1971 Stepside LS Build

[1971Stepside]

Another distraction from wiring

Working on a new radiator cover. I had built one for the Cold Case radiator and liked the looks of it, so I decided to do it again for the Entropy. Hated to hide that pretty of a radiator, but it really cleans up the overall view. I split apart the factory hold downs and welded the cups on the backside of this to hold the radiator. Have some more adjusting to do, but it will then get painted red and be one more thing off the list.

[MDPotter]

That is one beautiful engine bay. Wow.

It's been 27 years since you took it apart; how does it feel to be coming down the home stretch?

[1971Stepside]

That is one beautiful engine bay. Wow.

It's been 27 years since you took it apart; how does it feel to be coming down the home stretch?

Thanks!

I think once I get the initial drive around the block behind me and something doesn't fall off I will be super excited to wrap it up LOL

[Low Elco]

Fantastic progress, I'm excited for you! Have you seen the MO C10Addiction group on FB?

[KMC3420]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Thanks!

I think once I get the initial drive around the block behind me and something doesn't fall off I will be super excited to wrap it up LOL

Nothing will fall off, except some dust my man! Beautiful is all I can say.

And maybe your beer that you sat on the back bumper...

[1971Stepside]

Fantastic progress, I'm excited for you! Have you seen the MO C10Addiction group on FB?

I'm on there. Posted yesterday looking for a set of AC vent ball holders....my next distraction...

Nothing will fall off, except some dust my man! Beautiful is all I can say.

And maybe your beer that you sat on the back bumper...

No way! That's why I bought a seat with cupholders

[TA_C10]

LOL, beer on back of bumper.

So question, what made you use the OE cups on your RAD hold down instead of just molding the metal around the rad? It looks good btw. I plan to build one as well so I'm curious.

[1971Stepside]

So question, what made you use the OE cups on your RAD hold down instead of just molding the metal around the rad? It looks good btw. I plan to build one as well so I'm curious.

The Entropy radiator is made for those cups so it just made the most sense to me. On the Cold Case I was able to make the cover just clamp it in place, but on this one I would have had to trim those mount points on the radiator and I didn't want to cut on it.

[cornerstone]

Very nice work man! Can't wait to see it in paint.

[Putzer]

Been following for a while. Looking really good! Any details on the brackets/clips you have on the upper radiator hose that holds the steam vent line? Those look a lot better than my zip ties..

[1971Stepside]

Been following for a while. Looking really good! Any details on the brackets/clips you have on the upper radiator hose that holds the steam vent line? Those look a lot better than my zip ties..

Those came off the donor. It was a Yukon Denali, but I would assume they are on multiple GM vehicles.

[Custom 68]

More awesome progress, all these "little" steps are adding up. Ok so they are all major accomplishments and glad to see it continuing to take shape.
Dave

[1971Stepside]

Friday night I was back under the dash trying to sort out the wire nest and I noticed the GM clip that I had used on the brake pedal pin was not secured. If you remember, I took a pin out of a late model and welded it into my brake pedal so that if the hydro ever failed I could easily just swap that out. This clip concerned me because on the late models they use a plastic brake switch that pinches it closed. I could just see going down the road to discover the clip had came off and thus the push rod comes off and no brakes!! So, I stayed up late thinking about how to best fix this. I ended up finding a split pipe collar that worked perfectly and will not come off. LOL, I lost a lot of sleep over that and feel like I should have thought of this much earlier in the process.

I installed the Fat Fender Garage outside window sweeps. They fit nice and the glue works! I then used the fuzzy side of velcro on the inside. Windows not easily go all the way up. Problem two resolved

I also got the new radiator cover fitting better and welded up. In primer waiting to get shot red.

Oh, the wiring...yeah, didn't make any progress there

and finally, a funny we all know too well.

[MDPotter]

Haha solid meme.

Glad you like the Fat Fender garage sweeps! I like the looks of them and they function quite well in my experience so far.

[TA_C10]

Nice, I thought about getting those FFG window sweeps as well but already purchased from elsewhere by the time I heard about them.

[sprint_9]

Coming along nicely.

I need to buy those FFG sweeps, two positive reviews and I've found nothing else to really work.

[Custom 68]

Nice! I had not heard of those FFG sweeps, that may be something I need to look into. Like several it seems I have not been 100% happy with what I have. I have teh 1 piece glass so I need to measure to see it this will fit. Maybe a future item to work on.
The truck is looking great!
Dave

[Putzer]

71/TA/MD, regarding the brake switch, I plan to run 59 Chevy taillights on my step side but swap to LED bulbs. Is swapping to LED bulbs the same situation as installing a dedicated LED light?

[1971Stepside]

Made some big progress this weekend. We have juice!! I went to put the hot wire to the battery and as soon as it made a connection the horn went off... Changed my pants and got back to it.

Everything worked and no smoke. I had one issue with the dome light not wanting to go off when the doors closed. Figured out it was a bad connection at the door jamb switch and the AAW kit has to have bulbs in the courtesy lights in order for it to ground.

Love the Dakota Digitals.

[1971Stepside]

I've been putting off hanging the door panels because I am always afraid I will need back in there for something, but I decided to go ahead and do it. Man, these really make it feel like it is finished.

If I can get the hydro bled and the brakes functioning properly we are going to go for a spin. I'm starting to wonder if my pin is long enough that I put in for the hydro to press the Wilwood MC.

[MDPotter]

Congrats on hitting that milestone! What color carpet are you doing?

[71cadc10]

really looking great.

question, on the fuel gage for the Dakota...did you have any trouble? I have the same setup...could not get a fuel gage reading. I ended up taking the bed back off, to get to my underbed tank easily. And I had to run 2 wires from the dash back to sender, twisted pair. Ground wire attached to the flange and then the sender wire to the sender terminal. Any other scenario I could not get a reading for the fuel gage in the cluster. Just curious if others struggle with this.
not until I tried twisted pair of wires did I get it to work, untwisted pair of wires...nothing. I was about to call them and see if I should send it back...but now it seems good.

[1971Stepside]

question, on the fuel gage for the Dakota...did you have any trouble? I have the same setup...could not get a fuel gage reading. I ended up taking the bed back off, to get to my underbed tank easily. And I had to run 2 wires from the dash back to sender, twisted pair. Ground wire attached to the flange and then the sender wire to the sender terminal. Any other scenario I could not get a reading for the fuel gage in the cluster. Just curious if others struggle with this.
not until I tried twisted pair of wires did I get it to work, untwisted pair of wires...nothing. I was about to call them and see if I should send it back...but now it seems good.

I ran two wires back to the sender, but they are not twisted. It reads a 1/4 tank but I don't know how accurate that is. I was a little surprised it had that much fuel in the tank. I sure hope I don't have to open all that back up and do a twisted pair...ugh I don't remember seeing anywhere in the instructions that it needed to be a twisted pair. I know I looked over that because I initially just ran the one wire back and had the other grounded near the tank. I then discovered it needed a second wire ran all the way back, so I added it.

[1971Stepside]

Congrats on hitting that milestone! What color carpet are you doing?

Red. It will match the other red pieces. It is at the upholstery shop waiting for me to take the truck to them.

[rodstored-72]

I love the build.. nice colors! that meme is sooo true... as we ALL know... the only thing that is more accurate is the ear needs to be flying off!!!

... well.. maybe the wife should be standing like "capt' Morgan"..