Quest to DD my '71 again

[MrSchaeferPants]

Originally Posted by longbed67

The safety thing is about all I would roast you on... tell me you would rather be in a scion than in a full size pickup in a 40mph crash with another full size truck!?! Seriously you would be in the ICU for sure if not dead if you were in the car! I use this example because I have seen what happens in real life to "sub compact cars" vs. trucks/suv's and have treated the people in the cars... not trying to be debbie downer here but just saying

I dunno man, I think it depends on the situation. I hear what you're saying. But I've also seen old cars, trucks I drove, and what they look like in an accident.

So, back to the main posting. So don't DD it to work. But drive it to the store, to get coffee, etc.

[almstlo]

nice!

[Sicklajoie]

Old vs. new

2009 Chevy Malibu vs 1959 Bel Air Crash Test ...

[gearheads78]

I assure you they used structal engineers to make sure they could get the most dramatic looking hit. Also look at the rust coming out of the 59' No telling what they started out with and what weakening they built in to the car.

[slikside]

Originally Posted by Sicklajoie

Old vs. new
2009 Chevy Malibu vs 1959 Bel Air Crash Test - YouTube

Originally Posted by gearheads78

I assure you they used structal engineers to make sure they could get the most dramatic looking hit. Also look at the rust coming out of the 59' No telling what they started out with and what weakening they built in to the car.

That was an impressive demo (or not) depending on your pov. I am usually pretty sceptical myself, but also think that advancement in engineering design and impact safety is MILES ahead of where it was in 1959 (zero). I going with believing on this one.

[Daaaanz67]

Just about done with my ls conversion on my 69 c10 . I've owned this truck almost 17 years and probably haven't driven it 5000 miles. It's been garaged most all it life by previous owner and myself. Since owning it in the beginning I installed a 4/6 drop disc conversion and a 95/96 near new chevy split bench/bucket seat. I also bought brand new three point seat belts to match the same year bench seat from the dealer. Although I got a lot of looks from people I didn't enjoy driving it as much but loved the truck that's why I kept it. I came to the conclusion that I didn't like the manual steering,manual trans and the crappy gas mileage and the truck was parked and drive once in awhile this truck is obviously not as nice as your but very clean. Fast forward to 2011 I got tired of looking at the truck and decided to take the plunge hence the ls better fuel mileage ps steering a/c and auto trans. I'm going to drive the heck out of it every time it's not raining. Also I recently went to my aaa office to inquire about insurance for it I was informed that they just picked up a classic car program. When I asked whats the restrictions she said none unlimited mileage. Haven't bought insurance yet but soon. I may have to switch my chevelle over to this once I find out more details. Just my .02cent worth on my dd why it wasn't and why it will be.
Posted via Mobile Device

[LEEVON]

I was wondering when that video would come up.

Well, it looks like I might be not be on the fence much longer. I could be DD'ing this thing by the weekend. I replaced the carrier bearing last night and located the rear end leak, it was the drain plug on the case of all things.

When I used to drive this truck it had an '88-94 bench seat, matching shoulder belts and steering wheel. Then when it was retired to cruise duty I put all the original stuff back in for looks.

Here are a few pics of the old/new and the engine bay I'm working with. I plan to change the valve covers, air cleaner, headers for original stuff and put the air stuff back in.

[Daaaanz67]

Be careful necks will be snappin just to look at your truck causing accidents man that's nice but I would dd it
Posted via Mobile Device

[LEEVON]

Ok, it wasn't on the list but there are alot of little things so I tackled one tonight. The throttle and TV cable bracket never fit right and I had the throttle cable rigged so I swapped out the bracket and cable and added return springs. It's all nice and tight now and the TV cable adjustment is better.

Next up is the lock-up wiring. It locks up in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th which is annoying and unnecessary. Right now I have it going through a toggle switch but I want to get rid of that and run it in 4th only through a vacuum switch and brake switch so I don't have to mess with it.

Then leaks.

Then tilt.

Or whatever bugs me next. This thing will get DD'd and it could be sooner than later I have a buyer for my wife's Tahoe on the line.

[Low Elco]

I bet you already know what to get, but I got the 700r4 lockup kit from Bowtie Overdrives. I know I coulda got it all in the yards for nothin, but I like the idea of a matched set. Supposed to work great. That's a good lookin truck, let's get some use out of it!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Tynee]

I DD mine. I think you will find that there's never really a point when it's "ready" to be driven a lot. You just have to start driving, and fix stuff as it comes to your attention.

['72customdeluxe]

You guys wanting to be in a c10 rather than a new car in a wreck must not like your teeth I miss the heck out of dailying mine. I didn't have the time or place to do body work on it before college, so I got my gmc. Figured I'd only have a frame and drivetrain after dailying the c10 for 4-5 years in Galveston (rot). After my last final tomorrow, it'll get the new carrier bearing it's been waiting for since January of 2011.. And a new battery
Posted via Mobile Device

[LEEVON]

Sounds like mine...new carrier bearing and a battery.

[LEEVON]

Here is the current ride height:

[Tynee]

Originally Posted by '72customdeluxe

You guys wanting to be in a c10 rather than a new car in a wreck must not like your teeth Posted via Mobile Device

I'm from KY, I don't have any teeth

['72customdeluxe]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Sounds like mine...new carrier bearing and a battery.

I guess the rear drop messes with them. Flimsy stamped together piece..
Posted via Mobile Device

[BruthaMan]

I'm kind of opposite. I have a 2007 Tahoe (and don't get me wrong, I love it), but I feel more comfortable in an old Chevy Truck for day to day driving. My wife drives the Tahoe and I *could* (if I wanted to) drive just about any car/truck/suv I wanted to...but, I live the old Chevy Trucks.

There's just something nostalgic about hopping into one and taking off down the road. Your 71 is beautiful! I applaud your decision to make it a DD. I have a '78 in my garage that I did a frame-off on a few years ago. I've spent so much money (and time) on it, that I can't bring myself to make it a DD.

Have a '72 (see sig) I'm working on now, to be my DD. AC has been my main priority. It's hotter than hell down here and I don't do well in the heat! Will be putting stock system back together next week and going back to R12.

Leaks. These plagued me on my 78 build. You think "it's all new stuff, and I already have leaks?" Chrome. If you have chromed covers of any type to seal up places where oil comes out, take the chrome cover off and use a die grinder with sanding wheel on the inside, and scuff the chrome up really good. I had to do this on a number of covers on my 78, to get it to seal good.

Valve covers. Had one cover that leaked in the rear and drove me nuts. Finally messed with it one day, determined to get it resolved. Turns out, the valve cover seats were deeper than the gasket. Ordered taller gaskets, problem solved.

Good luck! You have a beautiful base to work with. Take it one day at a time until you get the issues fixed. It will be worth it!

[TobyArnot]

Thought I'd jump in here late: My '70 is my DD. 2200 miles a month! I'm an old coot and I'm having more fun in this semi-beater/DD than anything I've own since an "A" Model I had in high school. My bride and I have taken it to Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Spartanburg, Pigeon Forge, Tn., Lake Lure, Asheville, N.C. and a bunch of others. I'm a big fan of the "cruise-out", where a bunch of car people get together and go to some destination (generally involving food of some sort). I also go to the cruise-ins and charity shows and weather-be-damned. Truck sat in a field for 17 yrs. and it ain't gonna' kill it. Yea, I do have to spend some time and money on repairs, but not too bad. And as a friend's son said, "This thing is more fun than a bucket of nuts" AMEN !, son.

[LEEVON]

Well, thanks for the votes of confidence! This DD thing may be getting out of hand...I am going to pull the engine because there is absolutely no tracing this stupid leak, plus I need to freshen up all of the a/c plumbing, actuators, etc and while I'm in there the firewall could stand to be painted, some detailing here and there, new dash wiring...crap I've pretty much decided to pull the front clip and do a quick budget rehab from the firewall forward. As long as I stop at the there it will be Ok...right?

[ls1nova71]

Yup, knowing when to stop is the key word there. I however can't help you there, I suck at that part!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by ls1nova71

Yup, knowing when to stop is the key word there. I however can't help you there, I suck at that part!
Posted via Mobile Device

Me too. Seems like every time I start to do an engine swap, the interior comes out first. This is twice on the same truck!

[big_al_71]

Exactly how I started with mine fixing the three speed shifter linkage then next thing you know the whole front was off.


Glad to see you made the descision to drive the wheels off it.

[BruthaMan]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

As long as I stop at the there it will be Ok...right?

Oh yeah, yeah. Just "freshening" it up a little, that's all.

"It's ready to drive. No baby, it won't be like the last project. Just a few tweaks here and there, it'll be done in a few weeks"

Uh huh! Been there, done that

[JJorgensen52]

On the seatbelts, anyway

I had a set custom made using my original buckles - they're reversed from the normal orientation, the tab is on the seat and the buckle is on the shoulder harness, but they work fine and it looks great.

[original-71]

if you can drive it and be happy i would do the same with mine, minus the rain and thieves