Slow 71 GMC Build - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lukefalls · 05-10-2011, 07:05 PM

I have this build listed on both Pirate4x4 and ColoradoK5, but I wanted to post here to get some more feed back. I've had this truck for nearly 10 years. I've neglected it and hacked it. Time to fix it.

The plan is for a 4x4 long travel, go-fast rock crawler, cruiser. That a lot to expect for a one truck. I am still looking for an L92 or L9H (I'd settle for an L76). I want to run a 6L90e with a Atlas 4spd or a Stak 3spd. It'll be orange, might steal Nibs' orange. The body lift is gone! It'll run Method or WER racing wheels with 37" Toyo MTs. I don't even want to think about how much the King C/Os and bypass shocks are going to cost.

I have a '79 Ford Dana 60 for the front. I'll get 3.73 with a Detroit. It now has new alloy shafts, 35 spline outter shafts, and Warn Premium hubs. It also has WFO Concepts double high steer arms. This probably won't work with the amount of wheel travel it'll have. We'll see. I have everything for the 3 link + pan hard front. Its not done yet because I want to mock up the engine and make sure it'll work. The 4 link rear is in place, I just need to finish my trailing arms. The entire cage needs to be built.

Here is everything I've done so far. I am finishing up the driver's side door and rocker right now. Its not going well, but more about that later.

BEFORE PICTURES

lukefalls · 05-10-2011, 07:07 PM

MORE BEFORE PICS

PROGRESS PICTURES

lukefalls · 05-10-2011, 07:09 PM

lukefalls · 05-10-2011, 07:11 PM

lukefalls · 05-10-2011, 07:13 PM

lukefalls · 05-10-2011, 07:18 PM

Now my problem:
I cannot get my driver's door to line up...with anything. I can get any one side to line up with adjoining metal and still open and close smooth. If I want three sides to line up, the door closes smooth, but damn near take a crowbar to open.

I cannot all sides of the door to line up. The reason that I started working on the door today is becuase I've been uphappy with the LMC rocker pannle. I figured that I'd make sure the door/cab/fender was where I want them. Then cut, twist, stretch, etc the rocker to where it lined up really nice.

Help...please. Feedback is always welcome. Good and bad. I'm learning as I go and will not claim to be an expert on anything.

lukefalls · 06-04-2011, 10:15 PM

I actually made a bit of progress. A friend of mine let me use his airplane paint booth. I laid 4 coats of high build epoxy primer. I blocked a few areas and still have low spots. I guess I'm not the body man that I though I was.

The worst spots are where the bed impacted the back of the cab. I see tons of these with damage there. I'm actually considering cutting out the damage and building new panels. I've got some more work to do.

chevy71c10 · 06-05-2011, 01:28 AM

Looks like you have made a lot of progress on the truck. Looking good!! I wish I could provide advise on the door issue, but I'm about to replace my cab components as well. I'll be watching to see the responses as I'm sure I'll be in the same position as you, as this is my first attempt at body work. Looking forward to seeing your progress!

lukefalls · 06-13-2011, 03:03 AM

Thanks Justin. I think that the issue with the door is that I unbolted the cab from the frame and it twisted a bit. Also, I repaired the lower fender mount and I think that I put it in the wrong spot.

I'll keep you updated. I am no expert, but if you have any questions, let me know.

lukefalls · 06-30-2011, 06:42 PM

My wife and daughter have both been really sick, so not much has happened. They are feeling better today, so I went at it again.

I installed the Energy Suspension body mounts. Their kit was packaged wrong and was missing a few parts. A quick call and they said they were shipping it out today. They were very easy to deal with.

Now, the door alignment issues that I had before seem to be better (but not great). I still have to use spacers in the hinges. The gap at the rear of the door is better. The side window frame is still out a ways. I guess this door is just bent. Also, the lower rear door corner sticks out about 3/8". I think that it is in part due to my poor metal working of the new rocker and cab corner.

I am not looking for a new driver's door, but they are very hard to come by here in Fairbanks. People either want $100,490,000,398.24 for it, or its so rusted that its beyond my ability to fix.

My new problem is that the driver's side front fender points upward. I installed the core support and hung the fender (all body mounts are torqued down). The fender appears to be about 1/4" high and the front. This is causing a wedge shaped gap between the back of the fender and the front of the door.

I am not sure how to lower the core support to fix this. Anyone else experience this? I can post photos if that would help.

lukefalls · 06-30-2011, 07:06 PM

dieselarmy13 · 06-30-2011, 07:39 PM

Cool truck

lukefalls · 07-02-2011, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselarmy13

Cool truck

Thanks. I'm going to try to ship up the front of the cab and see how that works out. I'll keep you posted.

bosco200 · 07-03-2011, 04:39 PM

Lookin good!

lukefalls · 07-28-2011, 01:30 AM

Well, I got the body mount/cab issue sorted out. I just needed to adjust the bushings. Thank for the help on that.

Interior Towing of Fairbanks helped me a ton! The loaned me a smoked 5.3 to use for mock-up. Other than the hole in the block and oil pan leaking oil everywhere, its working perfect.

I am finding that the stock exhaust manifolds are too wide and hitting the frame. I'll look into Camaro manifolds. I've heard that they're narrower. Any input on this?

I am using a large bushing and sleeve as a motor mount. That'll get it a bit lower in the frame than the stock motor mount will. Its also easier to fab that way. Again, any input?

All that I got done tonight is to hang the engine and make plates for the block. Hopefully tomorrow, I'll have it bolted in with a new cross member.

Time for pics...

whitelightnin92 · 07-28-2011, 02:41 AM

seriously, use a dead blow on the bottom of the door. the problem is the rockers are curved and most of the doors out there werent shaped very well to fit the rockers. ive never seen one that lined up perfectly. i spent literally weeks lining up my rocker and still had to use a dead blow to drive the door in on both bottom corners just slightly.

lukefalls · 07-28-2011, 03:04 AM

'92, I'm about ready to do that. I'll post photos when I do. If it doesn't go well, I'll post pics of myself taking a dead-blow to the entire thing.

lukefalls · 07-28-2011, 11:52 PM

I'm a bit disappointed with myself. I spent all day making sure that the engine was exactly where I wanted it. I measured about 50 times and got everything perfect. I really took time to make the brackets so that I won't make the "ghetto-fab" thread.

Once everything was built and lined-up, I tacked it. Then removed the engine and measured again. Then I welded everything in for good.

Ultimately, everything is okay. I was really hoping for great. I need to finish up the engine mounts with the boxed sides (with speed holes of course). I'm also going to build a cross member. Now that I have the engine in place, I can build the 3 link front and know that my links won't hit the exhaust or oil pan.

I talked to Kevin at Pacific Fab today. He was very helpful...so much so that I think that I'm going to pony up a buy an engine from him. I'd recommend Pac Fab to anyone looking for an LSx. Like I said, Kevin was super helpful.

Now, for the pics. FLAME ON:beer:

whitelightnin92 · 07-29-2011, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lukefalls

'92, I'm about ready to do that. I'll post photos when I do. If it doesn't go well, I'll post pics of myself taking a dead-blow to the entire thing.

NICE

lukefalls · 07-30-2011, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitelightnin92

NICE

I'll get it done one way or another.

Now that I got the engine in place, I was able to put the Ford Dana 60 in the truck. I mocked up the upper link for the 3 link. I will have definitely 7" of up travel. There is 8" until the upper link hits the frame, but I wanted at last an 1" for safety. I may need more. We'll see.

As promised...speed holes!

lukefalls · 11-11-2011, 01:34 AM

I might as well post an update.

I've been insanely busy with work the last few months. I did finish the 3 link front. There is going to be just enough room for the exhaust.

Billhilly · 11-11-2011, 05:19 AM

Great work!

lukefalls · 11-11-2011, 09:40 PM

Thanks for the input. I'll be on hold for a while. My wife is due with our son in January.

Right now, family is first. I'll make sure that I get updates loaded as I make them.

Expect to see the details on an L96 swap and full cage.

72LSK10 · 11-12-2011, 04:02 AM

Nice truck and build, I know how it feels to have a cool rock crawler, beat her up (while having fun) and then realize that she deserves to look nice. Glad to see more K series being re-done.

lukefalls · 11-13-2011, 02:03 AM

72LSK10,
I think that I've seen your truck. I used to live in Huntington Beach. I thought that I used to see it around Long Beach. Would have been about 8 years ago.

I've definitely beat it up. Now its time to fix it...right.

05-10-2011, 07:05 PM	#1
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Slow 71 GMC Build I have this build listed on both Pirate4x4 and ColoradoK5, but I wanted to post here to get some more feed back. I've had this truck for nearly 10 years. I've neglected it and hacked it. Time to fix it. The plan is for a 4x4 long travel, go-fast rock crawler, cruiser. That a lot to expect for a one truck. I am still looking for an L92 or L9H (I'd settle for an L76). I want to run a 6L90e with a Atlas 4spd or a Stak 3spd. It'll be orange, might steal Nibs' orange. The body lift is gone! It'll run Method or WER racing wheels with 37" Toyo MTs. I don't even want to think about how much the King C/Os and bypass shocks are going to cost. I have a '79 Ford Dana 60 for the front. I'll get 3.73 with a Detroit. It now has new alloy shafts, 35 spline outter shafts, and Warn Premium hubs. It also has WFO Concepts double high steer arms. This probably won't work with the amount of wheel travel it'll have. We'll see. I have everything for the 3 link + pan hard front. Its not done yet because I want to mock up the engine and make sure it'll work. The 4 link rear is in place, I just need to finish my trailing arms. The entire cage needs to be built. Here is everything I've done so far. I am finishing up the driver's side door and rocker right now. Its not going well, but more about that later. BEFORE PICTURES Last edited by lukefalls; 05-10-2011 at 07:20 PM.

05-10-2011, 07:07 PM	#2
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build MORE BEFORE PICS PROGRESS PICTURES

05-10-2011, 07:09 PM	#3
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build

05-10-2011, 07:11 PM	#4
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build

05-10-2011, 07:13 PM	#5
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build

05-10-2011, 07:18 PM	#6
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Now my problem: I cannot get my driver's door to line up...with anything. I can get any one side to line up with adjoining metal and still open and close smooth. If I want three sides to line up, the door closes smooth, but damn near take a crowbar to open. I cannot all sides of the door to line up. The reason that I started working on the door today is becuase I've been uphappy with the LMC rocker pannle. I figured that I'd make sure the door/cab/fender was where I want them. Then cut, twist, stretch, etc the rocker to where it lined up really nice. Help...please. Feedback is always welcome. Good and bad. I'm learning as I go and will not claim to be an expert on anything.

06-04-2011, 10:15 PM	#7
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build I actually made a bit of progress. A friend of mine let me use his airplane paint booth. I laid 4 coats of high build epoxy primer. I blocked a few areas and still have low spots. I guess I'm not the body man that I though I was. The worst spots are where the bed impacted the back of the cab. I see tons of these with damage there. I'm actually considering cutting out the damage and building new panels. I've got some more work to do.

06-05-2011, 01:28 AM	#8
chevy71c10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Panama City Beach, FL Posts: 228	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Looks like you have made a lot of progress on the truck. Looking good!! I wish I could provide advise on the door issue, but I'm about to replace my cab components as well. I'll be watching to see the responses as I'm sure I'll be in the same position as you, as this is my first attempt at body work. Looking forward to seeing your progress! __________________ Justin 71' C10 SWB 00' Dakota R/T 05' Z-71 Silverado 16' Z-71 Silverado Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=376904

06-13-2011, 03:03 AM	#9
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Thanks Justin. I think that the issue with the door is that I unbolted the cab from the frame and it twisted a bit. Also, I repaired the lower fender mount and I think that I put it in the wrong spot. I'll keep you updated. I am no expert, but if you have any questions, let me know.

06-30-2011, 06:42 PM	#10
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build My wife and daughter have both been really sick, so not much has happened. They are feeling better today, so I went at it again. I installed the Energy Suspension body mounts. Their kit was packaged wrong and was missing a few parts. A quick call and they said they were shipping it out today. They were very easy to deal with. Now, the door alignment issues that I had before seem to be better (but not great). I still have to use spacers in the hinges. The gap at the rear of the door is better. The side window frame is still out a ways. I guess this door is just bent. Also, the lower rear door corner sticks out about 3/8". I think that it is in part due to my poor metal working of the new rocker and cab corner. I am not looking for a new driver's door, but they are very hard to come by here in Fairbanks. People either want $100,490,000,398.24 for it, or its so rusted that its beyond my ability to fix. My new problem is that the driver's side front fender points upward. I installed the core support and hung the fender (all body mounts are torqued down). The fender appears to be about 1/4" high and the front. This is causing a wedge shaped gap between the back of the fender and the front of the door. I am not sure how to lower the core support to fix this. Anyone else experience this? I can post photos if that would help.

06-30-2011, 07:06 PM	#11
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build

06-30-2011, 07:39 PM	#12
dieselarmy13 Phone's ringin Dude. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 1,426	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Cool truck __________________ I pitty the fool with only two headlights!! 2003 SILVERADO SS--THE NEW GIRL 1972 GMC--THE OLD GIRL

07-03-2011, 04:39 PM	#14
bosco200 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ste. Genevieve, MO Posts: 526	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Lookin good!

07-28-2011, 01:30 AM	#15
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Well, I got the body mount/cab issue sorted out. I just needed to adjust the bushings. Thank for the help on that. Interior Towing of Fairbanks helped me a ton! The loaned me a smoked 5.3 to use for mock-up. Other than the hole in the block and oil pan leaking oil everywhere, its working perfect. I am finding that the stock exhaust manifolds are too wide and hitting the frame. I'll look into Camaro manifolds. I've heard that they're narrower. Any input on this? I am using a large bushing and sleeve as a motor mount. That'll get it a bit lower in the frame than the stock motor mount will. Its also easier to fab that way. Again, any input? All that I got done tonight is to hang the engine and make plates for the block. Hopefully tomorrow, I'll have it bolted in with a new cross member. Time for pics...

07-28-2011, 02:41 AM	#16
whitelightnin92 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Greenwood, DE Posts: 72	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build seriously, use a dead blow on the bottom of the door. the problem is the rockers are curved and most of the doors out there werent shaped very well to fit the rockers. ive never seen one that lined up perfectly. i spent literally weeks lining up my rocker and still had to use a dead blow to drive the door in on both bottom corners just slightly. __________________ 06 ECSB 4X4 L33 HO 3.73s 15.56@89.9 STOCK 92 K1500 TBI350vortec(too much to list) 69 C10 short fleetside(under construction) 72 C10 short stepside(almost driveable)



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07-28-2011, 03:04 AM	#17
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build '92, I'm about ready to do that. I'll post photos when I do. If it doesn't go well, I'll post pics of myself taking a dead-blow to the entire thing.

07-28-2011, 11:52 PM	#18
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build I'm a bit disappointed with myself. I spent all day making sure that the engine was exactly where I wanted it. I measured about 50 times and got everything perfect. I really took time to make the brackets so that I won't make the "ghetto-fab" thread. Once everything was built and lined-up, I tacked it. Then removed the engine and measured again. Then I welded everything in for good. Ultimately, everything is okay. I was really hoping for great. I need to finish up the engine mounts with the boxed sides (with speed holes of course). I'm also going to build a cross member. Now that I have the engine in place, I can build the 3 link front and know that my links won't hit the exhaust or oil pan. I talked to Kevin at Pacific Fab today. He was very helpful...so much so that I think that I'm going to pony up a buy an engine from him. I'd recommend Pac Fab to anyone looking for an LSx. Like I said, Kevin was super helpful. Now, for the pics. FLAME ON:beer:

11-11-2011, 01:34 AM	#21
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build I might as well post an update. I've been insanely busy with work the last few months. I did finish the 3 link front. There is going to be just enough room for the exhaust.

11-11-2011, 05:19 AM	#22
Billhilly Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand. Posts: 782	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Great work! __________________ 1972 K2500 Long Box 400/350

11-11-2011, 09:40 PM	#23
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Thanks for the input. I'll be on hold for a while. My wife is due with our son in January. Right now, family is first. I'll make sure that I get updates loaded as I make them. Expect to see the details on an L96 swap and full cage.

11-12-2011, 04:02 AM	#24
72LSK10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 127	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build Nice truck and build, I know how it feels to have a cool rock crawler, beat her up (while having fun) and then realize that she deserves to look nice. Glad to see more K series being re-done.

11-13-2011, 02:03 AM	#25
lukefalls Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	Re: Slow 71 GMC Build 72LSK10, I think that I've seen your truck. I used to live in Huntington Beach. I thought that I used to see it around Long Beach. Would have been about 8 years ago. I've definitely beat it up. Now its time to fix it...right.

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