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

[502ms]

Originally Posted by jblaust

When I see this picture I can hear the Jaws music as the background....Im waiting to see the finished project brother. Hope all goes well for you and Walter!

LOL. Thanks bro! Me too! Looking forward to progress. I have pics from this week to post. I will do that when I do the next set of pix today. Did your truck come in yet?
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[jblaust]

Originally Posted by 502ms

LOL. Thanks bro! Me too! Looking forward to progress. I have pics from this week to post. I will do that when I do the next set of pix today. Did your truck come in yet?
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No..I am still waiting for it to get picked up. The transport truck was waiting on a part for his brakes so my truck getting picked up got delayed. He should be there today to pick it up. I wont get to see the truck for about another week or so.

[chuckmc8]

Wow! Leon, That looks great!

[502ms]

Originally Posted by chuckmc8

Wow! Leon, That looks great!

Thanks Chuck!

Did you figure out your Blazer's issue?


Hey Jay! Thanks! Glad to have you join #teamstepside!

Hey Severedchris thanks...lots more to come!
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[jkeating1]

Subscribed! Take lots o pics of your clutch master & lines! Keep up the good work!
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[severedchris]

shoulda tuned in sooner...nice work

[NewType72]

We gonna see a freshly painted frame with a mounted fuel cell this weekend?
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[502ms]

Originally Posted by NewType72

We gonna see a freshly painted frame with a mounted fuel cell this weekend?
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Still making frame mods for fuel cell. But yes...there will be some prettiness going on.

Yesterday I got an upgraded Mallory Fuel Pump, billet fuel filter, Hurst Shifter for the Camaro... I love summit.

I think that puts my fuel system over $1100 so far, not counting fuel lines and -an fittings.
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[Square_78]

Holy crap! You have a lot of work into this truck. I love it! Its one of my favorite stepsides on the forum. How big is your "Z" in the front? Looks about 2"? Did you do it with the cab and everything in place? Any issues with motor or trasmission clearance? I REALLY want to do that to mine, but I would have to take it to a shop to get it done...

[502ms]

Originally Posted by Square_78

Holy crap! You have a lot of work into this truck. I love it! Its one of my favorite stepsides on the forum. How big is your "Z" in the front? Looks about 2"? Did you do it with the cab and everything in place? Any issues with motor or trasmission clearance? I REALLY want to do that to mine, but I would have to take it to a shop to get it done...

Thanks buddy. It is about a 3". Did it with cab on. No issues at all. It rides awesome. I am looking forward to seeing how it handles now
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[502ms]

Wow! Very cool pics! Congrats again on a sweet purchase. Sounds like a solid game plan. I will tell you this - if you want to lay frame, do not cheat yourself and half-@ss it, because you will look back and say - damn, I wanted to to that...and then spending money to undo whatever. Get it home, and see if you really want to go that big. I think you will be surprised at how big 20s look under a stepper. Personally, that is probably as big as I would go, and that would be for shows. I enjoy the simplicity of 15" wheels. Once this is done, I am going with 10" wide in the rear...so it will definitely be interesting .

I did get some pics...made some progress. I will post those momentarily...

[502ms]

I see that it has been a while since I have posted pics in here. So, let me catch you up to where we are:

Got the cab off of the frame, and got some measurements to see where the stock GTO shifter would land in the cab. In its stock form, it will be about 3 inches past the optimal spot for me, with the engine in the place that we want it, using the Dirty Dingo motor mount plates (which are SWEET, btw).



That being the case, I purchased a Hurst shifter for the 2002 Camaro, which uses the forward location, and saves a bunch of fabrication work to be done later.


As you can see in this picture, I have changed fuel pumps yet again. I want to make sure I am getting the biggest bang for the buck, so I spent a bit more, and got a competition style fuel pump from Mallory. This thing is freakin sweet! I also got a billet fuel filter and you already know that I updated the FPR to a higher performing model. If I end up boosting this thing, I do not want to have to go back and remove this stuff.

[502ms]

Those two boxes in the pic above hold the electric fans that I will probably mount as pushers later on.

I had to remove the old motor mounts, and replace them with the 73-87 style mounts



Yes, I know I have some surface rust from the cleaning of the chassis and other components. Soon these will be cleaned again, and treated to some nice, durable coverings. Speaking of which - I cleaned the motor and transmission, and painted the cases cast aluminum silver and black. Looks so much better now. Will look better buttoned up, headers on, engine cover on and running....but that is soon!



In this pic, you can see the Dirty Dingo mount plates on. I had to remove the A/C Compressor so that the plate can be mounted.

[502ms]

Many of you have been asking why I have not painted the frame yet...well, I am still adding custom parts to it.

For instance, the fuel tank has been removed from the cab, and this has been put in its place:


In order for this to be completely safe, we are going to build a cage for it, and ensure that at the lowest ride height, it is safe and clear from damage. When laid out, it will be 2" from the ground. In addition, it just will look really nice.

[502ms]

Cool action shot of Walter:


Facebook Page for Leon Millette Photography - Please "Like" the Page

[502ms]

Once all of the fancy work to the frame is complete, I will be painting it all black.
In addition, when she returns, she will not only drive differently....but she will be sporting a 67 front clip!

[NewType72]

lookin good boys and that really is an awesome shot of Walter shoot you should send that into Miller/Lincoln for a new poster Ad

[502ms]

Originally Posted by NewType72

lookin good boys and that really is an awesome shot of Walter shoot you should send that into Miller/Lincoln for a new poster Ad

not a bad idea...thanks buddy!

[Rusbuilt]

hey! Walter stole my welding helmet!! lol (i have the same one)

[jkeating1]

Those mounts are sweet, thanks for the tip!

You mentioned you would have to use 73-up mounts (or stands, maybe)---but it looks like they would bolt to the regular 72 SBC mounts and stands. Am I missing something?
JK

[502ms]

Originally Posted by jkeating1

Those mounts are sweet, thanks for the tip!

You mentioned you would have to use 73-up mounts (or stands, maybe)---but it looks like they would bolt to the regular 72 SBC mounts and stands. Am I missing something?
JK

The old stands and mounts could be made to work, but the 73 + add a little bit of security and are a bit superior. Pics coming soon.
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[502ms]

Thanks Lolife...

We are going to definitely go through the frame and reinforce it, box it, and make it happen...more pics soon. Took off this weekend to celebrate my wife's birthday
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[502ms]

Got the engine and trans mounted. Removed the cab so that we can replace floor pans, A/C holes, and rockers. This will allow us to run fuel lines, mount fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel regulator and transmission cross member.

The cool addition is that we are going to install a custom center console, made from aluminum. This will hold the switches, and have storage for other items that I need to place out of harm's way.

Will also be boxing in the front and rear with additional bracing and frame reinforcement.

[dliving69]

Looks awesome cant wait to see more pictures!!

[jblaust]

Looking good!