wondering if something with the push rod is causing this or if these just sit too long they begin to leak? Well I am buying a new one regardless.

Got some 3 point retractable seatbelts I will be rigging up next weekend.

[xpickup]

99 to Life, You keep that snow out your way. I am not ready for it yet. Your truck is coming together nicely.

[mlc216]

Very nice build!

How far off the frame did you mount the cab? 4-5" or less?