"My wife now hates me" build. 383 stroked and bagged

[charx2]

Still troubleshooting my damn distributor, here is a link if anyone can possibly help...
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=417213&page=2

[charx2]

Ok here is a update. Since my last post I have done a few things. I have rebuilt my edeblock 1405 carb, welded my front shocks mounts onto frame and installed. Also took bed off and bolted on my upper shock mounts but could not break the axle u bolts to replace that bracket so I used orginal. I used a 3/4 ratchet with 1-1/16 socket with a 3 ft conduit and still could not break it loose kicking on it. Now that the bed's off I am thinkng about just sanding the frame and repainting it. Pictures soon to follow.
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[charx2]

I fixed my dist problem also, it ended up being some fouled plugs. Now I need to redo a few air fittings and they are seized in the tank. I guess a torch is the only way to get them out? I stripped the fittings trying to pull them off.
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[tubbedII]

Love the truck charx2. I feel your pain on the u-bolts. To get mine off, I took my 1/2 ratched (don't own a 3/4) and my floor jack handle. I put the wheels on and the truck on the ground and pulled as hard as I could while pushing against the wheels with my feet. It was a PITA, but they finally broke loose. Good luck on the build!

[charx2]

Thanks tubbed, I tried something similiar, I used the 3/4 (which is my neighbors) and had a huge breaker pole(lol) on it and used my feet against the frame to give me leverage. I think the pole was too big because when I would get some real power going or start to try and kinda rock it, the pole would slip out. I might try it like your saying with my 1/2 and a new smaller breaker bar I just picked up today from the worksite. Man I need to update this build...

[charx2]

Ordered a step notch and a panhard bar, it's been 11 days and they have still yet to ship. I also ordered a Millermatic 211!!! That will be in today and I am super stoked about finally getting a good machine! As the weather gets nicer and I get free time, I will be working on ol Betsy. I go to school full time and work full time and in between I pretty much hang with the family, so time is scarce. I hope to have it back on the road and hitting switches by the end of the summer. Progress will resume shortly.

[Drummerboy]

Thats sweet!!!

[67cheby]

keep up the good work...looking good

[charx2]

Ok so some updates here. I made myself some 2" drop blocks out of square tubing. I didn't like the open sides so I welded some plates I cut out and grinded them down. Turned out pretty good if I don't say so myself...

To take the U-bolts off this is what I had to use. A 5ft breaker tube... and it was still tough!

Even with that I still ended up breaking a Craftsman 1/2" ratchet. Took it back and got a 18" breaker bar that I stuck inside that 5ft breaker tube

[charx2]

Oh, here's my new machine that made all this work possible, and also helped me learn to weld! Here also is a picture of me heaving on that breaker bar I had to use to break those U-bolts free!


So after the drop blocks, I put together the step notch I got from suicidedoors. I tacked most of it together and then tried to fit it. I then realized that it would not fit like I had hoped so some cutting out and trimming of parts was needed.

I cut out the cross member that holds on the upper shock mounts. I then welded a piece of square tubing across the frame to hold it in place while I did my work.

My neighbor persuaded me into not cutting out that other cross member behind the axle, so I instead decided to notch out the notch. I made a card board template and notched it out on driver and pass side. I then used some square tubing to bridge the notches together. Here are the only good pictures I took.

[VA72C10]

nice progress!

[charx2]

Final pics of it just about finished. Still wet with paint! Don't mind that tab on the bigger of the bridge bars, I forgot to grind it off. Now I am regretting not cutting out that cross member behind the axle. Everything from the cab to the back of the step notch is square and level. Behind that stupid cross member ( which from the factory was put in crooked) the pass side sits about 1/2" higher(or lower) than the drivers side frame. No big deal really just means I will have to fab up some brackets for a bumper to make it level, but I should have just cut that thing out!




That's level



Not level!

The front sitting on 8" 4x4.

[charx2]

Now I just need to figure out how I'm going to mount my bags. I'm thinking about just mounting them over the axle and just getting some new sleeved bags because I know the double convulated(spelling?) bags ride like trash above or behind the axle. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm going to re-plumb alot of the stuff as well to install my new tank. The summer has started and so has the work! More to come....

[kev2809]

hey whats up man?

you make any progress on them rear bags?

[charx2]

Still working on fabbing up the rear mounts. Its pretty ruff not having the correct metal cutting tools. I am using conduit to get my templates then will trace to DOM tubing. Definetly will be custom though. Bout to start an addition on my house also so ill have to find the time. Ill post some progress pics whenever I get through with these templates. How about you man?
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[Newtz67]

Lovin it!

[kev2809]

still waiting on the brackets to come in. what im trying to figure on mine is that when i had my notch welded in by a shop, they welded in round tubing at the very top of the notch...so its kinds high. i dont want to weld in new crossmembers so what i think i will do is weld the plate on there and if it doesnt get enough lift, place some cup spacers in between the top of the bag and plate. guess well see when i get those in lol

[charx2]

I went with some sleeved bags man. $135 shipped!
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[charx2]

I have to get these angles right and then cut them on this pipe. Once I do its going to look pretty sweet!
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[Wildstreak]

Love the step side man. Funny I just got my miller 211 about a week ago too, Im cutting my frame from a lwb to swb. On the ground you should run the wire through the handle then bolt it back, that way it doesn't brake off.

[charx2]

This is what I plan on doing. I'm going to cut all the tubing to fit snugly inside each other to create a good strong support. Then I will gusset those pieces that need it. I might add another piece of tubing just to add some strength but I'm sure it will be plenty strong. This is just a mock up though. I need to get my angles right and cut everything to fit together. Was going to use DOM tubing but it was too hard for me to cut the angles and get everything to fit right. This is not where I'm going to weld it to the step notch though. I just put this up to get an idea.
[IMG][/IMG]

[charx2]

Small update. I havent finished the back yet. I'm having problems getting the rear as low as I want. I don't think i'll be able to drop it that low without a 4-link set-up and a change in driveshafts. I'm not mounting it like I had planned, go figure! Pictures will soon follow. I've been in a slump and kind of burned out on this truck...Hopefully I can force myself to fix the rear bags today, or at least have another go with them! Pictures will soon follow.

[that_guy]

I believe i know you? My name is james & i've got the bagged '91 s10. I had a guy looking at an oxygen tank a while back and he mentioned building a old fullsize.
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[charx2]

Lol that's me man. Crazy seeing you here! How's the s10 coming?
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[that_guy]

I was on google and saw where it mention mobile,so i had to check out the thread. The truck is good. I've replaced the majority of the body panels on it. Hoping to prep it for paint soon,but i dont currently have the funds. I'm also planning to pull the 4.3 and drop in a 5.7 instead. It's not my daily anymore,so i'm not worried about gas. I now drive a '93 s10 that i bought 4-5 months ago in pensacola. I lifted this one 3" in the front,2 1/4" in the rear,and put factory size 4wd tires on it. Getting some 31's in the near future.

I'll stop by and help sometime if you need. My friend lives in chickasaw,and i usually pick him up on the weekends,so i'm right around the corner from saraland.

And just cause. Here's how the '91 currently sits. I keep it at my moms for now. That way i can keep it under her carport,and out of the elements.


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