"Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

EDITED checklist below with changes and parts purchased


Finally!! Joined this forum a few months ago in anticipation of building one of these fine trucks. Well, I can officially start this thread and hopefully continue to learn a lot from you all along the way. Really thankful I found this forum as it has a ton of useful info and I've received a lot of guidance from forum members here.

Now, on to the truck...

Oh, really quickly, the name. I chose Chalky White for obvious color reasons but also because I'm huge fan of Boardwalk Empire on HBO. If you watch the show, you'll know exactly who that character is. One of my favorite characters on the show!

NOW, on to the truck!

It's a 1971 base model c10 stepper with SPID and title still intact. I set out to find a "patina" type truck with mostly original paint and sheet metal on an extremely modest budget (and when I say modest I mean as inexpensive as possible!!!)

Wanted a '71 for obvious reasons: 5 lug, front discs, etc.

The good:
- all original paint
- all original sheet metal
- interior mostly intact although will be upgraded
- drivetrain and engine (250 6 cylinder) in good working order (aside from tune-up, been sitting for 2 years)
- has SPID and title
- basically all original aside from the TH350 auto addition (a plus for me...and my wife for that matter)
- appears to be rust free firewall

The bad:
- usual rust in rockers, cab corners, and two quarter size spots above windshield at drip rail
- right rear fender is original but been primered
- bringing fuel system back to life after sitting for 2 years (usual tune up stuff)
- base model so no ac, ps, or pb
- dash has been cut for radio (pet peeve but had to settle there)
- non original grille (restoring back to factory)
- PO painted original door panels black from factory green
- cracked original front glass
- hideous mirrors

My plans
- ECE/CPP/Belltech 3/5 or 4/6 with Bilstein shocks (3" Belltech Spindles & 2" blocks w/ Moog upper/lower ball joints, new wheel bearings/seals, and control arm u-bolts - will add 2" ECE coils all the way around)
- 18 or 20 inch wheels (purchased AR Daytona 20/22 w/ 255/40/20 & 265/40/22 Proxes)
- Headers, exhaust, intake manifold for the 250 (going LS swap)
- CLR/wax treatment on body (complete)
- Rust replacement in future ($$$$$!!!!! I'm not a body man by any means)
- New windshield
- Update interior with new seat cover, dash pad and add carpet
- Replace wood bed floor
- Chrome bumpers and original style grille (replaced with OEM grill and OEM white bumper)
- more low profile mirrors

Once I get it running well, I'm going to try to maintain a goal of it staying driveable as I update and hopefully better the truck. Overall goal is to breathe life back into this truck and drive the mess out of it!

Anyway, enough chat...here's a few pics until I get some better ones.

My son with truck. He's pumped!
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...pstoaihc2a.jpg

PO bringing it to its new home from around the Augusta area
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7fmjz12l.jpg

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Always cool to see the start of a new ride! :metal:

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

I like it and plan to watch your build ,congrats .What part of Marietta do you call home ?

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, flashed. Enjoyed picking your brain a bit a while back (via Pm) I'm over near the square off Whitlock.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, zellway. It'll be a slow process but I'll be steadily working on it.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Cute little truck guy you have there ,he will love this .

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, flashed. He's a good kid and really excited about getting his hands dirty working on the truck. He is already talking about wanting to build a 4 wheel drive 71-72 blazer for his first car. Let's see how many times that changes over the next 10 years!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Welcome to the Board..I see that we are close so if you need a hand lifting or what not.. hit me up..been collecting parts most of the time and I'm glad i don't have anyone telling me to move them out of the dining room..hopefully when it warms up i will be ready to go full swing with the transformation..

True

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, True 67. Trying to get it up and running reliably this week/weekend (about to start going through fuel system) and then move on to the fun stuff! Really appreciate the offer. Don't be surprised if I reach out to you.

I'm always seeking counsel and solid advice!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

When you get ready for body parts I can hook you up with a AMD dealer that will treat you right .

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thank you. Very much appreciated.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

nice truck i too have a 71 wont start on that till i finish my 72 ...maybe in spring..... ill be following and welcome from snowee jeeeersee

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Subscribed - Welcome to the board. Nice start you have there for sure!

You mentioned a CNotch - still use it as a truck, ..etc. You wouldn't need to notch it at a 6" rear drop. Anything over that .. I'd start thinking about it, plus the rear end housing will start to get close to the bed floor anyway. There are a bunch of steppers out there with 4.5/6" drop.

I'm not too far away man, let me know if I can help you out.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, Chad! Absolutely love Chattanooga!

You're one of the many voices on this forum that I've come to trust. I'll be sure to reach out. Thanks for the info on the notch!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

A little inspiration for you :metal:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414742

IMO, .. just sayin .. :D You could do a shrader bag setup, maybe just on the back and still haul, use it as a truck .. just stop at a gas station and hit the bags a little, then let'em out on the way home. That's likely what I'm going to do on my 68.

With the Porterbuilt notch, there are 17 grade 8 bolts in it. Honestly I think it's stronger with the notch in it than it ever would have been from the factory. (Debatable, I know) but there's no harm in notching if you do it correctly.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

I've read through that thread (and drooled) over that truck since i started looking for one again. Man, she's beautiful!

Most of my limitations right now are due to budget (saving to build a house) so that's why I'm thinking static and cast wheels, etc. I'll have to look into the schrader set-up - sounds interesting for sure.

This weekend, I'm working on replacing fuel system, cleaning out tank, etc so she'll run problem free on that front. As you know, it's a process and I'm just going to start checking off my list. :metal:

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

subbininhere for fantastic build!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, Chuck! Excited to learn all I can from you, sir! Really appreciate your time.

Oh, and I'm still drooling over that Blazer! Wow

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Sweet truck, looking forward to following your build and welcome to the board from another Peach State member!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, Number98! Really looking forward to working on it. Glad the rain has finally ceased.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Yea right, heard its coming back this weekend..... it's like Seattle here now :lol:

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Finally got a chance to work on my truck today (been raining nonstop lately). Pulled the seat, floor mat, gas tank (going to radiator shop), and door sills. Going to clean it up a bit and lay some dynamat behind the tank for now until I can get the rockers done. Then I'll sound proof whole floor and add carpet. One good thing I found is that the rust isn't any worse than I thought.

Also got some CLR and went to town on the rear fender. Very pleased with results! This is with only 15 minutes of scrubbing.
http://i1300.photobucket.com/albums/...psgyvv2f7y.jpg

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

If you need a radiator I may have a new one left over from a Chevelle I sold off before thr build got started ,same radiator as in my 72 truck.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, flashed. Haven't made it that far yet but if I do I'll definitely give you a shout. Appreciate the offer!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Finally got all the parts for my new fuel system: rebuilt original carb, boil, sealed, and painted black gas tank, new fuel lines, sending unit, fuel filter and fuel pump. Hoping to get started on it tomorrow. Hopefully this thing will run seamlessly now!

Also making my final decisions on wheels this weekend!!!! :metal:

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Im going to keep watching your progress and hope you inspire me to get busy on my 72 1 ton ,sad thing is it dont need much .

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Welcome from Texas! It looks like you've got a nice starting point, and an eager helper. I'll follow along.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Just came across this thread, Joining in for the ride.
Hollar if you need anything from over in the Buford area.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks for the encouragement, guys! Really appreciate it. Ordering some parts now and trying to get a dry day to finish up fuel system. Man, I need to get my garage cleaned out!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Well it's been a busy few days on Chalky. I finally got the "new" boiled and sealed gas tank in with new sending unit, fuel lines, fuel filter, fuel pump, and rebuilt carb and changed the oil. Believe it or not, it actually idles and revs smoothly until it floods out due to the carb needing tuned (planning to have guy who rebuilt carb do that next week). And miraculously no leaks (well, not with the fuel system anyway)!!!!

Didn't try to move it yet but all signs point to mobility. Also, got the ugly old bar grille and painted bumper off and installed a 72 grille I got from uncle (I'll post a pic soon). Still looking for an OEM chrome bumper.

One thing I did notice was a little antifreeze leak in the radiator grille so I'll be calling on flashed as he strangely predicted I might need one - or just flat out jinxed me. :)

Oh and I almost forgot: I ordered myself a little Christmas present. A set of 20/22 AR Daytonas in gray from Tommy at TNT Motorsports. Should be here in the next few weeks. Pumped about those!

Thanks to all those who are tuned in! I'll keep ya posted.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Cool project. Really like the plans you have for it.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, ChickenCityHotRods! It's going to be a slow process but she's slowly coming back to life - and will hopefully be a fun driver.

Just gave you a follow on Instagram, too. Diggin' that 1st gen c10 you're working on!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Welcome to the best truck forum on the net. Looks like a good project and plans.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks, mcbassin! That's exactly what I'm finding out: This is the best truck forum on the planet!

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

So who did you get to boil/clean your gas tank out ?

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Marietta Radiator boiled, cleaned, pressure tested for leaks, then sealed it with some sort of inner skin that they say they've seen last 25 years. They also painted the exterior of the tank black as well.

Wasn't cheap but I didn't want to do it again or relocate the tank. Worth the investment in my opinion. :metal:

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Thanks for the info ,nobody I know of that does that close to me .

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Let's talk when I come to check out the radiator. I'd be glad to bring one down to Marietta and get it back to you if you ever need it.

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

Nice progress.. ur going much faster than i am..lmbo...can't decide if i want to get my 68 pontiac 350 rebuilt, use the 95 LT1 with a 4l60e or have the local shop building me a 350 to go inside her. I ultiamtely want the 6.0 but bdget right not is playing a BIG part in my decision. the other motors i have in the garage..

True

Re: "Chalky White" 71 stepper
 

The "progress" is about to slow considerably. I kept my expectations realistic and went into the project thinking I would keep/salvage the motor in the truck I purchased (especially if original) and get the truck driveable and wheels/tires out of the way first.

Saving for tires now then drop and seat cover. Looking into how I'm going to handle rust repair now. Man, I hate that stuff!

Also, I have to keep it in my head that this will likely never be a show truck - just a cool driver.

Oh, and the LT1/4l60e combo sounds cool! If I ever do an engine swap, I'll likely go LS.