1971 GMC lwb to 1968 chev swb project

[TchncnDen]

Originally Posted by chevy88

Attachment 1040097This is a picture of second coat all sanded down but and lower panel needs still needs more sanding. So if so do I still need third coat of bondo on any low spots or should I start using putty for rest, as far as I have read putty is just for scratches and air pockets?

When you get that close what you need to do is cover the entire area again with bondo top to bottom, front to back, then you can block it down so it is perfect. I know this may not seem necessary, but if you fill the small low spot while you are sanding it you are also sanding around it, all you do is move your low spots around. Always finish with a skim coat over everything. It is ok to use polyester putty with hardener for this, but if you're talking about the acrylic putty that comes in a tube like toothpaste just throw it away and forget you ever bought it.

[chevy88]

Hey thanks for the advice, what you said makes sense, I will cover it all over again with bondo and block sand. This body work is a whole new ball game for me, and again thanks for steering me into the right direction.
Posted via Mobile Device

[smoknbarrels]

Just went through the build, lotta work you put into your truck! Are you planning on changing the stance of it at all?
What colour are you going with? Black?
Awesome work happening here.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

Originally Posted by smoknbarrels

Just went through the build, lotta work you put into your truck! Are you planning on changing the stance of it at all?
What colour are you going with? Black?
Awesome work happening here.
Posted via Mobile Device

Hey thanks, plan is to paint it black first, then lower it 4/5, and then rebuild motor, the body work is just holding me up right now, trying by myself and going 1 step forward 2 back. I might try our local tech school to get a green auto body graduate to do it, I'm in the same situation as you I don't want to pay 7000 to paint it, I'll pay 3000 so I guess I have to wait for now.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

Well I found a 6.2 diesel motor with 50,000 miles for $750 dollars, I couldn't pass up the deal and went ahead and installed in my truck. It's 165 hp and was installed more for mpg than performance. I will download pictures later when I get time.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

Here is some pictures of the motor installed. The th 350 trans shifts nice, 17 mph into 2nd, and 34 mph into 3rd. I'm definitely getting a 1.25 inch stabilizer bar for the front now to help with the steering.

Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

[chevy88]

I got glow plugs hooked uo today with my own wiring harness and hooked up push button control in cab to activate glow plugs. Also built my own dual exhaust. I will post some pictures tomorrow as it got too late tonight. I have been driving it quite a bit lately as its really cool to drive with the sound of the diesel and the torque of the motor taking off. I hope to get around 24 mpg canadian with it but haven't had time to do actual test as my odometer needs to be fixed yet.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mcbassin]

Looks like a nice clean install of the deisel. MPG should make it worth it, plus it sounds like you got a real good price too.

[chevy88]

Thanks Mike, final autobody is getting done now and hope to have it painted by mid June. Hopefully you'll have yours on the street soon too.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

I was posting pictures of my painted truck but iPhone keeps putting them sideways so I deleted them for now and will put them on with my iPad and see of that helps.

[VA72C10]

Looks good! Just gotta lean a bit
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

Hopefully this is right now, lol. I just got back from a 8 hour trip and the 6.2 diesel got 26 mpg at 55 mph with no wind, I was driving at night, going to be my daily driver now for sure.


Posted via Mobile Device

[Slammed66]

Time to polish then slots, and clean those tires. That looks great!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Looks good! Just gotta lean a bit
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks

Originally Posted by Slammed66

Time to polish then slots, and clean those tires. That looks great!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks, ya the slots definitely need polishing, I'm glad all the body/paint is finally done, there is always little stuff to keep busy enough with.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by chevy88

This is my first build thread on 67-72, I've hung out mostly on the 1988-98 side. So here goes, I hope this build is complete by spring. If this GMC cab wasn't in decent shape, I would of looked for a chev and swb, but both are rare up here. It needs new passenger fender, and core rad support/grill as both are beat up real bad/rust so why not go with what I like. I'm still looking for a used core rad support for a 1967-68 and fenders to start with so until then build will be slow. I will try and get some interior shots later today. I only paid $800 for truck, and mechanically it is pretty decent. The nice thing about a 1971 is at least I don't need power steering and a front disc brake conversion.

you almost made the spring complete date after all you never said what year how was it to install the 6.2 i am looking to start mine (6.2 in a 63 C20) great job on yours

[chevy88]

Lol, ya they are never complete, I still have more to do, but at least now it's a daily driver till winter. The 6.2 was easy to install with th 350 trans just needed a th400 torque converter to bolt up, big block frame rails will bolt right up to chev small block motor mounts on 6.2. So on your truck if big block was offered it should work but small block frame rails will work if you notch and gusset below to clear exhaust manifolds. Try Internet search for that year and 6.2 and hopefully somebody else has done it to really know what problems arose. Anything is possible, good luck.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Heavy Evy]

Just read the whole thread man nice work!! I love that diesel swap. I been debating on putting one in my c20

[chevy88]

Originally Posted by Heavy Evy

Just read the whole thread man nice work!! I love that diesel swap. I been debating on putting one in my c20

Thanks, it's a blast to drive and it gets good gas mileage also. If you have any questions about the swap just PM me.
Posted via Mobile Device

[chevy88]

I haven't posted on my truck for awhile so here are a few updates, Painted up all gauge needles, installed a different working odometer/speedo, and new dash bezel.

[chevy88]

Here is how I hooked up glow plugs, main heavy wire on left side of solenoid goes to battery, right side of solenoid heavy wire is solder to 8 smaller wires that go to each glow plug, then the two red wires go to push button in cab to energize solenoid and put power to glow plugs, I count to 30 seconds and start when glow plugs are red hot and it fires right up.

[Palf70Step]

Have loved following this build. Thought it was so kool went you swapped over to the diesel.

[mcbassin]

Anything new on your truck?

[chevy88]

New 4 core aluminum rad to keep up to the diesel heat it wants to put out and just ordered 4 new cooper owl tires, You close to diving yours? I'll have to go check out your build again, as it was still in progress last time I checks it out.