71 C10 rebuild 2.0

[RyanB]

I bought my 71 in Wyoming about 1997, it had been sitting for a while but only had ~60k on it. Factory air, 402, leaf springs, and buckets. I started pulling off a few parts to clean them, pretty soon everything in front of the firewall was rebuilt, repainted or replaced except the sheet metal. Bored the big block, put in Edelbrock cam, intake, and carb. Replaced a bunch of suspension parts but left it stock height. Redid all the interior at that time. I was almost done when I got divorced, had to hurry up and get it back together, then it became a daily driver for a while. After that it sat outside neglected for about 10 years. Two years ago I pulled it in my shop and started tearing it apart. That lasted about a month, I got sidetracked with a few other projects, and it got buried. Over the holidays I cleaned the shop and started on it again.

These pics are about a year after the first build, not long after someone ran into it.

[supercheyenne]

Nice ride. Highly optioned!

Saddle interiors are my favorite.

[RyanB]

My plan (at the moment) is 4/6 drop, I have ordered 20" Ridler 695's. I mocked up an axle flip, but now considering changing to either the CPP tubular rear or the Ridetech rear link system.

[RyanB]

Here's what happens when a wheel folds on cheap c-list engine stand.

[RyanB]

Picked up the wheels / tires last week.


I've been looking at a bunch of options for the rear suspension, wanting to convert from the leaf springs. Leaning towards No Limit or CPP.

[Renniks1]

I got rid of the leaf springs on my 68 GMC, with CPP. In the process of getting it put back together now.

[RyanB]

Got a few other projects out of the way and made it back to work on the truck.



Have the frame all stripped, ready to clean the grease and rust off. I have decided to go the short bed route, so I will be cutting the frame this week.

Did a lot of thinking and reading trying to decide what to do to replace the leaf springs. Finally decided to go with No Limit's Four Link / coilover setup. Ordered it Wednesday, it shipped Thursday and supposed to be here Tuesday.

Haven't decided yet on the front. POL has a decent looking "kit" that has everything but drop spindles for a pretty good price.

[rustytruck50]

Subscribed! Nice truck!

[RyanB]

Last weekend I finished taking the suspensions off the frame.

[RyanB]

Few more parts showed up this week.



Four link Fatbar from No Limit and there awesome C-notch kit.

[RyanB]

I decided to go the "easy" route and shelled out a few bucks for Brothers short bed conversion kit. It was back ordered for a couple of days, but showed up quicker than I expected.




Kit bolts on pretty clean. My frame only had one of the two holes they said would be there, but it looks good. I put a c-clamp on to help secure it while i made the cuts.

[RyanB]

Well, about 48 hours after I cut my frame, an original '72 short frame with other goodies on it came up on C-List. I worked out a deal now I am not sure what I am going to do. It has a newer front end under it, I will probably use it but not sure how low it is. It also has a Ford 9" under the rear, but it's not a posi. It also some Strange single adjustable coilovers on the back.

[RyanB]

I pulled the front end apart on the "new" setup so I can clean things up and paint over the blue. It has new DJM drop spindles on the front with a new set of stock springs. I elected to go with the MasterSeries MasterCoat for the frame and such.

I was in KC last week and picked up the new short bed sides and front panel, may try to assemble it this weekend.

[RyanB]

Lots of interruptions this month, did get time to put the new bed together last weekend.



Had some problems with the rear sill. The sill is deeper than the pocket in the bedsides. There are also no holes in the front side of the bed pocket to bolt into the rear sill. I cut the pocket to accommodate the sill.



I assembled the bed so I can mount it on the frame then determine the center of the wheel well in respect to the frame. This will give me the axle CL that I need in order to start building the 4-link.

[RyanB]

Set the frame down on the axle to see how it looks.


I haven't put in the C-notch yet. This height is the frame sitting on a 2x4 on the axle.

[knomadd]

Looks pretty good! I'll follow along.

[Jason7121]

Great work so far

[RyanB]

Well, the four link install has been a time consuming challenge. The instructions show the front mount as an angle iron type that slides up under the bottom of the frame. The actual mount for this application mounts flat on the side of the frame. They do include measurements from back of a typical short frame to each of the bolt holes, but no guidance on placement vertically. Because I shortened this frame, I calculated everything off the CL of the rear axle.



I made my best guess on one side, then leveled over to set the other.

[RyanB]

This frame also has a reinforcement rib right where the bracket needs to mount. I ground it down and will reinforce on the inside.



Also cut off all the brackets off the rear axle.



Here is the rear end in place, now I have to get everything in place to determine the pinion angle before welding the brackets in place.

[RyanB]

Never ceases to amaze me how many things get backed up. Trying to get the rear end in place, took the driveshaft in to get shortened. Went to set the engine / tranny in place to mock things up and realized I better get new motor and tranny mounts. Driveshaft should be done today, waiting on the motor mounts.

[RyanB]

Well...just took a major change in direction. I have been fighting the "LS urge" but low and behold, Craigslist sucked me in. Came across a 6.0L build i couldn't resist. Here are the details:

LQ4 from ’05 Silverado
Block honed / cam bearings
New rings, rod bolts, head studs
LS9 head gaskets, LS7 lifters & timing set, Trick Flow “Stage 1” cam, Melling oil pump
“317” cylinder heads ported by local engine machine shop
PAC valve springs, Comp Cams hardened push rods & roller trunion rocker upgrade
Innovators West damper, new water & ps pumps, LS2 Corvette intake
DBW throttle body, TAC box, harness, computer

I have casually watched the LS builds here, now have been reading in much more detail. Now time to start selling some things and looking for a few others!

[71' Custom]

sub'd

[RyanB]

Picked up the new powerplant the other day. Got it and a big box of goodies to go with it. Looks like a fun puzzle.




Made it out to weld up the c-notch tonight, will upload those pics tomorrow.

[88Stanger]

nice build

[RyanB]

I didn't like the way the c-notch lined up with the frame.


So I warmed it up and helped it.