1969 Short Wide

[VA72C10]

Just an FYI...we used Tri-plus (keyparts) rockers on my truck and they fit great w/out any cutting. The ones that were on by the PO obviously didn't fit right so we took them out. Expected to cut these but didn't have to and they look good with the door in place.

[1sik52]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Just an FYI...we used Tri-plus (keyparts) rockers on my truck and they fit great w/out any cutting. The ones that were on by the PO obviously didn't fit right so we took them out. Expected to cut these but didn't have to and they look good with the door in place.

Just a little FYI...LMC sells Tri-Plus (Keyparts) and they dont fit worth a crap on my blazer either!!!

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by 1sik52

Just a little FYI...LMC sells Tri-Plus (Keyparts) and they dont fit worth a crap on my blazer either!!!

Most of the tri-plus components have fit very well for me. However, one notable exception was their lower door patch which was HORRIBLE. But i'm sure it depends on the truck/blazer as each one is slightly different and the QC at the factory wasn't that good honestly...

[mcbassin]

The door gaps around the rocker were good and over all the panels fit in there with only a few mods but the real problem is here in these pics:




I'm sure there are problems with all the aftermarket sheetmetal parts. I just want you guys to see what I am talking about. These edges "should" be flush.
I think I can fix it just matter of cutting and pulling and rewelding.

[0331grunt]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I'm sure there are problems with all the aftermarket sheetmetal parts. I just want you guys to see what I am talking about. These edges "should" be flush.
I think I can fix it just matter of cutting and pulling and rewelding.

this is the part of my build that I am not looking forward to... I will be asking a lot of questions when this comes up! I don't think I would have noticed it. At least not until it was too late

[VA72C10]

nevermind...saw it after I wrote

[chevy88]

So what is your next step on this truck?

[brian69longbed]

i left my factory rockers and patched as needed... should've bought new rockers. would much rather have these fitment problems. looking good!

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by chevy88

So what is your next step on this truck?

Next step will be to finish roughing in the cab. By that, I mean I won't do any finish body work until it is mounted on the frame. I plan to clean the other side of the shop and rearrange things so we can fit the frame inside and start rebuilding suspension, brakes, and rear diff.

Originally Posted by brian69longbed

i left my factory rockers and patched as needed... should've bought new rockers. would much rather have these fitment problems. looking good!

Thanks Brian,
I could have gotten away with trying to straighten the driver side but the passenger lower pillar was shot. We are like 95% rust free on the cab. Still have a little area on the passenger kick panel. Still lack major body work on the cab corners where it has been mistreated or dropped when moving it around.

Right now I am focused on getting my lower unit fixed. I had to pull the prop shaft and replace the water pump. Hope to get all the parts in for it by next week. Here are some crappy pics of it I took with my phone:

[my67chevytruck]

I can store the boat and one camaro here, so it helps you with shop space....

[JohnC]

Hey if you do some boat repair you may want to talk to HighPerf4X4. He was having an issue with his boat, and could use some advice. The place that worked on it for him didn't help him out much.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

I can store the boat and one camaro here, so it helps you with shop space....

You must have a big shop buddy! Yes I need to get rid of all the junk that is filling up space in my shop.

Originally Posted by JohnC

Hey if you do some boat repair you may want to talk to HighPerf4X4. He was having an issue with his boat, and could use some advice. The place that worked on it for him didn't help him out much.

John,
I only do boat repair when I tear it up ...dang it! I would be glad to offer my 2 cents to help if I can. I hate to have people wrenching on my stuff if you know what I mean....even oil changes.

[my67chevytruck]

not a big shop just helping you gain space

[scotts62]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

I hate to have people wrenching on my stuff if you know what I mean....even oil changes.

[brian69longbed]

DIY all the way i say

[highperf4x4]

I shelled the gears in my lower and upper unit last summer. It's a Mercruiser Alpha1 outdrive. Got any tips for that repair?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

I shelled the gears in my lower and upper unit last summer. It's a Mercruiser Alpha1 outdrive. Got any tips for that repair?

I'm not too sure about that one, if the case isn't damaged you should be able to do it yourself. I'm not too sure about whether or not it requires backlash or shimming with the gear sets. That is probably like setting up a rear differential. You may be able to pick up an outdrive complete and just bolt it up and go? Really depends on what you have for a budget.
This is where I buy my parts:HERE
There prices are about as cheap as you can get. I really hate dealing with H and H. Baats are bottemless money pits and they really never pay you back.

[highperf4x4]

Check this out. Complete Alpha1 replacement drive by SEI with 1.47 V8 gear ratio with 3 year no questions asked warranty for 1200.00

http://www.sterndrive.cc/Merchant2/m...lphaSterndrive

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

Check this out. Complete Alpha1 replacement drive by SEI with 1.47 V8 gear ratio with 3 year no questions asked warranty for 1200.00

http://www.sterndrive.cc/Merchant2/m...lphaSterndrive

CHEAP! go for it!

[nuke1]

Holy crap, i can not believe that i have not posted in such a long time, anyways, glad to see so much work done on the truck, and good choice on the copper primer, that is the best stuff on the market to this day, i know, i tried everything out there, worth the money trust me,. I know all about the boat thing, i tore the leg off of my silver line, hit a rock pennisula on the lake, ouch. anyways, just have to let you know, everything looks great and remember aftermarket is aftermarket for a reason, you have to FIT it, not them. Also i sure could use a camaro, let me know if you got a spare, or a 70 chevelle, Later.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by nuke1

Holy crap, i can not believe that i have not posted in such a long time, anyways, glad to see so much work done on the truck, and good choice on the copper primer, that is the best stuff on the market to this day, i know, i tried everything out there, worth the money trust me,. I know all about the boat thing, i tore the leg off of my silver line, hit a rock pennisula on the lake, ouch. anyways, just have to let you know, everything looks great and remember aftermarket is aftermarket for a reason, you have to FIT it, not them. Also i sure could use a camaro, let me know if you got a spare, or a 70 chevelle, Later.

Thanks Nuke! Sorry to hear about you messing up your boat too. How's the projects going? I just got the prop and the prop shaft back from the shop. Supposed to be straight less than .002" runout and the prop looks new. Still
waiting on the rest of the parts to come in next week to rebuild it.

Hope to get back on this project next week, we are going to some salvages tomorrow to find a radiator and some other parts for my kids 86. I'm also going to the scrap yard to try to find some 18-20 sheetmetal for the firewall. I have been working with 22 gauge and it's too thin for the angle detail. If I decide to sell one of the Camaros you will be in line too.

Got most of the parts for the lower unit

[nuke1]

nice shiney parts, and ya, 22 gauge is way too thin, you should use 20 gauge normally and 18 also. I use both on my things. Sure wish my prop was that shiney. Did you change the pitch on it, more torque or speed? With mone i needed the torque.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by nuke1

Did you change the pitch on it, more torque or speed? With mone i needed the torque.

No, It was set up perfect before, the prop was worn and had some dents alon the edges...you know how they get beat up on rocks. Anyway, they welded the whole perimeter and made to the oem specs. We'll see how it runs next week hopefully.

[mcbassin]

Well, I'm still waiting on parts to come in for th outboard so I took one last stab at making the wire channel angle detail. I picked up some thicker sheetmetal at a the scrap yard, I think it is 18 gauge. Anyway, I got tired of making templates and taking them to work to cut my sheetmetal so I made a little table for my bandsaw. Now I can cut sheetmetal at my shop! I then started fabbing the pieces for the angle (2 left and 2 right). I was able to roll the inside radius around my argon bottle to get the shape close. I then tacked it all in, then staggered my welds about every 2-3 inches till it was done, then ground the welds and primered, it will still require some hammer and dolly work but that can take place on the frame. It took around 4 hours total. Hope to get my lower unit parts in tomorrow or thursday so I can get that out of the way. Next on this will be the cab corners, they need straightened and possibly some rust repair, even though I haven't found any, that doesn't mean it's not there.....on to the pictures:

Bandsaw before the table added

Plate cut for table

Table welded and installed

Tacking the angle detail

More

Ready for welding solid

More

Completely welded

Welds ground smooth

Primered

[mcbassin]