73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: Tonka on December 22, 2013, 11:42:55 AM
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I had started this project in 2009. 1977 GMC step side K-15 4x4. 350 4 bolt main v-8, chain driven transfer case, 3.73 gears in 10 bolt rear ends, 5" lift, 35" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws..
We stripped it down to a raw frame that I could literally pick up with one hand which we carried to a media blaster and had blasted with Walnut shells down to raw metal. Frame was then coated with POR15. All rust was wire wheeled from any used component that was re-used. Completely new brake system with braided stainless brake lines.
350 V-8 was resprayed to Chevy Hugger Orange. Vintage Edelbrock Chrome valve covers, Edelbrock performer intake manifold, Holley 600 CFM carb, gear driven timing chain, and Hooker Ceramic Coated Longtube Headers with Cherry bomb oval mufflers (not Cherry bomb glass packs though). MSD billet aluminum high power distributor, wires etc. New aluminum high flow radiator and electric cooling fan. Column shifted automatic trans will be re-routed to a floor shifted B&M drag shifter.
New chrome pulleys, chrome 145 amp alternator, new Edelbrock water pump, new chrome fuel pump.
UPDATE: Checked casting numbers on the heads and they are 041 heads with a cast date of March 6 1970 The actual version of the heads is still a mystery for now. Nothing on the net or the gm bible about the number we pulled off the head. I will update this when/if I find out more
Interior-
I went through 3 donor trucks till I settled on the cab you see here. Even still the firewall was ate through with rust and of course the corners of the cab were as well. Those little triangle windows and sliding rear window glass leaked and rust ate the heck out of this cab. Every single donor cab suffered the same fate. The body shop did all this work over the course of 3 years. The cab has a full Billet aluminum steering column we'll be installing along with kick panel 6" speakers, new vinyl flooring, fresh upholstered bench seat and vintage gauges. Steering wheel is mahogany. Rich mahogany.
Front clip: 's dual cowl induction hood with hood reinforcement kit. Also in the gargae and to be installed-billet aluminum grill, new chrome headlight buckets, new blue l.e.d. side marker lights and I used rear taillights that are 31 ford t-bucket coupe hotrod that are chrome dipped.
Resto mod?
It's not a numbers matching truck. Far far from it. The chassis is '77, the cab is 78, the bed is early 80's.
I could have gone tacky on a lot of things especially interior and styling stuff but wanted the truck to have a bit of nostalgic hot rod feel to it. The 31 ford taillights are L.E.D reproductions but definitely not the OEM trailer type lights it came with. The engine is a mystery. I don't know the HP or the model year of it. It is not the original. The original only made an anemic 170 horsepower (the 70's as we know were not good to V-8's). I'm guessing it is only at most 250-275 hp even with the bolt on mods I made. I will use a modern but vintage appearing stereo head unit. I retained the classic 1977 bench seat and I also retained and upgraded the wood bed.
The wood bed was a massive under taking. I used cabinet grade oak planks with no knots. I had them clear coated with 2 quarts of Lacquer clear coat sprayed on in a paint booth by the body guy and all hardware for install is polished stainless steel.
The body and paint. What you see here is black paint layed down as only maybe only a few guys in the entire country could do. All rust repairs are completely flawless and there is absolutely zero orange peel and zero runs or hair or junk anywhere on this paint. It's beautiful beyond words. I've seen alot of show cars and I havent seen one with a cleaner paint job in any color let alone black.
PICS
in somewhat Chronological order
Retirement. The day I bought her
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/photo-14.jpg)
Frame back from media blaster, lift kit installed, rears reinstalled, new tires and rims, new fuel cell new bumper.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/DSC_1018.jpg)
Engine, trans and transfer reinstalled with all upgrades and new coat of traditional Chevy hugger orange
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/DSC_1088.jpg)
Trans pan
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/DSC_1032_zps702d2795.jpg)
Failed attempt at skipping wood bed and going with diamond plate..
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/SquareSeam_zps38670765.jpg)
Say goodbye. Bodyman Jody takes on the biggest headache of his career...
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_0151_zpsf982c9a6.jpg)
Fast forward about 3 years... And there she is.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/873940F5-B481-496E-9E95-01692F30F1A3_zpschopbpei.jpg)
When I say Jody Taylor is best painter on the East Coast I say this because I mean it.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/5A4BE6CB-BC73-4995-A707-2CE42BBA6E13_zpsffz3xeuk.jpg)
Proper wood bed with 2 quarts of clear coat lacquer sprayed in a booth, all stainless hardware.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/85311B92-DDF8-4ECF-837D-46070D67B015_zpsvf7puiu1.jpg)
I love the rugged big shoulders of a short box stepside. Always have since I was a kid.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/7BAAFAA6-9C3E-491F-BFBC-D09DFD08FE55_zpsuu4b6isk.jpg)
Get away from my truck lil guy!
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/43065920-1567-4B7E-830D-B9EE160F4006_zpsplgmkwtv.jpg)
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beautiful truck. I hope mine will look that nice when I'm done. thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Dave!! I never intended to go this far with mine. I am kind of stuck with it being too nice for my own tastes. I like em rugged. I will probably show it a couple times and then thats it. Life is too short for a trailer queen. I wanna enjoy my truck and I want to drive it.
My one piece of advice is as slow as this has been I really rushed too fast when I started. It just seemed like every single thing on the truck was messed up. I was a mechanic once and I just couldnt stand to see it with things mechanically unsound. When I first removed the drums a pile of beach sand and twigs poured with the wheel cylinders completely froze up. The rear springs were completely shot, the exhaust leaked, the windows leaked...
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Very nice build indeed. I am working SLOWLY on my 74 k10 step side. I am a little like you and want everything right, I am using my 74 as a base and a 77 as a parts truck.
" We stripped it down to a raw frame that I could literally pick up with one hand ". This caught my eye, you must be a very large person, cause I had mine stripped and there was no way I could even pick it up with both hands and I am not a small guy. So are you saying it was rusted out that bad ?
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Thanks man! Mine was just C-channel and completely stripped probably weighed around 150 lbs. Wasnt light by any stretch but was not all that substantial. My daily driver is a 97 Sahara TJ Jeep and that has a full box frame. Quite a bit sturdier by comparison.
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Nice. :)
Keep the pics coming.
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Thank you sir! I see you have a 77 with a 4 speed and 454. What gearboxand transfer case are you running and how has it held up ? I would love to do the same with my stepside.
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SM465/NP205
This combo is almost bullet proof.
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Very sharp! That's some proud metal! Exquisite workmanship!
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Nice. :)
Keep the pics coming.
Ditto.
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Beautiful paint and bed
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Great looking truck. I really like the details on the frame and the engine looks awesome!! Keep the pics coming.
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WHOA, that frame looks like it was built for a show car.
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(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Image15_zpsf55ea1a4.jpg)
Lokar shifter, chrome column, wood steering wheel and a whole lot of scrapyard goodness
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Image21_zps6bef00e3.jpg)
100 watt kick panel speakers. Also adding in a full Kicker system with 500 watt class D mono amp, 12" sub, boxed 6x9's and Memphis wiring.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Image23_zps6c18a9e3.jpg)
Reproduction 31 ford taillights/reverse lights installed, full wiring harness installed front to rear
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Image3_zpsc6afacfa.jpg)
Scrapyard GOLD
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Image7_zps6afe882e.jpg)
Can anyone tell me more about these Heads? I believe I may have just now realized this truck has the "041" heads which make this engine a whole different ball game than we thought all along. I had no idea till this morning. Pulled the valve cover and lo and behold. 041. But the numbers also say it was built in 1974. Who is the expert on this?
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Image25_zpsecb32e05.jpg)
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Also wanted to say thank you for all the compliments you guys left. I meant to do that on y previous post but was in a bit of a rush. My brother and I have little to no experience doing a frame off like this. We are perfectionists and we have been turning wrenches a little while but we didn't even have a shop to work in for all this work. We did this laying in his muddy yard and eventually had to put a tailgate party style tent over it to keep the weather off of it.
Work on the truck has been constant over the last 6 weeks. We are trying to wrap the project in the next 2 weeks. We are re-routing the battery to behind the seat if possible and will build a nice rack for the 500 watt amp, subwoofer and battery to reside on. The head unit will be the dual knob GMC tagged 200 Watt vintage repro. Off Road design twin stick transfer case shifter is being installed now. Full custom exhaust (done by a custom exhaust shop) and new axle seals are on the to do list. May replace that Holley with a Edelbrock. More pics to follow. I just can't wait to hear those Hooker headers, Cherry Bombs and gear driven timing!! The anxiety is killing me.
Any word on you guys about what those heads are would be a huge help. As I can see it the numbers read 3347041 with cast date of 3-4-0 Which I believe means March 3rd 1970.
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I recommend an AGM or similar battery.
A normal lead-acid battery will eat up the inside of your truck. That, and I wouldn't want the sulfate fumes in the cab with me.
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Thank you thats what I got! And I was hoping I got it right.
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Off Road Designs twin stick Transfer shifter is installed
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/CAA056DB-4544-4673-BB9C-9A9CF358354B_zps1eaebqkm.jpg)
Underside of the twin stick
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/4FBD7DC6-E778-4F34-8265-8EA3855DD79B_zpsbsgwckgi.jpg)
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Sweet ;D
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That's a beautiful truck!! Loving the step sides and wood planks, that's pretty dad gum fancy if you ask me!
Did you have to modify the body add the manual tranny or was it already set up for that? I'm going to be swapping mine to manual and curious as to how labor intensive it's going to be.
p. s. That paint job is so slick, can't stop admiring it lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Hey thanks man! Naw it's still an automatic. I just moved the shifter from the column to the floor. I pulled the old column during the resto and replaced it with a column for a stick shift (or floor shifted auto). I used a Lokar shifter for the transmission and Off ROad Designs twin stick for the transfer.
This is a very popular manual trans for our trucks. I will do one of these when the TH350 goes boom
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/sm465.htm
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Wow, that is awesome !!
Great job.
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Floor mounted auto, that's too cool. How much power you think that sm465 could handle?
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I'm sure other guys on here could chime in but I guess it is all in how you build it and how you drive it. Daily driving, moderate abuse I am sure it can handle in excess of 350 Horse. Guys on here like I said have them mated to 454's. I believe they even came factory as an option 454's. That is a serious torque monster engine. They are all over Craigslist here in South Carolina. I saw one last week with a brand new rebuild and rebuilt 205 transfer ready to install and the guy wanted $450
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Latest Pic…
Wiring is all about done. Stereo system wiring is done. Used Rockford Fosgate battery terminals, JL Audio 4 gauge wire for grounds and power from Alternator. She is filled with fluids and no leaks. Still a lot of loose ends to tie up. Should be turning the key in a week or so..
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140206_143252_zps3be95bc1.jpg)
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Floor mounted auto, that's too cool. How much power you think that sm465 could handle?
They were rated at about 465lb/ft of continuous input torque. So a lot, but it is a Granny Low, long shift trans.
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Truck is looking good, keep up the great work.
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Thank you very much Bake. My brother has been putting in a lot of his time and energy into getting this truck finished as fast as possible. My wife and I just had our first baby (boy) a month ago right about the same time I got the truck out of bodywork/paint
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Congrat's on your first child, may he and more bring you many years of happiness. Children are awesome.
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Thanks man. Electrical system is almost done. Headlights, taillights work and engine turns over. Carb is removed and being thoroughly disassembled and rebuilt..
She may live on Monday. Fingers crossed..
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Great looking stepper Tonka!
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Thank you Kansan!! It is coming along! never thought it would actually be done but we are so close we can taste it. Now if we can just get these dat gum reverse lights and turn signals to work!!
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(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/headlights_zps3a8fcf3c.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/headlights2_zpsa5377c14.jpg)
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Gorgeous ride!!!
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Thank you munky!! I CANNOT wait for tomorrow when that carb goes back on… Here's hoping that fuel pump puts fuel down her lungs!! Definitely getting some video!!
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She runs a lot better than I thought!! Sounds mean as heck!!! This weekend we are doing all 4 axle seals amongst 50 other things. Little bro has been working every second he can to help me get this beast on the road.
Soon...
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140218_143951_zpsdd618fcd.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140218_143933_zps56aa7d8a.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140218_130528_zps6ab1f285.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140218_144117_zpscdd4e707.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140218_144024_zps4bbd0c6d.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140224_171236_zps8e3985b5.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140224_174025_zps531c3382.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/IMG_20140224_172641_zps4f08d8b5.jpg)
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Beautiful truck bud!! Well done
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Love wood panel beds. so impractical though.
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Truck is coming along better and better guys. Runs and drives great. Tons of power in that 350. Had it tuned by a local dirt track guy who did an amazing job. Next up and pretty much all that's left is hanging the exhaust, installing the 1" add-a-leafs from ORD (enroute via UPS!), the one piece door windows (delivery is soon from 73-87trcks.com thanks CaptKaos for all your help!) and then a vintage style dual tuner knob head unit to finish out the sound system. More pics soon! just want to say thank you to Kaos for al his help.
73-87chevytrucks.com- excellent customer service!!
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Thank you for you patience. BTW the tracking number should be updated tonight.
Where are you getting the radio?
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love the truck :D
M
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looking great. and the last pic just made me decide to actually paint my k5 and not monstaline it.
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Beautiful truck Tonka. Im in the process of doing a frame off on my 87 stepside and hopefully I get half the results that you did. Great work!
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Beautiful truck. I am working on mine, but it is nowhere in your condition. It is a head turner but not as much as yours (or in the ballpark).
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Thank you so much guys I will update this thread with some new pics and videos soon. Thanks again!
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Tonka, the truck came out great. Glad you got your 1 piece windows sorted out.
How do you like the twin stick set up from ORD? Was that an easy install?.
Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your truck as the work continues.
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Tonka,
Instead of 3347041, I believe the casting number on your heads is 3947041. The 3947041 head was made between '69 and '70, made for 302's and 350's and has a 64cc combustion chamber. Also known as closed chamber heads. Those are old school hot rod heads and are good ones for sure!
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Tonka, the truck came out great. Glad you got your 1 piece windows sorted out.
How do you like the twin stick set up from ORD? Was that an easy install?.
Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your truck as the work continues.
Thank you Fitz!! I will post up some more pics soon brother Thanks again
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Tonka,
Instead of 3347041, I believe the casting number on your heads is 3947041. The 3947041 head was made between '69 and '70, made for 302's and 350's and has a 64cc combustion chamber. Also known as closed chamber heads. Those are old school hot rod heads and are good ones for sure!
Thank you outlaw nova!
It is hard for me to see the difference between the "9" or the "3". I am definitely gonna hold on to them. I will drive this engine as is another year or so but after that it will receive a full overhaul and the heads will go out to a good machine shop. Anymore info on what you think would be an ideal setup Id appreciate. As far as I know this block is all original. Does not seem to be too built up and the truck is not near powerful enough for my liking. The cam seems mild but not stock. I know very little about this trucks engine but someone somewhere did some work on it. Best I have is a phone number in the Haynes manual that says " so and so worked on this truck" "So and so was the previous owner " Both of which have north carolina phone numbers (where I bought the truck).
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Been splitting my time between a lot of detailing, paint correction, and fixing other small things (that turn out to take 5x's longer than expected). It's a labor of love as we all know. Paint correction is not 100% yet. Not even close. Been using Chemical Guys products and cannot recommend them enough. For wax however, I am using Surf City 100% carnauba paste wax. They may have stopped making it (the liquid is still available but the paste is hard to find). For commercial grade stuff the paste from them is the best Ive ever used and I started professional detailing in 1995! If you see it, buy it! The hood needs to be cut with a mild polish and then hit with a finishing polish. That may require me to remove the entire hood. It's a pretty tall truck and its hard to get at that center portion using a step ladder.
Mechanically I need to replace one of the brand new Moog ball joints I installed last spring. During install the joint pulled through and did not seat correctly (passenger side upper). It's in there but not as tight as the other side. So it has to come out. It has leaks at the rear main, transmission, transfer and possible pinion seal on the rear axle. It also has an exhaust leak. I paid someone to do the exhaust and that was my first mistake. Next mistake was expecting it to be done right. So I will rip out that guys work and redo it all myself. I beat myself to death with perfectionism, some may understand my plight haha. I don't post much on here because I do not have any of the experience you guys do but I do appreciate greatly all of your contributions so thank you for being the best source on the web for these trucks.
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/20141025_084334_HDR_zpsvf7mud0d.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/20141025_084310_HDR_zpsao30kf5h.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/IMG_20141025_0842472_zpshynybokj.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/20141024_154427_HDR_zpslezpwbq1.jpg)
(http://vid116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/VID_71380302_051044_zpssqjfvhfd.mp4)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/IMG_20141019_102101_zpskhluugjz.jpg)
(http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o29/cassiusclaynyc/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10/IMG_20141019_102917_zpssqnuusbd.jpg)
(that faded ugly little bumpstop needs to come out but the bolt just turns in there so it'll have to be cut out)
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You have done some very nice work on that suspension. Looks brand new. I know what you mean about things taking 5x longer than you expect. I also find that once I get into a project I get sidetracked fixing other thing I find that need attention!
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@cvbear Thank you very much sir. Like any of you I could throw 20 grand at my truck like poof.. Gone. The work NEVER ends. I rotate between detailing, routine maintenance, repair and upgrading/restoring. Ive learned that even with my limited skill set and experience that I will do a much better job, even if it is my first time doing whatever it is, than having someone else do it. That goes for everything. Nose to tail. If you want it done right, truly done right, then you have to do it yourself. No way around it.
I paid a guy a small fortune to paint my truck and do the body work. 6 months home from the body shop after 3 years in the body shop, and I have noticed way too many mistakes. Bigger than that, I have what may be rust bubbles forming under the paint in some spots. The roof, which no one will see unless they use a ladder or stand in the bed now has some minor pinhead sized spots of rust forming. This, from a truck that has NEVER even been driven in fog nonetheless rain. I only wish I knew then what I know now. I have a lot more self confidence than I did 4 years ago. You live and you learn.
Thanks again to all the guys on here who share their knowledge and experience it is greatly appreciated.
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Your truck is freaking beautiful, I love the 73-80 step sides the most, especially 4x4. Good on you for saving it sir.
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I appreciate the compliment sir. I grew up seeing these trucks roll down the road and drooled every time. Literally wanted one my whole life. I owe a lot to my little brother who sacrificed a lot to help get this project completed. He dang near killed himself on the wiring harness. That's the next upgrade - full AAW harness and Autometer gauges. After that it's time to rebuild my first 350 chevrolet bottom end. I will send out the old heads to a shop to have them massaged and brought to the next level. I'd like a good 320-350 horsepower in it. Even a little less would still be a ton of fun.
If you guys were to do what I want to (bottom end rebuild/send the heads out) how would you do it and why? What cam would you use, what piston/rings and what are the cons to stroking it? I've heard mixed opinions on strokers. I drive this truck once or twice a week, go to truck club events and the occasional show. So she does get some time on the street.
Thanks again