"PROJECT 2015" Build for my son 1978 4x4 Chevy

[BrokeTrapDad]

Well 1st post on this build just brought truck home from out behind my mom and dads house yesterday and it is my old truck. My son is 14 and I have been saving this truck for my son and now its time to start the build / restoration! My son has been talking about for a year now and so we figured we better get started of were going to have it on the road when he turns 16. Just some basics for our plans for truck 1st off its a 1978 4x4 Fleetside Shortbed. We are going to yank the motor and I have been saving a LS1 for it so that will be the 1st order of business. Not sure what trans yet so if anybody has suggestions Im all ears. And of course my son already has tires and wheels picked out! Were thinking red/white factory 2 tone colors but that is still not 100%. Well Ill post up some before and progress pics as we go! Wish us luck!

[gildardo01]

he also better start saving his pennies to fill up the fuel tank by the time he turns 16 gas is going to be 5 dollars a gallon... lol... anyways it seems like a nice start the truck doesn´t look too bad.... good luck with your build....

[BrokeTrapDad]

After having it home the 1st day my son started tearing into it!

[bladerunner]

Sweet truck. You are a pretty awesome dad for doing this!

[pholliday1]

16yrs old son + LS1= 1 FAST TRUCK good luck with the build, keep us posted, You can just see your son beaming with excitement!

[Maintenanceman]

Me and my dad did the same thing. The memories are priceless


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[BrokeTrapDad]

Thanks for the comments guys and yes he is beaming I love it, and I know the memories will be great Im as excited as he is for sure! Tonight we start pulling the motor and tranny!

[cvbear]

My son and i restored our '84 and he drove it to high school for 2 years.  Great memories!

[BrokeTrapDad]

Whats your guys opinion on the outside trim mouldings NO or YES been thinking about filling in all the holes and going with NO moulding but now Im second guessing that just wanted to see what your opions are

[VileZambonie]

If you are going to keep the trim I say go one solid color and do the upper and lower moldings. The white may make it look like a farm truck in my opinion. 4L60E will mate nicely but if you are not going to go fully electronic the 700R4 will work as well. Great build and you're a great father for doing this.

[bake74]

     I agree, your son looks happy as can be in the pics.

[BrokeTrapDad]

As you can see the condition of this truck other than the paint and blown motor is great, the only hint of rust is under the drivers foot area of floor board like where your heal would ride the carpet was worn through and there is a little spot that I will cut out and touch up..

We were going to tackle the engine and trans removal but I scores some basball tickets directly behind home plate and we decided yesterday to go to the a's game and eat till we were sick instead of working on truck





THe last picture is when I checked the DVR of the game when we got home we got a little air time behind home plate!

[Captkaos]

I would run either the 4L60E or the 700R4 if you don't want to mess with the electronics, but the ECM from the donor motor would control the trans, just need the correct transfercase if you get one with the donor as the new models have the wrong side drop.

[BrokeTrapDad]

I do have the module and harness from the car that the LS motor came out of so you think the computer that came out of donor car "Z28" would run the 4L60E so what would happen if I go with a 700R4 it wouldnt matter. Somebody had also mentioned before wich t case to run the the one that is in truck now will not work? I havent got under and checked what it is yet either Im sure that is going to be next question what one do you have? I dont know yet! I know the trans is a T350

[pholliday1]

Little things add up, keep in mind having drive shafts shorten/lenghtend, building linkages, moving crossmember?,speedo correction, four wheeldrive indicator etc. Yea the lists goes on and on. Good Luck!!