71 4x4 SWB
 

Well this has been a long time coming. I bought my 71 K10 from a board member (71swb4x4) back around 2005 when I was 17 so I've been sitting on it for a while. Put a few miles on it each summer and drove it around but for all intents and purposes its the same truck as when I bought it from Shawn. I've accumulated parts and now ready to tear into, along with my Dad, who I think is more excited about it than me.

This is not going to be a show truck but I'm hoping to have a nice looking weekend cruiser when its done. This shouldn't be too hard as Shawn had a good start on it. But I bought a C30 truck with absolutely perfect sheet metal (doors, fenders, cab). So we're going to swap all the sheet metal between the two trucks. Trucks are the same color so this will work well. With the cab and box coming off the plan is to freshen the old girl up and clean it up as best I can. Will be throwing factory tow hooks and bucket seats in it as well and other odds and ends as we work through it.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

This should be cool build. I wish I could have scored on 1 ton cab. love the roof cab lights.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Started the tear down of the C30 yesterday. Still can't believe how good the metal and cab is.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Ya that is in very good condition.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

I should have never sold that truck. It was my DD and with our first child arriving it was a family decision. Glad you still have it. You know who to call when the time comes to sell it.

That is a clean c30! That should save you a lot of time and money. Good luck with the build!

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

For sure, if I ever do put it up for sale I will give you a call.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Well, got the cab off the C30 and swapped the 350 out of it. Figured I would keep the engine out if. - untouched and runs like a top. I'll figure out what to do with it later haha. But hoping to drive the C30 out of the shop at the end of the month and then the fun begins!

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Some progress being made. The cab, doors, and front fenders have been moved over to the 1 ton and its back on the road. Can now finally focus the 4x4.

Rolled it out today and took the pressure washer to it. Going to start cleaning up the frame soon.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Well after getting the truck down to where it is, decided it would be a waste to just do a half-ass build. So today I dropped the chassis off at a shop to get it blasted and painted with black Endura! Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Ran some misc parts over to get powder coated today and seen that my frame had been blasted.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Picked up my powder coated parts today and have my truck back. Really happy how it turned out.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

A little paint goes a far ways. Pretty happy how it turned our after doing some cleaning.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Looking good, getting closer.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Getting ahead of myself as my truck isn't even running yet, but I decided to take my bucket seats apart. I was a little scared initially! I had them blasted to see what was actually there. All said and done they need a little metal work but not too bad. Definitely salvageable. Blew some paint on them for the mean time as not sure when I'll get that done.

Also found some sweet rims that I couldn't pass up and had my tow hooks powder coated.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Interesting build.
Mudman.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Opinions on my valve covers? I had them powder coated orange and eyeballed the color when choosing. Seems I need to get my eyes checked....you guys think the contrast looks good? I don't want any chrome so I'm going with color.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Looks really yellow-orange then the red-orange that chevy orange is. Coming together nicely though.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Nice truck you have and nice score on that C30! Shoot, the cab oyu took off your truck looked pretty nice too! :lol: I agree on the valve cover color. Maybe hang them on your other engine and have the others redone to get a better match?

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Yeah I'm on the same page too. Too yellow-ey for me. I had a friend tell me the contrast looked good but I don't think so.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Got tired of tripping over my rims in my garage so I got them mounted on the tires. Really looking forward to seeing them on the finished truck.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Finally getting back to this after a busy summer.

Got my valve covers matched up a little bit better and almost ready to drop drivetrain back in.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Making some progress. Nice to have the drive train back on the frame

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Seems like I'm moving at a snail's pace. Finally got cab back on and should be ready to fire up soon. Also got foams and covers for the buckets from Truckseats that hopefully will be here soon!

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

It's looking really nice! Is that your 24 valve setting next to it?

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Thanks. The Cummins isn't mine but my dads
He bought if brand new in 2000 and it's his baby. 60k miles on it.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Been a long time since I posted anything. Truck is running, can move and stops on its own now! Bucket seats are nearly done, just at upholstry shop getting assembled back together. I hope they turn out nice, has been a long time coming to get those done. Also sent my radio off to Gary Tayman to get converted, excited to see how that turns out!

I also started another truck because one is not good enough :crazy:
Its kind of a frankenstein truck...found a long box frame so cut it down to a short box. Bought a stepside box in another deal....and then got a rust free cab and front end in another deal lol.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Picked this up locally. Complete jack kit, still even has the original bag! Ordered a new bag from a member here, should look good in the truck.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Finally got my seats done. I swear they have been the most stressful part of the truck so far...between spending more $$ on them then I had planned, waiting on Truck World covers, and every place that had them for work took FOREVER (skirt repair and the upholester). Just happy to have them done! Also got my Gary Tayman radio conversion back

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

The seats look awesome.
I ended up doing my seats for my car my self cost me $1,754.38 for 2 buckets and back seat. I got quotes for $5,300 to $8,000.00. They look like brand new.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Well my 69 2wd is done for the most part. There are things to do on it yet but they will get finished as I continue to drive it. So after being away from my 4x4 for over a year I can get back to it.

I hung the doors this weekend before I end up tripping over them and it's getting me excited again. I ended up buying a brand new box as well as the original one went to my 2wd build. It matched quite closely so I figured I would use it on that truck. It's mostly just a bunch of assembly stuff left as the truck is running and can be moved under its own power.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Bump on this old thread.

Lost ambition on this truck so for the past couple years I built a 2wd shortbox and a 69 Suburban. So turning back to this one now with motivation again! I bought this truck when I was 17 and I'm now 34 so it deserves to finally get back on the road.

But plans are changing. I've decided to rip out the 350 and 4 speed and throw a 5.3 in it. I've got my donor engine and will be using the 4l60e. Dakota digital gauges, lokar floor shifter, advance adapters kit and my wiring harness are ordered. So playing the waiting game now. But this thing will get done this winter, and hopefully get the box painted shortly after.

Picture is me loading it up this past weekend to haul it to the shop for the winter.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

You mention a "radio conversion." Please tell me what that entails.

Thanks!

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Basically upgrades the original radio to have Bluetooth, USB capability, etc. Makes it a modern radio while keeping the factory look.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Making some progress.

5.3/4l60 is all bolted in attached to the np205 with the Advance Adapters kit.

I used the Dirty Dingo crossmember. I was hoping I could get away without a lift kit, but the springs are old and likely sagged a bit so I did not have the clearance I need from the front diff, so I went with a 2" Tuff Country lift kit. New springs all the way around.

Slowly knocking things off, I imagine it will be running in the next 4-6 weeks. Then just finishing up all the odds and ends, putting interior back together, and then paint the box.

I also snagged some 15 x 8 four nub steel wheels, so excited to get those cleaned up and painted and throw on. I have a set of dog dish caps to go with them as well.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Awesome progress!

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The 15 x 8 wheels and dog dish caps look MUCH better then the old wheels.

I'm hoping to get the fuel system plumbed next weekend. After that, a few things left to check off before first fire. Hopefully can hear it idle before the end of the month.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

One last update on this truck I guess.

Its all back together, interior is mostly done now as well. Put about 50 miles on it this summer. I need to get the box painted, but who knows when that will happen as I picked up a 70 Blazer project that has diverted my attention haha.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Nice Truck.
15 x 8's look great, agree.
What size tires did you put on them?

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

They are 32s. Bought them a few years ago assuming I was staying stock height, probably would have went a little bit bigger had I known I was going to put a 2" lift in it.

Re: 71 4x4 SWB
 

Nice truck