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bkwagonss · 08-12-2008, 10:04 PM

The big ticket item I still needed was the drivetrain.
Since I was a big fan of the 94-96 Impala SS and Caprice I thought that getting an LT1 out of an old cop car would be a good deal. For around $1500, at the time, you could get a cop car with the LT1, 4 wheel discs, 4L60E tranny and a posi rear. All good pieces to put under the truck.

Well as it turned out my wagon got wrecked and was totalled.
I bought another wagon with the insurance money and was able to buy the old wagon back for $150. The wagon is still sitting in the driveway and I start it now and then to keep it well.
So that car will donate it’s LT1 engine, tranny and driveshaft. I will also use the gas filler door and possibly the master cylinder, proportioning valve and booster if they fit.
Maybe even the gas tank might work.
I will get a harness made from the wagon harness spliced into a new truck harness.
I know a guy who will reprogram the computer for me.
Bryan Herter of pcmsforless.com.

I also bought a 3:10 posi rear with disc brakes from an Impala club member for $100.
Drivetrain wise I should have almost everything I need, just have to put it in the truck.

I’m now 3 years into the project.
I’m really not going to keep anything from the original truck except the cab.
It’s in pretty decent shape except the lower foot of it.
I bought rockers and cab corners a while ago from a vendor at Englishtown, NJ.
I got the A and B pillar ends and kick panels for Jon at Tri Pro Automotive in NJ.
And I got a full floor with supports from Tim Christian.
I bought efabman’s video on how to do the cab sheet metal work.
I also bought a Lincoln Electric 110v wire feed welder and gas for it.
The gas came from a local welding supply place, and the welder came from Lowes.

No excuses now, time to get to work on the cab.
I welded in some supports to hold the cab in place. (Old bed frames)

I started by cutting out the rockers.

Then I cut out the floor leaving the floor supports.

Then with the help of my brothers, we tipped the cab back on its back.

I also used some self tapping sheet metal screws and mounted the new rockers in place.
They fit perfectly where the old ones came out and the add extra support for when I cut out the rest of the floor supports.

So here’s the floor all cut out.

08-12-2008, 10:04 PM	#2
bkwagonss Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Jersey Posts: 70	Re: 71 Step novice build The big ticket item I still needed was the drivetrain. Since I was a big fan of the 94-96 Impala SS and Caprice I thought that getting an LT1 out of an old cop car would be a good deal. For around $1500, at the time, you could get a cop car with the LT1, 4 wheel discs, 4L60E tranny and a posi rear. All good pieces to put under the truck. Well as it turned out my wagon got wrecked and was totalled. I bought another wagon with the insurance money and was able to buy the old wagon back for $150. The wagon is still sitting in the driveway and I start it now and then to keep it well. So that car will donate it’s LT1 engine, tranny and driveshaft. I will also use the gas filler door and possibly the master cylinder, proportioning valve and booster if they fit. Maybe even the gas tank might work. I will get a harness made from the wagon harness spliced into a new truck harness. I know a guy who will reprogram the computer for me. Bryan Herter of pcmsforless.com. I also bought a 3:10 posi rear with disc brakes from an Impala club member for $100. Drivetrain wise I should have almost everything I need, just have to put it in the truck. I’m now 3 years into the project. I’m really not going to keep anything from the original truck except the cab. It’s in pretty decent shape except the lower foot of it. I bought rockers and cab corners a while ago from a vendor at Englishtown, NJ. I got the A and B pillar ends and kick panels for Jon at Tri Pro Automotive in NJ. And I got a full floor with supports from Tim Christian. I bought efabman’s video on how to do the cab sheet metal work. I also bought a Lincoln Electric 110v wire feed welder and gas for it. The gas came from a local welding supply place, and the welder came from Lowes. No excuses now, time to get to work on the cab. I welded in some supports to hold the cab in place. (Old bed frames) I started by cutting out the rockers. Then I cut out the floor leaving the floor supports. Then with the help of my brothers, we tipped the cab back on its back. I also used some self tapping sheet metal screws and mounted the new rockers in place. They fit perfectly where the old ones came out and the add extra support for when I cut out the rest of the floor supports. So here’s the floor all cut out. __________________ 1971 Short Stepside,(sold) 2011 Caprice PPV 1950 Chevy Fleetline Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=302759 Last edited by bkwagonss; 08-12-2008 at 10:08 PM.