71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kkaa607 · 02-14-2013, 12:20 PM

Hi Guys and Gals,
I am starting a new project for my 16 yr old daughter who insist on having an old truck. Found this 71 chevy needing a home after a father and son attemted a restore and bailed out halfway through. The truck is mechanically sound and has the current inspection and tags including a clear title. It seems they tried a home made paint job on it so it definately needs a paint job which is scheduled for next week. I have only had it a couple of weeks but seem to enjoy learning and fixing and driving. It has the original straight 6 with 3 speed + granny on the floor, starts up everytime. I have taken it aroung the neighborhood a few times and does a little rewirring for the voltage regulator to work properly. Any hints tips or warnings are appreciated as I dig into this project. I am posting a few pics of the truck in the condition it sits in right now. Thanks
kkaa607

JCD · 02-17-2013, 10:15 AM

I really like the Long Stepsides.
I'm assuming you'll put them on, but for some reason it looks sort of cooler without the steps in there.

J.

kkaa607 · 02-17-2013, 11:50 AM

Hi JCD..
I agree that it has a cool look without the stepsides and for now thats how she is staying. I have the stepsides and they are in really good condition with minimal surface rust but I am waiting until I get the truck painted to put them on.

JCD · 02-17-2013, 03:58 PM

I kicked myself for not grabbing a Long Stepside that was in the Los Angeles craigslist for a while..
It was in pretty good rust free shape, and all the parts were there..
I think what stopped me was the three on the tree.
I'd rather have the automatic, or the 4 speed NON granny.

They do pop up occasionally, but as I understand it, the bed and the accompanying parts are harder to find..

J.

kkaa607 · 02-17-2013, 04:05 PM

This one has 4 on the floor,1st being granny... Runs great but bought it for my 16 yr old daughter and now she's not sure if she can handle the standard w no PS.. Oh we'll what's a dad to do maybe try and trade it for a later model w PS ac... Ill continue on the restoration for now as it may end up daddy's toy....
Posted via Mobile Device

JCD · 02-17-2013, 11:10 PM

Well, one thing I am sure of.. there's an amazing amount of Chevy V8s with turbo 350's out there..and it'll probably come with a power steering pump set up.
All you need do then is swap to the power steering gear.
It'll be easier than finding the set up for the L6...

J.

kkaa607 · 02-17-2013, 11:26 PM

Anybody ever used one of those power steering conversion kits? Thinking about attempting?? Pending comments..
Posted via Mobile Device

NavyChief · 01-18-2014, 10:00 PM

I know this is an old thread but did you convert the 6 to power steering? I just did my 60 LongBed with a 250 and it was easy!

02-14-2013, 12:20 PM	#1
kkaa607 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 14	71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project Hi Guys and Gals, I am starting a new project for my 16 yr old daughter who insist on having an old truck. Found this 71 chevy needing a home after a father and son attemted a restore and bailed out halfway through. The truck is mechanically sound and has the current inspection and tags including a clear title. It seems they tried a home made paint job on it so it definately needs a paint job which is scheduled for next week. I have only had it a couple of weeks but seem to enjoy learning and fixing and driving. It has the original straight 6 with 3 speed + granny on the floor, starts up everytime. I have taken it aroung the neighborhood a few times and does a little rewirring for the voltage regulator to work properly. Any hints tips or warnings are appreciated as I dig into this project. I am posting a few pics of the truck in the condition it sits in right now. Thanks kkaa607 Attached Images

02-17-2013, 10:15 AM	#2
JCD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 352	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project I really like the Long Stepsides. I'm assuming you'll put them on, but for some reason it looks sort of cooler without the steps in there. J. __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe Highlander C20 1971 Javelin SST New Project 1971 Demon 340 1969 SS El Camino 1968 SS RS 396 Camaro 1967 Barracuda Formula S 1965 140/4sp Corvair Monza Convertible Sorry, but I don't do Fords.

02-17-2013, 11:50 AM	#3
kkaa607 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 14	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project Hi JCD.. I agree that it has a cool look without the stepsides and for now thats how she is staying. I have the stepsides and they are in really good condition with minimal surface rust but I am waiting until I get the truck painted to put them on.

02-17-2013, 03:58 PM	#4
JCD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 352	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project I kicked myself for not grabbing a Long Stepside that was in the Los Angeles craigslist for a while.. It was in pretty good rust free shape, and all the parts were there.. I think what stopped me was the three on the tree. I'd rather have the automatic, or the 4 speed NON granny. They do pop up occasionally, but as I understand it, the bed and the accompanying parts are harder to find.. J. __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe Highlander C20 1971 Javelin SST New Project 1971 Demon 340 1969 SS El Camino 1968 SS RS 396 Camaro 1967 Barracuda Formula S 1965 140/4sp Corvair Monza Convertible Sorry, but I don't do Fords.

02-17-2013, 04:05 PM	#5
kkaa607 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 14	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project This one has 4 on the floor,1st being granny... Runs great but bought it for my 16 yr old daughter and now she's not sure if she can handle the standard w no PS.. Oh we'll what's a dad to do maybe try and trade it for a later model w PS ac... Ill continue on the restoration for now as it may end up daddy's toy.... Posted via Mobile Device

02-17-2013, 11:10 PM	#6
JCD Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles California Posts: 352	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project Well, one thing I am sure of.. there's an amazing amount of Chevy V8s with turbo 350's out there..and it'll probably come with a power steering pump set up. All you need do then is swap to the power steering gear. It'll be easier than finding the set up for the L6... J. __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe Highlander C20 1971 Javelin SST New Project 1971 Demon 340 1969 SS El Camino 1968 SS RS 396 Camaro 1967 Barracuda Formula S 1965 140/4sp Corvair Monza Convertible Sorry, but I don't do Fords.

02-17-2013, 11:26 PM	#7
kkaa607 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 14	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project Anybody ever used one of those power steering conversion kits? Thinking about attempting?? Pending comments.. Posted via Mobile Device

01-18-2014, 10:00 PM	#8
NavyChief Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Clarksville TN Posts: 79	Re: 71 c20 Stepside Longbed Project I know this is an old thread but did you convert the 6 to power steering? I just did my 60 LongBed with a 250 and it was easy! __________________ 1969 C10 Long Bed Step Side (My Texas Heirloom!) It is a work in progress!!!!!



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