I picked up my truck for $300 in March of 2010. It had sat for 10 years, I was told it needed a fuel pump and a starter and it would run. I installed those and when I got it started, it had a spun bearing. I pulled the engine, rebuilt it, got the truck running decent and started driving it. So, I decided to begin some body work while my truck is sitting until I get my license back. So far I've removed most of the most of the trim, tail lights, headlight bezels, grille, trim clips, and wheel well arches.
You can follow some of my build here:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=19648.0Here is my HID conversion:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=19132.0 CD player install here:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=20413.msg166401#msg166401And this is what I would like to do for my 4x4 conversion!:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=20989.msg171540#msg171540Here's my plans, what I need to do, and what I've done.
Done:
Engine rebuilt
Trans resealed
Back brakes replaced
Open element air cleaner
Removed smog equipment
Installed HIDs
Stereo system including CD player, amp, 2 6x9s behind the seat, 2 tens behind the seat(both of them blown now) 2 6in components in
the doors with the tweeters on the kick panels, amp behind the seat for the 10's soon to be under the seat
Installed manual Water temp and Oil pressure gauges in the stock locations
Installed headers with glasspacks dumping under the cab
Ladder rack with 4 KC lights, but it has been removed and sold
may list more....
In process:
Right now I'm working on the body. I removed the grille, the headlight bezels, the front chrome trim, the taillight lenses, and all of the fender clips. I Found a set of reproduction doors on craigslist for 40 a piece and I picked them up for 50 for the pair. They are CobraKing brand doors. I'm looking for power window regulators and door panels and power door lock actuators for them. I'm going to paint them before installing anything on them. Should I paint the inside and outside of the doors? I'm thinking about taking apart my interior and spraying it black throughout. I'm going to mask off the engine bay and the top of the core support so I can spray the hood "jamb" I guess you could call it. Im masking off the headlights, I removed the marker light lenses and will mask off the housing, mask or remove the side marker lenses, mask of the the taillight assembly, mask off the door jambs along the weather stripping to not get paint in my interior, mask all windows, mask gas caps, I'm leaving the inside of the bed brown for now, but I want to bed line it and the tailgate. I began sanding the body tonight. I need to remove the fender badges and the ones behind the doors, need to remove the rear window chrome band, weld all holes on the body, remove bumpers, I might unbolt my bed and slide it back to paint between the bed and the cab, but I'm not sure yet. And tomorrow I will hopefully finish sanding and begin the body filling. My dad wants me to sand the WHOLE truck with 1200 grit paper once its in Primer. So, I will be investing in a car cover for my truck, or a BIG A** TARP since it is monsoon season. Also, I need to straighten out my Infamous hood bend, and reinforce it. Tomorrow I will probably swap the doors. Heres some pictures!
The color I have chosen is "Iridescent Purple" but I may do some form of a 2 tone, maybe with pearl?
I had quite the trouble with these riveted trim clips, I tried getting them off with vice grips, But I didnt want to bend up the body
so I took a grinder to the outside of the rivet in the middle of the clip until it was flat, then popped the clip off. I then used a
soft grinding wheel and ground the "peg/rivet" flush with the body and pushed it through with a hammer and punch. I also
cleared the paint off for a nice welding surface to weld the holes.
Whoop! Found some Bondo!!! Looking into getting a new fender now.
Heres the doors when I brought them home. Not a good pic, but Ill take lots of pictures tomorrow of anything I missed.
Plans for the future!
My brother and I are kicking around the Idea of starting out own customization/restoration shop. Just a little freelance job/hobby. (more info Here:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=21234.msg173951#msg173951) So here is what I want to do to my truck:...
Convert my truck to 4x4
Rear 56" springs up front with custom hangers
Preferably Dana 60 up front to match my 14b rear
Built 350 or 383, SM465, NP205 split shifter
About 8 inch lift with 38's?
Custom interior, black leather dash pad, door panels, black paint, nice (preferably) black leather Bench seat 60/40 with fold down
console, Digital guages, Ice cold AC, I'd love to integrate a 99+ truck interior into my truck dash and all, tinted windows
OR......
5.3 Vortech, Turbo charged, 4l60E+transfer case, Custom fab 99+ Independent Front Suspension onto my frame, with the interior and lift mentioned above. But thats a Dream inside a Dream!!!!
My brothers plans,
Slam and bag his truck
Shave everything
A nice running cruising engine(not a powerhouse)
Tinted windows
Custom interior, Black leather dash pad, plush and chrome door panels, diamond plate dash trim, diamond plate floorboards, stereo,
digital gauges, amazing AC, and more to develop.
Now, our trucks will be the Symbol of our business. I want them to be more or less matching. Like, same paint scheme and kind of same interior design, but his is a street rod and mine is a 4x4 beast. So, I will keep everything updated. This is our dream and we are taking control and making it Happen! Wish us luck!! I will post more soon. Thanks for reading.