1968 Chevrolet SWB Stepside Restomod

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by Xeen

My new Boyd Welding Aluminum Stealth EFI fuel tank was delivered today.
I decided to have them send it with an optional EFI cover plate just incase I decide not to go with a EFI engine.

That tank sure looks sweet. I like. There is a company near me that makes tanks I am going over to see what one will cost. I need to take the measurments with me.

[Xeen]

It looks like Vic and I are going to work out a deal on his 67' Stepside bed because he wants a fleetside bed on his truck.
Although it's a pretty solid old bed it's got some issues like the P.O. tried to french in some tail lights so we are going to cut them out and restore the original contour of the fender, then hand dolly/pull out any dents in the fenders, straighten out the bedsides, and header panel, primer it and seal it with some krylon rust tough and call it a done deal.
The bed needs a couple of cross sills and the tailgate is shot so I will head to LMC and buy those.
With Vics metal working skills that bed will be awesome when hes done with it.
Vic doesn't know this yet but hes going to have to patch the front fender marker light holes to match the 67' rear fender surprise!

[Xeen]

Here is a look at the Backup Lights installed into the brackets Vic machined, the wide part of the original bracket profile will be hidden by the bed.
Vic did a great job and I think the results were worth the trouble.

[Low Elco]

Vic got mad skillz. Brackets came out great! I tend to make a helluva mess, then clean wall to wall. Then helluva mess. Repeat cycle. I'll just be glad when the tempa get into just the 60's! It's March, fer chrissakes! Xeen, are you still out in the open? Just cleaning stuff and stackin' in the house? You get the props from me!

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Vic got mad skillz. Brackets came out great! I tend to make a helluva mess, then clean wall to wall. Then helluva mess. Repeat cycle. I'll just be glad when the tempa get into just the 60's! It's March, fer chrissakes! Xeen, are you still out in the open? Just cleaning stuff and stackin' in the house? You get the props from me!

Yeah the project is still outside in the elements, I've hoarded a ton of parts and they are waiting for the nice weather to be installed and I'm itching to get it done.
Speaking of weather according to the 10 day forecast Sunday is the last cold day we are supposed to have then the temperatures are going to jump.
I'm going to need some nice days soon because Vic tells me I've got alot of work to do on that bed and I need to get on it because Vic moves pretty fast and he will need it out of his shop in a timely manner.
I better find a drivetrain soon.

[Low Elco]

Just be patient, Vic'll be staring at that engine long enough. You know he's thinking LS for a driver. Soon a perfectly serviceable powertrain will become available on the market. Just wait, it's comin', you know it!
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[Xeen]

It's finally here!
Last night I found a 2003 Chevrolet Vortec 5.3L and 4l60e with 28,300 legitimate miles on it and get this it was on craigslist of all places.
This morning I called the guy first thing and he said I could come look at it at 4pm so I headed over there and we struck the deal.
It came with the ECU and TCU.
I couldn't be more pleased it is the best possible scenario, I mean how often do you find a 10 year old engine and transmission with 28k legitimate miles
Here are some pics.

[Low Elco]

Woo woo! Topeka or KC? Congrats!
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[Xeen]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Woo woo! Topeka or KC? Congrats!
Posted via Mobile Device

I found it right here in Topeka and the guy even delivered it.

[Vic1947]

Originally Posted by Xeen

I found it right here in Topeka and the guy even delivered it.

Prepare to throw the switch, Dr. Frankenstein!

[Xeen]

Igor the storm is here, the lightning, the magnificent spark of life, it will be my greatest accomplishment, my masterpiece!

[Bomp]

Wha ha ha ha ha, Let the operating begin. Scalpel pleeease.

[Xeen]

This week I will be ordering Engine Perches and Mounts from CPP, I'm a little irritated though because the CPP website is seriously messed up and every other link is broken, so I have to actually call them to order what I need.
I will also be ordering a new GM starter and right hand valve cover because both were damaged when the engine was originally pulled from Silverado it was born in.
I also need to find out what I need to fix or replace the fuel lines because they were cut instead of unbolted.
I think thats the extent of the issues with the engine, I will know more when I get into it.

[Xeen]

Hey all;
I ordered the engine perches, engine mounts, transmission crossmember, and transmission mount from CPP today.
I also got some longer Helicoils so I can fix the threads in my steering column and finish buttoning it up.
It turns out I didn't need to replace the starter I just needed to get the solenoid replaced.

[Xeen]

Today I installed the CPP Deluxe Bent Trac Bar kit, it was a really simple and straight forward installation with no problems.
I'm headed to Vic's Friday to do a little investigating on the stepside bed, the plan is to strip all the common trouble areas down to bare metal to see if it is worth saving, because if it is beyond reasonable repair Vic is going to scrap it, so I will let you guys know how it turns out.

[twillie2460]

That's really a nice motor to only have 28k on it.That is just barley good break in miles.

[Xeen]

Unfortunately the bed is too far gone to save so it's going to scrap, but Vic is going to let me keep the steps and the support braces because surprisingly they are still good when nothing else on the bed is.
Vic machined a couple of bolts for me so I could complete my GM Tilt Steering Column restoration, I will post up some pictures once I get it installed into the truck.
Vic let me try out his new MIG welder, it's really noob friendly to use.
I learned how to use a stud welding gun and a slide hammer to pull dents and the proper methodology for doing so on Vics new to him long bed that hes going to section into a short bed which is in outstanding condition.
All in all it was a good day and we got some stuff done.

[Vic1947]

Just to show what Brian is talking about on the bed, here are some shots of the "good" fender after partial stripping. Also one of the other side showing the "bondo volcano" surrounding the "frenched" tail light. I guess it's somehow fitting that "Bon Dieu" is French for "Good God!"

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by Vic1947

I guess it's somehow fitting that "Bon Dieu" is French for "Good God!"

Very clever haha.

[Xeen]

I bought 50 SqFt of FatMat Rattletrap thermo-coustic barrier today off of ebay at a good price too $109 shipped.
That should quiet the old girl down some, not to mention keep the heat out.

[Bomp]

Can't get over how thick that bondo is. Must be 40-50 pounds.
Keep up the good work. It will be one sharp truck when your done.

[Xeen]

The engine mounting hardware came in from CPP, it's real nice stuff.
As soon as I get some nice weather i'm going to instal the engine and transmission.

Engine perches.


Engine mounts.


3" forward adapter plates.

[~Whitey~]

Looks like some pretty nice stuff from CPP. I think winter is trying to start over again for us... hopefully you get some warm weather soon. I need some too.

all that bondo is crazy

[Xeen]

Originally Posted by ~Whitey~

Looks like some pretty nice stuff from CPP. I think winter is trying to start over again for us... hopefully you get some warm weather soon. I need some too.

According to the forecast on March 27th the weather changes for the better
57 then every day after that 60+ so soon I will get lots done.

[67cheby]

WOW, that is some top quality bodywork on the rear fender !