Formally Thelonerifes, now my, 72 stepper...

[Southern C10]

Well after selling off my SWB project I got enough to buy Chucks SWB 72 stepper. Here is his build thread up until I bought it a few weeks ago.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285347

Chuck did a ton of work to this truck leaving me with just a few things to do to make it just like the one I was building.

First I primed some decent 69-72 Chevy fenders to put on so Chuck could keep his 68 front clip for another project. Then I primed my hood and painted my rad hold downs after blasting them.

[Southern C10]

After I primed everything I went to Chucks to get it all put on. I went to Southern KY Classics in Bowling Green KY to pick up some parts. I got a new A/C battery tray, 71-72 front bumper, complete front end bolt kit, radiator wire loom, radiator bushings, grille bolt kit, headlight hardware kit, and a few other odds and ends.

I dropped all the new stuff along with a core support, hood hinges, fender to core braces (all of which I had blasted and powder coated) off to Chuck. He got the itch and started putting everything on before I could make it back over.

We stayed up until 11 Tuesday night putting everything together. I was so happy to finally be getting a driving truck I forgot to take any pics but heres some of the way she sits right now.

[Southern C10]

I had scored a sweet deal from 70cst on some 8" truck rallys with almost new 275/60R15 BF Goodrich Radial TA's and was going to use those until I scored another sweet buy from a board member in Atlanta. I got a set of American Racing Torque Thrust II D's with two almost new 235/70R15 BF Goodrich Radial TA's. Two wheels were 9.5" and two were 8".

I put two of the tires from 70cst on the 9.5" wheels and put them on the rear with the two 8" wheels and 235/70's up front.

The other thing I did was have the exhaust replaced. The mufflers that were on it were about shot so after watching TxFirefighters video of his shop truck with the Brockman steel packs I ordered a set along with some 2" pencil tips. They sound awesome!! Thanks Kevin for the advice!!!

Below is the before and afters......

[72 Super]

Glad you finally got a truck, I know you had been looking for a while. Chuck did alot of work to that truck(was surprized to see he sold it) shouldn't take a whole lot to make it a very nice truck

Goodluck on it and the Torque Thrusts look great on there!

Ray

[Southern C10]

We ran into a small issue with the right front turn signal so CHuck and I ran it down to a bad connection in the socket. We did go ahead and change out the cam in the steering column but before I headed to Chucks to do that I slipped on the chrome vent visors.

As of now heres a list of whats left to do:

1. Put grille on. I got a nice one from HartRob someones picking up for me.
2. Remove step bed and assemble, prime, and put on my fleet bed. I like the fleet better.
3. Fix right front turn signal. It has a bad connection causeing the turn signal not to work right.
4. Pull engine and tranny and drop in the 383 and TH 350 a buddy built for me.

After that I will be about ready just to motor around for awhile and enjoy riding in style.

Once I get back to North Carolina this fall a buddy and I will start tearing her down and painting on the Hugger Orange and the Cream top. Then I will have to start replacing the interior from the Blue Highlander to a black and orange one.

Its been a long road and a lot of mistakes but it has been worth it. Thanks to all who have helped and continue to offer your knowladge and hard work.

STAY TUNED.................

[Southern C10]

Originally Posted by 72 Super

Glad you finally got a truck, I know you had been looking for a while. Chuck did alot of work to that truck(was surprized to see he sold it) shouldn't take a whole lot to make it a very nice truck

Goodluck on it and the Torque Thrusts look great on there!

Ray

Thanks Ray. Chuck did a lot to the truck. Hes a smart guy with these things and sure has taught me alot.

[VA72C10]

Cool, glad someone on here picked it up so we can see it finished!!!

[jojo]

cool man.

it looks like it ended up in good hands.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Congrats on the new ride very cool...

[big_al_71]

Congrats, I like the wheels and the stance on it....

[DPowers]

Congrats on the truck- Chuck is a good guy

[Hart_Rod]

Congrats on the truck. I bet you can't wait to see it with the grill on it, . Hopefully Jason will make his way down here in the next week or so. If there's anything else you need, leg me know. Take care.

R/

[thelonerife]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

Cool, glad someone on here picked it up so we can see it finished!!!

i want to see what Brian has in store for this too. This is how it looked when I got it-- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...p?product=1867

[72BlckButy]

Well it's about time.... glad to see you got it home and got it posted up.

Here's to a great project!

[Southern C10]

Its good to finally get back to work on my ride. I had to take a few months off to get the house ready for our daughter to be born. She was born July 24th and what a awesome change it has been. The wife has finally given me the OK to spend some time in the shop. SO............

First thing I had to do was sell my NOS tailgate to pay for the rest of the build.

That will get enough money to get the 383 and 350 tranny put in and the bed primed and undercoated.

[VA72C10]

glad you're back at it!!!

[usmcchevy]

look'in good. Congrats on the daughter!

[Southern C10]

Thanks guys. I took a chance on the undercoating and went with the Rustoleum brand stuff from Lowes. I like it and it seemed to go on pretty easy. For the primer I just stuck with the same Rustoleum Dark Grey Auto Primer Chuck used on the cab. For some reason I didnt take pictures of the tailgate but I got it blasted and primed also.

[Southern C10]

Awhile back I took a welding course at the community collage and the instructor let me bring in some parts to weld up. One thing we did was delete the stake pockets and weld a few spots up on the floor and tailgate. I got the drivers side mounted and the bed pads put on. The pads are a little thicker than I tought they would be but I can always take them out if it messes up the final bed height later.

[72BlckButy]

Glad to see you back working on the project, but most of all congrats on the addition of your daughter.

[Southern C10]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

Glad to see you back working on the project, but most of all congrats on the addition of your daughter.

Thanks Nate.

The other thing I was able to get fixed was the right front marker light. It had a bad connection in the plug so I replaced it with a socket from Advance Auto.

I also got the Edelbrock 1411 carb in I bought off ebay. It was perfect except the electric choke was broken. No worries as I called the guy and he UPS'd me another one the very same day.

[Southern C10]

Today we got the old motor ready to pull.

[Southern C10]

After pulling the old motor and tranny we cleaned up the engine bay and got the new 383 and 350 tranny pre oiled and set up with some old parts from the previous motor. Thats my brother and my buddy Chris getting side tracked on what they want to do with my brothers truck. Focus men. One truck at a time!!!

[Southern C10]

Well after all that we ended the day with the new power plant resting nicely in her bed. Tomorrow we should get it running before dark. Meanwhile here's a parting shot of my 2005 Triumph Bonniville............

[Southern C10]

Well it has been a little while since I updated this so heres the latest. The Army saw fit to transfer me back to North Carolina for three years so the wife, new baby and I are working on getting settled into our new place. GOOD NEWS IS MY NEW GARAGE IS BIGGER THAN MY OLD ONE!!!!

It is getting cold here and we had to use the garage to put all the household stuff into until we got the house set up so, I have the truck and bike in storage until after Christmas when I can clear the garage and go get my ride. I am looking forward to getting her finished up and driving down to the beach this summer.

Pics will be up as soon as she is home!!

Chuck, Sorry I didnt make it by to see you before I left. Ill drop in next time i'm in town.