"The Bluedress"(71' swb 4x4) rebuild

[71blksuper4x4]

Hey guys, decided to create a slow build thread for my 1971 swb 4x4. Some of the guys that have been her awhile might remember a buildup of this truck about 6 years ago. Well, we figured it was just as good as time as any to strip her back down. Basically, the first time we built it was to get me something to drive to and from school. Well now that I don't rely on it for transportation, it was time to do it right.

Build up list:
-Replace cab with 1972 cab (JoesJunk)

-Replace bed with parts of several
*Rust Free Texas bedsides (Teeitup)
*Rust Free New Mexico bed floor (Hart Rod)

-Rebuild Transmission and Transfer Case

-Rebuild either the 350 or 400 sbc, replace heads with 202 camel hump heads

-Strip down the frame (knock out any cancer in it)
*Sandblast
*Powdercoat

-Shackle Flip and switch to a 6" lift

-37" MTR Goodyears on either white steelie 8"ers or the rallys
Factory Dog Dishes

-New Paint

- Maybe switch to houndstooth buckets instead of the vinyl (up in the air)

Here is what the truck looked like before tear down. Trevor

[1956cameo]

I think that is the best looking before picture of a project I have ever seen. Looks really solid and straight. Is it full of bondo and fiberglass, or is all the rust in areas that the picture doesn't show?

[71blksuper4x4]

This is a pic of where some of the rust was. It was getting bad around the door opening area on the inside of the top of the door. It was starting to make the paint flake off, we replaced a lot of the floor and rockers on this cab before, but this would be a tough fix for me and my dad, that's why we opted for the the pretty rust free cab from Joe. We will have to make the 1971 changes to the cab, but it is the better solution. The frame was nasty from the back half. Not from us cleaning it up the first time, but the rust that was behind all the backs of the crossmembers back there. Especially the rear leaf spring hangers. So we opted to cut the frame back there. We would have really wanted to cut the frame in half and just replaced the back half, but we did not want any questions later on as to why the frame was cut in half since it is a original swb 4x4.

[71blksuper4x4]

Oh, I forgot to mention why we chose powdercoating this time. That black you see on the frame waspor15 when we did it 6 years ago. We weren't very satisfied with the product after spending the big bucks on it and prepping it very well. Anyway, so over thanksgiving break, I helped my dad repair the frame where it was nasty and remove all the rust that was deteriorating what was left. We are going to have some fun putting in all those rivets. Anyone have a method that they use to do that? Oh, and my dad was proud to have made this rotisserie system and I am lucky enough to accept them as a gift as he said they are mine when I get a shop someday. We enjoy the time we have out in the shop together since I have spent the last several years at college. Especially after he had a bad rollover a couple years back, I am very grateful for having him around.

[1956cameo]

Thats a shame you have to junk the cab. I am currently replacing all of the sheetmetal in my cab that is in the areas you highlighted on yours. I lived on an Island on the Texas coast for 5 years and it wreaked havoc on my cabs roofline.
It is taking alot of patience and fabricating to get my cab back into shape. I am wrapping up on patching the top roofline and am about to start under the drip rail over where the doors go. Somedays I wish I just did a cab swap and feel like the metal work will never end. I think the work will be worth it in the end though.
Keep us posted I will look forward to watching the build on this truck.

[vtblazer]

A build worth watching, subscribed.

Any change in the color combo or are you staying with blue/white two tone?

[71blksuper4x4]

Kurt, staying with the blue and white theme. It just happens that Joes old cab was originally blue and white too. Trevor

[88JRFAN]

Glad to here your staying with the blue and white. That is one con against por 15 if it didn't last any longer than that. Would rather go with powdercoating any way. And that sucks that after all that work on the cab from last time that it is not worth saving now. Will be watching your build.

[71blksuper4x4]

re-dyed a 3 spoke steering wheel for it this time awhile back. Always like the look of them color matched.

[71blksuper4x4]

A couple of old shots as well. A pic of the 37" MTR's, disregard the jeep cj wheels, they will not be going on the truck of course. The one and only time I took this muddin', had to pull these guys out from being buried in a late model Dakota. If you look carefully, you will see his differential in his hand. OH, the power of these old Chevies! Also, a fun old shot of the shop of my two babies.

[67-72crazy]

nice truck
good luck with the rebuilding.

[STOCKISH]

Looks like an awesome ruck. Cant wait to see more progress.

[Hart_Rod]

Trevor,

Glad you started a thread. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. Take care,

R

[Booya]

Very nice truck, Any updates?

[ChaseDale3and8]

Your truck is one of my favorites on this site! I never would have thought that it was that rusty! It's a great looking truck in all of your pics! I wonder why this generation of truck seems to rust on the frame around the spring hangers? I've seen several that have been that way since I've been on this site. The 71 GMC 4x4 that I had wasn't rusty around the spring hangers, but it sure made up for it on the body! Good luck on your rebuild! I'll be watching it for sure! ...Joe

[71blksuper4x4]

As a matter of fact, I did get my frame powdercoated, but I have no good pics yet. It turned out very nice though.

[msgross]

my computer must be broken because that truck looks very nice to start with!

[nuke1]

i agree with the broken computer that is a way nice truck, if i was closer i would offer to come get that rusted out cab from you and haul it away, just hellping out the environment and recycling you know, nice truck and build.

[Gene]

I am in the process of building a 4x4 out of my 2wd and it is the same color combo as yours, and I am hoping it looks half as good as your before pics. I am actually building a clone of your before truck, right down to the rallies and 35's w/6 inch lift. I have buckets also and am also going w/ the houndstooth covers. I ordered my FGB52 kit friday and cant wait to get started, I will be taking the frame to get sandblasted and painted(or powdercoated) as soon as I mock up my suspension. Anyways, this thread is about your truck. So good luck! One question though, did the 71 4wd trucks not come with the fender badges where the 350 usually goes? Thanks.

[71blksuper4x4]

No, 71-72 trucks do not have the 4 Wheel Drive emblem on them. Only pre-1970 trucks have them. Trevor

[steelhorse]

subscribed

[jay-dawg]

Just wondering about the por15...did the sanblaster have any trouble getting it off? I had done mine in por15 and didn't like how it turned out either. I'm waiting till the next go round to do it right.

[71blksuper4x4]

jay-dawg, there was no problem sand blasting the old por off. Looks a lot better powder coated.

[Joesjunk]

Trevor, I almost forgot about that cab! I couldn't even rembember what color it was!! Glad to hear your finally getting to use it.

[71blksuper4x4]

yeah Joe, it's finally seeing it's destiny. Going to have fix a few things on it like the rearview mirror mount and weld one in out of 71' that I got from Randy and fix the radio area with another piece from Randy. It works out perfect that it was an original blue and white cab in case we miss a few spots under the dash. Trevor