Author Topic: 1987 R10...aka Belushi  (Read 14795 times)

Offline NLPed

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1987 R10...aka Belushi
« on: July 08, 2019, 08:34:59 AM »
The first few posts are a recap of what has already happened since I got the truck 2 month's ago...

Quick intro and explanation of the name... Belushi, after John who was a Blues Brother, is a blue (shocker) ‘87 R10 2wd swb Fleetside truck I found on the List of Craig on Friday. It read like a super deal and after talking with the owner, I decided to make the 3 hour drive to hopefully close the deal.

Here’s a picture of the add...
« Last Edit: July 08, 2019, 09:09:50 AM by NLPed »

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2019, 08:37:24 AM »
It was even better than the seller said. Totally rust free, great running 383 TBI with 700r4, p/w, p/l, p/s, p/b and A/C (this is a big deal in the muggy south). I drove it the 160 miles home without issue, running 75 mph down the interstate without a hiccup. Got it home and on the lift to give it a quick once over and all looks great.


Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2019, 08:38:15 AM »
By day 3, I had gotten the stock spindles & springs removed. Front end parts appear to all be in good shape, so I’m going to throw a set of 1” drop springs, CPP 2.5” drop spindles and new shocks. Then a flip kit in the rear and shocks, then align it.

Edit: I decided that I just couldn’t put it back together without at least replacing the upper & lower ball joints, so I got Moogs ordered up. I’ll get them replaced this weekend when I install the new suspension.

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2019, 08:40:24 AM »
After a week...

I got everything together on the Suspension minus the front shocks, they haven’t arrived yet. But I like the stance, and I’m sure the front will come down a touch more once everything settles...

A before & after

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2019, 08:42:32 AM »
After some guidance and eventually some help from a buddy of mine, we got started on trying to refresh the sad paint.


No pictures of the whole truck, but check out these progressive pics of the roof...

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2019, 08:46:36 AM »
After suspension and such came the interior.  It was in dire need of a redo!

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2019, 08:54:01 AM »
So, after assessing what I felt need to happen next, some parts got ordered...

Cheyenne Truck Parts dash pad...A+ quality!!
USA1 seat cover and door trim pieces...also A+ quality, but SLoW delivery time
ACC carpet and lower door carpet...Great fit and just up the road from me :)
Comfort Grip steering wheel...cause it's purty
Pioneer bluetooth headunit and speakers...previous radio didn't work  :'(

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2019, 08:57:48 AM »
While I was actually waiting on the seat cover, I decided to get some other projects done so Belushi would be ready to drive once the seat was back in...

I snatched the bed liner out to see how the bed was actually holding up. Other than some extraneous debris, It was flawless!!! Whoop Whoop. I vacuumed up all the debris and then I actually cut, buffed and waxed the bed...just to put the liner back in, because this is a truck and shall be used as such!

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2019, 08:59:58 AM »
I also did away with the giant step bumper and put on a sport bumper, because I just didn't like the step bumper on a lowered truck...

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2019, 09:02:14 AM »
Three of the four headlights had water in them, so I replaced all 4 with new Phillips Crystal Vision sealed beam fixtures and while I had the grille out, I replaced the broken bowtie with one I found on a shelf in my workshop. 

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2019, 09:05:38 AM »
The new trim pieces for the door panels showed up about a week before the seat cover, so I got them thrown on too.  This included the door pull and chrome covers, the brushed upper door insert, the velour insert and related hardware.  My wife replaced the elastic in the map pockets and I cleaned and scrubbed the stock door panels to get them where they are now.  I also replaced the lower door carpet pieces.

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2019, 09:08:42 AM »
That's just a quick overview of what has happened over the past 2 months.  Here's how he sits right now...  Sorry for cell phone pictures in bad light.

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2019, 03:44:18 PM »
Didn't see this before I posted earlier.

Nice work man, how long did this take?

And lowering; did you bag the suspension or change shackles?

I'm working over a '80 and am just about to put the rebuilt front end back together.

Now's the time to move if I lower it.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline NLPed

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2019, 03:57:36 PM »
Didn't see this before I posted earlier.

Nice work man, how long did this take?

And lowering; did you bag the suspension or change shackles?

I'm working over a '80 and am just about to put the rebuilt front end back together.

Now's the time to move if I lower it.

I’ve had the truck for 2 months & 3 days total. But about 3 of those weeks was just waiting for the new seat cover.

I did spindles & springs in the front and just a “spring under” flip kit in the rear. New shocks, upper & lower ball joints, & relocating the swaybar mounting points for better geometry.


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Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2019, 05:38:08 PM »
You work fast!

Spindles and springs seems like a less complicated move. Where did you source the parts?

Not clear on the “spring under” flip kit in the rear". Did you have to notch the frame as I have seen some guys do?

Thanks for your help!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction