Project 66: Stickin' With The Stepside

[84GMC15tepside]

Got some updates:

Sanded the core support and will paint it soon depending on temps this week. After painting it, I will install it and the cooling system. I tried mocking the radiator/fan shroud again with the brackets I ordered from LMC. Everything seemed to go together ok..





Here is the truck as it sits now:

[MalibuSSwagon]

Looks like I've settled back into getting a 4.8 or 5.3L..

[84GMC15tepside]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Looks like I've settled back into getting a 4.8 or 5.3L..

Nice, my other truck has the 5.3 and I like it a lot.

[NewType72]

Looking to swap ours someday to a 4.8-5.3. Heard one of the newsstand magazines is detailing a 4.8 build that'll be just as powerful as the 5.3 but cheaper so my pops tells me.

[84GMC15tepside]

Originally Posted by NewType72

Looking to swap ours someday to a 4.8-5.3. Heard one of the newsstand magazines is detailing a 4.8 build that'll be just as powerful as the 5.3 but cheaper so my pops tells me.

I'm with you, down the road this type of swap is a possibility.

Got some more updates. I got the control arms back from the shop that pressed in the polygraphite bushings. I painted them and core support.





Then installed the a-arms, springs, and spindles. I will hopefully get the wheel bearings and brakes in this week so I can get the truck on the ground. 4.5" drop up front: 2.5" McGaughy's spindles and 2" DJM springs.

[84GMC15tepside]

And here is a header, kind of a bad pic. Started polishing them:



I need to get a fuel hose/housing unit for the passenger side gas tank, stepside. I have the complete hose/housing unit for the driver's side that was originally on the truck. But I switched sides so it won't work.



And I also have driver and passenger side hoses and housings for 73-80 stepsides. They came with GM steps I bought from AZ.



None of these will help me! Hard to find what I need.

[samstheman]

U cant get those hoses any more but u can get gates gas hose correct size and bend metal tube for the middle sect and use rubber on ends.

[Hankster]

That front end is looking amazing, and that header though. Wow!

[84GMC15tepside]

So I have some pics with the truck on the ground:









Lots of rake right now... next is the rear suspension which I will hopefully get a start on this week. Also rally wheels are not on in the front because one of them has a slow leak. At least this will give me a chance to paint them!

Mocked up the core support in the last pic. Just have to paint two brackets for the fan shroud and it will be good to go on.

[84GMC15tepside]

Here is a picture of the rear end that came with the frame... it was half open when I bought it and water was in there for who knows how long:



So I found a rear end with a new 3.42 posi unit and new brakes for $300... not bad at all. These gears will go nicely with the tranny gears.





I also cleaned and painted it so this will be going in pretty soon.

[Randy83]

What headers are those?

[84GMC15tepside]

Originally Posted by Randy83

What headers are those?

They are Doug Thorley Tri-Y

[77K10Silverado]

Looking good!

[79sierra]

I have the trouble as you trying to find the correct fuel fill hose for my 79. I found this one but they don't specify left or right and they are pricey but worth it if correct.

http://www.fillernecksupply.com/sear...2B1979&Search=

[84GMC15tepside]

Got the old rear end and the leaf springs out of the truck in July.



Most of the rear suspension bolts bolts went surprisingly well, except the rear driver's side shackle bolt.



Then I got some more stuff painted, including the flip kit components.

[84GMC15tepside]

Got the old bushings pressed out and the new ones in. Went with polygraphite Energy Suspension bushings. But the rear shackle bushings were too wide to go into the frame mount so I had to trim them a little.



Here is the flip kit installed without wheels. The bottom plate that the ubolts connect to needed to be trimmed a little.



Here it is with the wheels on.

[84GMC15tepside]

Here's the general stance I was going for. Front wheels are temporary as one of the rally wheels has a flat tire still... front should go down another 1" or so.





Got the new steering components on recently and the gear box. I tried putting the intermediate steering shaft on the steering column but it is a really tight fit. Anyone have tips for getting this shaft onto the steering column?

[84GMC15tepside]

Put the front clip and bed sides on. Panels are going together nicely. Close to getting the truck driving.

[walkerb]

Looking good

[84GMC15tepside]

Got some unfortunate news... brought the truck to an engine shop to break in the motor. I was uncomfortable doing it myself in case something was to go wrong, I wouldn't know how to diagnose issues due to inexperience. Anyways they had it running for 10 minutes and they said it was running great until it dropped from 2000 RPM to 0. It seized up. They think it's a thrust bearing.

Here's my multi-thousand dollar piece of art:





So I yanked the motor today and going to investigate further. I'm considering a GM crate with a warranty so I don't end up in the same situation I'm in right now. I'm in the hole pretty deep. The thing that sucks the most is the amount of time I spent and being so close to driving the truck for the first time. Seems like 1 step forward, 5 steps back on everything with this truck. But it is what it is.

[daddyjeep]

That sucks, sorry to hear about the bad luck. Did the shop think it is repairable? It would at least need to be completely dis assembled and cleaned if you repair it.

[84GMC15tepside]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

That sucks, sorry to hear about the bad luck. Did the shop think it is repairable? It would at least need to be completely dis assembled and cleaned if you repair it.

Yeah it is, but if their prediction is true, it would probably need a new crank, etc. I might as well get a crate engine because it would be around the same cost...

[LT7A]

Man, sorry to hear about your motor. That's like getting kicked in the chest with nobody you can hit back. Can you pull it apart, sell the good parts? I like the background story and the unusual options on the truck. Maybe a turbo on the original 292? Would be cool!

[84GMC15tepside]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Man, sorry to hear about your motor. That's like getting kicked in the chest with nobody you can hit back. Can you pull it apart, sell the good parts? I like the background story and the unusual options on the truck. Maybe a turbo on the original 292? Would be cool!

I was thinking of that when I had the inline 6, but I scraped it years ago. I will either do a long block from GM and use the good parts off mine or maybe buy a complete engine and sell the parts I can. Still have to see what's wrong with mine first.

[84GMC15tepside]

Wow, it's been awhile since I've been on here. Lots of life changes. Graduated from college, got a job with GM as an engineer, and moved to Michigan as a result. Looking forward to starting my life out here. I have lots of updates on the truck too.