Project Snowball- Slow build

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by rs74

I was also going to rebuild the front end with all new ball joints and steering components but think I will wait until I can get the drop spindles and springs first. I was looking at replacing all that with MOOG parts. That would probably be alot better than buying the cheap stuff.

Yeah thats actually what I'm in the process of doing pretty soon, replacing the whole front end, with control arms and everything, you never know might not hurt to get it out of the way but yet again you could buy everything and when you get the stuff for your drop do it all at once?

[rs74]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Yeah thats actually what I'm in the process of doing pretty soon, replacing the whole front end, with control arms and everything, you never know might not hurt to get it out of the way but yet again you could buy everything and when you get the stuff for your drop do it all at once?

I was going to do it now but it did drive pretty straight last time I had it out and drove it. On the other had if I have the frame painted then I will have to go back and re-apply the SEM stuff. It might not be that bad to do that after though. I will probably just use my factory control arms though. What is the benefit of replacing the control arms? Are you doing tubular or just factory replacement type.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by rs74

I was going to do it now but it did drive pretty straight last time I had it out and drove it. On the other had if I have the frame painted then I will have to go back and re-apply the SEM stuff. It might not be that bad to do that after though. I will probably just use my factory control arms though. What is the benefit of replacing the control arms? Are you doing tubular or just factory replacement type.

Yeah that true too, and there's not much of a benefit I suppose but I'm going to be lifting my truck, so I want the reassurance knowing I'll be having some new stuff there. I mean I've driven the truck occasionally seems fine but I figure might as well do it plus it can never hurt to put new stuff on it. I won't be doing tubular just the factory replacement type.

[rs74]

Just a little update. I made a mistake when adding my price for the lowering kit. The spindle and spring prices were for a pair and not single pieces so that brought dropping the truck back into play. That will save me about $500. Also priced all new MOOG ball joints and steering components as well.

Still not sure if I am going to do all that before or after painting. I got a price from my body guy today to put all new inner and outer rockers both cab corners and fix a spot on my bed plus put it all in primer for about $1000. He also said that if I wasn't going to get it painted real soon that he would put some sealer over the primer until I was ready. I also found a set of new ceramic coated Flowtech headers for $75. Does anyone know if they are a decent header. Never been put on a truck.

I am putting the brakes back on today so I can atleast use my work area for anything else that may arise. I have one of my other vehicles up for sale locally and am waiting for it to sell before moving forward to much more. Right now I can either have the body work done and maybe have the frame blasted and painted. The second option is go ahead and get the lowering kit and steering components, install, have my heads redone and may buy my WV vette rims. So those are the two options that I have right now just not sure which way I should go right now. After the other vehicle sell then that makes things a little easier.

[rs74]

I have pretty much decided to go ahead and start rebuilding the steering and lower it. I was trying to get the rear brake line off the wheel cylinder and ended up having to cut it. So that pretty much told me that I just need to start at the foundation and work my way up. I will be doing the steering and lowering kit first, rebuilding the heads, resealing the engine and trans first. I am going to try and squeeze the WV vette rims and atleast new brake lines in there. I will have to see how the fuel lines look once the cab is off. New fuel tanks as well. I think summit sells Dorman tanks. I will also need to find a place for new saddles for the tanks.

Then after the jeep sells I will get the body work done and see about paint. I will also need to buy two new front tires since the 295-50's won't be able to be used up front. It might be a week or two before I can do anything else.

[rs74]

Got the engine and trans out today. I decided to take the front end apart before pulling it. That will make things easier when the drop kit comes in. Which leads to a question. Correct me if I am wrong but I should take off the bump stops and brackets off the front and rear right?

Here is just a couple of tear down shots and the new ceramic headers I picked up for $75 today. Going to take the bed off next and take the power washer and wash down the front frame section and rear before installing the drop when it gets here.

[rs74]

Power washed the engine and trans down today. I will be setting the 350 in the corner and putting in a 355. Just a mild motor with a steel crank, pink rods, flat tops, and a 292/488 cam. Still looking for a set of heads. Thinking about putting on a set of 72cc's to stay on pump gas. Probably top it off with a performer rpm intake and I have a carter carb to get me going and then I may change it out.
The th350c will be going back in for the time being. Still up in the air about putting in a 200r4 or 700r4 trans.

Got the bed off this evening and loaded on the trailer ready for the body shop when the time comes. I am going to start taking off the bump stop mounts and upper ball joint rivets with an air chisel tonight. Not sure how far I will get tonight. Well I can I can't do the ball joint til tomorrow night. I have to roll it out tomorrow afternoon and power wash all the grime off the frame and cab. I had forgot that this bed still had on the license plate bracket that was behind the bumper. Not sure why though.