73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: bake74 on May 31, 2010, 10:40:01 pm
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New to this forum and new to this year of Chevy truck. There has been 2 vehicles that I have not been able to build yet and a Chevy step side being one of them. So I decided to go out and get one and start the rebuild. Found this 74 in a field in the county (2 hours away from highway), and it runs and drives. 2 major problems with truck, cab is rusted from rocker to rocker, and Billy Joe, and Bob worked on it. (sorry to all you backyard mechanics out there), but this truck is a mess.
So I have spotted an 78 3/4 ton 4x4 that is going to be my donor truck. I bought an 80 3/4 ton 4x4 for $600.00 that I am trading for the 78. The 78 has a way better body and the guy wants the engine out of the 80. So my plan is to turn it into a 3/4 ton 4x4 and in the process do frame up restore. Lucky for me my best friend owns a powdercoating, sandblasting, and a paint company, so I can do all the painting and powdercoating at his shop.
I have to say for the last month since I have picked up the truck, this site has been a tremendas resource for me and I want to thank everyone for their helpful post, they are very informative, thank you all, and I will post pics as soon as I get the other truck and start the tear down. Tom in Sacramento, California
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Nice find. Ive always wanted a stepside to redo! ;D If was you I would just leave it a half ton if its practical for you. If your just going to street it than why would you need all that extra strength?
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Actually plan on towing with it, my wife also with the boat, she is a water skier. I always end up towing stuff for my friends, and since I got rid of my 1 ton ford, I kinda need it.
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well man, its all about what you want to do. lol if you got the parts then use them. either way im sure it'll be a great looking truck. good luck! ;D
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Actually plan on towing with it, my wife also with the boat, she is a water skier. I always end up towing stuff for my friends, and since I got rid of my 1 ton ford, I kinda need it.
How big is your wife that you have to tow her with your boat? ;D
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I would upgrade if I were pullin stuff.
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Here's the deal, I have always wanted a step side older chevy truck all my life. I finally got to a point where I got one and want to redo it from ground up. First thing, I am not building a show truck, and it is not going to be a mud truck, mostly street with the occasional fire road for camping. I plan on having a 6" lift with 35" or so tires.
The plan so far, truck is going to be bright yellow and black with some chrome accents. I plan on painting the firewall and inner fenders to match the truck. Not sure if the bumpers will be new chrome or I will build custom bumpers and then they will be black. The step on the step side will be chrome, either chrome wheels or shiny at least with black wall tires.
So to the reason for this poll. I have a very close friend of 20+ years that own's a powder coating/sandblasting/painting company ( they specialize in trains and buses). He said he would hook me up on sand blasting and powder coating for my truck, so what colors should I do the frame, springs, axle's, and drivelines in ?
Any questions or comments are welcome, thanks in advanced.
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how about something like a dark cast iron gray it would look new and somewhat unpainted at the same time.
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I prefer all black frame and running gear. I'm sure whatever you decide on will look cool.
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As much as I am not a fan of yellow, black frame and yellow springs would be the way if I was doing it. It'll be the highest impact short of yellow axles
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Keep drivetrain black, yellow should only be on the body. IMO.....Chrome bumpers, not black...IMO
Search around for trucks with different color combos. Doesnt matter if its a ford or dodge, just look at the combos. That will help you out in deciding.
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Undercarriage should be black. Easy touchups and replacement parts will match. Don't get me wrong, other colors are cool but if its not for shows I don't think its practical.
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All black.
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all black...
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Trying again.
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So thought I would update my build. Got my rear and front axle coated with por 15. rear axle is complete with 3.73:1 gears, new bearings and seals in pumkin. I replaced everything else with new parts.
Front axle is almost back together with all new parts except the manual hubs ( they were fairly new ). I had a heck of a time finding the order of the spindle bearing kit with the seals and washer and how they go on, so I included some pics to hopefully help someone else trying to repair their dana 44 or 10 bolt front end.
I will update with pics of axles complete after front is done.
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Anouther piece of information. I got 2 spindle bearing kits, and 1 came with an oil slinger/ oil deflector and 1 did not. Found out that it is the metal piece on the axle end right before the u-joints, the manual said that when the spindle bearings get replaced so should the oil slingers ( oil deflectors ).
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This information is invaluable on the orientation of the seals... Thanks for the write up!
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11-18-11 Just ordered all new bushing for springs, front sway bar. Still need to get the rest of the cross members and bushing I need for the A833 trans and 208 transfer case I got.
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Sounds like your chassis is getting close. Is the crossmember that you need a bolt in to your frame or do you have to wait for it and drill holes before you coat your chassis? Either way you must be getting anxious. ;D
Did you ever end up getting your donor truck for the cab?
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I like being different, but I feel a silver chassis would look good with a yellow body.
As a matter of fact, a silver chassis looks awesome with every body color, except for maybe a silver body.
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Subscribing... Good looking build, keep the updated pics coming
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Sounds like your chassis is getting close. Is the crossmember that you need a bolt in to your frame or do you have to wait for it and drill holes before you coat your chassis? Either way you must be getting anxious. ;D
Did you ever end up getting your donor truck for the cab?
The 77 I picked up is the donor for the cab. The A833 trans is a bolt in, I am looking for another crossmember because I am using one truck to drive when need be, the other is torn apart.
I already have the frame blasted and powdercoated, I need to coat the springs and get the bushing kit so I can put that back together and have at least a rolling chassis. I am taking my time because I am coating everything with por-15 that I can. The axles are coated and rebuilt with all new parts, so right now it is a slow process.
I am talking to a guy right now about a 76 GMC k10 step side, ( my wife thinks I have a problem ), I keep telling her I need a truck she can drive so she doesn't get jealous of mine. ;D 8 8) :o
(http://images.craigslist.org/5Y65O25Z53nc3m23l7bb97fc56718ecb11ec7.jpg)
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any updates?
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any updates?
For the longest time I did not have a place to work on it. Then a little over a year ago we moved and now the frame is in my garage, all powder coated. The axles have been gone through with new bearing sets, complete brakes parts.
I have been trying to get the brake lines and gas lines on, the dual tanks, hang the trans and transfer case so that I can move it out to start on the cab.
But life/work just keeps getting in the way. Every time I set a weekend aside to work on it, someone has an emergency and I have to help out. My wife is all on board with me working on it, but I just can not ignore when others are in need.
I am half tempted to take a week off work and lock myself in my garage, at least that way I could get some done.
At the beginning of this year I set a goal to have it at least half way done, I really do not know if I am going to make it at this pace.
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any updates?
But life/work just keeps getting in the way.
I hear you loud and clear. My latest stab at finishing my 86 enough to start driving it has mostly sat the 7 years since I've had it.