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

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Jimbabwe

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

The beauty of my current paint job
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[Katrina/10]

I like the 15" wheels, are you going to keep them?

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I like the 15" wheels, are you going to keep them?

Hey Katrina, I am going to initially. I have been considering something billet in either 17" or 20"...but I need to see how this drives with just the 8" wide wheels. That already scares me, so it's either I go 15x10 rear or upgrade all around
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[502ms]

Made some great progress today! But first, I have to get you guys caught up with where we were just a few days back


As you can see, nice and clean.

More on that later. Let's look at the goodies!

20 gallon aluminum fuel cell



6.0L LQ4. Complete with reprogrammed PCM, reworked harness, and all accessories.




T56 6-speed manual. Oh yeah. Fun times ahead!

[Rusbuilt]

Oh yes! Me likey!

[shawno72]

Yeah she's gonna be a rocket ship now

[502ms]

Thank you, Rusbuilt! I am loving it!

Originally Posted by shawno72

Yeah she's gonna be a rocket ship now

Oh yes...can you imagine that?
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[shawno72]

Originally Posted by 502ms

Thank you, Rusbuilt! I am loving it!



Oh yes...can you imagine that?
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Oh yeah cause mine is too. Except I'm going from the granny 4 speed to a 700r4 built to handle 500 horse even though my engine only puts out around 350ish

[LEX]

Nice. I want to do this some day.

[NewType72]

Originally Posted by Jimbabwe

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

that's just his trucks kickin new hat it's wearing.

Subbed you know I'm always in Leon

[dragonwrecker]

Originally Posted by 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.

she so low i had to lift her up just to get the picker under her

[502ms]

Originally Posted by dragonwrecker

she so low i had to lift her up just to get the picker under her

LOL. Yup!
Looking forward to getting it in...
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[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by 502ms

Hey Katrina, I am going to initially. I have been considering something billet in either 17" or 20"...but I need to see how this drives with just the 8" wide wheels. That already scares me, so it's either I go 15x10 rear or upgrade all around
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I think one of the reasons I like your truck is the retro style wheels, the 20" and larger wheels just don't look right on these old trucks to me. Looks like you've got your hands full with engine and trans right now, good luck with it!

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10
I think one of the reasons I like your truck is the retro style wheels, the 20" and larger wheels just don't look right on these old trucks to me. Looks like you've got your hands full with engine and trans right now, good luck with it!

Thank you, Katrina - I really prefer the simplicity of the retro wheels. Going back to the basics, with some fun and power mixed in...purpose built vehicle.

[Katrina/10]

Team Stepside! I'm in on that.

[502ms]

This weekend has been pretty productive.

We spent the weekend completing the move of the tank, compressors and air management equipment from the rear of the frame to the middle/upper frames. One of the issues that I had in the beginning was the potential to hit my tank on the ground if on some super extreme angle (riding dirty) and hitting a dip. This really did not happen often...I think just that time I dragged for Eric. LOL.


The huge crossmember shown here is trimmed to make room for the fuel cell. This cell will have a custom box holding it in place right under the raised floor, and far up and away from the ground. Plans for accessing it will be in a slick/trick location. Stay tuned.





Thankfully, I only managed to wear out the drain plug, which I replaced once we got it all moved up top to the sub floor. This also serves as the opportunity to move my fuel tank out of the cab, and replace it with a high-speed, low drag, sexy, aluminum, 20 gallon fuel cell.



Now, this is not the final resting location for the fuel cell...just a test fit. We already know that the additional crossmember shown above (little bit of overkill), can be modded to integrate the tank, and keep it WELL above the ground when fully aired out. More on that soon. Here is just a sneak peek of the location, but not the height. More on that later.

[502ms]

Now that we have the engine and transmission out of the truck...I decided that I am really serious about the new look...well, that being of the older looking truck...yes...1967, to be exact.

Test fit my new hood. Like it. Nice Patina to it.



We removed the front clip, and set that aside. Dragon will provide me with some fenders; I located a grill and hood...so all we need is to modify the core support, and get the latch and vertical support. I also located a new rear glass. All to be installed later. Removed the heater box. Determined what needs to be done to firewall, and made preparations for it. Before the engine and trans will be mounted permanently, the firewall and surrounding areas will get the treatment. Shaved/cleaned up/painted and ready for the jewel in the jewelry box.



In the words of an action hero in a movie from the early 2000s.....

I want all of that...:



.....In here:

[502ms]

so fresh.


so clean.




#imjustsaying.

Yes...once the engine/trans/shifter position has been locked down, motor mounts straightened out, all of these areas will be painted as well.

[502ms]

Another shot of the beautiful gear transfer-er that will help motivate us down the roads. Located new pilot bearing so that the installation of these two assemblies will be a great union.

[502ms]

Now making room for that aforementioned fuel cell. See how big that x-member is? It was an addition put in place for bed rigidity. Will be re-purposed later (mid section), and the ends will be smoothed and welded in place.



Now the fuel cell can sit lower than the bed, but higher than the lowest part of the step fenders (will never be low enough to reach the ground, even aired out).




Thank God for folks that understand the purpose of a truck that rides low. (See exhaust commentary).

[502ms]

Wow. Ok. So that pretty much gets you caught up to where we are now. The on thing that I forgot to share is the video of the truck with the 327/TH400 and playing with the switches.
http://youtu.be/l4NYyDUpIPI


That is in the link in my signature. Will be correcting many things in the video (done alot of it already)...but the big things to focus on now are coming up. Will be working on this through the week, so hope to make some great progress. This will be fun.

[thor]

liking the direction you're heading!

[OLDIRON69]

Ready to see the 6.0 fired up

[502ms]

Originally Posted by OLDIRON69

Ready to see the 6.0 fired up

Thanks! Me too!

Thor, soon.....soon!
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[502ms]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Team Stepside! I'm in on that.

Yes!
#teamstepside!

Do you have any pics of your truck?
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