My build. Project Karma. 71 stepside.

[lyrikz]

Well, time for an update. I busted my ass today to get the drivetrain setup so i can concentrate on getting the cab back on the truck. Basically i had to make room for the driveline, finish the exhaust, the trans crossmember, and move the emergency brake cable out of the way of the exhaust. Here are the pics... Drivetrain is officially do
ne....
This is the driveline before.


thats at ride height.. About 1/4 of inch worth of room... Then i went and took care of that.



I was going to just weld in a tube, but wanted to make something instead.. This is what i came up with.


This is a shot of my weld. Getting better and better.


To be continued.

[lyrikz]

I figured that box wasnt strong enough so i added braces in teh middle and braces to the exterior. SUPER SUPER tough now...



So, that took care of the driveline. Then i just had to finish up the exhaust. Once the truck is 100% done, im going to have the exhaust shop, do the tips so they can exit in front of the rear tires. Right now they just dump in front of the trailing arms. The exhaust isnt perfect, its about .5 inch longer on the drivers side then the left... I couldnt be happier though.

Exhaust hanger setup.


some weld shots.


This is the exhaust itself....


So, thats where im at now. I will be starting on the cab sometime this week. Well, starting on the drivers side. Pass. side is done.....
I also wanted to mention a member on here. CG. I have some rust area and he drove me to his cab and let me cut a chunk out. He also has some more parts for me also... Its funny i named thiis project Karma because i used to not be such a good person. ahaha. Lately i have been trying to be a better person and this kinda shows that what goes around, comes around.... Thanks again CG.

[estig70]

Good Job lyrikz.

Eric

[Riveted1]

Lookin good man. Those welds are nice!

And I'm a believer in Karma too. It's usually people who weren't so "good" before that notice it the most. When they become better people, they see the stuff they were missing.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

Lookin good man. Those welds are nice!

And I'm a believer in Karma too. It's usually people who weren't so "good" before that notice it the most. When they become better people, they see the stuff they were missing.

Anyone know how much room is between the floor and the frame, kinda where my mufflers sit???? Wondering how close those mufflers are going to be to the floor. ahaha... SHoulda measured that... oh well... thats what they make BFH for.

[thirdstreettito]

You still havent posted the pic that your avatar is...

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

You still havent posted the pic that your avatar is...

Oh, didnt realize anyone wanted to see it. ahaha





There ya go.

[dragginass]

Nice Center Lines. I love those wheels. Lookin a little too tall tho. lol. But looks good non the less.

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Anyone know how much room is between the floor and the frame, kinda where my mufflers sit???? Wondering how close those mufflers are going to be to the floor. ahaha... SHoulda measured that... oh well... thats what they make BFH for.

The shortest point from the cab to the frame in that area is about one inch. Of course my cab mounts are probably worn.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by dragginass

Nice Center Lines. I love those wheels. Lookin a little too tall tho. lol. But looks good non the less.

Well, thats ride height.. I dont have the bags on yet.. PLUS without that step on there it looks a bit higher.. Still 5 inch drop. ahaha.

Originally Posted by Riveted1

The shortest point from the cab to the frame in that area is about one inch. Of course my cab mounts are probably worn.

oh.... dang.... Gonna need some heat shields and a bfh im guessin.

[dragginass]

Haha yea. Theres no way it'll lay with a wheel that big. But will deff look sex anyways. Hurry up and finish it so I can see it layed out.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by dragginass

Haha yea. Theres no way it'll lay with a wheel that big. But will deff look sex anyways. Hurry up and finish it so I can see it layed out.

Im just putting a c notch in the rear frame.. Im not layin out totally in the rear. The wheel fits ALLLLLLL the way to the top of the fender. ahaha SO it will go as low as it wants to.. I figure i have probably 8 inches or so before the c notch touches the axle??? I will be doing that notch here next... Need to get the cab back on, and the bed BACK off. ahaha...

[lyrikz]

Took the bed off yesterday.... Pretty fun.... I found an issue i need some help with...



That tube just had some tape over it.... What do i do there???? Plug it off completely???

Heres my bed removed.

[BACKYARD88]

Cool!

[Riveted1]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

That tube just had some tape over it.... What do i do there???? Plug it off completely???

Put a section of hose on it and curl it up. Just needs to be able to breathe, but you want the hose long enough so gas doesn't puke out of it.

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by Riveted1

Put a section of hose on it and curl it up. Just needs to be able to breathe, but you want the hose long enough so gas doesn't puke out of it.

Got some updates. I spent all weekend finishing up a few things. Modified the exhaust to give me a bit more room where the pipe goes through the crossmember. No pics of that. Installed the carb, installed the dist.. Drivetrain is almost 100%..



Need to run some plumbing, didnt realize you had to remove the pass. side header to fit the starter, so off comes the exhaust for the twelvth time. ahaha



then on to the fun. I installed the pass. side cnotch. I bought this notch from McGaughtys and it fits like ****. Bottom line. I had to heat it up, bend it, and a bunch of crap and there is STILL some gap where the frame curves. I bolted the notch in and welded the rest. Im not worried about the gap between the notch. I mightttt cut it and bang it in place and weld it, but i honestly thing it would just be a waste of time. I would never buy anything from these guys. THis is supposed to be a bolt in cnotch. Bull****....

Here are the Plates for the RE7's. I basically welded the plate on the bottom and ran a bolt up into the bag.



Here is where i first started the notch. Now you see the bolt to the left, with the FRONT bolt in, that bolt hole was 3 inches away from the frame. I had to heat up the notch and screw the bolt in to bend it into place and there is STILL that gap.




You guys see any need to weld that gap??? I was thinking of cutting it and bangin it towards the frame then rewelding it. I just dont think its necessary, but you guys would know.

To be continued.

[lyrikz]

Here is the bag.

So that side is done. I will do the other side this week, then start looking for a tank and compressor....




Once i get the drivetrain all done, going to finish the body work on the cab and get to puttin it all back together... Fun fun.. Anyone have any recommendations on tank size and what compressor to run?? Just going to run rear bags for now, Front bags will be later, but i dont want to have to upgrade anything when i add the fronts.

[Riveted1]

Oh hey, we're kinda goin back and forth on two different threads, but anyway... I talked to Porterbuilt (Nate) and he said the thought the notch would be plenty strong even though it doesn't match the frame. Mine is just bolted in, so yours should be even stronger.

[1969stepside]

i like the q-jet on there nice touch

[BACKYARD88]

Looking good mang

[deweychop]

I love this thread!!!! Great job!!

[WIDESIDE72]

Just curious. are you planning on using the fenders on the truck now and installing a 68 Chevrolet grille and hood, or swapping out the fenders so that you can run the 72 Chevrolet grille?

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by 1969stepside

i like the q-jet on there nice touch

I talked to ALOT of people and everyone has their choice on carbs, but most of the people i talked to said go with teh Q jet. ITs 750cc, i lose some low end, but im not racing it. I want something reliable. I guess if iwent with an edelbrock or a holley, i would get a ton more power down low.

Originally Posted by BACKYARD88

Looking good mang

Thanks man...

Originally Posted by deweychop

I love this thread!!!! Great job!!

Nice, thanks.

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Just curious. are you planning on using the fenders on the truck now and installing a 68 Chevrolet grille and hood, or swapping out the fenders so that you can run the 72 Chevrolet grille?

uhm... The front end is GMC.. Im using the fenders and my grille i have. I love the GMC stuff. I think its all 71 or 72 GMC stuff. I already have a cowl GMC hood for it...... Am i missing something? Are those fenders i have off a different year??

[lyrikz]

Have an update. No pics yet. Airbags are in the rear and notch is done. The left side of the notch was easy compared to the first side.

Quick question on how you remove side bed strips that are welded on the side. YOu just have to use drill bit remover type thing???

[lyrikz]

Welpers, Update time.

Kind of have a blast from the past here. WHen i first started doing this truck, i had no idea. I didnt have the right tools and or knowledge... Well here is an example.

I started the pass. side rust repair on the date on the picture.. Oct.


I have it almost finished here. You can see that time line. OCt- March. There were some things in between i was doing.. This wasnt everyday either. But you get the picture.



Moving back to the present, i talked my work into buying a plasma cutter.. Yay... Here is where i am now. This is the cutter.



That cutter gets you this.



That gives you the next post.