73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks > Members Rides

73 Shortbed Stepside Complete Rebuild (LOTS OF PHOTOS)

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mattevandavis:
This is a project I have been working on for about a year now.  It is a complete rebuild.  We took it down to the frame, sand blasted everything, replaced all of the rubber and interior.  There will be nothing untouched on this truck when we are done.  Having said that I did not want an OEM restoration.  Close, but I made some changes.  First off is the color.  We went with Atomic orange off the new Corvette.  Second every grommet is poly.  Third if I wasn't sure we guessed.  No research here.  Finally I went with what I thought might make the interior a bit more appealing instead of the factory setup.

I bought the truck from its original owner who is a relative.  He is also the one doing the majority of the labor since the truck is about 70 miles away.  He restores Chevy's on the side, and owns a sandblasting booth, so it seemed logical to let him at it.

HISTORY
Originally purchased by my wife’s uncle, Dave, in 1973.  He worked at the local dealer and special ordered the truck with a 350 V8, the heavy duty suspension and transmission, and not much else. 
It did change hands once.  When Dave went through a divorce he sold it for $1 to his best friend to keep his ex from getting the truck.  It was later sold back to him for the same amount.  The bill of sale for this transaction is with the trucks records but the title was never signed. 
It has been painted three times brown, blue, and brown again, but now has been sandblasted and repainted Atomic Orange.

MODIFICATIONS
Engine:
Long tube headers, HEI distributor, Edelbrock performance intake, Edelbrock performance 600 cfm carburetor, truck cam
Interior:
Polyvinyl mat, firewall pad, sanded smooth door panels, new black upholstered seats, black dash cover
Exterior:
Atomic Orange paint, AT Tires, blacked out grill, black bed wood, poly bushings, spray bed liner, drop hitch

A WORD
I apologize for any over exposed or dull pictures.  The majority were taken with my blackberry.  While it is an adequate camera; it was never intended to replace a real camera.  I think you will get the idea.

Also I will post more as more comes available.

PICS

Day One:
So Photobucket has ruined the photos on the post.  Its an old post, but I thought i'd restore some of the pictures.  I'n not sure that i have all of the photos in the right spot, but at least the basic idea will be there.








The Work Begins:







Getting Ready For Sandblasting:








After The Blast:








Recoating:

78 Chevyrado:
Great progress!  Looks immaculate!  Beautiful color, I've never seen anything that color didn't look great on.  Keep 'em comin!

bigblue09:
great job! you started with nothing.

69byrd:
Great job! I love that orange it is sexy!!! 8) What are your plans for the suspension and wheels? Keep up the work and keep us posted.

oldyeller:
Looks good.  Can't wait to see it put together.

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