71 4X4 Frame off Restoration

[DWilbur]

I picked up 2 power cloth seats Saturday afternoon Sunday I picked up a tail gate and after I got it home and cleaned off the dust and dirt it is not as clean as I though. The PO did some brazing trying to fix some rot on the bottom. I will have to grind out the brazing and weld in patch panel. I worked on the truck Wednesday 1/1/14 for a few hours welding up the right rear of the cab. Happy New Years to all.

[Vova]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I picked up 2 power cloth seats Saturday afternoon Sunday I picked up a tail gate and after I got it home and cleaned off the dust and dirt it is not as clean as I though. The PO did some brazing trying to fix some rot on the bottom. I will have to grind out the brazing and weld in patch panel. I worked on the truck Wednesday 1/1/14 for a few hours welding up the right rear of the cab. Happy New Years to all.

I have a tailgate if you need another one.

[swamp rat]

Good to see your back at it!

[ThreeQtr]

Nice work so far. Here are some other crew samples and builds . A couple of them kept the high roof so you may get some ideas.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=258002&page=2

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=258002&page=3

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=362966

[DWilbur]

Originally Posted by ThreeQtr

Nice work so far. Here are some other crew samples and builds . A couple of them kept the high roof so you may get some ideas.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=258002&page=2

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=258002&page=3

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=362966

Hello ThreeQtr
The red one on page 2 is what i'm thinking of doing. my colors are silver and red. very cool.

[DWilbur]

Ya it's nice to get going again. I have a line on a short bed fleet side for $800 I'm going to check it out Saturday if it's still for sale. Vova I would like to check out the door and the tail gate this week end if possible. maybe Saturday afternoon.

[Vova]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Ya it's nice to get going again. I have a line on a short bed fleet side for $800 I'm going to check it out Saturday if it's still for sale. Vova I would like to check out the door and the tail gate this week end if possible. maybe Saturday afternoon.

I'll PM you my number. Are you referring to the third door?

[DWilbur]

I worked for 4 hours then drove up to Sacramento to check out a SWB fleet side. it had more rust, rot, dings and dent than I wanted to deal with so I walked away from the deal. I will buy the one my friend as it's a LWB I can cut down.

[swamp rat]

Hard to imagine a California truck having rust and rot.....

[DWilbur]

Car and truck rust and rot in Ca some slower than others. my friend was kind enough to drop off the truck bed at my house Saturday. its in realy good shape. some surface rust on the under side to top side looks great. the bed floor is nice and strait just a few hole drilled by PO easy enough to weld them up.

[swamp rat]

Thats a nice bed!

[DWilbur]

I picked up another tailgate and right front door nice deal from Vova Sunday. It was nice meeting you and Thanks for the parts. I worked on cutting a new right side floor board piece of sheetmetal sunday and ran out of cut off wheels. I should be able to finish it sunday as I have to work Saturday. Good thing is the job I'm work on is almost done 2 more weeks. Then I will take some time off and get some work done on the truck.

[Vova]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I picked up another tailgate and right front door nice deal from Vova Sunday. It was nice meeting you and Thanks for the parts. I worked on cutting a new right side floor board piece of sheetmetal sunday and ran out of cut off wheels. I should be able to finish it sunday as I have to work Saturday. Good thing is the job I'm work on is almost done 2 more weeks. Then I will take some time off and get some work done on the truck.

You're welcome and nice meeting you as well. Glad to pass on a good deal.

[DWilbur]

Sunday I finished trimming the right side floor pan and welded it in place and test fit the rocker panel.

[DWilbur]

My plan was to take 2 week off and get some work done on the truck. the boss called Friday afternoon just after I walked in the door and asked if I could work this week to help finish another job. so I'm work this week. I did get the right floor and rocker welded in place last week end.

[DWilbur]

I finally got 2 week off and work on my 1998 Dodge I bought and built a flat bed for it so I can scrap the rest of the suburban. week 2 I was sick for 3 days so I did not get much work done of the 71. I will post some picture tonight.

[swamp rat]

I got to admit tho it sucks to be getting sick when you get time off.

One thing i have learned, this is nether a race or nor a contest to see who gets the most done, its about enjoying what your doing.

Funny, i was just sitting here thinking it would be cool to have a flatbed too while i tear my bed apart, maybe i should just find another bed somewhere for a temporary one?

[DWilbur]

Hello Swamp Rat
I know its not a race or compitition but I try to set weekly goals for my self and some long term goals. some times I meet my goals and sometimes I don't. As I get older it seam that I don't reach the goal as often as I use to.
A couple of pictures of the flat bed I built about 2 weeks ago. Still have couple of thing to complete but it is useable now. I bought the 1998 Dodge 2500 4X4 for $3,000.00 sold the utility bed for $500.00 and built the flat bed my self. It's my D.D. now.

[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

Hello Swamp Rat
I know its not a race or compitition but I try to set weekly goals for my self and some long term goals. some times I meet my goals and sometimes I don't. As I get older it seam that I don't reach the goal as often as I use to.
A couple of pictures of the flat bed I built about 2 weeks ago. Still have couple of thing to complete but it is useable now. I bought the 1998 Dodge 2500 4X4 for $3,000.00 sold the utility bed for $500.00 and built the flat bed my self. It's my D.D. now.

that's a sharp looking flat bed you built there, very good job .

[swamp rat]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

some times I meet my goals and sometimes I don't. As I get older it seam that I don't reach the goal as often as I use to.

A couple of pictures of the flat bed I built about 2 weeks ago. Still have couple of thing to complete but it is useable now. I bought the 1998 Dodge 2500 4X4 for $3,000.00 sold the utility bed for $500.00 and built the flat bed my self. It's my D.D. now.

Oh how i understand the getting older part LOL! That's why i don't set too many goals, but when i set my mind to something i do my best to see it thru.

For $3000 I'd think you got a great buy! Great job on the flatbed too!

[swamp rat]

You have a flatbed trailer correct? can you tell me how high the trailer ball needs to be (top of ball?) to keep your trailer level?

As you know i want to buy a trailer once i get my truck situated and i just mounted my hitch to the frame, now i'm wondering if i may need to do a drop on the hitch if a drop receiver won't be low enough.

Ani insight from your experience would be appreciated.

[DWilbur]

I don't have a flat bed trailer. Typically the ball height is 16 to 18 inches from the ground in most cases.

[DWilbur]

I had some time this afternoon to separate the rear roof parts I salvaged off the back of the suburban. I have the 3 main parts including the back window from my truck to make up the back of the crew cab. Saturday I will start fitting them to gather.

[DWilbur]

Well I did not get much done last week end. struggled with fitting the sheet metal together. I went to HF tonight and finely found some sheet metal clamp. I must have walked by them more time than I can count. so I bought 3 packages of them. they are much bigger than I expected. should make fitting the parts much easer.

[swamp rat]

I have 1 set, the blades are .040 wide which isn't bad.