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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Indep, MO
Posts: 5,893
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
People.....helping people...... Great to see this, it's why I love this board. Can't wait to see phase 2!
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Boppa's Old Yeller Truck Build, Old Yeller's New Heart! Project Buzz Bomb Flyin' Low! |
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#2 |
Slots go on anything!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Richardson, TX
Posts: 5,957
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
I have a lot of TBI harness parts (connectors and such) laying around too, Kevin. I ran across a 7747 ECM this afternoon on a shelf if you need it as well.
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1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241 |
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#3 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Looking forward to the "Little Engine that Could"!
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Grand junction Co
Posts: 42
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Def love the build that your continuing. Just saved a 83 lwb with a l6 and a 4spd from the crusher great motivation. Keep up the awesome work your doing.
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1989 jimmy "U.A.V" 44/14blt 4.56s locked up 37's 1984 2wd swb 1969 swb 4x4 ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MA
Posts: 207
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
You are inspiring me to do some bad things...
Years ago a friend gave me a running 89 chevy step side with V6 and 5 speed. The motor needed rings (one hole was burning oil) and so I gave the truck to my father. He put another engine in it, had the paint touched up and the clutch done and drove it for a few years. We tried to give it to a friend, but its starting to get a little rusty and needs cab corners and such. Its sitting, waiting for me. Your ugly truck build is tempting me to start in on this once the dumptruck is done. My biggest problem is that I have about 1 day per month to work on trucks. So progress is slow.
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2012 Chevy 2500HD, 6.0L, 6spd auto, 4x4, ECSB 1987 GMC V3500 Dump, 6.2L diesel, TH400 1983 GMC K2500 - awaiting its restoration and Cummins swap. |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Venus, Texas
Posts: 20
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Kevin.........I have in my possession a brand new never been installed 2bbl TBI unit still in the original GM package. I'm not going to run that one on my inline 6 so I have no need for this unit. It is for a 350 so the injectors are the 65 lb/hr type but it should still provide the proper fuel with the stock ECM. I have an ECM from the Astro van but you could use Jonboys 7747. I don't have a harness. I will try to make it over to the storage this week if possible and see just what else I have for it.
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#7 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Well it looks like the project is kind of firming up.
First and foremost, I have to finish up the engine job in my 4x4, which is all but done (still finishing cooling system and looking for a couple of serpentine brackets). That way I will have a pickup to drive daily while I build on the stepside. I don't want to go back to hauling crap in the back of my little Honda Element again because I'm pickup-less. Then I'll dig into the stepside. I was originally figuring to wait until winter, but will probably make it a summer project instead. -I'm standing by to see what all Randy comes up with on the V6 stuff. Randy, this is no rush at all. It's not like I'm on a timeline. I'm hoping there will be enough stuff to get me towards a stock 4.3 with TBI injection. Randy, I'm gonna have a 4 bolt main 350 sitting around when swap it out. You into small blocks ? If so, I'm your guy. -Jonboy, I might be interested in the ECM and TBI wiring stuff. I figured I'd do a Painless TBI harness until I priced them. 400 bucks for the harness. So, I can do a ton of harness repair, splicing, combining, or fabricating for that kind of money. Valerie's dad in Richardson has been having some significant health issues so we've been traveling over there pretty frequently. -I'd very much like to do serpentine when I swap in the other engine. That's pretty much an absolute for me. I'll round up whatever serpentine stuff I need depending on what Randy has. -Then, there's the air suspension. I've never done one before and I'm pretty bored with the rut I've been in with my truck building. I'm thinking about doing a basic airbag setup. Since I already have drop spindles in the front, it's looking like doing bag cups and plates would be a good option. Porterbuilt looks to have a very nice front kit for 360 dollars. I'm strongly leaning that direction. In the back, with my current flip kit, I'd do a notch and thin out of leaf spring packs a bunch then do an air-over-leaf like Ken used to have on his truck. Seems simple and inexpensive. I don't worry too much about the wheelhop issue guys warn of since I'll be running a very low powered drivetrain being driven by a light footed driver. -I will paint the truck while I have it apart. Not sure what, but something to make it look more decent. I've been getting undue hassle from the cops while driving this truck. No tickets yet, but every little thing gets me pulled over. I figure it's because I look like a meth tweaker truck or something. I'm thinking probably a mild color with white bumper and top.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#8 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Kevin, check your PM.
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: el paso, tx
Posts: 510
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Nice truck!
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 1,963
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Just FYI, porters stage one front kit is $435 now. For all that's included though its still a decent price...
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Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded ![]() '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/ |
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#11 | |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
Looks like I can get the same Dominator air bags for 150 from Amazon.com. I can cut the plates and cups out of scrap steel with my plasma cutter for maybe 10 bucks in half an hour or so. Other than that, it's just building shock mounts and shocks. Looks like I'll probably just make my front kit from scratch rather than use the Porterbought kit in the front. No offense to Nathan Porter but when it crossed over 400 dollar threshold (plus shipping) I kind of fell out of interest. I'd like the pride of making my own patterns and cutting my own parts anyway.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#12 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
I did get it. I was looking in my scrap pile and I've got a bunch of 1/4 inch plate. I'll probably wind up making my own. I'm researching the need/benefits of using lower plates/cups/or building recessed wells into my control arms.
I hope you're coming to Decatur this fall. We already have our spaces bought and paid for. Lots of the Louisiana members are getting on board with the Decatur swap meet too. That's a good bunch of guys you'd enjoy meeting. Thank you for the compliment. It should be a lot better after this next phase I'm planning. Have no fear, I'll get it done. I'm not one to fizzle out of projects very easily.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#13 | |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
I hope to make the fall one in Decatur. Their web site does not have the dates posted, when is it?
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Spartanburg, SC
Posts: 1,963
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
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Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded ![]() '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/ |
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#15 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Karl, here is the info on the fall meet.
http://www.southwestswapmeet.com A word about that Porterbuilt kit we were talking about above.... When I'm at work, I do my research on the Internet and print out and compile parts that I want into a notebook. I went back and looked at my sheet for the a Porterbuilt Stage 1 front kit. It was 360 dollars on the 20th of this month. So, in the last week, the price increased by 80 dollars. I'll definitely be sourcing my hard parts and fabricating the bracketry and plates for my truck. That sudden price jump is a little out of my financial comfort zone.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Indep, MO
Posts: 5,893
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Glad to see this going forward, and congrats on the 4X4 progress!
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Boppa's Old Yeller Truck Build, Old Yeller's New Heart! Project Buzz Bomb Flyin' Low! |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,982
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Paint it the factory cream color w/white bumpers & wheels if keeping the 15's. Maybe opt for chrome bumpers if upgrading to 18's.
Cup some lower arms & add plates to the x-member. Add some stupid simple upper shock mounts for optimized travel. The reduced leaf pack & AOL sound good. Plan on fabbing rear shock mounts as well to again optimize shock travel/geometry. Gotta keep the mexican blanket seat cover though to keep it legit.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#18 | |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#19 | |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,699
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
The issue with the AOL set up for the rear is the offset shocks. (one points forward, one points backwards) It's my opinion that you need to swap the shocks to BOTH point forward (or backwards),... and then add the air bags to the leaf springs on the opposite side of the axle. I believe this is also what n2trux had done on his original AOL set-up.
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Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
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#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,982
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
That being said, if I was pulling the bed, I would do the new rear shock x-member & longer lower shock mounts to optimize the shocks travel & mount the bags like Ride Techs AOL set-up (the way Ken's was done). I like the shocks as close to the spring as possible & outside the rail offers greater stability.
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67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#21 |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Thanks for the link.
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: des moines, ia
Posts: 99
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Awesome build Kevin!! I really enjoy reading your threads, it's like watching those show on TV but with actual real life affordable fixes! Keep up the good work!
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Adam- |
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#23 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Venus, Texas
Posts: 20
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Kevin..........going to Branson, Mo for family time so after that I'll dig through storage and the garage and see what all I have for the V6. I did see the stock intake yesterday while in the attic. I think I have a housing and shaft for a distributor but I think the reluctor/pickup coil is toast. Talk with you later about it all.
Randy S. Hager Venus, TX |
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#24 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
I haven't taken the bed off yet, but is there any (engineering) reason I shouldn't build a little crossmember and mount the shocks inboard of the rails ?
That's kind of what I figured I'd do. A round tube crossmember from frame rail to rail with studs welded in the appropriate places. Then some tab on the axle down below to mount the bottom to.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 05-01-2014 at 08:25 AM. |
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#25 | |
I'm just glad to be here!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Longview, TX
Posts: 4,788
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Re: My daily driver/beater : How I turned lemons in lemonade
Quote:
I thought I had a picture of what I did on my son's '82, but I cannot find one. I was able to use the lower spring plate and weld up a stud to it and a bracket off the outside of the frame rail on both sides to the rear of the housing. The shock was tight but I had clearence between the leaf spring and the frame rail to mount them there instead of the inside of the frame. If you did it to the front of the housing, you could add the AOL to the rear of the housing or vice versa...
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Karl ![]() 1965 Chevy Stepside(Grandpa's Old Blue) and (July 2015 Shop Build!)(2020, the Saga Continues) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=372424 The LST Challenge: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7812257 Korbin's 1st Square: "Sunburn" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=418618 1985 GMC Sierra: "White Trash", Korbin's 2nd now... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=632305 Henry - 1984 Chevrolet, Owen's 1st Square |
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