71 4X4 Frame off Restoration

[DWilbur]

It's a good thing I decided to pay a shop to work on my truck. I'm stuck working this week end and next week end. I will post some pictures middle of next week.

[DWilbur]

I stopped by Sky's shop and took some pictures of the work on the cab. it's looking real good. He was fitting and welding the back of floor pan. The pictures are of the back of the cab. Floor pictures next week.

[DWilbur]

I ordered some parts as it was my birthday couple week ago. remote door locks, power window kit for 4 windows,

[DUTCHMAN]

Originally Posted by DWilbur

I ordered some parts as it was my birthday couple week ago.

There's always a good excuse to order some parts for your truck

Love your build

[DWilbur]

I ordered block huger headers and exhaust system from summit today. got my finger crossed the headers fit.

[DWilbur]

The short bed floor I ordered was delivered Tuesday. Sky started on the bed this morning and I dropped off some bed parts to the sand blaster. I found a 1970 grill on CL this morning and picked it up today. Not able to find a newer NP205 to fit my NV4500. I ordered an Atlas 4speed T-case. The Atlas was about $450 more than 205 with adapter.

[Dieselwrencher]

Nice progress and cool stash of parts you're aquiring for it. By the way, Happy Late Birthday!

[swamp rat]

Did somebody say BIRTHDAY!

[cmabolt]

Looking good! Happy Birthday. Can't think of a better present then headers that fit! Woohoo...

[rgunlock]

Cool and ambitious build! Nice work restoring the cab, and looks like your friend Sky is doing a good job finishing it up. I'll be watching your progress.

[DWilbur]

With Sky working on the cab and bed 3 days a week I have more time to look 3 to 4 week out and buy parts to keep things going. I'm going to check out a donor suburban tonight something I should have done a year ago it would have saved me a lot of time and money. I can use the seats, wiring harness, steering column, power window and door lock controls, gas door to start with. part out the rest.

[DWilbur]

Doug's block hugger headers I bought don't fit ether side. I'm looking into building a set of headers at this point. I dropped off my NV4500 to get rebuilt today.

[cmabolt]

In your last post you said Doug's headers?? Did you get the Doug's 309-C or the Headman LS Block hugger headers?? If the later, I am really surprised they didn't fit and now feel like an ass for leading you in that direction. it must be the difference in the Pacific Fab motor mount/crossover I used as compared to the dirty dingo route you used. I almost went the weld'r up header route, but decided to use stock headers instead. After all the time and money I spent on finding a header, I thought buying a kit, having a set welded up, then coated would be outrageous $$$. Good luck getting it figured out. Sometimes these swaps can be exhausting, but in the end hopefully worth it.

Chris

[DWilbur]

Hay Chris
Don't feel bad I knew my motor mount positions my engine about 1" lower than your set up. you have the best info I could find at the time and I had to try something. Dirty Dingo does not have a header to suggest using either. I saved the box the block headers came in I will return them and try again. The DT 324's are a closer fit than Doug's block headers.

[cmabolt]

If you haven't tried the headman block hugger LS then I would give them a try. They fit mine without any modes. I just decided to clearance my frame and use the Doug Thorley 309C headers instead. They seemed a lot beefier then the headman, but did not fit without mods.

Chris

[DWilbur]

The Headman block hugger have smaller primary tube. I was trying to use 1-3/4" or 1-7/8" primary do to the mods I have done to my engine so it can breath better.

[DWilbur]

Ok I ordered the Headman 68520 block hugger headers to try. should get them early next week.

[DWilbur]

Summit delivered the Headman headers today I just ordered them Friday morning. Good news is they will fit with trimming about 1/4" out of the top rail of the Frame on each side. I will get some pictures up Sunday.

[cmabolt]

Love summit! The have got the mail order thing figured out in every possible way.
Congrats on the headman headers. At least you have one viable option now.

[DWilbur]

I stopped by Sky shop Friday afternoon to check out the progress and all is moving along very well. the bed is back together and some body work started. some of the dent were about 1" deep with bondo. Sky ground out the bondo and pulled the dents. The new bed floor looks great. the bed is 1967 SB I had Sky cut in the side marker light i cut out of the suburban before I scrapped what was left. The cab welding is almost done. just some old holes in the firewall to fill in then the body work starts in about 1 week. I picked up my rebuilt NV4500 transmission Tuesday. just waiting for the Atlas 4 transfer case.

[ole dollor]

man that's a lot of work, and looking good. will love to see it when its done.

[DWilbur]

Yes it is a lot of work. Even with 2 of us working on it now. It is looking like we should be see paint by the end of the year. I have my finger crossed.

[cmabolt]

Lookin good! Keep cranking away. Next thing ya know you'll be painting her.
Chris

[DWilbur]

I finished stripping the frame down to just the leaf spring, axles, and steering box today. The body should be ready to fit on the frame in 2 weeks. I drilled and bolted the motor mount in place. I was able raise the motor mount up about 3/8" and this should help with headers. I also noticed that the rubber motor mounts can be turned around and pick up about another 1/2" in height. I tried to pry the rubber part of the mount up and it did not budge. so with some luck I will be able to raise the motor up about 7/8" then the DH headers might fit. I still have the headman header that do fit.

[swamp rat]

Nice progress, i agree thats a lot of work!