Dbear's '71 4x4 Burb with some USA Military Diesel

[DBear]

Here you go Burb fans.....finally starting my Project build thread! This is a 1971 4x4 Burb, originally came with 350/350, but have recently implanted a 6.2L Military diesel motor and a beefed-up'd 700R4 behind it. This has and is gonna be a wild ride for me.... very challenging, but I think it will be a pretty cool daily driver.

Bought this Burb in New Mexico about 2 years ago and just started working on it this past spring. It is the Mint Green color originally, but PO had some gold-ish color paint put on it, which I not a fan of....will sand it down eventually.

I have a 67-68 GMC front clip that will be installed in very near future. I just like the 67-68 style hoods and grilles on both CHEVY and GMC's. No offense to you 69-72 fans, just my opinion.

I will also be adding an hydro-boost braking system from an '86 Burb.

Just wanted to prelude this thread and will be adding pictures, etc....in the next couple days. I have had a lot of help from the guys on here up to this point and hope that my build can be of some help to someone in the future.

[jbclassix]

I would love to see some pictures! I am a HUGE 6.2L/6.5L fan!

[DBear]

soon brother soon.........

[DBear]

Just got the tank mounted today....and buttoned up the drive-shafts too.

[DBear]

some more pics.....not sure how to put a description under each photo...anyone know how?

[DBear]

few more pics.....

[jbclassix]

I just put the image tag on each photo and then a space between each one where I can post comments. It looks like the 700r is already in there... and the 205... we gotta see that!!!

[mosesburb]

Tank looks good!!

[DBear]

Originally Posted by mosesburb

Tank looks good!!

Moses.....did you put something on top of your tank ( in between the body and and the tank to give pressure to hold it into place )? Maybe I am missing something, because I got the straps tight, but seems there should be something above the tank to give some force so the straps allow the tank to be real snug. ?????

[thirdstreettito]

Updates? I love this burb!

[DBear]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Updates? I love this burb!

Bradley, funny you should ask....I am just getting back on this project, for I got distracted by my 67 Chevelle, and realized this Burb is gonna be a good ride for me, and just getting back on it.

Gonna button up the Hydro-boost system this week, and hopefully the fuel lines too. Got all the fuel lines ran, just gotta button up to filters and pump. Also, I am planning on pulling the Skyjacker 4 inch lift off and doing add a leafs for about an 1.5-2 inch lift. Decided on 15x7 steelies...in white, with Bf Goodrich all terrain 33x9.5x15's all around. Gonna sell my American Racing Baja's 17x8's. Looking to get that factory look. Other than that, just gonna keep plugging along....Should have it running in about 3 weeks!

[leakyfawcett]

Awesome build! I've got a '71 3/4 ton 4x4, and I'm also putting a 6.2 diesel with a 700r4 in it. Like you, I'm also putting a '67 front clip on mine.

It looks like the 6.2 fit pretty well in there. Did you have to modify the engine mounts at all? What transfer case are you running? My truck had a TH350 with an NP205, but I'm putting in a 700r4 with an NP241, which is a much, much longer combo. Are you running into any issues so far?

[DBear]

Originally Posted by leakyfawcett

Awesome build! I've got a '71 3/4 ton 4x4, and I'm also putting a 6.2 diesel with a 700r4 in it. Like you, I'm also putting a '67 front clip on mine.

It looks like the 6.2 fit pretty well in there. Did you have to modify the engine mounts at all? What transfer case are you running? My truck had a TH350 with an NP205, but I'm putting in a 700r4 with an NP241, which is a much, much longer combo. Are you running into any issues so far?

James...I really like your Blog. I have been wanting to start one myself....maybe by summertime. That Green truck is absolutely bad to the bone. I am a big fan of green....and my he Burb is actually originally the Mint Olive Green color, which I am going back to soon.

[DBear]

James...I moved the engine cradle forward about an 1 7/8 inches. The motor set in the cradle fine with good clearance...except on the pan. I had to trim the bottom of the cradle some to give some clearance. My Burb had the same running gear as yours, and when I moved the cradle forward, everything bolted up great. No mods to drive-shafts or t-case cross member. Anything I can do to help, just ask.

[DBear]

Have some progress to report....

I have finally got the front clip, minus the hood and grill, back on the rig! I am really happy how it all went back on. I put an '68 GMC front clip on, for I like the sleeker look. I would rather had put a 67-68 Chevy clip on it, but this was more in the budget for me. I used new core support bushings, and all the sheetmetal is original stuff, just has the battle scars from something that old, which I like the vintage look instead of shiny new....not that there is anything wrong with shiny, just like this rig looking old! In the pics, I have two different tires on so I could decide which to go with, and I decided on the BFG Mud terrain KM2's, which is the one on the front.

Got the instrument cluster back in....I did some touch up and surgery on the old parts in it....and praying it all works!

My next step is to wire up the 6.2L Diesel motor, and then work all the bugs out. Will have to get the new 700R4 all adjusted out also....

Wish me luck....I just hope the motor runs.....and runs as good as I think it will!

[67chevy1series]

Originally Posted by DBear

Have some progress to report....

I have finally got the front clip, minus the hood and grill, back on the rig! I am really happy how it all went back on. I put an '68 GMC front clip on, for I like the sleeker look. I would rather had put a 67-68 Chevy clip on it, but this was more in the budget for me. I used new core support bushings, and all the sheetmetal is original stuff, just has the battle scars from something that old, which I like the vintage look instead of shiny new....not that there is anything wrong with shiny, just like this rig looking old! In the pics, I have two different tires on so I could decide which to go with, and I decided on the BFG Mud terrain KM2's, which is the one on the front.

Got the instrument cluster back in....I did some touch up and surgery on the old parts in it....and praying it all works!

My next step is to wire up the 6.2L Diesel motor, and then work all the bugs out. Will have to get the new 700R4 all adjusted out also....

Wish me luck....I just hope the motor runs.....and runs as good as I think it will!

what size rims are those?

[woodwright]

Come on Tommy! Lets see them shiny new wheels that I took forever to send you.

[DBear]

Originally Posted by woodwright

Come on Tommy! Lets see them shiny new wheels that I took forever to send you.

Hey Clint, how are you bud. I got your message, and I am gonna look at the radiator this weekend. I will call you as soon as I look at it. I haven't mounted the tires yet on the 16's, but will soon. Still got the 15's with Mud's on them right now. I expect to have this burb running in the next week or two.

[woodwright]

Originally Posted by DBear

Hey Clint, how are you bud. I got your message, and I am gonna look at the radiator this weekend. I will call you as soon as I look at it. I haven't mounted the tires yet on the 16's, but will soon. Still got the 15's with Mud's on them right now. I expect to have this burb running in the next week or two.

Thats alright boss. I found a used one local that has just been rebuilt. Thanks though. Hows your schooling going?

[DBear]

Originally Posted by 67chevy1series

what size rims are those?

If you are talking about the ones with the KM2's, those are stock 15x6's, with stock backspacing....about 4 inches!

[thirdstreettito]

Lookin good! Keep up the good work!

[Bigblueburban]

looks good! rustic and powerful! good luck with diesel prices right now

[leakyfawcett]

Looks awesome. What size KM2s are you going with?

[DBear]

Originally Posted by leakyfawcett

Looks awesome. What size KM2s are you going with?

Thanks bud....I am going with 33x10.50x15's. They seem to look pretty good and if I end up going smaller on the lift, then the tires will still work well.

[woodwright]

So you got that thing runnin yet? What are you gonna do for exhaust? Are you gonna run a cold air intake? Any mods to the motor? Come on man, i need inspiration.


Just foolin. Looks good Tommy, talk to you in the next few days.