My '71 GMC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Crazyz28 · 11-06-2009, 07:56 PM

Hi all, been reading here on the forum since I bought my truck 2 months ago, now I finally got it to my work. It's got a bit of rust on the body, but that will be taken care of after it's road-worthy. I'm currently swapping out the hydrolocked I6 for a 350 out of a '73 Camaro. I pulled the 6banger out today and hopefully will have the new motor in tomorrow. The PO tried to rewire the car himself with a "custom" switch panel, so I'm going to use a fuse block I have laying around out of a Olds Alero (I'm a GM tech so I have lots of random parts laying around

) and rewire the entire truck. Here are some pics:

Crazyz28 · 11-06-2009, 07:57 PM

More pictures:

unclewatts · 11-07-2009, 12:10 AM

Welcome to the board! Is that really hay sticking out of the glove compartment? A true farm truck.

Rob H. · 11-07-2009, 12:29 AM

Doesn't look too bad, I spent alot of time in a 71 GMC in the late 80's. Looks like the late 70's early 80's took a toll on that truck with the sun roof and tear drop hood! Have fun with it!

Crazyz28 · 11-12-2009, 07:39 PM

Some progress today, got the motor dropped in, just waiting on tomorrow's paycheck to buy some headers and going to the junkyards Saturday to find an alternator and all the pullies/brackets I need. Hopefully in the next week or 2 I will at least be able to fire up the engine. Also I know I should have cleaned up the trans and painted it before I put it in, but I want to make sure it works and the clutch/pressure plate is good first before I spend the time doing so. With access to a lift at work, it's not like it's hard to take it back out and clean it up then

**68350** · 11-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Lookin good so far! Don' forget to check the brakes, etc before you drive it. I had a buddy almost go through a parts store but luckily there was a curb there.

Crazyz28 · 11-12-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68350

Lookin good so far! Don' forget to check the brakes, etc before you drive it. I had a buddy almost go through a parts store but luckily there was a curb there.

It will get all new brakes, front to back, before I even drive it. There is zero fluid in the entire system cause with no springs in the rear, the bed pinched/broke the brake line on the rear axle. It'll get a new MC, new brake lines all the way down, new front calipers and pads, new cylinders and shoes in the rear. This is definitely a budget build to at least get it on the road, but I know better to spend the little $ I have on the important stuff instead of making the appearance look good first. I may be polishing a turd with a good looking motor at first, but given time and money I hope to bring this to show quality.

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-12-2009, 09:42 PM

Sounds like you have the right idea. Keep up the nice work!

**LockDoc** · 11-12-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclewatts

Welcome to the board! Is that really hay sticking out of the glove compartment? A true farm truck.

Looks like he might have had a Pack Rat move into the glove box...

LockDoc

Crazyz28 · 11-12-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Looks like he might have had a Pack Rat move into the glove box...

LockDoc

Sure did, it was parked for 8 yrs outside of a 2 stall horse barn.

*highperf4x4* · 11-12-2009, 11:56 PM

That may be the shortest spid I've seen.

chevy truck crazy · 11-13-2009, 01:41 AM

Looks good man keep us informed, Loved the sick hood scoop PO had over the six banger

TonyJohnson · 11-13-2009, 10:15 AM

Looks like a bunny should live in that glove box. lol. Nice simple truck. Keep'em coming.

woodridge · 11-13-2009, 10:29 AM

Looks like youre making good progress. What distributor are you going to use? If HEI,not moving the engine forward to the V8 position, it is going to be really close to the firewall.

woodridge · 11-13-2009, 10:32 AM

Is it just me or is there something unusuall about the bed?

Crazyz28 · 11-13-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodridge

Looks like youre making good progress. What distributor are you going to use? If HEI,not moving the engine forward to the V8 position, it is going to be really close to the firewall.

I am running an Accel HEI. I just dropped the distributor in and have about 1.5 inch of clearance between the firewall. I got lucky as I had not even considered distributor clearance with keeping the motor back

.

woodridge · 11-13-2009, 10:41 AM

Good, sometimes they won't fit without massaging the fw. At the rate you are going, you should be driving it soon.

*highperf4x4* · 11-13-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodridge

Is it just me or is there something unusuall about the bed?

You referring to the rear axle being forward from the drop so the tire doesn't match the opening in the bed?

Crazyz28 · 11-13-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

You referring to the rear axle being forward from the drop so the tire doesn't match the opening in the bed?

The bed isn't bolted on right now so it's not exactly where it should be (waiting on a bed bolt kit) and the rear springs aren't in.

**special-K** · 11-13-2009, 11:30 AM

I`d say it`s coming along.I bet you can`t wait to hear it run.

woodridge · 11-13-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

You referring to the rear axle being forward from the drop so the tire doesn't match the opening in the bed?

It may just be the picture but it looks like the wheel opening is further back than normal.

*highperf4x4* · 11-13-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodridge

It may just be the picture but it looks like the wheel opening is further back than normal.

That's typical when you do a basic drop because the trailing arms aren't straight. Since he doesn't have the springs in it's basically the same thing. The trailing arms are pulling the rear end forward.

nicolas72gmc · 11-14-2009, 01:21 AM

Looks like somewhere down the line someone cut about 8 inches out of the bed between the wheel wells and tailgate. It looks just like what Kevin did to lowbuck, with out cutting the 12 inches out of the front part of the bed. Maybe it is just the pic playing tricks on me.

*highperf4x4* · 11-14-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicolas72gmc

Looks like somewhere down the line someone cut about 8 inches out of the bed between the wheel wells and tailgate. It looks just like what Kevin did to lowbuck, with out cutting the 12 inches out of the front part of the bed. Maybe it is just the pic playing tricks on me.

yeah it's messin with ya. Look at the very first pic.

nicolas72gmc · 11-14-2009, 01:41 AM

I see it now. I was like, wait that pic looks like a normal bed and then I looked at the last one and it didn't look right. I think I'm tired!!

11-06-2009, 07:56 PM	#1
Crazyz28 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 68	My '71 GMC Hi all, been reading here on the forum since I bought my truck 2 months ago, now I finally got it to my work. It's got a bit of rust on the body, but that will be taken care of after it's road-worthy. I'm currently swapping out the hydrolocked I6 for a 350 out of a '73 Camaro. I pulled the 6banger out today and hopefully will have the new motor in tomorrow. The PO tried to rewire the car himself with a "custom" switch panel, so I'm going to use a fuse block I have laying around out of a Olds Alero (I'm a GM tech so I have lots of random parts laying around ) and rewire the entire truck. Here are some pics:

11-06-2009, 07:57 PM	#2
Crazyz28 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 68	Re: My '71 GMC More pictures:

11-07-2009, 12:10 AM	#3
unclewatts 70 Chevrolet=Obsession Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: nice ca Posts: 1,067	Re: My '71 GMC Welcome to the board! Is that really hay sticking out of the glove compartment? A true farm truck. __________________ I'm Just like my truck. Old, Ugly and Grouchy. Except my truck starts easily in the morning and doesn't smoke! IT'S NOT EASY BEING GREEN! -Kermit the frog 1970 Chevrolet C-10 Longbed Stepside : 350, Muncie M20, 3.08 GM corp. positraction Forest green exterior/light green interior(Where all my money goes) 1996 Toyota Corolla (Parts runner)

11-07-2009, 12:29 AM	#4
Rob H. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Petersville KY Posts: 673	Re: My '71 GMC Doesn't look too bad, I spent alot of time in a 71 GMC in the late 80's. Looks like the late 70's early 80's took a toll on that truck with the sun roof and tear drop hood! Have fun with it! __________________ Rob 72 C/10 (under reconstruction)(destruction ? LOL) 48 Willys CJ2A 1952 Super "A" Farmall (Grandfather's)

11-12-2009, 07:39 PM	#5
Crazyz28 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 68	Re: My '71 GMC Some progress today, got the motor dropped in, just waiting on tomorrow's paycheck to buy some headers and going to the junkyards Saturday to find an alternator and all the pullies/brackets I need. Hopefully in the next week or 2 I will at least be able to fire up the engine. Also I know I should have cleaned up the trans and painted it before I put it in, but I want to make sure it works and the clutch/pressure plate is good first before I spend the time doing so. With access to a lift at work, it's not like it's hard to take it back out and clean it up then

11-12-2009, 09:04 PM	#6
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: My '71 GMC Lookin good so far! Don' forget to check the brakes, etc before you drive it. I had a buddy almost go through a parts store but luckily there was a curb there. __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

11-12-2009, 09:42 PM	#8
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,138	Re: My '71 GMC Sounds like you have the right idea. Keep up the nice work! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

11-12-2009, 11:56 PM	#11
highperf4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 4,709	Re: My '71 GMC That may be the shortest spid I've seen.

11-13-2009, 01:41 AM	#12
chevy truck crazy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boise Id Posts: 100	Re: My '71 GMC Looks good man keep us informed, Loved the sick hood scoop PO had over the six banger

11-13-2009, 10:15 AM	#13
TonyJohnson Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cheboygan, MI Posts: 998	Re: My '71 GMC Looks like a bunny should live in that glove box. lol. Nice simple truck. Keep'em coming. __________________ Tony Johnson -- '71 Blazer w/L-31 Vortec 350, SM465, NP205, performer intake, edelbrock 1406, HEI, 4" lift, Boyd EFI tank, Vintage A/C My Blazer --

11-13-2009, 10:29 AM	#14
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	Re: My '71 GMC Looks like youre making good progress. What distributor are you going to use? If HEI,not moving the engine forward to the V8 position, it is going to be really close to the firewall. __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

11-13-2009, 10:32 AM	#15
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	Re: My '71 GMC Is it just me or is there something unusuall about the bed? Attached Images __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

11-13-2009, 10:41 AM	#17
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	Re: My '71 GMC Good, sometimes they won't fit without massaging the fw. At the rate you are going, you should be driving it soon. __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

11-13-2009, 11:30 AM	#20
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: My '71 GMC I`d say it`s coming along.I bet you can`t wait to hear it run. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-14-2009, 01:21 AM	#23
nicolas72gmc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sunny Arizona Posts: 525	Re: My '71 GMC Looks like somewhere down the line someone cut about 8 inches out of the bed between the wheel wells and tailgate. It looks just like what Kevin did to lowbuck, with out cutting the 12 inches out of the front part of the bed. Maybe it is just the pic playing tricks on me. __________________ Nick "Everyone has a plan, 'till they get punched in the mouth".........Mike Tyson 1968, GMC, SWB, Project 1972, GMC, LWB, Daily Driver, 383, headers, 2.5"/3" exhaust, 200r4, 3.5/5 ECE components. 1972, C/10, LWB, 350 vortec, th350



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11-14-2009, 01:41 AM	#25
nicolas72gmc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sunny Arizona Posts: 525	Re: My '71 GMC I see it now. I was like, wait that pic looks like a normal bed and then I looked at the last one and it didn't look right. I think I'm tired!! __________________ Nick "Everyone has a plan, 'till they get punched in the mouth".........Mike Tyson 1968, GMC, SWB, Project 1972, GMC, LWB, Daily Driver, 383, headers, 2.5"/3" exhaust, 200r4, 3.5/5 ECE components. 1972, C/10, LWB, 350 vortec, th350

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