Another stepside build/restoration

[TimberwolfFXDL]

got inspired to do a little work today, despite the heat...

[sonicbluezx3]

Lol a little work? Wow. Nice job. Looking forward to see the end result!

[thirsty]

It coming together and coming apart at the same time!
Keep up the good work.

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Found a motor for it.  2002 350 crate motor with 40k miles that will get mildly modded and transplanted into my the truck. I'll sell off everything else of value (TBI setup, wheels, tires, transmission, transfer case, front and rear axles) and take the rest to the local scrap metal place.

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Anyone know where I can find some front rotors drilled for 6 lug?  or would it be easier just to have mine welded and redrilled?

[Captkaos]

Why are you wanting 6 lug?  The rear is 5 lug, are you going to change it also..

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Why are you wanting 6 lug?  The rear is 5 lug, are you going to change it also..

the chassis I bought is a 4wd and has a real nice set of wheels I'd like to use.  I can swap the rear axles (both trucks have 10 bolt rear), so I'd just need to figure out the front

[Captkaos]

The aftermarket supplies 6 lug discs, check with http://www.gmcpauls.com/Brakes&Steering.htm

[TimberwolfFXDL]

Been a while (again) since I've updated.  Not a lot has changed, other than I was able to secure a good sized workshop.

I did get the firewall cleaned ("aircraft remover" works WONDERS on that tar and goo, and a wire cup brush on an angle grinder finished it up nicely), and the whole front fame and suspension powerwashed and sprayed with a rust converter primer.  Working on the power steering conversion, but I can't seem to separate the old pitman arm from the tie rod, despite my best efforts with a fork and hammer.

Still deciding on a motor.  I have a 2001 roller block than is fresh from the machine shop (.030 over), and I picked up a 454 with 58k miles from a motorhome.  Has 781 heads, so that's a plus, but the compression on these mid 70s motors is abysmally low, and getting it back up to a decent range for power making is going to either require a new set of pistons or shaving the heck out of the heads.  Neither option is something I am looking forward to... the 350 needs pistons as well, and some heads (sold my good vortec heads due to a low-cash moment) etc

as far as the transmission, I still have the 700r4, but a th400 came with the 454.  Both have their pros and cons... so there's another decision :lol:

[TimberwolfFXDL]

[TimberwolfFXDL]

It looks like this now:

[81_Chevy]

is that a big block i spy? 

[TimberwolfFXDL]

is that a big block i spy? 

indeed. from a straight 6 and saginaw to a 454 and th400

[frotosride]

Like the build. I have always liked the stepsides every since I was a kid and first saw that movie called "tremors".
I bet that your right foot is liking those new extra cylinders but gas tank not so much..

[79brent]

You guys in different states are so lucky! I wish I could make my motor look like that but cali sucks. I have miles of vacuum lines under my hood! Its ugly as heck! Nice truck though