My grandsons 68 stepper

[54belair]

The only progress this week has been the completion of the bed and installation of the steps. Ive been doing some work this week in the hay field and doing some clean up with the bush hog. I am so ready to get more of the interior and the front clip on. God only knows what adjustment issues Ill have there! My short term goal is still to have it running by the local car show date in early sept. Having it ready for that wont include rebuilding the rear end. I haven't ordered the gears or any other parts for that yet. That job will have to be scheduled with a shop----the last time I rebuilt a rear end was 30 yrs ago-----didn't like it then (and don't have the mic's any more),

[Low Elco]

It's coming out beautiful. you oughta bring it up to the Nats in Sept. with the Springfield crew.

[54belair]

That was my original goal-----about three years ago!!!!! I will bring it, if not this year, then next!! Thanks for the comments.

[jlsanborn]

Looking forward to seeing your progress. Is the rear end job going to be a gearing change?

[54belair]

Yeah, every thing in the rear end to be changed. It will be a complete rebuild including bngs., gears, switching to posi . the truck is currently 3.08 gears, Im going back with same ratio but new gears (these howl a little). After she runs Ill take her to a local shop for the rear end work. Ive set in gears before--but its a pain in the butt, I don't have the equip. to do it anymore------plus, I mainly just don't want to fool with it, it has to be right the first time or you end up ruining the gear set.
Im going with the 3.08's mainly to make the truck more drivable (for fuel economy). If I put low gears in it-----Ill be tempted to play with it-------And so will my grandson when he gets it. The truck will be just average at low end, but should run down the road at 65 or 70 at about 2200 rpm.

[54belair]

Ive got some pics now with the tail lights installed. Ive wanted oval lights since the beginning, rather than the large round lights. Im still unsure on the lights??? I would also like to run the backup lights---but the factory light seems too big compared to the tail light. What do you think guys?? (Im also going to post a thread with pics in the gen. discussion forum.

[71Sleeper]

The oval lights look great by themselves but with the backup lights being so large they just take away the smooth look. Just my opinion. If you could some how place the backup lights in the bumper I think would look nice.

[54belair]

This is gonna take some thought. Im not as impressed with the ovals as I once was.

Im afraid I see another money pit in the making. I mounted the original lights, and while they "fit" better with the back up lights, they just weren't the "look" I want (although I obviously don't know what that "look" is!!).
The huge Round lites will obviously throw the most light--but sort of take away from the "look" in the rear.(?)
Maybe a vert. row of three Cadillac bullits on each side?????? (just joking!)

[jlsanborn]

Hmmm... I'll have to figger it out before paint then. My doors are in primer, ready for blocking.

[54belair]

Ive been doing some small thngs----and waiting for parts again, but here are the latest pics. Ive been trying to finish up the front clip alignment as well as installing the door glass. It took me a couple hours yesterday to get the drivers door finshed, this morning (as soon as the shop warms up a little) I'm going to start on finishing the pass. door glass. After the glass, Ill have to install the rear view mirrors then I can install the interior door panels and be finished with the interior.
I keep expanding my punch list of the things it takes to finish----but that good, rather have a long list than forget something.

[54belair]

Just under three hours (30 minutes of that was cussing Chinese parts and making them fit), I managed to get the pass. side windows in including the moldings and wx strip.

The wing window locks were the prob. today. They require just over a 90 deg. rotation and these were not right--had about 30 deg. rotation so I had to file the post at an angle to make them fit (if you've ever had this prob. you know what I'm talking about.) Then the holes for the roll pin was extremely too small-----but in the end it works, they are installed and I can move on.

As a side note----- I will never go with vent windows again (assuming I ever do another one of these trucks) The vent window rebuild was a royal PIA, plus I'm not really happy with the outcome---I bought the best parts and spent a lot of time on them and I'm not sure they wont leak air. Would have been cheaper and quicker to go with the 1pc window again. Anyway, as I said--its done!!! Now on to other things....

[Low Elco]

Well, you're doing nice work! With all the (cute) help you can stand!

[54belair]

Thanks man,,,, yeah anymore help-----even though it would be fun, Id never get it done!!! But, even though this is supposed to be a truck build--its also a way to build memories.

[54belair]

MERRY CHRISTMAS

merry Christmas to anyone who s browsing this year.

[54belair]

Time flies when youre having fun----or not!!! Here it is July '17, I have been very lax and remis over the last year or so with this build thread (and actually with the build itself)
Today I actually narrowed the punch list on this 5 year project to three or four main items as well as a handful of little stuff. The truck is dangerously close to seeing daylight. Gotta check all bolts for tightness, adjust the clutch and the new engine (new--yet three years old!!) will be ready to fire. If that all goes well then the last issue will be mounting the hood. (yes, I know that could be a real &isser too).
Anyway, I doubt that anyone is still following the build, but if you are--thanks for your patience. Ive included some pics taken today after mounting the front bumper and cowl.

[YJ_Aaron]

Great build, and you're not far from me. Hope to see it around.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking great. Thanks for the update

[54belair]

Today I spun the new engine for the first time-----its been sitting for quite awhile so I pulled the plugs and spun it a few times just to test the starter and build some oil pressure and let the engine oil a little before I actually tried to start it. That all went well---so now on to the real reason for this particular post.

Remember one word during your build------ DOCUMENT!

Document all changes. As a retired Engineer I of all people should have remembered this. I added disc brakes, in order to do this you have to add non stock parts. I remembered that I added later model tie rod ends----but, probably due to age, I forgot exactly what I added and most importantly Why I did it. Next week the truck will be going out for an alignment and I thought it would be a good idea if I were able to tell the mechanic what was stock and what was not-----and why!!!!
I spent an hour researching this morning Why I did what I did.

All is good now-----I have documented the changes!! Later today Ill be adding some fuel and trying to do the initial strtup and run in----more pics later.....

[54belair]

Initial start up went great. Only ran a very short time, had fuel leak at carb. so I shut it down to address that-- will start and Run in again in the morning.

[GR8-68]

That is an awesome milestone And you have a beautiful truck

[54belair]

Alrighty, here we are two months short of 6 years of ownership--and 5 1/2 years on this build (so far)

Actualy got her running yesterday but had a fuel leak that I had to tackle this morning----so today is the birthday of "My Grandsons 68 stepper". Today she backed out of the garage on her own power into the sunlight. I did what I thought was a good job of bleeding the brakes last week--but I'm not impressed with the amt. of brakes so I moved her around in the yard but didn't go for a shakedown trip yet. Already know of a few little issues----but those are just "growing pains", today was the birthday.
Tomorrow I'm going to start it and back it out of the garage on its own power to show it to my Grandson. He has been really good, not pushing me about the truck. I haven't told him anything about it for a few weeks, so I'm going to have them over for some other reason--then just back her out!!

[Low Elco]

Looks great, Congratulations!

[54belair]

The opportunities in this build just keep coming!! As so before me have, I now have the "door weatherstrip" challenge.
Ive known there might be an issue all along just by listening to and watching other build threads so when I spent all the time adjusting the door gaps I also took time to set the door latch as far out as I could and Still have the door edge even with the cab. Actually I feared that I had the latch plate set too far out.
About 4 years ago I purchased a complete set of weatherstripping which consisted of the best (at the time) precision door seals. I installed those hoping for a decent fit-----and guess what,,,, The older style push on door seals were sooo thick it took maximum effort just to get the door to shut enough so as to catch the safety latch. This left a whopping 3/4" gap at the back edge of the door.
As of this entry I still don't have that issue resolved, I have ordered the latest and greatest door seal that is supposed to be exactly like OEM. We'll see, I certainly hope so. I also went to a local pick and pull and purchased a used set from a 94 dodge Dakota (which many say is the best). Ill install the used dodge set while I wait on delivery of the new chevy set and if the Dakota set works I may order a new set of that part number.

No matter how it works out, two things are certain--- a large of small gap at the rear of the door isn't acceptable and even if its made for some foreign car----there has to be a weatherstrip that will work.

[Low Elco]

I can say- a friend of mine bought Precision push-on's for his squarebody and LOVES them.

[Jason7121]

I bought push on door seals by precision and also tried oer factory style seals both have your issue.