Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Hey guys I guess i am going to go ahead and start a build thread on this truck that i started on three years ago. I inherited this 71 GMC longbed from my grandpa a year after he passed away and decided to restore it instead of buying a new truck. My grandpa bought it brand new and put a camper in the bed and him and grandma use it for vacations. He had it repainted back in the 90's but the guy didn't do a very good job and it still had a lot of rust and holes in the cab floors. Thats a little history of the truck. Here is a pic of my dad with the truck just before i decided to tear into it for the restoration.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

I tore the truck completely down and decided to try find a 4X4 chassis from the same era. I got lucky and found a 72 K-10 chassis that was in pretty good condition and got it for $400. I stripped it down and had it sandblasted and powder coated along with hood hinges, bumper brackets, hood latch and few other odds and ends. After getting it back i installed a 4 inch rough country suspension lift, rebuilt the front and rear end, put all stainless break lines, aluminum gas tanks between the frame rails, rebuilt the NP205 transfer case and ordered a LS engine crossmember from pacific fab. I know thats a lot in one paragraph but i am tryinging to get to where the build is to date. Im trying to download some pictures i have taken throughout the build but they keep flipping upside down when i preview my post. Please help on this issue.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

A little about the drivetrain im going with a 2004 5.3 engine mated to a TH350 and NP205. I used the advanced adapter flywheel and spacer for the 5.3 to TH350 combo and Doug Thorley tri y headers.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Count me in on this one! Not sure why your picture flip upside down, i never had that problem.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Looking good! I am doing the same chassis almost... just a cam'ed 4.8L/4L60E and NP241

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Thanks guys. For the body of the truck, well its been in paint prison for almost three years. First shop had just the bed for a year and did nothing. Second shop has had it for right at two years and are moving verrrrry slow on it but they have got some things accomplished. For the cab: complete floor, both rockers and cab corners, shaved most of the firewall and new doors. The bed didnt need much work. Shaved the stake pockets and took care of a few dents. I will get more pics on here as soon as i figure out why they are flipping and only letting me download one per post.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Nice project. Can't wait to see more pics.

When posting pics I use snappish for my photos. I upload them to snappish then copy and paste them into my posts using the insert image button at the top of the message window you type in. This is the square button with the mountain and sun on it. When you click on it, it allows you to paste the web address for each one of your pictures. Just delete the text that pops up with the window and paste in your pictures web address from Snapsfish, or whatever picture hosting site you use. Most of the those photo sites allow you to right click on the picture to get a web address or allow you to generate a link for that picture on their site. Just paste this link into the insert image box. This way you can type a sentence, insert a pic, type a sentence, insert a pic, etc. etc.

Does that make sense??

Also, be careful with the doug thorley long tube headers. I used the same crossmember with my LS, moved the motor forward 2" and they still hit my cab on the drivers side. I ended up using Doug Thorley LS shorty headers. The block huggers will work. Try either of these links.

http://shop.dougthorleyheaders.com/c...ders-thy-326-c

http://shop.dougthorleyheaders.com/c...ders-thy-353-c

Good luck, sounds like fun. I explain the header issue and many others I encountered on my build thread if it helps.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392636


Chris

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

I have decided to convert my 71 GMC to a 68 Chevrolet K-10. I already bought a new 68 cowl induction hood, grill, radiator support, hood latch and headlight buckets. Still waiting on progress from the body shop but they are telling me they will have it done in April. Only hope. Im still having trouble posting more than one pic per post. Im using my ipad and iphone to post so i dont know if thats an issue or not.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Cool build I'm in. I installed 2004 5.3 in my truck as well. used Dirty Dingo engine mount. Most of the headers don't fit they hit the frame.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Thanks. The headers fit fine between the frame but now i am just worried about them hitting the cab. Cmabolt said he had this issue. Only keep my fingers crossed.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

The Try Why header are made to fit 2 wheel drive trucks using the engine mounts D.H. lists in the instructions. I went round and round with them on the phone because of my issues. The left on fit better that the right one. I still might modify my headers so they fit.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Made a little progress at the body shop.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Nice!

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Thanks swamp rat. Here is another pic of the front of the cab primered.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

I ended up moving my whole drivetrain forward 4 inches to allow room between the motor and the firewall. The Doug Thorley headers cleared just fine after moving the motor also.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Here it with the bed

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Close up

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Nice!!!!

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

sweet! wish i would have moved mine that far forward. Keep cranking away.

Chris

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

That good your headers fit. I had to cut and rework the front tube on each side to fit my truck. how much space do you have from the back of the valve cover to the fire wall on the driver side.

My truck is still at the shop but i would say that i had an inch and half to two inches on the drivers side.
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Just to give you all an idea of how i am getting it painted. Im going with the silver on top and orange blast where the red is on this truck.
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Here is the spray out of the orange blast
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Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Your engine is about the same as mine I have about 1.5" in-between the valve cover and fire wall.

Re: Grandpas 71 GMC
 

Wonder why you had to cut yours and i didnt? Ill have to look back at your build and see where the headers fell on your frame.