1971 Stepside LS Build - Page 30 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**MDPotter** · 01-14-2021, 01:10 PM

Now we've got a fully assembled truck! Can't wait to see some pictures outside and see the complete interior.

TA_C10 · 01-14-2021, 02:57 PM

Your floor is too dirty for that pretty truck.

**1971Stepside** · 01-14-2021, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Your floor is too dirty for that pretty truck.

Trying to be like omodified....his shop floor is perfect

**1971Stepside** · 01-14-2021, 04:35 PM

Went home to meet the guy that sprayed the finish on my bed wood. The sun was out, so I backed the truck out and tried to get a couple pics.

siggyfreud · 01-14-2021, 05:01 PM

Hard to say anything other than "wow!" That looks amazing man. Really really phenomenal build!

**Kronald_70GMC** · 01-14-2021, 05:06 PM

Wow! Just a beautiful truck. Congrats!

Low Elco · 01-14-2021, 09:41 PM

Shoooo-wee that's purdy! Congrats, you're gonna have a great summer!

Scurry67 · 01-15-2021, 02:10 AM

Wow that looks amazing! Your buddy’s shop did a great job on the paint. It’s going to get a lot of rubbernecking from other drivers for sure!

Custom 68 · 01-15-2021, 10:57 AM

looking good in the sun! Good to see it coming all together.

**1971Stepside** · 01-15-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Hard to say anything other than "wow!" That looks amazing man. Really really phenomenal build!

Quote:

Wow! Just a beautiful truck. Congrats!

Quote:

Shoooo-wee that's purdy! Congrats, you're gonna have a great summer!

Quote:

Wow that looks amazing! Your buddy’s shop did a great job on the paint. It’s going to get a lot of rubbernecking from other drivers for sure!

Quote:

looking good in the sun! Good to see it coming all together.

Thank you for all the positive comments. I'm really glad to see it together painted and I feel good about my color choices. The idea was to build a classy hot rod if you will. I'm proud of the ol girl and can't wait to hit the streets.

YJ_Aaron · 01-17-2021, 02:04 PM

Looks great, hope to see it out and about.

**IronCanine** · 01-17-2021, 04:53 PM

Fantastic. Looks great. Well done. Congrats on an outstanding result.

**1971Stepside** · 01-19-2021, 11:28 AM

I wanted to hide the bed bolts that bolt the bed to the frame so I had made provisions in the wood to allow space for the heads of the bolts, but hadn't really decided the best approach on how to keep them from turning when I tried to tighten them. I opted to use carriage bolts as they sat a little lower. I squared the bed up and put the bolts in and tried to tighten one without the bed wood in place to see what I would get. Every single one of them tightened without turning! I then studied the thing and decided that I could probably put the bed wood in with the bed on the truck knowing that the bolts over the Boyd tank would be the hardest. I figured if I worked the two center boards first I could get my had under there to get the nuts on. I'm going to now tell you that I need Jesus more because I lost my

twice and ended up dropping the tank down to finish them up. Of course the tank then fought me to go back in place, so again I went postal at 10:30 p.m.

The next day I was sore and bruised up, but I won! Put the remaining bolts in the bed and decided that I would never do that again.

**1971Stepside** · 01-19-2021, 11:34 AM

I also tackled the cowl over the weekend. It wasn't too bad. The wife is becoming a regular truck builder as she helped me set it on the truck. I really like the screens, but I am pretty disappointed with the fit of the cowl to the door on the drivers side. I'm probably going to end up pulling it off and make the shop re work it. It looks worse from the drivers door looking forward.

**MDPotter** · 01-19-2021, 12:36 PM

Haha I feel your pain on the bedwood. It seems like no matter what your bed floor is (wood or steel), it is a struggle with the tank in place. I decided on our current truck that we need to make the tank easy (a relative term) to drop because it's so difficult to get to the bed bolts and bumper bracket bolts with it in place.

I'm sure you have one, but what's on your to do list to get to 100% completion?

**1971Stepside** · 01-19-2021, 01:08 PM

Quote:

I'm sure you have one, but what's on your to do list to get to 100% completion?

I have a list running on paper and in my head. A few of the things are:

Horn working
Wipers Installed
AC line o-rings installed
AC charged
AC vent hoses ran under dash
Radio antenna installed
Rear lights wired
Drill holes for additional seat bolts (Snowden only hits 4 of the 8 original spots)
Program Dakota Digital
Carpet and final upholstery work (scheduled)
Final install on steering wheel
Alignment
Final Tune

I have a power drain in the right side door jamb switch that needs to be fixed and several other small tweaks, but it is getting pretty close.

**MDPotter** · 01-19-2021, 01:37 PM

I have a suggestion for you - make sure you have your wiper transmission installed right (for the correct wiper rotation and parking) before you put on the blades. I had mine on wrong the first time and had to pull the wiper arms back off (which is not easy if you don't have the tool) and scratched my cowl in the process.

**1971Stepside** · 01-19-2021, 01:46 PM

Quote:

I have a suggestion for you - make sure you have your wiper transmission installed right (for the correct wiper rotation and parking) before you put on the blades. I had mine on wrong the first time and had to pull the wiper arms back off (which is not easy if you don't have the tool) and scratched my cowl in the process.

I have seen this and looked at several threads about it. I wish I had turned it on before I put the cowl on so I could verify the pictures I used as a tutorial were correct. I will turn them on before installing the wipers though...thanks. I'm hoping it all doesn't have to come back apart.

TA_C10 · 01-19-2021, 05:23 PM

Looking great. Hiding those bolts is a really good clean look. Surprised the body shop missed that bad of alignment on the cowl...

**1971Stepside** · 01-19-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Looking great. Hiding those bolts is a really good clean look. Surprised the body shop missed that bad of alignment on the cowl...

I've been studying it. It looks like the top of the door needs to go in some compared to the picture I took before it came apart at the shop. They have a shim in the fender that could then come out so those two jive. I have new hood hinges on the way. I'll take the hood off and see how bad I can mess the whole thing up LOL. It's fun moving one thing and watching all the other pieces go haywire.

**1971Stepside** · 01-21-2021, 11:46 AM

Hinges finally came in. They look to be built really nice with a lot of adjustment. Now to get the hood back off and get them installed.

Low Elco · 01-21-2021, 09:53 PM

Ooh, those are slick! What Brand? Can't wait to see this thing. Are you going to the Shindig?

**derotoreut** · 01-22-2021, 11:19 AM

Looks great! Has to be a good feeling to be at the point you're at.

**1971Stepside** · 01-22-2021, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Ooh, those are slick! What Brand? Can't wait to see this thing. Are you going to the Shindig?

CVF brand. They came highly recommended from yeah, you know....the thing! And yes, I do plan to be at the shindig. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys.

Quote:

Looks great! Has to be a good feeling to be at the point you're at.

It is a little bittersweet. What am I going to do with myself now!?!?

**SIXTY9** · 01-22-2021, 06:42 PM

Hey great story and great work on the truck, I bet you are really glad to have it to this point. Can you post the website for the hood hinges?

Thanks.
Wally

01-14-2021, 01:10 PM	#726
MDPotter Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 1,165	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Now we've got a fully assembled truck! Can't wait to see some pictures outside and see the complete interior. __________________ 1964 Chevy C10 - Gen IV 5.3 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768632 1968 GMC C15 - Gen III 6.0 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772047 1969 Chevy C10 - Restoration http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809184 1978 Chevy Scottsdale K20 1993 Chevy C1500 - 5.3/T56 swapped 2008 Silverado Duramax

01-14-2021, 02:57 PM	#727
TA_C10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 1,353	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Your floor is too dirty for that pretty truck. __________________ TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money".

01-14-2021, 04:35 PM	#729
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Went home to meet the guy that sprayed the finish on my bed wood. The sun was out, so I backed the truck out and tried to get a couple pics. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-14-2021, 05:01 PM	#730
siggyfreud Registered User Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Portland Posts: 1,330	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Hard to say anything other than "wow!" That looks amazing man. Really really phenomenal build! __________________ Current Build - Project "Ghost of Poseidon" 72 C10 Pro-touring build Previous Build - 66 GMC Pro-touring build. Sold.

01-14-2021, 05:06 PM	#731
Kronald_70GMC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Martensville, Saskatchewan Posts: 948	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Wow! Just a beautiful truck. Congrats! __________________ Kyle 1970 GMC "Project Splice" 2017 Silverado LTZ (Daily Driver) IG: kyle_ronald

01-14-2021, 09:41 PM	#732
Low Elco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indep, MO Posts: 5,893	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Shoooo-wee that's purdy! Congrats, you're gonna have a great summer! __________________ Boppa's Old Yeller Truck Build, Old Yeller's New Heart! Project Buzz Bomb Flyin' Low!

01-15-2021, 02:10 AM	#733
Scurry67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 320	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Wow that looks amazing! Your buddy’s shop did a great job on the paint. It’s going to get a lot of rubbernecking from other drivers for sure! __________________ 67 SWB First Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777171

01-15-2021, 10:57 AM	#734
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,930	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build looking good in the sun! Good to see it coming all together. __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

01-17-2021, 02:04 PM	#736
YJ_Aaron Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ozark MO Posts: 141	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Looks great, hope to see it out and about.

01-17-2021, 04:53 PM	#737
IronCanine I'm trying.... Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 2,535	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Fantastic. Looks great. Well done. Congrats on an outstanding result. __________________ 1970 Blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645076 1969 K10 SWB CST http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...52#post8520352 1971 K20 Z84 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...90#post9047290 1946 B.F. Avery Model A Tractor http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...55#post8292555 "Sometimes I wonder if zander208 was even real..."

01-19-2021, 11:28 AM	#738
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build I wanted to hide the bed bolts that bolt the bed to the frame so I had made provisions in the wood to allow space for the heads of the bolts, but hadn't really decided the best approach on how to keep them from turning when I tried to tighten them. I opted to use carriage bolts as they sat a little lower. I squared the bed up and put the bolts in and tried to tighten one without the bed wood in place to see what I would get. Every single one of them tightened without turning! I then studied the thing and decided that I could probably put the bed wood in with the bed on the truck knowing that the bolts over the Boyd tank would be the hardest. I figured if I worked the two center boards first I could get my had under there to get the nuts on. I'm going to now tell you that I need Jesus more because I lost my twice and ended up dropping the tank down to finish them up. Of course the tank then fought me to go back in place, so again I went postal at 10:30 p.m. The next day I was sore and bruised up, but I won! Put the remaining bolts in the bed and decided that I would never do that again. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-19-2021, 11:34 AM	#739
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build I also tackled the cowl over the weekend. It wasn't too bad. The wife is becoming a regular truck builder as she helped me set it on the truck. I really like the screens, but I am pretty disappointed with the fit of the cowl to the door on the drivers side. I'm probably going to end up pulling it off and make the shop re work it. It looks worse from the drivers door looking forward. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-19-2021, 12:36 PM	#740
MDPotter Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 1,165	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Haha I feel your pain on the bedwood. It seems like no matter what your bed floor is (wood or steel), it is a struggle with the tank in place. I decided on our current truck that we need to make the tank easy (a relative term) to drop because it's so difficult to get to the bed bolts and bumper bracket bolts with it in place. I'm sure you have one, but what's on your to do list to get to 100% completion? __________________ 1964 Chevy C10 - Gen IV 5.3 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768632 1968 GMC C15 - Gen III 6.0 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772047 1969 Chevy C10 - Restoration http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809184 1978 Chevy Scottsdale K20 1993 Chevy C1500 - 5.3/T56 swapped 2008 Silverado Duramax

01-19-2021, 01:37 PM	#742
MDPotter Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 1,165	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build I have a suggestion for you - make sure you have your wiper transmission installed right (for the correct wiper rotation and parking) before you put on the blades. I had mine on wrong the first time and had to pull the wiper arms back off (which is not easy if you don't have the tool) and scratched my cowl in the process. __________________ 1964 Chevy C10 - Gen IV 5.3 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768632 1968 GMC C15 - Gen III 6.0 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772047 1969 Chevy C10 - Restoration http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809184 1978 Chevy Scottsdale K20 1993 Chevy C1500 - 5.3/T56 swapped 2008 Silverado Duramax

01-19-2021, 05:23 PM	#744
TA_C10 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 1,353	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Looking great. Hiding those bolts is a really good clean look. Surprised the body shop missed that bad of alignment on the cowl... __________________ TA_C10 Stage 1 build - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8333444 "It's only money".



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01-21-2021, 11:46 AM	#746
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,928	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Hinges finally came in. They look to be built really nice with a lot of adjustment. Now to get the hood back off and get them installed. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

01-21-2021, 09:53 PM	#747
Low Elco Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Indep, MO Posts: 5,893	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Ooh, those are slick! What Brand? Can't wait to see this thing. Are you going to the Shindig? __________________ Boppa's Old Yeller Truck Build, Old Yeller's New Heart! Project Buzz Bomb Flyin' Low!

01-22-2021, 11:19 AM	#748
derotoreut Roto Reuter thats the name... Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Darien, NY Posts: 1,848	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Looks great! Has to be a good feeling to be at the point you're at. __________________ ~ Dan My 70 K10 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=782232 My 71 SWB build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651394 1970 SWB Fleet K10 4X4, 5.3L LM7, 4L60E, Dakota Digital RTX, Vintage Air, Ididit tilt 1971 SWB Fleet C10 - Original SWB Arizona truck, new custom restoration project "Kick out your motor and drive while you're still alive - kick it out!" - Heart 1977

01-22-2021, 06:42 PM	#750
SIXTY9 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: North Charleston SC Posts: 503	Re: 1971 Stepside LS Build Hey great story and great work on the truck, I bet you are really glad to have it to this point. Can you post the website for the hood hinges? Thanks. Wally

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