Project "FatBoy"

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Thanks, guys! It's coming along! I'm still trying to save up a bit for the frame re-alignment, since that will set be back a few bills. I'm hoping to get the frame re-aligned, suspension aligned, and finally inspection in the next month or so so I can finally drive this baby.

I've got a weird thing going on with my emergency brake, though. It seems to be stuck. Do you all know if maybe there is a spring or something in the rear drums that may be weak? I've been thinking about just doing a spring replacement kit on both drums. When I push down on the pedal for the e-brake, it doesn't pop back up once I release it. I've read some posts and the issue is definitely not inside the cab, like others note. It's almost like it's not releasing the cable from the drum brake assembly itself or something.

Any thoughts? I'd like to get this fixed this weekend.

[BBC Chevy Man]

Looking good. Were did you buy the hidden tailgate hinge kit? That is something I definitely want to do to my stepside.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by BBC Chevy Man

Looking good. Were did you buy the hidden tailgate hinge kit? That is something I definitely want to do to my stepside.

Thanks! I got the kit from Mar K. I purchased the hidden latches (part # 100265) and the tailgate link assembly (part # 102834). It was a bit tricky putting them on, but they work great! Now I just gotta figure out how to remove all the extra metal in the back where the chains connected to. I hope that helps!

[GMC Guy]

the e-brake problem might be the cable that runs from the pedal assembly down to the cables that operate the emergency brakes. i had mine lock up on me from the inner cable being stuck. here's a link to what i'm talking about.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=154

#1 on this page

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

the e-brake problem might be the cable that runs from the pedal assembly down to the cables that operate the emergency brakes. i had mine lock up on me from the inner cable being stuck. here's a link to what i'm talking about.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=154

#1 on this page

Do you know if that part comes with everything in red on this picture? I went under the truck and realized that's exactly what the issue is. It almost looks like there's a spring on there that pulls the pedal back, but I don't know for sure. When I checked under there, that part is all jacked up. If it does come with that whole part I'll get one of those ordered up soon. Thanks!

[bark]

sweet ride, I read the rims are 8.5x20, but what make of rim, and size tire are you running? they look great with the drop,

[Devillusion]

Looks great!

[76stepsidechevy]

That thing is looking sweet man. I want a set of those hiden tailgate latches for mine now. Good move going with the older front end too.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Well, it's been a while since I've been on here, due to work related issues. I've got some updates and will post up some more pics later tonight (I've added some below). Since my last update, I've gotten my welding machine working and started doing some shaving on it (started with the stake pockets and starting to move my way forward). I've also finally fixed my e-brake issue (it was that cable afterall). I've replaced my shocks with some from Summit Racing, I tried making my headlights brighter but still having issues with that (might be the relays), and I finally added the new fuel cell and removed the side saddle tanks. Now I've got another issue, now that I've added the new fuel cell in the rear, it doesn't seem to be pushing fuel to the front. So, I've got my fuel cell in the rear, then as the fuel hose gets to the rear passenger frame rail, I've got a fuel filter after about 1 ft of line, then about 2 to 2 1/2 ft from there is the fuel pump. I've got one of those glass fuel filters, so I can tell that fuel is not even getting to that spot.

Does anyone know if there's something I'm doing wrong? Is anyone here running a rear cell with an electric fuel pump? If so, how do you all have it set up?

Now, on to answer some of the previous posts:

Originally Posted by bark

sweet ride, I read the rims are 8.5x20, but what make of rim, and size tire are you running? they look great with the drop,

They are MB Old School's from Discount tire. I'm running them with 245/40's.

Originally Posted by Devillusion

Looks great!

Thanks, I can't wait until I'm closer to driving it.

Originally Posted by 76stepsidechevy

That thing is looking sweet man. I want a set of those hiden tailgate latches for mine now. Good move going with the older front end too.

Thanks, now on to filling in all the extra holes I drilled in while installing them!

[Pop's C-10]

Looks killer

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Here are some more pics. Keep in mind, the wiring and plumbing still has to be done right. I'm just trying to get it to work. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

I forgot to post up my update from this past weekend. I re-ran the plumbing from the front with hard fuel lines. I also, installed a mechanical fuel pump. After a few key turns, she started right up! This weekend I will install the new front shocks I got, but I'm hearing different people saying that the 7727's are too short and will cause it to bottom out. I've got 3" spindles and 2" coils.

Has anyone encountered this issue with this type of a setup?

Sorry, I forgot to mention they were purchased from Summit.

[SCOTI]

Electric fuel pumps should be within a foot of the tank (as close as possible). They push fuel better than they can pull it. If you had a couple of feet of rubber line, it's also possible the pump was causing the line to partially collapse making it even more difficult on the e-pump.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Yeah, I figured the pump may have been causing the issue. That's the main reason I switched to the mechanical one. The mechanical one is a puller where the electric one is a pusher. I didn't have anywhere I could really install it for my setup, so I wasn't left with any other choice.

Oh well, it works now and I can drive her again, so I'll deal with the extra cranks in the morning time. I wish I didn't have to, but oh well.

Thanks!

[justpball]

man thats a great looking truck bro!

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by justpball

man thats a great looking truck bro!

Thanks! You know how it goes...it's NEVER finished. There always seems to be something else that pops up when you fix one thing. I finally got my Miller 250x, that I got for $300 with a full-size tank, working a few weeks back, so I'm gonna start shaving everything in a few weeks. I'm not the best welder, but I'm a hell of a grinder.

I'm thinking about painting it a PPG Dark Shadow Gray. I like the way that looks with chrome.

"Fuzzy Dice Club Member"? Nice...I rock a set on my truck, too. Your truck looks pimp too, bro. Looks like a lot of time and work!

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

It's been a while since my last post, so I wanted to give an update....and ask a quick question, as well:

Update first-
Ordered a full wiring harness and will be installing it once the temperature cools down a bit. It's cooler today and a few days this week, but I don't think I'll have time this week to get going on it since I dropped it off at the mechanic shop on Saturday.

That leads me to my question. So, I took it in wanting to get my frame finally aligned, suspension aligned, A/C fixed, and inspection. One of the guys from the shop called me this morning saying that the front suspension was all loose and it needed to be tightened down. I assumed the frame was already aligned, so I asked how bad it was off. He said that hadn't been done yet. I was confused and asked why he would be trying to align the suspension before aligning the frame and he kept saying that it was all loose and was suprised I even got it there to begin with. He said they wanted to charge me $105 to "tighten" the front suspension....are you smelling what I'm smelling here?

So my question is this, wouldn't the frame have to be aligned BEFORE the suspension alignment is done? Someone please shed some light on this! Thanks!

[75ChevyGuy]

The frame would have to be aligned first. The frame is what puts the suspension where it's supposed to be spec wise. Might be time to find a new shop it seems like.

[HumbleChevyBuddy]

Originally Posted by 75ChevyGuy

The frame would have to be aligned first. The frame is what puts the suspension where it's supposed to be spec wise. Might be time to find a new shop it seems like.

That's what I thought, as well. I'm gonna go pick it up tomorrow, whether it's finished or not. Hopefully they don't come up with all kinds of other "extra charges".

[shaun73]

Originally Posted by HumbleChevyBuddy

Here are some more pics. Keep in mind, the wiring and plumbing still has to be done right. I'm just trying to get it to work. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong?

Great looking truck! I am just putting back together my 1973 Chevy Stepside and I bought a new saddle gas tank but a friend suggested putting one in the rear like you did. I've been having a problem finding one for my specific year without paying $500. Can you let me know where you got your fuel tank, what parts you had to buy and how hard the modification was? Thanks!

[Jrgunn5150]

Originally Posted by shaun73

Great looking truck! I am just putting back together my 1973 Chevy Stepside and I bought a new saddle gas tank but a friend suggested putting one in the rear like you did. I've been having a problem finding one for my specific year without paying $500. Can you let me know where you got your fuel tank, what parts you had to buy and how hard the modification was? Thanks!

He hasn't posted here in 6 year's, so I wouldn't expect a response, but stranger thing's have happened lol.

Have you tried starting your own thread, so it can get a little more attention?

[shaun73]

Originally Posted by Jrgunn5150

He hasn't posted here in 6 year's, so I wouldn't expect a response, but stranger thing's have happened lol.

Have you tried starting your own thread, so it can get a little more attention?

Oh geez, 6 years.... Ya, a new thread would probably be the quickest then. Thanks!