My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Call lokar? That would be to easy. ahaha

BRB, i will let ya know what they say..

They didnt say anything.. Just, play with the lower lever... That was it. ahah

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Just, play with the lower lever...

You could do that all day long, but I don't know what that has to do w/the gear selector.

Well, better get busy!

[lyrikz]

QUick little update... Starter related.
I just kind of stumbled upon this. I dont know if its new news or im just a late bloomer. I have a chevy 454. Its from an 81 chevy. The starter that came with it is huge. My headers literally touched my starter.

I was in the market for a mini torque starter and came across this. Its a starter from a newer chevy. Pt#6944. I took pictures and weights.

This is the factory original starter with 2 starts on it. ahah I bought it brand new. I just realized that it wont last long with my headers.. Here we go.

Starter#1. Starter weights 20 lbs, is fargin HUGE. Bought 95 bucks. It fits 1981 and on 454s from what i heard.


Here is starter #2. As you can see, HUGE difference in weight. This fits my 454 also.


7lbs. Its a magnetic type and supposedly has more torque then the huge original one. Its about 95 bucks also.

Side by side comparison


Anyways, it now clears my headers VERY nicely and im going to make a little heat shield for it to extend the life of it also.... Just i have never seen this and figured if i could help at least one person by my post, why not....

[Riveted1]

Yeah there's a thread floating around here somewhere about those starters. Good find none the less!

[lyrikz]

Havent updated in awhile.

Started puttin on some mud. Pretty thin so i just used some glaze. Few areas i used rage gold. Here are some pics of the body work. Nothing to exciting.

[lyrikz]

After gettin the body work straight. Put a coat of epoxy on everything. Going to go over the cab with some featherfill...


After i got done messing with the cab i wanted to get started on the bed again. I had it sandblasted (75 bucks) and as soon as i got it home, cleaned it up and shot some epoxy..



The last thing i had to do on the bed was add the smooth tailgate and remove and reinstall the left side inner rail... Got the smooth tailgate for very cheap. Its a nice solid piece, fits like and absolute glove.

[lyrikz]

I then went to test fit the panel


Fit very well. No gaps. I then proceeded to mark the spots i was going to spot weld it. I marked the areas, drilled the holes and then ground off the galvanized before i welded.



Started spot welding.
Before.


During


After

[lyrikz]

Before you weld the gate on, yyou want to put something on the bare metal on the inside. I hit it with a good coat of epoxy.



Gate all welded on and ready for some epoxy.


Gate all covered.



Once the gate was done i moved on to the bed rail.
I just used a drill bit and drilled out all 15 or so spot welds on the rail. wasnt to bad, just a TON of rust behind there. I ground it down, then went over it as best i could with a wire wheel. I then went over that with a cleaner and coated it all in epoxy.

[lyrikz]

Once i got it all covered i went back and welded up a few holes that i had.




I went and test fitted the rail. Marked the holes, removed the galvanizing and then started plugging the wholes. Pretty straight forward. There is some small gapping from the bed panel being a bit warped. Its under the stepside so im not worried about it at all. Also, the inside where there is some minor gapping im going to have all linexed so that should take care of any imprefections..

[lyrikz]

And finally, new rail... Wanted to get this done for along time and always put it off. Once i get the bed painted on the outside and the linex on, this thing will be READY... I cant believe it... Its like almost there...




Here are just a few misc pics from the garage.. parts that are in epoxy and just waiting there turn at some body work and to be put on the truck..





Next step is to get the fenders in some epoxy... Then once they are all ready to go, bolt em on. ANyone have any recommendations what to put between the step side fender and the bed??? I dont reallly like seeing that felt that they use. Any suggestions???

[lyrikz]

Interesting.

[my67chevytruck]

looking good bro. they have a thin clear adhesive roll ( 3m i believe) that you can put on the fender lip to keep from having metal to metal contact, and it is much thinner than the felt. got some from a paint supply store locally and used it on my '56 fenders...

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

looking good bro. they have a thin clear adhesive roll ( 3m i believe) that you can put on the fender lip to keep from having metal to metal contact, and it is much thinner than the felt. got some from a paint supply store locally and used it on my '56 fenders...

Cool, thank you on that advice.... I have been feeling down lately.. No ones looking at my stuff... I feel its huge for me ya know.. Almost done... Ordering some paint in teh next week or so.

[my67chevytruck]

WE all need inspiration, I have a habit of reading and looking and not leaving comments,, you have done awesome!! wish we were at this stage on the father/son build. IIRC, it is called 3m assembly tape or something along those lines, ask you paint supplier, explain what you want to achieve...

Keep your head up Bro.....

L8r

Heath

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

WE all need inspiration, I have a habit of reading and looking and not leaving comments,, you have done awesome!! wish we were at this stage on the father/son build. IIRC, it is called 3m assembly tape or something along those lines, ask you paint supplier, explain what you want to achieve...

Keep your head up Bro.....

L8r

Heath

Thanks man.. I dont know why im so butt hurt over it.... LOL.

[my67chevytruck]

wondering if i should use your last comment as a quote on my sig....

I might hit you up for some info on the starter, I read some where where the passenger straight dump ramhorn contacts the starter...

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

WE all need inspiration, I have a habit of reading and looking and not leaving comments,, you have done awesome!! wish we were at this stage on the father/son build. IIRC, it is called 3m assembly tape or something along those lines, ask you paint supplier, explain what you want to achieve...

Keep your head up Bro.....

L8r

Heath

Dropped ya a rep point. Thanks man.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

wondering if i should use your last comment as a quote on my sig....

I might hit you up for some info on the starter, I read some where where the passenger straight dump ramhorn contacts the starter...

ahaha, use it. ahaha

[my67chevytruck]

Must be KARMA....

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

Must be KARMA....

I wanted to change my build name... Wonder if i can still do that..??

[my67chevytruck]

I was referring to the rep points, as i had left you one earlier... you can contact LIZ and have the name changed i'm sure.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by my67chevytruck

I was referring to the rep points, as i had left you one earlier... you can contact LIZ and have the name changed i'm sure.

You did??? ahaha.. Cool...Thanks.

[smbrouss70]

I believe there are a lot of us that are still looking, but don't post unless we have some useful advice for the thread. From what I've seen, you've got it under control... I guess I should be more forth-coming with my "Atta-Boys"

It does look good! Hopefully it won't be too long before I am at that stage.

[allen123]

lookin good!

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

I believe there are a lot of us that are still looking, but don't post unless we have some useful advice for the thread. From what I've seen, you've got it under control... I guess I should be more forth-coming with my "Atta-Boys"

It does look good! Hopefully it won't be too long before I am at that stage.

I just do this stuff so you guys can get your FIX of pics ya know....