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My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
Welp, i guess im going to start my build thread. So, here we go.....
I purchased this http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ld/truck15.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ld/truck13.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ld/truck12.jpg Sept 07. $2200 dollars. 1971 chevy stepside with a freshly rebuilt 250 in it. I drove the truck home and started work on it. Some history behind my skills are i have done a few full paint jobs on hondas, some minor body work here and there. I have rebuilt a few honda engines from the ground up also.... I really didnt know what i was getting myself into when i started tearing into this truck... I started by the usual removal of the doors/hood/ and front fenders... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07760.jpg Thats when i ran into my first problem. THis isnt no honda. Things are heavy , and doing it alone is going to take some thinking and patience.... |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
Once i removed the front end, i saw a few issues right off the bat. Usual rust under the battery issues.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07761.jpg When i drove it home i was getting water inside the cab.. Came to find out that the drain ways were all plugged and the antenna area was allowing water in. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07756.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07755.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07757.jpg |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
I also ran into a few issues.. Bolts snapping off in crappy places.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07754.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07753.jpg When that bolt first snapped off i was all concerned and worried that this was goign to be a big problem.. ahahaha.. Boy little did i know that it happens all the time and is just a fact of life and now im really good at fixing those problems.... Leads me to a quick question for you rebuild guys, when reinstalling bolts, do you put an antisieze on them so if you ever have to remove them again??? Little helper dude. One of my twins http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07762.jpg |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
SO, for the metal work. Now keep this in your mind, everything i have been used to working on in the past was honda metal. Honda rust. Baby stuff.....
There were no real bad visual signs of rockers needing replaced, but i could see a little paint bubbling so i decided to dig in.... First i went to snap on and bought this gem. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07811.jpg Then i examined my work space and started doing work... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07807.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07806.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07805.jpg I was in shock when i pulled back the rocker panel. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07813.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07814.jpg to be continued............ |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
As you can see in the cab pillar, there is a giant frickin hole..... Now, those rockers showed no signs and the cab pillar was basically missing....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07817.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07816.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07815.jpg Now, i sat there and stared at that whole mess and just thought what the heck i got into.... After talking with rocklyn for a few days, i started going to work.... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07886.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07885.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07884.jpg To be continuuuueeeeddddd!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
After working on it for a bit, i slowly started realizing that i was running out of work space. ahaha...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08195.jpg In the pic you can see the rear fiberglass fenders i purchased.. Nice units. Need to do some body work on em but they are nice.... So, on to prepping for the reinstallation... Por15 to the rescue. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08226.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08228.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08220.jpg to be continued........ |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
If you can hook up with somebody like a friendly pharmacist who would be willing to order it for you, chemistry lab "DOW Silicone Stopcock Lubricant" ... (I know, I know, sounds like it, but it's not a joke) is the best anti-seize that there is. Nothing removes it (no joke - nothing) except boiling lye - which is what it says on the label is the best way to get it off of lab glassware. Resists everything, especially rust, on bolts, etc.
You can break loose VW bug muffler bolts that have been on for years in Chicago winter saltwater streets & finger-turn them out if you had first spread on a dab of that silicone on the threads before they were tightened. VW muffler bolts are absolutely "the worst" to break off in terrible-to-get-at places. I have a giant economy sized tube of this stuff I have used for years on everything bolted together that I think I might ever want to get loose again, and especially if it's in an area prone to rust-seizing. You just have to be sure & not ever get it on a surface that's going to be finish-painted ...... OK, now: ----------- LET THE "STOPCOCK" JOKES BEGIN :lol::lol::lol: |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
Thanks for that info....
On to some more pics and jibber jabber... Pulled the front grill off and noticed that it was pretty fubared from behind. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08207.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08206.jpg Since im going to be painting the grill i will have em sand blasted.... Now to sidetrack. When i purchased my truck for 2200 dollars, the guy threw in a set of rally rims and tires... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/truck002.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/truck003.jpg Well, after some fitting, i found that they wont fit on the rear of the truck.. They were 15x10 in the rear.... So, i sent them to the sand blasters http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07611.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07610.jpg I painted em flat black, redid the chrome rims and caps, and then i sold em for $650 bucks. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07615.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07614.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07613.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC07612.jpg So in the end, i got the truck for$1750... Not bad..... |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
looks like you have your hands full with work. keep the pics coming
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Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
During this process of rebuilding, i came to find out that there are alot of tools that are needed. So, i bought a few tools.... Almost need a seperate thread for tools. ahaha Bought a new welder, works great. Bought a new helmet which i paid a bunch for, but so worth it....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08202.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08292.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08291.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08290.jpg So, with those new goodies i started installing the floor. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08236.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08237.jpg Once i got the floor mounted and inner kickpanel mounted, i started to install the rocker. As you can see the rear of the new rocker fit perfect. But as i went to install the front portion of it, it didnt fit at all. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08239.jpg Comes to find out that the floor that i installed was bent so cheaply that it pushed the rocker up. The bends should be sharp, but they werent. They were just this crappy roll over edge. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08240.jpg |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
After test fitting the rocker and seeing it didnt fit, i reworked the floor board and started to install the cab support and the inner kick panel. Inner kickpanel has to line up with the floor and the cab support and all that other stuff.. This took my along time and alot of frustration. I figured out the right way to do it and when i do my drivers side it should be much easier....
here are some pics. Floor adjustment http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08255.jpg Cab support install. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08264.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08263.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08256.jpg Test fitting the rocker with the cab support on now. Fitting alot better. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08254.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08253.jpg So now that i had the front all set, i moved to the rear cab support area and found a whole new bag of goodies.. To be continueeeed on that... Oh, and heres a pic of the UPS guy brought for me.. A little teaser. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08238.jpg |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
im jealous
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Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
Congrats on the Truck, That was a Heck of a Deal at $2200.00, Signing on for the Ride........
Rick |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
This thing is coming right along... great work!
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Will be updating tomorrow morning.... |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
great progress thusfar, keep it coming...
Should rename to project identity crisis. ;) |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
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Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
Tools, my favorite part of the build budget. Looking good.
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Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
And moving on...
So once i got the front of the rocker set up, i moved on to the rear of the rocker. That was another suprise to.. As i cut off the rear of the rocker, the cab support was eatin all the way through... NOOO signs of rust from above. ahaha THey like their secrets. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08266.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08267.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08270.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08271.jpg See those holes... YOIKES. So i started doing work and gettin all of that stuff taken care of. I also cut out the rest of the inner rocker and installed the new goodies there. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08272.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08273.jpg While i was working on that rear rocker area, i noticed a pin hole in my cab corner. One tiny poke with a screw driver and i knew i had to start working on that cab corner also :( To be continuuuuueeeedd!!! |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
backtrackin a bit, some pics of the inner rocker install.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08277.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08279.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08280.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08281.jpg Here is me installing the rear of the rocker area, finding that rust in the cab corner. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08282.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08287.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08286.jpg |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
After getting that all taken care of i moved on to the cab corner. This is my first exterior welding, so i took my time and it came out very well... I had to do some modifications to get the rocker and the cab suppor to line up, but in the end, it looks really good.. I cant wait to get to the drivers side no i know what im doing....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08274.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08275.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08276.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08278.jpg After i got the cab corner on i test fitted teh rocker and the door. Notice how the rocker sits higher then the cab corner. I had to modify that to get it to line up right. The door lined up great, nice and straight. Eventually i got the rocker nice and straight also... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08294.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08295.jpg Here is the gap in the rocker i had to fix. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...d/DSC08320.jpg |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
"Subscribed"
keep up the progress. Eric |
Re: My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.
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