72 Swb starting from the bottom

[cornerstone]

I think every guy who is wanting the super clean firewall look wants to do this mod, me included. Initially I shied away because I just couldn't visualize how the hose routing would snake around to the back of the evaporator in the cab. I get pretty hung up unless I can visualize things. Thank you for these pictures and links to the other fittings and things needed to finish the job...
I would love to see the rest of the installation. I already have smoothed my firewall using the Vintage Air plate that comes with the pre-drilled holes, but I'd gladly re-work my firewall if I had the confidence of knowing how to do what you are doing. Plus I'd have the added benefit of getting a clean coat of paint inside my cowl.
Really love to see such high quality work like this! It makes me strive to do a better job.

Brian

[J3rm0ff]

My dad was able to machine a couple pieces so I could get the dash vent pods welded in. Really happy with how they turned out. I’ve also started from scratch on the engine mounts. The 73+ style frame stands and clam shells were causing a headache trying to route the return line for the turbo especially having the ac down low still. I designed a simple mount that gives me all kinds of room to run the line and would make pulling the engine easier if I ever have to do so.

[1971Stepside]

Dash looks great!

[J3rm0ff]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Dash looks great!

Thanks! It has been quite the process.

[J3rm0ff]

I got one motor mount all tacked up and ready to weld.

[J3rm0ff]

Got the motor mounts done and everything fit great. Also got the turbo drain line made and routed.

[J3rm0ff]

I threw the cab on to double check clearances after making the new mounts and the bulkhead fittings were surprisingly close the tire luckily the 90s will clear.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by J3rm0ff

I threw the cab on to double check clearances after making the new mounts and the bulkhead fittings were surprisingly close the tire luckily the 90s will clear.

Dang.... Those are close. What size is that tire?

[J3rm0ff]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Dang.... Those are close. What size is that tire?

I am not worried about the 90's there is plenty of room with them. The straight ones would never work. If I remember correctly they are 275/60/15. Which I think is taller than what I will end up running anyways.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by J3rm0ff

I am not worried about the 90's there is plenty of room with them. The straight ones would never work. If I remember correctly they are 275/60/15. Which I think is taller than what I will end up running anyways.

28" tall if so....

[J3rm0ff]

I’ve got the dash primed and started body work at least on the lower half so I can get it welded in. I know I’ve said this a million times lol. Also did some garage mods this weekend. Picked up a nice heavy steel table and put some casters in it. And moved my old bench to the other side of the garage and picked up some bolt bin storage.

[J3rm0ff]

A 67-68 grille came up for sale locally for cheap, so I picked it up so I could use the upper insert in mine.

[J3rm0ff]

Wow it’s been a while. Took a break from the truck and did a backyard overhaul which consumed many months and dollars. I’m back on the truck tho after doing some side jobs to recoup some funds.

I picked up a set of iforged wheels in my attempt to have full control of the specs of my wheels on a budget. It looks like the rears will be 11.5” wide with 5” lips and the fronts will be 8.5” wide with 3” lips. In the pics they are 2” lips on the front and 3” on the rear.

Other than that pretty much all the body panels have been sand blasted and are in epoxy primer now. Still have some metal work to do but will be a lot more manageable to keep everything from rusting.

[J3rm0ff]

New lips came in. They’re 5.5” wide not 5. So tat makes the wheels 12” wide

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by J3rm0ff

New lips came in. They’re 5.5” wide not 5. So tat makes the wheels 12” wide

I was curious of your statement....

I picked up a set of iforged wheels in my attempt to have full control of the specs of my wheels on a budget

That budget word is what caught my attention. When I looked the wheels up, the pricing while maybe not Forgeline status still ain't cheap. Your choices do look good

[J3rm0ff]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

I was curious of your statement....


That budget word is what caught my attention. When I looked the wheels up, the pricing while maybe not Forgeline status still ain't cheap. Your choices do look good

I got a pretty good deal on the wheels as they were used. Thanks!


I got the rear tires mounted today. They’re 315/35/20s definitely have some work to do to the inner bed sides

[J3rm0ff]

Work on the besides is underway and the front tires have been mounted. Work to the front fenders coming up next. Also bought the Amd wider rear wheel tubs to clear the rear tires.

[J3rm0ff]

Been working on the truck here and there. Still working on the bedsides. About finished up with them. I raised the tubs and welded in new nuts. Also made “inner” tubs which will be getting welded into the bedsides next.

Also made some progress on the rear brakes. Ended up having to use rear rotors from a hellcat because they have more of an offset which allowed more caliper to wheel clearance. The diameter and thickness is the same as the camaro so no issues with the caliper. Did some work to the axles including redrilling them and pressing in longer studs. Also had to redrill the rotors. I 3d printed some mock-up brackets for the calipers and got them pretty much spot on. Just need to order some material to get them made.

[J3rm0ff]

Rear caliper brackets are done.

[J3rm0ff]

I now can relate to the feeling of being in body shop jail. Lol except it’s my own jail. Slowly picking away at the body work. The dash is finally in and I ended up getting new fenders and hood to hopefully make the body work go faster. The fenders fit good after a little work. The hood will take a little more work. The used front clip had some issues that I am not skilled enough to fix.

[72 tigger]

Making progress!! Keep it up!

[J3rm0ff]

Still picking away at the body work lol. The AMD fenders and hood fit absolutely terrible.