JRods Garage Build #1(Project:71)

Greetings guys! Just thought I would share my build up of my 1971 Chevy C10, Project:71.

This truck is being built as what I would call a "resto-mod". Keeping the great parts of this truck, but making it more up to date as far as performance and comfort. Its my first ever build, and I am still learning the correct processes of getting everything done. Now saying that, I do regret doing some things like the paint as early on as I did. I guess thats all in the learning process!
Hope you enjoy!

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...626_125551.jpg
I bought her while I was out on a deployment through may dad and good ol craigslist. After he went and checked it out, I forwarded him the cash and TA DA!!! my first truck... This is the only set only pics I got to see of it for those next three months
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...maxsi/71-6.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...axsi/71-10.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...maxsi/71-7.jpg

Not much going on there, but boy did I find a killer deal on a good canvas! From there I started pondering ideas of different suspension options, what to do with the interior, engine ideas, oh and WHAT COLOR?!?! you could say I changed my mind every time I changed my underwear, and I give props to those who put up with the changing ideas.:cheers:

So the first step I went with was changing out the suspension. If you look at all my vehicles I have had in my past(Im only 23 and have had 9 vehicles) none of them have stayed at the stock ride height. I dont think that will ever change either! So I made friends with the guys over at suicidedoors.com now qualityairride.com and bought up everything I thought I would need to get this puppy lower to gods green earth.
This is where that got me...
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...si/bags004.jpg

Now that I had been home from that deployment for a little while, I started scouting out different car shows for color ideas. Boy was that fun! I went from light blues to white, to oranges, them back to white and then I saw this beauty at the GoodGuys show in DelMar, Ca.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/velocity.jpg

Thats right! Its RideTech's Velocity Camaro. Im sure a few of you have seen and heard about this car. I was in complete awe! I knew I had to have that color. I talked to a few of the guys working the booth trying to get some information about it but they just didnt know. Finally, I found one of the big wigs of the company and he was more than happy to share with me. At that time, Velocity Orange had only been a custom mix for that car by DuPont and by the time I was ready to spray, it was on the Hot Hues line of available colors.

During this whole time, the truck was in Northern Colorado at my dads house getting modified, sanded, primed, and sanded some more.(My father used to do paintwork back in the day) so every once in a while Id get pics to this nature
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...or001-Copy.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/frame007.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...rucknow002.jpg
I had some custom touches I had him do, and I would go out to Colo for a week and help do some other things such as shave the firewall of the wire tray, heater box, and blower
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...irewall001.jpg

Cut and shave dash(dont hate me purists)
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/IMG00055.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...irewall002.jpg

Then shave the side markers and original door mirrors
Back to the days of priming and sanding
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...stprime003.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...stprime001.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...tprimed003.jpg

While on another deployment, I started getting pictures in my inbox like these
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0763.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/100_0184.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0834.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0835.jpg

YES! Thats right, color!!!

Nothing beats the excitement of your project coming to life with a splash of color. Then more started piling in. Note that I had the inside of the cab painted satin black and only the dash and doors orange. I thought it was a nice break from the intense color of the orange on the inside of the truck
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...rydscab002.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...meblack001.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...nmasked003.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...nmasked004.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...finally001.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../onebox002.jpg

Now, during all the progress I decided I wanted to do something different, yet simple for the inner fenders. I didnt want my battery in the engine compartment, and I didnt want the big ol bubble fenders. So my dad and I came up with these. Made from thick brushed aluminum, they use a very simple plan.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0842.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0841.jpg

you may be wondering "where did the battery go?"
Wait, whats that?!?!
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0859.jpg
Ohhhh! I see what you did there ;)
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0860.jpg

Now its looking like a full truck again!
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0845.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0846.jpg

Complimented the rear with some Fesler Built tail light lenses
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0853.jpg

And the front with a TopBanana front smoothie bumper
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSCF0843.jpg

Had to get some pictures with her cousin(my dads 71 LWB)
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSC00385.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSC00393.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSC00389.jpg

Once all of this was done, it was time to come home to daddy!
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...517_185600.jpg

When she got home, there was some new toys waiting for her in the garage!
Some RideTech Strong Arms!
Shes sittin alot better now :D
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1..._6261913_n.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1..._6818606_n.jpg

And thats how she sits until this day. Im out again on another trip but the ideas keep boiling my brain. While I was home between trips this last time, I picked up an LQ4 with LS2 heads and intake manifold. I plan on decking the heads to get my compression ratio up to a 10.9-11.1:1 to get me in the LS2 power range, along with a mild port and polish. Other items to come to the engine and drivetrain are a PCMforLess Attitude cam, new torque converter, built 4L60E trans, Doug Thorley headers, and much more...

Also in the meantime I have contacted Nate Porter over at Porterbuilt Fabrication and ordered myself a shiny new dropmember
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../Assembled.jpg
and rear trailing arms with trailing arm crossmember
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/DSC06597.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../rear_arms.jpg
True pieces of artwork this guy makes!

Stay tuned for more! I have all kinds of fun stuff planned for this build.

This is so cool! That truck is killerrrr

It's a good thing you change your mind a lot... because we can do much better on that LQ4 for a comparable price!

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Originally Posted by ducky

This is so cool! That truck is killerrrr

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thanks man!

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Originally Posted by pl4yboy

It's a good thing you change your mind a lot... because we can do much better on that LQ4 for a comparable price!

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HAHA, thanks! I picked up a 2005 LQ4, and it came with LS2 heads and intake manifold... I figured I would mill the heads down to kick up the compression ratio(to LS4 numbers) and have them mildly ported.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...a615df197c.jpg

I also picked up a cam from PCMforLess, the Attitude cam as they call it. along with some new valve springs, retainers, pushrods, and timing chain.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...si/photo-2.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...i/photo1-2.jpg

What are the specs on that cam?

Love the stance and color for sure. Makes me miss my 73 that much more.

Oh yes, I forgot to add that these beauties are on order as we speak... They should be in my possession sometime in mid March
Intro Speedstar
Fronts-18x8" 4.75"bs
Rears-20x9.5" 4.5"bs
Stepped Lip
Brushed Insets
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ruck-09-KS.jpg

U better watch out or your not gonna wanna drive it hahaha. Very nice truck u got there, keep it up and keep us posted

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bangbangskeetskeet

What are the specs on that cam?

Love the stance and color for sure. Makes me miss my 73 that much more.

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Dur @.006
Int-271
Exh-279

Dur @.050
Int- 222
Exh- 230

Lift
Int-.581
Exh-.591

Lobe Sep
111*

Awesome build & those Intro's are going to really set it off.

This thing is amazing. I think I would name that thing the Dreamsicle being that orange color. Very very nice work and I like the specs on that cam. Do you have a rearend and trans picked out already?

The cam isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd go with more duration, but you have it. Run it til you decide you want an upgrade.

I like it. And would drive the living crap out of it.

very nice build

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Originally Posted by pl4yboy

The cam isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd go with more duration, but you have it. Run it til you decide you want an upgrade.

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Exactly that I was thinking.

What are your total plans for the truck?

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Originally Posted by RPM Graphics

Awesome build & those Intro's are going to really set it off.

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Thanks man! I cant wait till they get here...

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Originally Posted by kerrige

This thing is amazing. I think I would name that thing the Dreamsicle being that orange color. Very very nice work and I like the specs on that cam. Do you have a rearend and trans picked out already?

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Thank you! I am pretty decided on a 4L60E with a rebuild from Bowtie Overdrive. I am however stuck on the rear gear that I want to use. The stock housing will be kept, but just what gear ratio I want to run hasnt been decided on yet. Any thoughts? Id like to have real nice low end torque, but also have it where its not annoying cruising down the highway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pl4yboy

The cam isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'd go with more duration, but you have it. Run it til you decide you want an upgrade.

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I went with this cam as it has a nice narrow lobe separation for some nice low end power, yet will give me the HP/TQ numbers Im shooting for. This cam, in a TBSS has been producing 430whp with no other mods. As Im trying to get ~450whp, I think with a good set of headers and a nice port and polish, I should be able to get it very close to my goal.

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Originally Posted by Frenchy

I like it. And would drive the living crap out of it.

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Thats the plan! :D

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Originally Posted by CHEVROLADE

very nice build

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Much appreciated!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bangbangskeetskeet

Exactly that I was thinking.

What are your total plans for the truck?

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Id like the truck to be a fun weekend hot rod. Mostly a fair weather driver that I can pack up and go to a show for some fun.

very well done!! truck looks amazing!

what stall you plan on running? this will help decide gearing pending on how quick you wanna get out the hole? also keeping in mind how friendly you want it on the street. what id do is dyno the truck see where the engine is peaking peak torque then go from there with your stall and gearing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeet

very well done!! truck looks amazing!

what stall you plan on running? this will help decide gearing pending on how quick you wanna get out the hole? also keeping in mind how friendly you want it on the street. what id do is dyno the truck see where the engine is peaking peak torque then go from there with your stall and gearing.

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Ive seen most of the guys in the TBSS run a 3000 stall converter with this cam. Most likely what I will use, as it has been a popular choice. So, what you are saying is to keep the rear gears as they are(I still need to find out which) and adjust as needed? Sounds like what I was thinking as well

IMO just because TBSS guys run something and make this amount of power doesnt mean thats what youre gonna make. And also just because they run a certain stall doesnt mean thats whats gonna work well with your setup.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JRodsGarage

Ive seen most of the guys in the TBSS run a 3000 stall converter with this cam. Most likely what I will use, as it has been a popular choice. So, what you are saying is to keep the rear gears as they are(I still need to find out which) and adjust as needed? Sounds like what I was thinking as well

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2 different vechicles, if you ask me a tt3000 stall is for towing purposes,you said you wanted a weekend warrior and something you can bring to show, this to me means its not gonna be driven much on the streets maybe occassionally, thats fine i drive mine with a 4800 stall triple disc, im saying this is ideal but it'll give you a idea how much can be tolerated on the street, hint: 4k stall, but lets leave the stall out, this is how i would approach the whole thing, get the motor together and the truck running, if it is then great, get to a dyno do a few pulls and see where the peak power is, once you do this then you can decide what stall is gonna in the best interest to launch the truck ;) which rear end you running now the stock one?

very nice build man.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeet

2 different vechicles, if you ask me a tt3000 stall is for towing purposes,you said you wanted a weekend warrior and something you can bring to show, this to me means its not gonna be driven much on the streets maybe occassionally, thats fine i drive mine with a 4800 stall triple disc, im saying this is ideal but it'll give you a idea how much can be tolerated on the street, hint: 4k stall, but lets leave the stall out, this is how i would approach the whole thing, get the motor together and the truck running, if it is then great, get to a dyno do a few pulls and see where the peak power is, once you do this then you can decide what stall is gonna in the best interest to launch the truck ;) which rear end you running now the stock one?

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The truck is going to be a weekend warrior. It will be driven everywhere it goes, so no trailer queen here. I do want it street friendly as possible for that reason. I dont think that making it street driveable should be that difficult with only ~430whp, with no big power adders. Your suggestion with getting it running and put it on the dyno to see how it does is a very good idea. However, I dont have a torque converter to begin with... As far as the rear end goes, you are correct. It is the original that came on the truck from 1971.

Very nice truck. :thumb:

What did you do to the floor of the bed in the truck, spray in bed liner?

I havent done anything with the bed floor quite yet... I had thoughts of doing Line-X on just the ribbed bed floor and keeping the inner sides and fenders painted, but mow I have thoughts of total custom bedfloor.

Nothing sexier than a nice wood bed. A nice dark grainy wood, with polished strips. *jizzinmypants*

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JRodsGarage

The truck is going to be a weekend warrior. It will be driven everywhere it goes, so no trailer queen here. I do want it street friendly as possible for that reason. I dont think that making it street driveable should be that difficult with only ~430whp, with no big power adders. Your suggestion with getting it running and put it on the dyno to see how it does is a very good idea. However, I dont have a torque converter to begin with... As far as the rear end goes, you are correct. It is the original that came on the truck from 1971.

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id say a 3200-3400 then ;) first choice very street friendly and reliable all in one ;) with the power you mention i think you coulnt go wrong, not usre on the gear selection for that year rear end but an all around gear would be 4:10s


deffintely a nice project!!

I wanna for warn u...pcmforless is a joke, my burnt up ass efan harness is by them. And the "attitude" cam is a joke too... All the tbss queers use them because they think its cool to run a named cam vs a cam spec'd for their vehicle... Just do a pat g or lt1z since you are in cali...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by skeet

id say a 3200-3400 then ;) first choice very street friendly and reliable all in one ;) with the power you mention i think you coulnt go wrong, not usre on the gear selection for that year rear end but an all around gear would be 4:10s


deffintely a nice project!!

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Awesome, good to keep in mind when I start to piece those items together...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ls2Aero

I wanna for warn u...pcmforless is a joke, my burnt up ass efan harness is by them. And the "attitude" cam is a joke too... All the tbss queers use them because they think its cool to run a named cam vs a cam spec'd for their vehicle... Just do a pat g or lt1z since you are in cali...

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Interesting to hear. I havent really heard anything bad about this cam before... Anything to watch for?

nothing really just spec'd stupid small... I would just get a real custom grind. You see all the time on the tbss board attitude cams for sale because its not what they expected it to be once in their trailblazer... Ur in cali have matt lt1z spec u a cam. Hes great to work with!

Sorry its been a while for me to respond... Ive been working on planning out my kitchen remodel which is taking part once I get back from this deployment.

I guess I will run the cam and see how I like it. Since I already have it in hand.