'67 Stepper "Laymond"

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I'll trade you a PBfab sticker and hat for all those boxes!
Ha.
Congrats on getting some quality products.
You just added value to your truck.

DEAL!!!! Once I empty the boxes I'll be more than happy to ship them to you. Just PM me your shipping address and I'll return you with mine

[slowcpe]

Well ZERO work has been done to the truck in the last month. Work and life has been busy with no time for the truck. Other than the fact I'm dying to get the front end under the truck it hasn't been a big deal. I'm still debating on keeping the auto or going with a t56. As much as I'd like to have a manual, I'm thinking about sticking with the auto with the possibility of a turbo down the road.

Summer seems to be packed with vacations and boating so I'm going to spend some time planning, saving money and doing what I can, when I can. Next purchases are my front brakes and PB trailing arms. Will be ordering the TAs either this month or next and the front brakes shortly after. Progress should start picking up towards the end of summer.

I decided last month that the Tahoe has lived a good life as a DD after nearly 258,000 miles and purchase a new DD. The dealership wasn't going to give me hardly anything for it so I decided to keep it for now and use it as a "beater". Its still too good a vehicle to put out to pasture.

The new ride: Acura MDX. This car is actually really fun to drive and gets better mileage than the Tahoe.

[GAc10boy]

Sweet ride!

[slowcpe]

Summers flying by with the truck covered in dirt and cobwebs. A few weeks ago I placed my order with Porterbuilt for their tubular trailing arms and longer trac-bar. This will complete my Level 1 front and Stage 2 Deluxe rear. I'm hoping to see them in the next 2-4 weeks.

I've debated and debated and can't shake the idea of mating a manual behind the 6.0. So I'm now 99% sure I will be placing my order soon with RPM for their T56 Magnum and bell housing. First we have to replace Jen's car with a new(er) one and then it's time to order the 6-speed.

Lastnight after getting home from a wedding I got on FB and saw a buddy from Indy was selling a set of 243 heads. I immediately sent him a message and committed to buying them on the spot. They are only suppose to have 15k miles on them. Plan is to mill them slightly and install my BTR valve train to bump up the compression a bit. A good cam, headers and larger injectors should make for a pretty fun combo.

The new heads:

[slowcpe]

Also spent some time out in the garage today doing some routine maintenance on the Tahoe. We decided to keep it as a dog taxi, beater, and hunting vehicle. Today I ran some errands and picked up a welding helmet that was on sale at Rural King and used a coupon for a HF welding cart.

The helmet seems nice and overall really like the cart. I did manage to snap a bolt while putting one of the wheels on. I got to watching the race, wasn't paying attention and SNAP! Didn't take much. Grrrr! Other than that and the bottom lid won't close flush, I'm very happy with it. I really like the drawers.

The welding setup and a pic of it and the truck getting acquainted. Once I learn how to use it the two will get to know each other very intimately.

[slowcpe]

Well just got my shipping notice and more PBFab parts are heading my way Nothing too exciting, just tubular trailing arms and longer trac-bar. This should complete my chassis unless I talk myself into the inner frame stiffener. I gotta draw the line somewhere though

Getting geared up for the Frog Follies next weekend. Last year I took Friday off work to hit the swap meet and scored some pretty good deals. Planning on doing the same thing this year.

Also LS Fest is now less than a month away and I've got clearance to go for the weekend. Can't wait and sure I will be coming home with a lot lighter wallet than when I arrived. Got a list of things I want/need.

Sorry no pics in this post.

[kitsbeach]

Looks like you and I are in a similar spot in our white bumper builds.

I waited a while for my porterbuilt parts and then by the time they came summer was here and I've been too busy to get the stuff installed. Plus grinding rivets took a lot longer than I thought.

But looks like you and I will be bolting on some parts pretty soon.

[slowcpe]

Well my trailing arms and longer tracbar came in today. I now have another piece of the puzzle. I'm also trying to find a place to store my boat for the winter so I can gain some more garage space.

Today I was working at a house that had the most amazing collection of signs, gas pumps, globes, die cast cars, oil cans, and cars. I wish I had permission to post pics because words cannot describe it. He even had matching Sinclair Studebaker Tow and Gas trucks. Hopefully I talked him into bringing the tow truck to the Frog Follies this weekend. However he's already bringing at least 2 others.

Truck wise he had a nice '56 Chevy and '46 Ford. Not to mention (3) camaros, chevelle SS vert and (4) vettes. Everything was spread out to (3) garages and a carport. I've never seen anything like it. I was in heaven and probably annoyed his wife to death. I was like a kid in a candy store. Had no idea a collection like that existed around here. It looked like something off tv.

Anyways, mandatory pic of new parts:

[Advanced Design]

Love the new parts...and planning on the Frogs myself.
Good luck with the boat storage and making project space.

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Love the new parts...and planning on the Frogs myself.
Good luck with the boat storage and making project space.

Thanks. I'm planning on hitting the swap meet Friday and the show either sat after golf or Sunday.

[GAc10boy]

Love the PB parts. And sounds like a killer car collection. Wish I could've seen it!

[slowcpe]

Got good news today: I've got a place to store the boat from October to April. I'll now have room to work on the truck without spending half my time pulling vehicles in and out. Super excited about that.

Next week is LS Fest and I'm hoping to pickup some cool new parts. Going down Friday and coming back Sunday. Last year I went for Friday only and had a great time.

[Todd68Chevy]

Sound good. Have fun next weekend.

[slowcpe]

Also my new dilemma I'm pondering since I've decided to go manual. The wheels I really really like are the Boze Intake concave I posted earlier. Problem is I really really don't like the price. Well I've been watching Mobsteel's new show and halfway considering going with their steelies. Been talking to Pam via email and they make a 20x11" with custom backspacing. Pricing isn't that bad I don't think. May go this route and run '67 caps like what 5150 has. Not sure yet, still debating.

[kxmotox247]

Did you score anything good at the swap meet? We didn't make it down till Saturday. I didn't see much for our trucks.... It was packed!

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by kxmotox247

Did you score anything good at the swap meet? We didn't make it down till Saturday. I didn't see much for our trucks.... It was packed!

Didn't see anything I really needed. Not much 67-72 stuff I saw on Friday. All I got was another 1967 Indiana plate and a street sign from the road we used to cruise in high school. It's now hangin in my garage

Friday wasn't too bad. I wanted to go Saturday but got roped into a golf scramble and launched the boat when I got home.

[slowcpe]

Well day one of LsFest was sort of a bust. Arrived around 10 and was there for a couple hours before the rain set in. Spent all my time shopping. Was disappointed that Holley only had (2) 302-2 oil pans with them. Already sold out, and no clue when they will get more in. Seriously!?!

After talking to every transmission company there, I believe I've decided to go with a Tremec TKO-600. I've narrowed it down to two companies, one local to me and one with a guy that has an LS/TKO setup in a C10 at the show. Going to come down to the best deal. Plan is to purchase this weekend. Also talked to the top two brake companies and got good info on the route I want to go. The plan is starting to come together.

Since it was raining I had a late lunch at one of my favorite places in Bowling Green: Double Dogs. Hung out there until it was time to check into my hotel. Arrived at the hotel and this cool dude pulled up.



It's the infamous LSX Willys Jeep for those who don't recognize it. If you've never heard of it, search YouTube.

[indymachinist]

I have enjoyed reading this thread. It does make me a little afraid to dig into my truck too deep though! I'm afraid to get carried away!

[Advanced Design]

Too bad about the rainy day. The LS swap competition would be interesting to watch. Winner keeps the supplied engine and parts. Friend of a friend's truck is in the competition.

Good luck with the brake research and transmission buy.

[slowcpe]

Well I sure do have an insationable knack of changing my mind 1000 times. You know my previous post about going with a TKO? Well I came home with a t56 magnum I had a couple of buddies yesterday talk me out of the TKO. Went back to the Bowler tent, talked to Mark at great length and hammered out my setup. Just bought the trans, bell housing and bolts for now since I'm still in the mockup stage.

LSFest was a blast. Got to hang out with some buddies, met some new friends, learned a lot and watched quite a bit of racing I also got the privilege to meet and talk to James Otto, the country singer. He's building his grandfather's '66 into a bad a$$ pro touring truck. Very nice guy and got some tips on creating a little more room in the cab as he's a pretty good size guy as well. He also put on a great concert afterwards. It's a shame, but apparently some DB decided to steal his custom seats out of the truck last night. It happened with the truck sitting out in front of the Holley truck. I still can't believe someone did that. What a POS!

The new trans. Anybody need a 50k mile 4l80e?

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by indymachinist

I have enjoyed reading this thread. It does make me a little afraid to dig into my truck too deep though! I'm afraid to get carried away!

Ehh I wouldn't worry about it too much, I'm sure you have more self control than I. plus just keep checking back to remind yourself how much time and money you will save by NOT going the route I am

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

Too bad about the rainy day. The LS swap competition would be interesting to watch. Winner keeps the supplied engine and parts. Friend of a friend's truck is in the competition.

Good luck with the brake research and transmission buy.

We watched the 1st 30 min of the engine swap challenge. Pretty cool that both teams got the old motor out and new one in in less than 20 min. We wondered off and forgot about so I didn't see who won.

[slowcpe]

Pick of James Ottos truck. I've got about 100 pics of it but none of the entire chassis.

[indymachinist]

How much for the 4l80e? What year?

I will probably be looking for one soon. I plan to run one with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

[slowcpe]

It's a 2005, suppose to have 50k miles. I was told they are going for $700-800 so I'd probably ask $700.

[Advanced Design]

Slowcpe. If the 4L80E has 50,000 miles on it I will take it.

Can run down this week and get it. Being fair Indy has first dibs.