Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I was able to up load the pictures.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

My friend Bob helped my install the engine to today. I will have to move the engine forward by 1" to clear the firewall. The Dough Thorley headers I bought don't fit the hit the frame by 1" and the drivers side collector interferes with the hydraulic clutch.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Well hell there has to be somebody here that used the same engine, maybe a search will yield a solution on the headers? That engine sure looks pretty in that frame tho.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Looks great...

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I did the Lq4 SWAP and moved mine 2 inches forward. I tried the Thorley headers as well and got them to fit, but ultimately they hot the cab on
re-assembly. This week I am going to try 2 pairs. The hooker LS manifolds
and the Headman mid-length LS swap for c10'. I'll let ya know which works.
There are not a lot of choices with the 4x4's though depending on which motor mounts/crossmember you use they have headers that will work for that specific
conversion.

Chris

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I purchased the headers directly from Dough Thorley. I will call them next week and see what can be done. I don't expect much as I bought the headers about 9 months ago.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

My brother stopped by and helped me set up the back window for the cab. it is starting to fit nicely. I'm thinking about getting some help welding up the rest of the sheet metal and getting the cab in primer. my friend Sky has a hot rod shop in Santa Clara and he said he has room and time to do the work.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Looking good! I wrestle with that too, i want to do the work but at the same time i'm sure somebody local could do a better job... (if i found the right place) Then there are days when i wish i could just drive it instead of work on it.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

cool build

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I picked up the SB Thursday from the media blaster and the left side looks like a Bondo bucket was used to fill the dents. the right side has small dents very little Bondo. the bed floor has got heavy rust and I'm thinking about replacing it. the back of the bed is dented a lot. Saturday I built a dolly for the SB. and tack welded the upper part of the back cab on getting it ready to go to the body shop on Thursday next week. I bought a NV4500 from Ebay Saturday I hope to receive it late next week or the fallowing week. With the internal hydraulic clutch I might be able to use the DH headers after I raise the engine up.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

On Friday I delivered the cab and bed to Sky's Hot Rods. Saturday I delivered the sheet metal patch panels and bed part to Sky's shop. I disassembled the long bed Saturday and Sunday to scavenge parts for the short bed it saved me $550.00 in parts. Today I picked up my NV4500 from my office looks to be in good shape on the out side should be good to rebuild and set up for NP205 T-case. the picture is of the cab before it was loaded on the trailer.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I ordered a short bed floor from GMCPaul's today hope it gets delivered by next week.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Nice project. I'm curious to see how your crew cab roof turns out. Good work so far!

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I stopped by the body shop this afternoon and the back of the cab and roof are coming together nicely. Based on the work done in the last 2 days by end of next week the cab should be close to completing the welding and grinding around the back and roof. Then the floor will have to be patched in.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

looking forward to seeing it done.....kool project .

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

It's a good thing I decided to pay a shop to work on my truck. I'm stuck working this week end and next week end. I will post some pictures middle of next week.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I stopped by Sky's shop and took some pictures of the work on the cab. it's looking real good. He was fitting and welding the back of floor pan. The pictures are of the back of the cab. Floor pictures next week.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I ordered some parts as it was my birthday couple week ago. remote door locks, power window kit for 4 windows,

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

There's always a good excuse to order some parts for your truck :lol:

Love your build

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I ordered block huger headers and exhaust system from summit today. got my finger crossed the headers fit.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

The short bed floor I ordered was delivered Tuesday. Sky started on the bed this morning and I dropped off some bed parts to the sand blaster. I found a 1970 grill on CL this morning and picked it up today. Not able to find a newer NP205 to fit my NV4500. I ordered an Atlas 4speed T-case. The Atlas was about $450 more than 205 with adapter.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Nice progress and cool stash of parts you're aquiring for it. By the way, Happy Late Birthday!

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

:ennyd::barn:Did somebody say BIRTHDAY!

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Looking good! Happy Birthday. Can't think of a better present then headers that fit! :) Woohoo...

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Cool and ambitious build! Nice work restoring the cab, and looks like your friend Sky is doing a good job finishing it up. I'll be watching your progress.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

With Sky working on the cab and bed 3 days a week I have more time to look 3 to 4 week out and buy parts to keep things going. I'm going to check out a donor suburban tonight something I should have done a year ago it would have saved me a lot of time and money. I can use the seats, wiring harness, steering column, power window and door lock controls, gas door to start with. part out the rest.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Doug's block hugger headers I bought don't fit ether side. I'm looking into building a set of headers at this point. I dropped off my NV4500 to get rebuilt today.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

In your last post you said Doug's headers?? Did you get the Doug's 309-C or the Headman LS Block hugger headers?? If the later, I am really surprised they didn't fit and now feel like an ass for leading you in that direction. it must be the difference in the Pacific Fab motor mount/crossover I used as compared to the dirty dingo route you used. I almost went the weld'r up header route, but decided to use stock headers instead. After all the time and money I spent on finding a header, I thought buying a kit, having a set welded up, then coated would be outrageous $$$. Good luck getting it figured out. Sometimes these swaps can be exhausting, but in the end hopefully worth it.

Chris

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Hay Chris
Don't feel bad I knew my motor mount positions my engine about 1" lower than your set up. you have the best info I could find at the time and I had to try something. Dirty Dingo does not have a header to suggest using either. I saved the box the block headers came in I will return them and try again. The DT 324's are a closer fit than Doug's block headers.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

If you haven't tried the headman block hugger LS then I would give them a try. They fit mine without any modes. I just decided to clearance my frame and use the Doug Thorley 309C headers instead. They seemed a lot beefier then the headman, but did not fit without mods.

Chris

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

The Headman block hugger have smaller primary tube. I was trying to use 1-3/4" or 1-7/8" primary do to the mods I have done to my engine so it can breath better.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Ok I ordered the Headman 68520 block hugger headers to try. should get them early next week.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Summit delivered the Headman headers today I just ordered them Friday morning. Good news is they will fit with trimming about 1/4" out of the top rail of the Frame on each side. I will get some pictures up Sunday.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Love summit! The have got the mail order thing figured out in every possible way.
Congrats on the headman headers. At least you have one viable option now.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I stopped by Sky shop Friday afternoon to check out the progress and all is moving along very well. the bed is back together and some body work started. some of the dent were about 1" deep with bondo. Sky ground out the bondo and pulled the dents. The new bed floor looks great. the bed is 1967 SB I had Sky cut in the side marker light i cut out of the suburban before I scrapped what was left. The cab welding is almost done. just some old holes in the firewall to fill in then the body work starts in about 1 week. I picked up my rebuilt NV4500 transmission Tuesday. just waiting for the Atlas 4 transfer case.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

man that's a lot of work, and looking good. will love to see it when its done.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Yes it is a lot of work. Even with 2 of us working on it now. It is looking like we should be see paint by the end of the year. I have my finger crossed.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Lookin good! Keep cranking away. Next thing ya know you'll be painting her.
Chris

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

I finished stripping the frame down to just the leaf spring, axles, and steering box today. The body should be ready to fit on the frame in 2 weeks. I drilled and bolted the motor mount in place. I was able raise the motor mount up about 3/8" and this should help with headers. I also noticed that the rubber motor mounts can be turned around and pick up about another 1/2" in height. I tried to pry the rubber part of the mount up and it did not budge. so with some luck I will be able to raise the motor up about 7/8" then the DH headers might fit. I still have the headman header that do fit.

Re: 71 4X4 Frame off Restoration
 

Nice progress, i agree thats a lot of work!