83/84 swb stepside long time build

[rip2174]

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[rip2174]

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[rip2174]

[rip2174]

Well its been a bit. Was pretty depressed when I felt I hit a wall with frame and the old truck. Guy finally told me other old truck was almost ready. I had to take some time off with that and school and work meeting high demands

[rip2174]

Between work and school. Been pretty busy. the old truck got back to my garage back in april. Ill post some pics real soon of condition and new motor install. Had to work alot of OT this spring and leave town for a job for 6 weeks.

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by rip2174

Well its been a bit. Was pretty depressed when I felt I hit a wall with frame and the old truck. Guy finally told me other old truck was almost ready. I had to take some time off with that and school and work meeting high demands

I think we have all been there. I took months off of my truck just being burned out. I try to do more little things that way I don't get discouraged about not making progress. Just keep plugging away at it! The frame and suspension look great!

[rip2174]

Well here is the other truck I have. This is the one I originally started building. the guy that had it must have stored in under a palm tree on the beach. It is rusted very bad. Both pillars on the wind sheild are rusted through. Inner fenders, firewall, rocker panels and floorboard are rusted. It didn;t have any rust when I sent it to him. I feel it is rusted past my body working skills. It did come back with a nice motor and tranny in it. That I payed too much for.

[rip2174]

5.3 Vortec out of a 2005 Chevy Silverado. He put a set of magnaflows on it. Way louder than the flow masters on my 2001. Those will be changed later.

[rip2174]

Got the other truck back. Highly disappointed with what I felt was a good project truck coming back and the money I spent for the new vortec. The truck is in real bad shape. He must have stored it under a tree for the last 13 years. All kinds of rust! that wasnt there before, lots past what I feel my body skills are.

[rip2174]

Also ordered some new stuff for project. My wife has a honey do list for me this weekend. I hope to get out to garage where both trucks are and get some more pics before I get back started. If I don't get bit by the black widow family that showed up in the old truck. we have all ready killed 3 in the garage.

[rip2174]

I have some questions on steering columns? any used summit racing columns for there projects?

[rip2174]

My seats came today. Got these out of a 2010 Honda Accord. Will really have to do some changes to the floor to get these to sit down nice. I really like the way they feel though. Even when they are still a bit high. attached few pics. The brick was to level out after i pulled off all the mounting brackets.

[rip2174]

Started pulling the engine and tranny from the old truck. There sure is a lot of wires. Had my son helping me label everything. This motor sure is wedged in there. Doesnt seem to want to come out real well with tranny attached. Going to try and drop the tranny mount and see if that will let it come out, If not will need to pull them separately. Didnt want to do that due to all the wires. Wanted to see how they were run and label before tearing down anymore. Again electronics isnt my thing.

[rip2174]

got some new parts in this week. Got a set of slosh tubes, new in tank fuel pump and sending unit , battery relocation kit. Didn't really like the fuel pump that was installed. Its too loud. Might have it for sale real soon.

Im really wanting to have engine and tranny beefed up a little while I have it out of the truck. That way I can paint it all before it goes onto to the other frame.

Also want to convert over to the LS intake. Not really sure what happens to all those dam wires on the top of the intake when this is done. Could someone point in the direction to read up on this? I know it will take a complete front accessory change out. Those are expensive. I all ready have ideas of what to do with hiding stuff from others on these forums.

[rip2174]

well got the motor out of old truck. Have to say that this motor and tranny sure are heavy

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by rip2174

Also want to convert over to the LS intake. Not really sure what happens to all those dam wires on the top of the intake when this is done. Could someone point in the direction to read up on this? I know it will take a complete front accessory change out. Those are expensive. I all ready have ideas of what to do with hiding stuff from others on these forums.

You dont have to switch all the accessories. You can run a different water pump if I remember correctly...

but you have other options too: http://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-ow...cessories.html

http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/front...take-swap.html

[aotte1]

I am Sure you will get the wiring looking as good as the rest of your truck.

Les

[rip2174]

got the engine back from shop. Had a a little work done. Time for cleaning and paint

[rip2174]

Read that the cheap oven cleaner works well for cleaning an engine. Used it and a pressure washer. Just be careful on aluminum. Some of it get on new oil pan, messed it up a little.

[rip2174]

Didnt want to paint the heads, but they didnt clean up as well as I liked. So went with a cast aluminum color.

[rip2174]

Going to replace valve covers later. But for now just painted them black.

[rip2174]

Got it all painted and test fitted the headers. Need to touch up some paint and a couple coats of clear. The headers look like I might need to ground some of the flange off. really tight against a couple of the spark plugs.

[rip2174]

went to mount the engine mounts. The ones that came with the PB stuff. The holes dont line up at all. Did I get the wrong mounts or am I missing something. Will do some reading and looking, but if any can help, would appreciate the info.

[aotte1]

The engine looks really nice, it will be perfect in the truck. Did you say you had some engine mods done to it? Valve train stuff, or other mods?

Thinking of getting mine out for a drive to a local show later if it does not come a bad storm tonight.

Les

[rip2174]

Yes had a cam, lifters and springs.
Had a stall converter made and the tranny rebuilt and beefed up a little.
After I get it in and running. Going to take it to the shop and have the guy tune it on the dyno.