1971 800B V8 build. The last chapter!

[BioTex]

The time has finally come to get my last project on the road. I have been collecting parts for 2 years now, and so I pulled the 800B into my shop.

My biggest worry is that my purist streak is going to get in the way of my alter ego: My rock crawler side...

As many of you know from the "Alpine treasures" thread, I have a lot of NOS parts at my disposal saved for this truck. Things like all new gauges, or new springs. Problem is, I don't care much for the OEM springs on these trucks. I'm leaning towards wider and softer.

I have a good set of YJ springs for a SOA conversion, but don't think they would like the weight. Perhaps I'll use them just in the rear, and go with somne travelall springs I have for the front. IDK.

As for the gauges, seems a shame to use them if I'm not doing a resto. Should I sell them and use the money towards lockers? Again, IDK yet.

So, untill I figure out what my true direction is, I will do some body work.

First thing I did was remove the full top, and traded it for a 1/2 cab top. Saves a bit of weight if I go in the crawler direction. I plan on tube doors also.

I removed the front clip so I could pound out some bent metal on the pass. side. Looks to have been hit, and crumpled up the inner fender in three places.

[BioTex]

Here are some more photos. One with the 1/2 cab on.

[BioTex]

When I purchased the truck, it had no engine. My spare 345 had a front sump pan, so I had to swap it out with a double humper

[gmbarker78]

Man I love the logo's on the doors, very cool! I'm also partial to 800's in general.

I started my 800 build with the intent on just doing some minor upgrades for better driveability. Well, it got a little out of hand, see my 800 Build thread! There are some good ideas there on some various issues that the V800's have.

[800bman]

Ditto! Totally sweet door logos. Nice to see another 800b getting worked over!

[BioTex]

Thanks guys. I'll start checking out the build Barker. Thanks for pointing it out.

Today I took the old B/W tranny out. Took the doors off, seats out. etc... Gave everything a bath with hot soapy water.\

Now to figure out how to use the 727 tranny. It was in a 2wd truck. Guessing I need to remove the tailshaft and go from there. I'll have to research the options.