so today, went back the j/y and picked up the GTA hood so I can cut out the louver openings. 25 bucks beats the 100-200 on e-bay just for the louvers. lol then stopped by the local chevy dealer to pick up parts I ordered and drool over a SS Camaro, I'd rather have a COPO Camaro though. lol then cut off the driver side taillight assembly and tacked on the pathy 1/4 panel, looks like a unibody lol









I'm going to need some trimming on the pass. side cover because of the high mount AC, but I was completely surprised that the fit under the crossover tube.

 

so today I think a lot got accomplished. more little stuff, but a lot of little stuff. 1st, reverified the thermostat housing to the lower radiator.

the upper and lower hose pipes will be cut and have 90* pipes installed. the veiw looking down, you can see how the upper hose will be with a 90* in the hose going to the water pump, the side view you can see the hose will have about a 30* bend to the lower hose pipe.







I made a cutout for the heater hoses to go by the AC compressor.











I also removed the strip on the pass side to weld up the front inner bed side





my friend evened the gap on the driver side bed side for a clean fit, then installed it. I prepped the tailgate bracket so I can possibly get that done tomorrow and still need to fit the front of the bed side but its on.

 

Nice I love pictures Looking like it will be fun truck when its done

 

Sweet build, thanks for sharing.

 

so today I worked more on the bed. got the dr. side taillight assembly welded in. tailgate is now going to be right around 50", inside opening is 48-1/4" and outside opening is 50-1/4". tailgate is currently 54-1/4" so 4" must go bye bye. I tacked the inside front of the bed, the wheel well opening is also tacked in. I had to trim some piece on the tailgate support so the lights fit in perfect. I will add the metal back in but it will be straight instead of bending in towards the taillight assembly. I also cutout the louver openings on the GTA hood, then put tape lines where I am thinking of cutting out for the rear bumper.

 

This is a wicked build.

 

Thing is looking awesome! I sure hope you don't scratch that bed when you take it on the trail. You have far too much time into it for that to happen!

 

This thing is bad *** keep up the work, cant wait to see the finished product. Bet its gonna be a blast to drive too!

 

thanks guys, I certainly don't plan on denting the truck. in all my 20 some yrs of offroading I haven't done much damage to the vehicles I've had. I'm more out for the scenery and the need to get away from stupid people.

 

finished the bed corners today. not the best welds but the corners are a definitely stout.