1971 Stepside LS Build

[TA_C10]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I have just purchased the Evaporator Kit and compressor so far. I have the condenser kit in my cart at Summit, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. You can get all the VA items thru Summit and not pay shipping.

I ordered VA part #754170 (evaporator) and #04709-VMA709 (compressor). Need #021567 (condenser) and #11086 (trinary switch) for electric fans.

1-800-862-6658 and ask for Roy. He was very helpful at VA and knew our trucks. He will be able to get the details you need.

Thanks for the info, I will give Roy a call. I'm sure he will be able to point me to the paper with those measurements between engine and frame rail so you can pre-check if you need amid/high compressor mount it not.

Your truck is looking good man. On one hand I'm so ready to complete my truck, but on the other hand I don't know what I will do with my free time if I'm not building a truck lol... Keep up the good work

[1971Stepside]

Found this old picture in a box this weekend. I was taking a pic of my new scoot, but the mistress was sitting there in the driveway. Circa spring of 91.

[beaterku]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Found this old picture in a box this weekend. I was taking a pic of my new scoot, but the mistress was sitting there in the driveway. Circa spring of 91.

That's pretty cool.

[1971Stepside]

Progress is slow due to budget right now. Boredom will make you do things you normally wouldn't...like cut holes in your doors! Installed these Altman Latches from Trique Mfg. Pretty easy install and the doors work great. Need new hinges before it is all finalized, but progress is progress.

[TA_C10]

Those look nice. Were your old ones shot?

[1971Stepside]

Those look nice. Were your old ones shot?

Thanks. Mine were shot. It's funny, I have gotten more grief from this modification. I priced out replacing the stock latches on the doors and felt like this wasn't a whole lot more and would get away from the old "bang" of closing the door. I've had this truck 33 years and always remember the doors needing a little force to shut all the way. Decided to swap it up and go to the modern design to avoid the slam. Most probably don't need to do this, but I got a good buy on these and really did it more for the click instead of the bang.

[dagnabbitt]

Wow, those are nice. I need to look into those.

[1971Stepside]

Sometimes it really doesn't feel like the project is moving forward at all. Especially when you take the body back off the frame. I feel like if I can get the body work completed on the cab and doors I will really get over a big mental hurdle that this thing will actually get completed.

I used a little wood to anchor the hydro brake to and decided to go ahead and make it a control center for the ignition, gauges, and PCM. Need to hear it run ever so often to keep my motivation going

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Progress is slow due to budget right now. Boredom will make you do things you normally wouldn't...like cut holes in your doors! Installed these Altman Latches from Trique Mfg. Pretty easy install and the doors work great. Need new hinges before it is all finalized, but progress is progress.

I'm planning to go the same route with those latches. Glad to see they worked out for you. Is there a big, noticeable difference in how your doors close now versus the originals?

[1971Stepside]

I'm planning to go the same route with those latches. Glad to see they worked out for you. Is there a big, noticeable difference in how your doors close now versus the originals?

You can push them with one finger and they close. Admittedly, I don't have the rubber seals in the door jambs yet. I do like that they click closed rather than the bang of the original. These are on sale right now for the kits that don't work with one piece windows, so that is why I went for it. I think they will be well worth it in the end.

The one recommendation I have is to shoot some primer on them immediately as they surface rust quicker than you can get them installed.

[TA_C10]

Next thing were gonna hear is you getting pulled over cause you slapped a steering wheel and gas pedal and 2x6 seat and went driving round the neighborhood

I would

Couple questions. Is that a stock trans dipstick?

Do you have your trans linkage figured out yet? What are you using if so?

How long did it take you to smooth your intake and dip it? I remember the post but don't think you said how long for each process(smoothing and dipping)...

Are you going to use a mechanical gauge for oil pressure in the end or are you going with electronic gauges?

Thanks man. I love looking at my truck in this form but i'm with ya, I can't wait to get the cab put back on and start assembling it back together. Your truck is looking good, mine won't be so nice during my stage 1....

[1971Stepside]

Next thing were gonna hear is you getting pulled over cause you slapped a steering wheel and gas pedal and 2x6 seat and went driving round the neighborhood

This may happen once I have brake lines...those Flinstone brakes don't work so well.

Couple questions. Is that a stock trans dipstick?

I ordered that dipstick from Summit part #AAF-ALL69118

Do you have your trans linkage figured out yet? What are you using if so?

No, I'm waiting on beaterku to get his figured out so I know what to do!!

How long did it take you to smooth your intake and dip it? I remember the post but don't think you said how long for each process(smoothing and dipping)...

Took me a good afternoon to cut all the extra off and weld it up. I then spent a few hours sanding and filling. Dropped it off at the dipper. Took about a week to get it back. He dipped it three times to get the final product. It still isn't perfect, but better than a cover IMO.

Are you going to use a mechanical gauge for oil pressure in the end or are you going with electronic gauges?

I am going with Dakota Digital electronics

[cebra]

I did a write-up on shaving a truck intake. It took me maybe 6 hours or so. Search "Truck Intake Shave".

[siggyfreud]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

You can push them with one finger and they close. Admittedly, I don't have the rubber seals in the door jambs yet. I do like that they click closed rather than the bang of the original. These are on sale right now for the kits that don't work with one piece windows, so that is why I went for it. I think they will be well worth it in the end.

The one recommendation I have is to shoot some primer on them immediately as they surface rust quicker than you can get them installed.

Thanks for this info. I just ordered a set of their version 1 for my project. Think this would still work well if I powdercoated them prior to install? Would like to avoid the rust issues as well.

Love the project BTW. The engine looks BOMB!

[1971Stepside]

Thanks for this info. I just ordered a set of their version 1 for my project. Think this would still work well if I powdercoated them prior to install? Would like to avoid the rust issues as well.

You would just need to tape up the mechanisms on the back side.

Love the project BTW. The engine looks BOMB!

Thanks!

[1971Stepside]

Started the final metal work on the cab this weekend. I did the big stuff 10 years ago, but some areas needed attention again as surface rust and pin holes appeared. I've got to get this cab and doors over the finish line or I will end up letting this project sit again for who knows how long.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Thanks. Mine were shot. It's funny, I have gotten more grief from this modification. I priced out replacing the stock latches on the doors and felt like this wasn't a whole lot more and would get away from the old "bang" of closing the door. I've had this truck 33 years and always remember the doors needing a little force to shut all the way. Decided to swap it up and go to the modern design to avoid the slam. Most probably don't need to do this, but I got a good buy on these and really did it more for the click instead of the bang.

Grief???Every one of these "oldies" has door problems!!! The drivers door especially!!!
Job well done!!!!

[1971Stepside]

Grief???Every one of these "oldies" has door problems!!! The drivers door especially!!!
Job well done!!!!

Thanks. Yeah, I've had several tell me that there truck doors are perfect and close very easy. They just can't see spending money on something like this. I posted it on the 67-72 truck barn on FB...so, take it with a grain of salt.

[TA_C10]

Looking good man. I'm doing my firewall right now too. I wish I would have filled the holes before I shot some paint and undercoating but oh well. Now I am trying to identify all of them.

.

[1971Stepside]

When I pulled the cab off I thought all I needed to do was fix a couple spots on the firewall and tidy up any surface rust that had appeared before jumping in to filler and sanding. Boy was I wrong... I've basically cut out two major sections of the firewall and redone them because I just didn't like the work that I had done 10 years ago. I then discovered the rust free doors I purchased were not so rust free and will need a lot of work. Both cab corners also need to be reworked. I'm glad I am able to do this myself. I'm slow and not great at it, but I would have needed a winning power ball ticket to pay a shop to do this. I can't imagine how many hours I will have total in just the cab and doors.

[1971Stepside]

A little more progress on the cab. Corrected the corner and body line on the passenger side and got the door pretty close on gap. Waiting on a patch panel for lower door skin on the drivers side to button that up.

[TA_C10]

Looking good. Oh the body work..... Im finding it hard to stay motivated doing body work but it's going to be worth it. Keep it up man

[Rickysnickers]

Not great eh????? Looks like you are doing really well to these eyes!

[notsolo]

Door gaps look nice and tight, good progress.

[beaterku]

Coming right along!