Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the rear cross member moved back a couple of days ago.


Attachment 1268657

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Had to notch the top frame rails about 3/8 inch to allow room for tank to go between frame rails.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Used Eastwood's weld through primer on skid plate parts.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Used their rattle can. It was so so. Had to hold the can sideways at a 45 degree angle to prevent it from spitting.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Probably could have mounted tank in a better way. But, this was the best I could figure right now. Decided to bolt most the brackets together. This way I could level it better later when I get final stance where I want it. Here is the front main support for the rails that will hold the tank weight. Bolted it to the bottom section of the C-notch.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

the top right picture was to side mounts for the skid plate .

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here is the bottom skid plate. I think it is 9 gauge steel. I think it's thick enough to fend off anything medium size that might go under the truck. Just felt like it would be safer with some defense under tank. Have another piece to cover front part of tank as well.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

did some small tacks. Had to make sure I could get it out after tacking together.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

And here is I feel like a dumb arssh. Went to remove and a few of my tacks broke. I for sure thought welder had enough to tack sheet metal to 1/8 angle. But, while tacking noticed to just pooling up and not burning in. I *****ed and yelled and said let me look at the dam polarity again. Well this was the fifth time looking at the polarity settings and noticed I had it backwards this whole time. DUH!!!! Flipped them and it was was sizzling.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the skid plate out and sat down on threw some beds on it and mounted the front strap bolt downs. My welding is ugly. But I got them burned in good enough for me. I have a grinder and paint. LOL

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the bottom skid plate back in. Had to oval a few bolt holes. Got little hot with some my welds. Moved the plate around a little.

Attachment 1268699

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Mounted some angle on the rear cross-member to support and level the angle thats going to level and hold the weight from front to back.

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Attachment 1268703

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

hers is the rear bar that the tank straps will mount to.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

picture front skid plate

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

tank in place. Will be pulling everything apart and coating with rust protector for a later black paint. When I assemble for final. Will use some rubber between tank and any metal.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

here is one of the tank straps. As it currently sits, will only have to raise the front and rear bed floor 3 inches. Of course the C notch will need to go up more.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Tomorrow is my B-Day and wife and kids are going to leave me alone till tomorrow night. Should be able to finish tank mounts and hopefully clean and get rust paint on.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got all the suspension finished and everything off the frame. Going to start cleaning and prepping for paint this week.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Question . Should I clear coat the frame after I use chassis black?

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well the cleaning process really sucks. Tired all kinds different wheels and its taking forever. also put the frame up on a rotisserie. It works pretty decent.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

then I found this on my workbench. AWESOME

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

leads to this in little time and so smooth finish for my 1 layer of rust paint.

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Attachment 1272601

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got most the frame cleaned up yesterday. Still need to do a little sand blasting

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

went out to mess with my new paint gun to see how it sprays. Dam compressor wouldn't overcome tank pressure and come on. Got test the gun a little. Seems to spray ok and user friendly for a beginner. Its a LVLP from spray it. Got it just for under coat, primer and cut in. I'll have someone else paint the truck.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got a phone call a week ago from the guy that has my 83 that was installing a LT1. Just a bunch of stuff and then told me engine was messed up. But, he said he had good news, he came across n LS1 from a 2006 with 85k on it. He said everything was going to cost the same. I said go with and he expects to be done in a few weeks.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Today when I came in from the garage I saw this text.
Have to say I'm pretty dam stoked now.
Can any tell me what intake that is?

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Holley Hi Ram

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

The frame looks great. Your question on clear coating the frame, for me, is what look you like [e.g. show truck vs driver], along with how you want to drive your truck [ e.g. . Clear coat would make future repairs/changes more difficult to match]. I usually use a semi-gloss on the frame. I do like gloss finish for the under side of the hood, make cleaning easy. Good luck.

Thanks for keeping us informed on your truck.

Les

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Thank you for info. It will be a driver for sure.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the rust paint sprayed. Turned out pretty good. Went on nice with the cheap LVLP go I bought. Its a flat black finish.

Attachment 1278458

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Let that cure for 2 days, hit with 320 and sprayed the chassis gloss black. Lot more humid and towards the end starting having some water coming out gun. Still turned out OK for the frame. I was running a small filter/separator with a descant ball before gun. Im going to scuff this with some 400 and and throw another coat on when im ready to spray the rear end this weekend. I bought a better dryer separator and a better in line strainer before gun. We'll see. Like I said it looks good for under a truck.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Hope this weekend to get some grey/ silver on rest the suspension parts. Wife and kids are out town for 2 weeks. Will have plenty time next week to get the chassis rolling again if I can get paint done this weekend.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Also spoke with the guy with the other truck this week. That is a 5.3 Vortec. He's working up a price to do a cam and springs as well as a turbo. Hopefully I can afford that. But, if not, it will be a nice upgrade to a 5.3 Vortec/ 4160 LE either way.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Turbo 5.3 will be fun! Frame looks good. I assume you mean 4L60E? If you get a turbo dont expect that trans to last long.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

I probably can't afford much engine upgrade right now. His tune will have to do for now. Ill just be happy to have it back and driving it after 12 years. LOL

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here are a couple pics of the suspension parts after I cleaned and painted them with rust paint. Messed up that night and was cleaning one piece at a time and hanging and spraying with rattle can w/o a mask. Got pretty dam high by the time I was done. Messed up my head to where I missed work the next day. Wont be making that mistake again.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got a couple coats of the silver/ grey on the parts. It looked good when it was wet, but dried to a almost primer color.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here are the parts tonight after a couple coats of clear. Decided to hit these with clear because the paint was kind of flat looking. In the light they look silver but with garage door closed they darken alot and look almost primer grey with a shine. Not sure I like this, but not going to paint again for now. Assembly time.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got the framed unwrapped and off engine stands and ready to start assembly of the rear tomorrow. Hoping to get it back to rolling tomorrow.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Very nice, you need your mask for your lungs too!

Les