Author Topic: My '77 K-30/V3500 Monster Truck Build  (Read 252259 times)

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
My '77 K-30/V3500 Monster Truck Build
« on: July 12, 2009, 09:08:36 PM »
I thought that I would share with you guys what I am about to attempt. ;D

Below are a couple of pictures of my old '77 Chevy K-30. Yup, she has definately seen better days. The rust has just about taken over everything that is not plastic. (LOL!)

I have owned this truck since January 1988. It was my high school/post high school transportation. It has been a reliable old crate, and served me well above, and beyond. Now it is my turn to repay it for all the loyalty this rig has given me.

The photo is a recent photo of the truck before a truck pull. 20 years ago it had 18.5/44-16.5 Gumbo Monster Mudders on it. About 15 years ago I took the lift off to take the truck pullin. Yes, lifts will kill a truck if you try to pull with it. Now it is back on the stock K-30 springs.

Since this is now my dedicated 4x4 truck puller, and not used to work around the farm, street legality is no longer an issue. Some of the things I plan are a full body off restoration. Truck pulling is not destructive to the truck's body like other 4x4 sports, so a show quality paint job is in order. However to convert it to a competitive truck it will lose it's ability to be street driven.

I am in the process of completely stripping the cab of ALL of it's anythings. I figure the only right way to restore it is too soda-blast all the paint/rust/bondo, and start over with a bare sheet metal cab. This also means stripping the rest of the truck to it's bare nothings.

I am considering having the frame, and axles powder coated, but I will cross that bridge later. May just go with a good industrial equipment quality paint instead of the powdercoat. Cost, and trouble to do it will be big factors. You can kind of hide a bad paint job on the frame, but the cab will get the A+ treatment.





As a kid, my uncle (dad's brother) worked in the StLouis assembly plant at Union, and Natural Bridge streets where the 73~87 square bodys were built. Even worked on the truck line.  :)

Everyone in our family had a '76, '78 or likewise......Had to keep Uncle Bill employed.  ;)

Anyway, I remember going to that plant somewhere around 1977 during an open house. Got to tour the assembly lines, and all.

I guess it was just destiny, because I never knew anything different. To me there was no other kind of truck.

So when in high school I became old enough to buy my first truck, well there was no other option. I bought the '77 Chevy in my sig. At that time it was a K10, with an automatic tranny, chain drive t-case, and a 400 small block. Now it is a K30 with a manual, NP205, and 454. After my rebuild, the only thing left that was part of the truck the day I bought it will be the frame rails, and the cab shell. LOL! Everything else will have been replaced.

When I was 16 you could still buy a square body brand new. Too bad I didn't bite. Oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be.

One other cool morsel.....

My '77 was built in the StLouis assembly plant. It would be sort of improbable, maybe not impossible, to determine what day exactly my '77 was built. But I do know it was built during a narrow span of time of that day that I was at the StLouis assembly plant's open house. It would be easy to believe that I was there within a couple of months of that day.

Like a gun.....Pry it from my cold dead fingers.....I feel pretty confident that if I live to be 100 years old, I will still own my first truck.......My 1977 Chevy 4x4.  :)
« Last Edit: January 13, 2017, 04:10:32 PM by Engineer »
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline hotrod24

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1696
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2009, 09:15:58 PM »
wheres the pic ???
1980 1/2 ton shortbed project...
1978 pontiac grand prix...

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2009, 09:19:09 PM »
wheres the pic ???

I don't know.

It comes through when I view it. Since this is my first time on this site do I maybe have a setting turned on/off incorrectly?
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline oldyeller

  • Junior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 513
  • 81 Chevy 3/4 ton
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #3 on: July 12, 2009, 09:26:02 PM »
Sounds like a cool project.  We went to see the Monster Trucks and Truck and Tractor Pulls for our Honeymoon.  It was pretty awesome.
You may try uploading the pictures to photobucket or another picture sharing website and then use their link to attach them here.
1981 Chevy 3/4 ton (aka yeller)
2001 Chevy 1/2 ton extended cab lifted with flames
1950 Dodge Wayfarer all original
1951 Chevy truck
6 extended cab square bodies
Just to name a few

Offline cowboy63645

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 53
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #4 on: July 12, 2009, 10:21:46 PM »
Sounds like one heck of a truck!  I really enjoy the truck pulls here in town when we do have them, and wouldnt mind finding a truck to build as a dedicated puller.  Cant wait to see the progress on it!

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2009, 09:17:20 PM »
I modified the picture.

Is everyone able to see it?

If not give me a shout, and I'll try to work on it again.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline choptop

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2476
  • Extended cab fanatic
    • conversiontrucks
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2009, 09:21:54 PM »
yahoo, I see it!!!!!. Awesome pics
76 C10 Choptop,76 C10 Swb
85 C10, 85 K10, 85 K20,86 C10,86 K10 (all extended cabs)
86 C30 extended crewcab

Offline hotrod24

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1696
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2009, 09:28:58 PM »
very cool
1980 1/2 ton shortbed project...
1978 pontiac grand prix...

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2009, 10:16:57 PM »
I failed to mention that I have purchased a front end grille/fenders/hood/radiator support off of a 1991 Suburban.

Now I have to deceide what color(s) to go with. Luckily that is a decision that won't have to be made for many, many moons yet.

Truck most likely wont be white after the fix up. I'm thinking a bright blue, with a silver frame, and axles. Wife likes red, but her 2001 2500HD is red, and my Blazer is red, thanks to her, so no more red.

Whatever color it ends up being, it will have to be an original Chevy truck color. That is just a given. But as I say, I have plenty of time to make that decision.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline Captkaos

  • OWNER and Administrator
  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18351
    • http://www.73-87chevytrucks.com
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2009, 04:41:22 PM »
Sweet ride!

Offline oldwhity

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1037
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2009, 06:24:26 PM »
There are many different color trucks on this forum. I'm sure whatever you decide it'll look great! ;)
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!

Offline BigHemi353

  • Registered Users
  • *
  • Posts: 235
  • Diesel Enthusiast
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2009, 10:16:58 PM »
I failed to mention that I have purchased a front end grille/fenders/hood/radiator support off of a 1991 Suburban.

Nice, I'm doing the opposite of you(my 86 with a 73 front end) which is going to be a little bit tougher...maybe ???  but anyways if you havent found this yet, here is a link to a thread here to show you about the front end conversion.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9070.0

cant wait to see more of your truck!!!... id love to get mine into pulling.

Andy
-1986 Silverado K-20 6bt Cummins / NV4500/ np205- under construction

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2009, 08:17:20 PM »
Well here is what the ol' battle axe looks like after this weekend.........





Check out that fancy "temporary" gas tank.



Unbelieveable. If only somebody offered a replacement cab....



Yes, that is a chunk of fender still bolted to the cab.  :(



I couldn't let these silp away to the land fill. For my Chevy 4x4 bretheren, seeing these on a fender is similar to meeting royalty.  ;D

« Last Edit: August 05, 2015, 06:07:19 PM by Engineer »
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout

Offline hotrod24

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1696
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2009, 08:37:53 PM »
wow that floor is rusty but not to worry replace the floor and rockers and you will be good to go That peace of fender lol the same thing happen to me

good luck
1980 1/2 ton shortbed project...
1978 pontiac grand prix...

Offline Engineer

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1402
Re: My '77 K-30 Project
« Reply #14 on: July 26, 2009, 09:04:01 PM »
On Saturday I spent the day cutting out the old gooseneck/sled pull hitch from the rear of the frame. I also cut out the crossmember that attaches between the front spring hanger mounts for the rear spring. I tore that crossmember up in a failed pulling hitch mount attempt when I was experimenting with building said hitch. Eventually every rivet, and part that is held on by said rivets, will be drilled, and removed aft of the rear cab mount. I plan on removing the rear springs, and all hangers. The only thing that will be left is the "axle stools" that will be welded to the rear axle, and bolted to the frame. These will be 3"x3"x1/4" square tube that extends from the axle up to the frame. Some sort of lightweight crossmember will be fabricated to replace the crossmember at the front spring hanger that I damaged when I was experimenting with building previously mentioned pulling hitch.

I have also removed the traction bars that are visible in this above photo. Those will be replaced by 2"x2"x1/8" square tube that will be welded from the axle tube up to a point right at the transfer case crossmember much like the current traction bar is.

I spent some time today addressing some surface rust issues that were on the '91 Blazer/Suburban radiator support. I also had to clean up the spot under where the battery sat. The battery slobbered acid all over the support on the PA's side to the point that it rusted through the galvanized coating.

Not to worry though, I feel the rust has been stopped before any serious damage occured. :)

« Last Edit: August 05, 2015, 06:11:23 PM by Engineer »
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454

Dad of an Eagle Scout, and a Life Scout