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#1 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
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Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
All,
well I am going to try this on my current build. I ALMOST tried to do a thread when I was building my 1972 swb truck, but it never even got this far, So here it goes. I guess this started about 6 mo. ago when the daughter was reaching the age of driving. I started looking into getting a newer truck for me and the daughter would (will/did) take over the car. Well if any of you have looked at the prices for trucks now… well you already know… LOL. So… I decided that I could build a body style truck that I have always liked for half of what a newer truck would cost!... so… here is my goal: I have purchased a 1986 SWB 2wd Chevy truck (I had a ’79 Silverado in H.S.) I am planning to do a LS conversion and try to “modernize” it some as well. My plan is to keep it simple no heavy engine mods and end goal is to make it my daily driver that also looks nice and will be reliable. This is my plan: 1. 2013/newer 5.3 (4.8) engine and a 4L60E transmission. (6l80 if fits w/o mods)?? 2. Dirty dingo or tajas steelworks motor mounts?? (leaning towards DD –here local) 3. Vintage air “sure fit” A.C. system (already purchased thru MCB parts) 4. Radiator thought is a BBC (1978 454 rad.) with correct upper pads?? (late model radi.)?? 5. Running the elect. Fans from year of motor or flex a lite?? 6. Doing the jeep steering shaft mod?? Supposedly tighter steering? 7. Later model front bucket seats and center console (Denali/Tahoe)?? Will check measurements and style/overall look of them. 8. Replace front end with 1987 stock version 9. Lowering kit 3.5 front & 4 in rear kit suggestions?? 10. In general the body will be stock (maybe shave door gutters)?? 11. Stock exhaust setup based from engine year and/ or truck year (whatever AZ ADEQ requires)? Overall I will try to do a general overhaul/update based off of the work and techniques that has been shared by “N2TRUX” builds. Things that I am not yet real sure on are: 1. Driveshaft – custom??? 2. The OBDII connector? Does that typically come with engine wiring? Will I need to “install”separately?? 3. AND NUMOURIOUS ITEMS THAT I HAVE NOT THOUGHT OF OR KNOW ABOUT YET!!!! Pictures are of the day it arrived to its new home and then a few pictures of how it sits a week after purchase. I will try to update often (pictures of course). I will always accept thoughts questions and concerns from the valuable and knowledgeable friends on this site. |
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#2 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
here are a few recent pictures after a day or so of some elbow grease
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 30
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Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Quite the build plan ahead of you there. Its nice to see more local guys popping up with squares, I'll be sure to follow this one.
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#4 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Sean,
Thanks!! ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#5 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Ok guys,
Well it has been a few days now so I figure I should post up some more progress pictures. I have the front end (body parts) dis-assembled. I have filled in a damaged area on the upper portion of the firewall. My welding skills are definitely in need of improvement ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Rodstored-72 |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: CA
Posts: 846
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Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
You are off to great start.
For the Vintage Air (I just put one in my truck), they will give you a plate to cover that hole. If you planning on doing metal work inside that engine compartment, you might want to have Vintage send you a plate so you can weld it in.
__________________
"Dixie" - 1988 Chevrolet V30 CC DRW "3+3" | 7.4L 454 (L19) | TH400 | 4" lift | 35"s "Lucille" - 1949 Chevrolet 3100 (on hold) |
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#7 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
focus,
THANKS!! and thanks for the tip ![]() |
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#8 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Hello all,
I feel I got a few things accomplished this weekend. The passenger side of the firewall is almost ready for body filler, I will just work the welded areas. I have also started the prep work on the radiator support. I have sanded and scuffed it complete and should primer it during the week. I proceeded to clean and scuff the motor mounts. I then wiped them down and put a few good coats of por-15 chassis black on them. I used por-15 on my ’72 and really liked the results I forgot to post it last weekend, but I dis-assembled the dash area to get it ready for the vintage air sure fit kit. I will also investigate the wiring to make sure it is in good shape (should be- everything worked in the truck, just slow) I will also try to clean up the wiring, I will do this by reading past builds by “N2TRUX” to see how he did it as well as some other builds on here ![]() More to come!! ![]() |
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#9 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
So! here is the more... I fimally found what I think I was looking for related to the engine. this is what I decided on:
2013 4.8 LS motor and transmission. it is a "drop out" package so it includes everything from the front acc. to the transmission also all the harnesses and emission stuff. ![]() I know it is not the 5.3, but I am looking for this to be a daily driver & to be honest I was not finding this same package with a 5.3 AND it only has 57,466 miles on it. all others I saw were not as complete and had many more miles on them. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California
Posts: 521
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Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
The 4.8 will feel so much better than what was in it, you won’t care about the 5.3.
__________________
‘53 GMC COE stock ‘53 Chevy 3100 LSA/TR6060 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=805949‘ '70 Chevy C10 LWB 350/sm465 ‘74 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3/4L80e, Vintage Air, Dakota Digital, US Mags |
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#11 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
layinrocker65,
thanks!! ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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#12 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Well….
I finally sat down to give an update. The firewall is sanded; passenger side is ready for body filler. I have sanded and primed the radiator support; the different color is due to left over primer. I will scuff it and give one more light primer coat to prepare for paint. The motor mount bolts have a few good coats of por-15 chassis black on them. I pulled some of the cab wiring to take a lesson from ken (N2TRUX ![]() ![]() ![]() Thanks for looking and as always I welcome comments and questions ![]() |
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#13 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
I got "the call"... the motor has finally made it's trek from east to west
![]() ![]() ![]() also on the cooling side of things My thought is to use a rockauto (or local) H.D. (2 core) radiator with electric fans.... thoughts?? ![]() |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 2,871
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Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Those tanks would work and the walbro pumps would be good too. You would need to figure out how you want to wire them since you wont need both on at the same time. Here is a good thread on how to set up the tank: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=651699
__________________
David Used parts build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=638991 My brother's Nova: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=727985 Rear suspension rework: http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=750557 Instagram: myfabguy |
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#15 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
tiny,
Thank you for the link! very helpful ![]() ![]() |
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#16 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Update: I have cleaned, scuffed, and FINALY painted the frame from the transmission crossmember (which I have removed) area to the front of the truck. MAN!! That is A LOT of tedious work!! I kept thinking to myself that this is what “n2trux” would do and has done in the past…. So I kept at it. I am glad I did, I think it looks very nice. I used the por-15 chassis black paint and it seems to have sprayed easy and layed down nicely
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#17 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
as mentioned, I removed the trans. crossmember. I am checking to see if it will work on the 2013 4L60 transmission from the donor. so far it looks like it will, it bolts up to the 2013 trans mount and seems to "sit" nice on it. Once I am ready to start with the install mode then I will see how it "aligns" with the existing holes. I have also purchased the dirty dingo motor mounts since they are local, I figured I would try them. The staff there were VERY helpful and answered my many questions. I will try to install the painted '86 motor purches and mounts this week. all for now.
Thanks for following along.... ![]() |
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#18 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
This weekend I was also able to work on the passenger side firewall area. I finished the bondo and glazing needed to cover up my horrible welding.
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#19 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Hello all….I finally have been able to sit down and do an update for you guys – I know you all have been waiting on pins and needles
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#20 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
so another update, I am a little outta order, but it will be alright
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#21 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Another step was getting the motor mounts installed. I proceeded to clean them and then scuffed them for the following layer or two of por-15 chassis paint. This is a picture of the results.
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PNW
Posts: 3,587
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Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
Your work on the frame paid off. Very clean!
Last edited by LT7A; 12-14-2019 at 02:14 PM. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,966
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Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
x2. Looking good.
Only thing I would suggest for future work is to Epoxy the weld areas before you start adding filler. The Epoxy helps seal things up better for rust protection. Most auto paint supply stores will carry a 2-part 'real' epoxy in a rattle can for those not using/mixing/spraying w/a gun.
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
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#24 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
thanks!!! it is a time consuming effort, but like ken and other high end builders say.... "the juice is worth the squeeze"...
![]() scotty, I will keep that end mind... I am not a "body guy" & evidently neither are the people I reviewed the to do work before hand. Hopefully it will be ok? ![]() i have a big update still to post... hopefully in the next day or so... ![]() |
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#25 |
chevy truck fan
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Gilbert, arizona 85298
Posts: 1,989
|
Re: Rodstored-72's 1986 DD build
So… I decided to do the jeep steering shaft “modification”. I purchased a new shaft from summit (black Friday purchase). After reading the thread on here & asking a few questions, I decided on a game plan. I started by “trying” to melt the plastic/rubber sleeving inside. I thought I got it after about 6 min. of heating and a goo of rubber came bubbling out. So.. I decided enough heat and proceeded to “try” to separate the 2 shafts. Well this is where the fun started; I could not move either one. I gave heat another try but again neither would budge… aarrgg. After about an hour of using a pry bar and hammer I FINALLY separated the 2 shafts. The inside shaft evidently has a “nub” at the end that for some reason was a really tight fit. After resting, I cleaned up the ends of each shaft to fix my separation anxiety mark
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