1971 Cheyenne "One For the Road"

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by nuke1

just checking out the build, great looking project, and at least your wife gets to park in the garage, it is 35 below and my wife has to park outside, priorities you know, me bad

Wow, that's cold. You better hope she doesn't read this!

I think if I made my wife park outside, her patience would grow extremely thin with all my projects.

[19723DR]

Well, I am glad to say I now own a '71 SHORTBED Chevy Cheyenne!!!

Friday, Mike and Matt came over to spend the afternoon pulling out the engine and tranny. Thanks for all your help guys!

Over the last three days we've had over a two feet of snow, most of it falling over Christmas night. That made it a lot more difficult to get the new frame out from back behind my house. But with some help, we managed to change the thing out. Saturday, I bolted in the suspention, everything is bolted up except for the steering box. I needed to trim the bracket for the core support. I also had to notch the frame to make the motor mounts work, I think these motor mounts are out of a '73 and up.

I will definitely say that winter has slowed things down. I tried to clean my engine, but my hose was frozen, I had to use a bucket of hot water instead. Oh well, I'll just have to work on other stuff.

I also ran the numbers off my engine, it's a '77 350 four-bolt main, with 1.94 or 2.02 valves. I'm going to reinstall the V-8 since gas is so cheep for now, it will make it a lot more noise.

[19723DR]

More:







Does anyone know if these are the correct motor mounts for a '71? Would appreciate any help on this.

[texanidiot25]

Dunno for a 71, but they look like the ones on my '69

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

Dunno for a 71, but they look like the ones on my '69

Thanks for looking at that.
I'm guessing my frame is 67 or 68. I tried to put the engine back in and the motor mounts don't fit. They are about 1'' too narrow.
I have motor mount that came with the frame so I will try to mount those up tomorrow.

[19723DR]

I finally got the motor mount brackets to work. I used the older style brackets to make everything fit. I also traded the radiator cross support with the long bed frame becaue the old one was bent and cracked.

[19723DR]

Made some progress this weekend. The cab is back on, thanks again guys. Cleaned up the rams horns, and no, they are not Mexi-crome--it's ceramic paint. I still have a lot to do before it warms up outside.
My plan is to paint by March.





This looks the exact same it did three weeks ago. In case you can't tell. It's the same picture, only a short bed.




I also made a trip to the junkyard Saturday with Clide78. Where we found a '72 truck and a '71 blazer. I aiso found a sway bar from a '86 2wd, I got all of it for $35. I'm going back this Saturday to pull out the blazer tank. Maybe pick up a few extra parts, see what else I can find.

[19723DR]

I have been busy this weekend.
I made another trip to the junk yard were I picked up a blazer gas tank, battery tray, vacuum canister and a rear sway bar. I also found a 3rd row seat for my suburban. I got the seat for $12.99 + tax--I almost fell over from shock. The other junk yards in town were charging between $300 and 400 bucks.

I spent sunday working on the bed. I followed LFD's low buck build. but on the front, I wanted to cut out all the body filler from where the gas door was, so I cut along the top edge and then cut down two inches from the front.

[19723DR]

A few more pics:



I couldn't find the guys, so my wife's sister volunteered. Thanks, Lin!





This week I'll hopefully get some time to get the thing welded together, hopefully.

[Clyde78]

I'm glad to see that you didn't screw it up without me being there to guide you.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by Clyde78

I'm glad to see that you didn't screw it up without me being there to guide you.

I coulda used your help, I had to get a girl to do your job. You better watch out or a girl could replace you! Just Kidding...

Thanks for braving the weather and going to the junkyard with me, wasting a Saturday. . . . I hope you enjoyed the after party.

[LuckyHenriksen]

Sweet build man

[killer71]

Nice progress...keep at it!

[Rokcrln]

Looking good!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

Sweet build man

Thanks. I only wish I had a truck like yours when I was in high school. Cool truck.

Originally Posted by killer71

Nice progress...keep at it!

I will. I am totally addicted to these trucks. Killer was awesome, I hope you build another.

Originally Posted by Rokcrln

Looking good!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Thanks. I don't think I would have attempted the bed without the help of Low buck build. I will say It's harder than it looks, but it's a lot of fun. We'll see if I can put it back together.

[72BlckButy]

Awesome progress on your project, it is really coming together!

[brendonak]

Awe man, I was hoping you'd chose the long bed, it was awesome!

Great build, I can't wait until the next post!

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Awesome progress on your project, it is really coming together!

thanks. I try to do something every day.

Originally Posted by brendonak

Awe man, I was hoping you'd chose the long bed, it was awesome!

Great build, I can't wait until the next post!

I know. I really liked the long bed too. It was definitely a tough decision. I've been really stressed out at work and I needed something to take my mind off it.

[19723DR]

IT'S ALIVE!

The last thing I did today was start it up. I had to put the old gas tank in for now.
I spent all day Saturday welding the bed back together. I still need to weld half the inside.
I also finished the emergency brake and topped off the fluids.









I also bought some 1.5 inch wheel spacers from evil-bay. I got them for fifty bucks plus shipping. I'll post pictures when I get them.

[19723DR]

Tuesday I had my driveline shortened, I had a driveline shop remove 12" from my front driveline. I used the heavy duty carrier barring.

[19723DR]

I spent Saturday doing my brakes, along with a new soft brake line. Using a vacuum pump I blead brakes. One of the bleeders broke off, two of them were clogged, after another quick trip to the parts store, I replaced the bleeders.

Today I worked on tightening up the exhaust and my front swaybar. I also took it for a quick spin around the block. It felt really weird to drive such a short vehicle. I felt like I was missing something.

[19723DR]

I also got my wheel spacers for my suburban--but I tried them out on the Cheyenne first. I think they will make the suburban look a lot better, I have to wait until springtime to dig it out.




BEFORE:


AFTER:

[brendonak]

That thing looks mean with those big meats up front!

[19723DR]

Originally Posted by brendonak

That thing looks mean with those big meats up front!

I think it looks like a road racing truck. They are 295/50 that are 12'' wide. I am going to put some smaller tires on the front like a 225/60. The best part is when I get some smaller front tires I have an extra set of rears.

[19723DR]

I guess I should update my thread.

I found something on this truck that's not rusty! Last weekend I pulled the front and rear glass. The rear window frame is like new, but the front not so lucky. I spent Saturday grinding bed-welds and cleaned up the door jambs. I also worked on the windshield frame.

I also noticed my heater core is leaking, I must have bumped it when we removed the cab.