Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here are a couple pics from Sat. little blurry. Sorry

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Played a round golf Sunday morning and came home to finish rolling chassis.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

aired out

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

couple more

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

getting closer. looks good-jeff

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Now I need to clean up my garage. So things will be on pause for probably a week or two. By then hopefully the other truck with motor shows up so I can start putting together a truck. LOL

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Thank you

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Ran into some issues with the front shocks this past week. Got with Nate and he is going to try and help fix the problem. I really like Porterbuilt's customer service. Meanwhile I've started on installing the Accuair e-level system today. This will probably take me a little while. when I get a few things done I'll post a couple of pics. Really like the quality of the product that Accuair puts out. The system was nicely packaged with some pretty excellent diagrams.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Here is the rear sensors mounted. Need to tweak the linkage a little to get it more centered. Didn't get the full 2.75 recommended. But it is over 2.5. About the best place I could find to mount the sensors. Having a little difficult time finding a spot for the front ones.
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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Ok getting the front end back together. Can't afford to upgrade brakes right now. Went with the CPP drop spindles. Had to buy the HD 1.25 rotors to go on spindles. Was told I could use stock calipers , just needed to order a bracket from CPP to attach stock calipers to spindles. Attached bracket and calipers with new pads wont fit over the rotor. Gap between pads fully retracted piston is 1.125. Do I need different calipers? Any feed back would be nice.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

got the HD calipers and everything lined up and went together well. Heres a couple pics . Also got the front height sensors mounted.
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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

It is looking very nice, you really come a long way, with a great build.

Les

PM sent on 220

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Thank you Sir. And thank you for the welder advice.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well I got most of the front stuff installed. The Accuair sensors. The rack and pinion.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

got to the sway bar and thought I'd get a few questions answered. the brackets line up with a hole in the frame in the front hole. Should I use these and drill the rear holes? the holes are a 1/4 in difference off the front of the frame.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

got this with the sway bar kit. Got to say the instructions are pretty vague. Should this bracket be under frame between the frame and the U bracket holding the bushing?

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Nate from Porterbuilt got back to me today about the angle of the front shocks. He said he'd be unable to make new brackets and that I'd have to move the shock brackets forward. So know I have to take those off, cut most of the old shock mount out and move the brackets up. Wouldn't be so bad except I just painted. LOL Still impressed with Porterbuilt's product and their customer service.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well. Its been a few weeks and Ive been dragging my feet. had to remove front shock mounts and move them forward about an 1 1/4 in. Had to cut out the stock bump where the shocks use to bolt to.
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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

got mount mounted back up and shock close to the 3/8 that Nate suggested from the upper control arm bolt.
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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

put 2 washers in lower shock bolt and now the shock bushings are in better shape.
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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Wanted a little up grade in brake lines. Got some braided brake lines from Azproperformance.

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

For now im just painting old wheels.
With or w/o?
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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

I was planning on painting mine black and running chrome center cap and no ring, but now I'm going white.. So If i was you, I'd run center caps, and no rings.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

definitely center caps.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Ok went out today to finish mounting the sway bar. Got it all in place and aired the frame out and noticed that the passenger's side is slightly higher than the driver's. Checked to make sure all air was out and stood on frame to get it to drop, but seemed to be bottomed out. the sway bar seems to be off. so I took a few measurements and it is out like 1/2 inch. posting some pictures. can any give any advice why the frame isn't laying level side to side?

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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!

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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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.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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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.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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Hers some of the rust in the firewall. Its like this all over the truck now.
Also not really sure about all the wires he cut to hook up this engine. It sucks to, cause I'm not very good in the electrical department.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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Bought this from Summit while I was out of town working. Got a 50 rebate from Painless and 60 summit bucks as well. Came out pretty good. Hope this helps me with all the wires he cut. Also hope it came with good directions.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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Bought the Holley oil pan to help with the ground clearance. This is an expensive oil pan. Sure looks good and the quality seems really nice.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

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Got some other parts from LMC. These are the pre-bent SS brake lines. Got new mirrors and all the pieces for the grill and headlights on order.