Bonnie 1971 SWB LSX

[Curtb1971]

Been awhile since I've updated on the progress so.... She finally moves under her own power I hit another snag with the so called "rebuilt chassis". The po cut the front coils and I didn't notice until I put it back on the ground with the new wheels and tires. The A arms have only an inch of travel to the bump stops and the brake hoses have no room to spare turning. Order a new set of cpp drop springs and I'm working up the nerve to change them out. I guess we can call it a completely rebuild chassis when I'm done with these because I've replaced every part in it Hopefully I'll have a video to come soon before the snow flies

[68Gold/white]

Sometimes a worn out set of stock springs will be squeezed down enough to maybe do what you want, without the higher ride height of a new set. Older V8 pickups without AC usually had the weaker springs on them.......

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by 68Gold/white

Sometimes a worn out set of stock springs will be squeezed down enough to maybe do what you want, without the higher ride height of a new set. Older V8 pickups without AC usually had the weaker springs on them.......

Interesting, I thought the only difference in front coils was big block vs small block. I have a set of 2" drop springs from cpp and I'm curious as how the truck will sit in addition to the 2"drop spindles. There is only 4 coils left on the ones in the truck and when it's jacked up they aren't under much load at all so getting them out won't be the scary part.

[Curtb1971]

Installed the 2" drop springs today and the truck sits up another inch. I'm very happy with the stance and suspension travel. There is still the issue of the brake hoses though. After more research I found that I'm not the only guy with this problem. Turns out that on the 71/72 frame the mounts for the brake lines/hoses are on the front and a longer hoses are needed with drop spindles. There is a lot of suggestions of using a C20 brake hose and after a trip to napa I confirmed the info on the board that napa doesn't stock the longer C20 brake hose. So I'll order some up and go from there

[Curtb1971]

Well, finally got front brake hoses from inline tube installed and brakes bleed again. Happy to say everything on the suspension and brakes is done
I was going to take her on madien voyage today but the rain here put that idea in the back burner I've been working on installing the bed wood and boy is that a task. First a dry fit wood, then sqaure the bed, install wheel tubs, mark out holes to be drilled, then pull it all apart, drill holes and varnish. I used a marine grade spar varnish and had to wait 24hrs between sand and coats. Next up I'd put it back in and start on the vintage air

[Curtb1971]

And where credit is deserved I must come clean as to who actually did all the work

[clay68c10]

That’s looking great! Nice to have some help out in the shop, family style.
Good talking to you the other day, Curt

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

That’s looking great! Nice to have some help out in the shop, family style.
Good talking to you the other day, Curt

Thanks Clay Its not too often she makes it out to the shop but every time we tinker on something together we have a blast. Good talking to you too and anytime you're up this way feel free to give me a shout

[TBONE1964]

Hey Mr Curt,

Cannot believe I just looked at this. Very nice attention to detail and I love the cluster work. Pretty tedious deal, yeah?? Super attention to LS install detail. It is one thing to drop it in, another to make it look nice in the hole. You did good

I was nice to speak with you on the phone yesterday. I appreciate everything.

Keep up the awesome work. It reminds me of my 72 SWB orange and white I had back in 84. (no ls then of course.)

Tom

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

Hey Mr Curt,

Cannot believe I just looked at this. Very nice attention to detail and I love the cluster work. Pretty tedious deal, yeah?? Super attention to LS install detail. It is one thing to drop it in, another to make it look nice in the hole. You did good

I was nice to speak with you on the phone yesterday. I appreciate everything.

Keep up the awesome work. It reminds me of my 72 SWB orange and white I had back in 84. (no ls then of course.)

Tom

Thanks Tom Had a blast talking old trucks over the weekend as well. Going a little crazy on this build but I've meet some awesome dudes along the way. That S10 speedo swap was a pain and the funny thing about mine is that I forgot to install the needle stop. Haha, it will bug me until I pull it and glue it in I got a little destracted this weekend installing the bed wood but hopefully be sending some goodies your way soon

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by Curtb1971

Thanks Tom Had a blast talking old trucks over the weekend as well. Going a little crazy on this build but I've meet some awesome dudes along the way. That S10 speedo swap was a pain and the funny thing about mine is that I forgot to install the needle stop. Haha, it will bug me until I pull it and glue it in I got a little destracted this weekend installing the bed wood but hopefully be sending some goodies your way soon

Cool stuff Curt. Thank you and no rush on the package.

[68Gold/white]

the MRS. did a great job on the boards!!!

[SchreinerM]

Do you happen to have a link to the intake you are using? Looks like it fits the engine bay nicely.

[toolboxchev]

Haha dig it! Good thing you took pops with ya to keep your foot on the sane side!

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by SchreinerM

Do you happen to have a link to the intake you are using? Looks like it fits the engine bay nicely.

I still have the box for the air intake hiding somewhere and will post it up this week. It was the only one I could find that didn't have some company name molded somewhere on it. I had to modify the MAF to run the blade style. More pics to come.

Originally Posted by toolboxchev

Haha dig it! Good thing you took pops with ya to keep your foot on the sane side!

I have to come clean again on this. I was absolutely nervous as heck when we took it out and babying this thing down the road. I was pretty much shaking with excitement. After we checked for brakes (the hydro boost really comes alive!) I was still babying it. My dad looked over and he said "I went for a ride so get on it and let's see what this will do!". Ahh the peer pressure. So after we burned a little carbon off we had to go do a little burnout in front of the house. He was definitely not doing anything to stop the mayhem just egging on moreGlad I knocked the nervous cob webs off and had some fun but that's what dad's are for

[toolboxchev]

That's Funny!

Sweet, Pops likes it, nothing like a good ole kick in the pants. Getting the working man going today.

Long ways for me yet! One piece at a time.

[clay68c10]

Awesome! Saturday was a nice day for it. It looks great.
Good to be able to bring dad along.
I can’t wait to get mine together again.

[Curtb1971]

Ok haven't done much to the truck with moving up north of Denver and getting a new shop. Oh yeah, I started my very own electrical contracting recently also so I have jumped into the fire head first I did get the shop setup enough to start work and gave the dusty girl a spit bath. Very soon I'll be wrenching again

[boynton]

Well you have to take care of what pays the bills. Just slow and steady wins the race with the new business! You will be glad you jumped out there in 5 years. Truck still looks great I can’t wait to see some more progress!

[Ol Blue K20]

Congrats on the new business. What kind of electrical (residential, commercial or industrial)? Truck looks good and so does the shop. I'm hoping the new year treats ya well.

[Curtb1971]

Originally Posted by boynton

Well you have to take care of what pays the bills. Just slow and steady wins the race with the new business! You will be glad you jumped out there in 5 years. Truck still looks great I can’t wait to see some more progress!

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Congrats on the new business. What kind of electrical (residential, commercial or industrial)? Truck looks good and so does the shop. I'm hoping the new year treats ya well.

Thanks guys, I've been nervous and exicted at the same time. Everyone words of inspiration have helped me get it together
Dale, I've been in the trade for 10 years and have experience in residential and commercial. I mainly ran commercial jobs for the last 5 years but now just getting my feet wet I've been doing small residential service/remodel work until I can build it up. I'd like to get into some small commercial builds by mid year but I'll just test the waters and find where my niche in the market will be.
I'm digging the new shop. Nicest place I've ever had just trying to get settled in and remember where I put that darn 10mm wrench
Merry Christmas guys

[toolboxchev]

Moving on is moving up....funny that dam 10mm wrench!

I worked for a timber farmer years ago and whenever things needed fixing it was always that 10mm had found its was under a bush or leaf.

[Ol Blue K20]

The 10 and 13mm are the sneakiest.....lol

[Chevys4life]

I'm in..........nice build Curt.

[Curtb1971]

OK guys, finally found my 10mm and can get back to work Had a tune/dyno scheduled last week but had to cancel due to snowy weather. So dad and I took a day (the whole day) to put in the grill. I bought a steel chrome grill instead of the aluminum oe style and used stainless carriage screws instead of rivets. Really glad we used the carriage screws because there was a lot of adjustments to be made through the process. I can say it was a fight with the aftermarket grill but with a little patience we won in the 10th round We gotz grillz yo