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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: 79chevykid on December 24, 2010, 01:06:32 pm

Title: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 24, 2010, 01:06:32 pm
hi im new here, this is my first truck, iv worked on snowmobiles and stuff until i bought this a couple weeks ago from my uncle pretty cheep. He had taken most of the exterior parts of (everything but the cab, motor, and suspension) but it ended up being put into a barn for a while so i bought it off him. its a 1979 custom deluxe c-10 with the strait 6 292 and a 3 speed transmission ( i dont think its stock you can see where the floor is cut and duct tape on the steering column where the old automatic shifter was), so far i got all the interior stuff stripped out and got the cab off a couple days ago. the cab is pretty rough shape (floors rusted bad), i was thinking of fixing it but there is a really nice cab/box pair in the local pick-n-pull i might get. so right now im looking to just get it on the road running good i have a 350 i might rebuild and i want a different tranny. (http://)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: Canadian 4X4 on December 24, 2010, 01:08:20 pm
Welcome, there are guys on here that can help you with just about anything!
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 24, 2010, 01:19:55 pm
thanks, iv been looking around this site and you've got alot of great info!
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 24, 2010, 01:20:48 pm
how do you post images
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: hotrod24 on December 24, 2010, 02:59:35 pm
I use photo bucket and webshots, It is easy just go and register for one and go to the last image box that says forum and copy and paste it here...
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 24, 2010, 05:28:29 pm
ok here it is i think
http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/Photo-0115.jpg?t=1293233256
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: hotrod24 on December 24, 2010, 05:57:32 pm
looks like a good project...
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 24, 2010, 06:09:41 pm
the frame is solid but bottoms of the front fenders are rusted and the bed was real bad and was scraped a while ago, i still have 1 inner fender a 1 new fender. i was wondering what is the best thing to do to the frame (how to prep, what paint to use, best bang for your buck). also is there anything i should know when taking the suspension off. thanks -kyle
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 1980c10 on December 25, 2010, 03:13:41 am
I would start this project by finding a parts truck since it sounds like you'll need just about 1 of everything, or a different truck to work on and use your current truck as a parts truck. Your column at one time may have had a manual shifter and some one replaced it with a floor shifter.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 26, 2010, 09:23:52 pm
yupp thats what it was, iv been working on getting every thing off of it and trying to get rid of the engine. whats a reasonable price for a 250 engine and 3 speed w/58,xxx mi?  -kyle
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 1980c10 on December 26, 2010, 10:52:34 pm
yupp thats what it was, iv been working on getting every thing off of it and trying to get rid of the engine. whats a reasonable price for a 250 engine and 3 speed w/58,xxx mi?  -kyle

I hope it's thousands ;D, I have my 60k 250 and three speed for sale. I'd take 100 just to get rid of it-I'm thinking it's a hard sell.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on December 27, 2010, 01:58:01 pm
im really hoping to build a nice little 350 with a m22 behind it or something similar to that, i have an old 350 from my brothers 93 chevy truck that im planing on rebuilding at some point (it had 215,xxx mi). and ill probably end up just putting the engine over in the corner for a while, i would like to get the frame painted and do all the body work befor i even start thinking about the engine.   -kyle
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on January 02, 2011, 06:59:50 pm
iv been working on the truck a little so here some updates: got the cab off, the steering components, brakes. havent been able to do much with the engine still in it, im getting my hoist back probably within the next week then i can get it out. now that i think about it more, should this be in a different topic? maybe under members projects? whatever heres some pics.
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG00261-20110102-1710.jpg?t=1294016236)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG00248-20110101-1622.jpg?t=1294016236)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: bake74 on January 03, 2011, 08:01:54 am
     Welcome from California, and looks like you jumped right into it and started.  Good luck with your project and keep us posted.  A lot of people will help you out, just got to be patient, not everyone is on all the time.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on January 04, 2011, 06:05:34 pm
got the rear end out and started on the front suspension. so far so good
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG00264-20110104-1807.jpg?t=1294185684)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG00262-20110104-1807.jpg?t=1294185684)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on January 19, 2011, 06:45:14 pm
so i got the motor pulled, and front suspension out now its time to clean up the frame and eventually paint it. what is the best paint to use on the frame iv been trying to decide between por 15 or chassis saver, does anyone have any opinions on which is better? also what is the best way to set up a paint booth? heres some pics of where im at, the frame is in really nice shape just a little bit of surface rust on the rear.(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG-20110117-00064.jpg?t=1295484148)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: beastie_3 on January 20, 2011, 04:23:54 pm
If you use the search box, you can find everyones opinions and their pictures. There is no right answer, you will have to decide yourself, but both are good products.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on March 26, 2011, 10:02:00 am
so i havent been on in a while, but now the weathers getting nice and the snow is melting so im back to working on the truck. iv been cleaning up the newer cab i bought its off an 85 so ill have to do some modification eventually, but i found some rust that shouldnt be too hard to fix, the worst is right under where the old hood hinges mounted and theres some on the left outer rocker and the left cab corner. my main goal right now is getting the chassis together, as soon as i can get my frame outside without snow on the ground im going to start sand blasting, i ordered chassis saver to do the frame and all the suspension parts and monday im going to go buy brand new 2" drop spindles and a total polyurethane bushing kit i found on CL. im not sure what i want to do about the rear axle my 2 options are buy the disk brake conversion for like $400 or wait till something comes into the local u-pull junk yard that has disk brakes that i can get for like $150. mine is a 12 bolt, was this a good rear end or if not what else would be good? thanks  -kyle
btw- i got a new blackberry so pictures should be a lot better   
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/newcabfront.jpg?t=1301151064)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/newcabside.jpg?t=1301151064)
the floor is solid but has some little holes here and there, u can kind of see the cab corner and the rocker rust ill probably just buy a new one for like $10
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/newcabrust1.jpg?t=1301151064)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/newcabfloors.jpg?t=1301151064)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on April 01, 2011, 10:30:19 pm
yesterday i went and picked up a bed i found on CL its really nice shape, it came with a tailgate too. its still at my dads house and im bringing it back to my moms this weekend so ill be getting better pictures of it hopefully.
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG-20110331-004412.jpg?t=1301714946)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: bake74 on April 01, 2011, 10:40:51 pm
     Nice find on the bed, and looks like your doing great on the restoration.  My frame is stripped right now, I am going to get it powder coated, though I have a friend that owns the place.  I just got por-15 in for the axles though, I am going to be coating them this next week so I canget my axles back together.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on April 01, 2011, 11:01:45 pm
iv been working alot on getting the old bushings out so i can at least get the front rolling im waiting on the rear axle, im saving my money so hopefully soon i can do the disc conversion then ill put it in. its weird how i ended up with a cab and bed the same color from completely different places!
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on July 12, 2011, 05:26:54 pm
ok so its been a while but now im not in school so iv got more done, the frame is sandblasted and waiting for paint, all the suspension components are done, i have a mcgaughys front big brake kit with 2.5 drop spindles on the way. my goal for the summer is to get the chassis rolling because next year im going to school for autobody and i can get the bodywork done and everything painted.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on August 14, 2011, 11:11:09 pm
so i got the frame, rearend, and front suspension components sandblasted and painted (i used chassis saver satin black) also i have a picture of my front brake/drop spindle kit. i hope to have it assembled in the next week.
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/th_IMG00366-20110813-1643.jpg) (http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/?action=view&current=IMG00366-20110813-1643.jpg)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/th_IMG00367-20110813-1643.jpg) (http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/?action=view&current=IMG00367-20110813-1643.jpg)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/th_IMG00372-20110814-13032.jpg) (http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/?action=view&current=IMG00372-20110814-13032.jpg)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/th_IMG00329-20110728-0810.jpg) (http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/?action=view&current=IMG00329-20110728-0810.jpg)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/th_IMG-20110701-00869.jpg) (http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/?action=view&current=IMG-20110701-00869.jpg)
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: snibook7537 on August 15, 2011, 02:42:04 am
looks great keep up the work and you'll be really happy with that old new chevy. What are you looking at as far as engine and trans?
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on August 15, 2011, 07:40:19 am
probably just a newer 350 and 700r4 or th400 but overdrive might be nice
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 69byrd on August 15, 2011, 06:46:37 pm
Great job! Keep it up and it will be done before you know it.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: greg1984GMC on August 15, 2011, 07:19:57 pm
Looking good.
They are a lot of work but I thing it's worth it when they are done.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: snibook7537 on August 16, 2011, 12:17:19 am
there was a 80 or 81 just like your's on ebay a week or two back but it was all taken apart, I think it was in Georgia, somewhere south.  Shortbox custom deluxe with a 250 and a three on the column, I thought it would be cool to put it all back together with all the stuff he had. Swap A/C from a donor truck and put a mild 454 with that column shifter.  Would be kinda cool looking I would keep it basic kind of a sleeper pickup.  Personally I would put a stick in it. I know a lot of people say the NV3500's are weaker than a 4500 but I think it would be nice plus it is just a half ton and 2wd. also it will give you OD. I have never driven one but a lot of people say they shift a lot nicer than say a sm465, more car like.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 1980c10 on September 05, 2011, 09:40:06 pm
I swapped my SM465 for the NV3500, gear spacing is "car like". I can get up to 28mph in 1st and 68 in second. Its so much better than the sm465 as I can stay in my power band until I am up to whatever speed I want to go and can also quietly go down the interstate. Not to mention 18-21mpg with a 393 hp 350.
As far as strength of the nv3500; If it couldn't handle it I would have broken mine a few times by now. The 4500 is stronger but its not the same trans; the ratios etc are going to be differant, I am pretty sure you'll lose the tall lower gears.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: sonicbluezx3 on September 08, 2011, 03:36:09 pm
Looking good! I'm doing pretty much the same thing except I'm only doing it from the cab back. Looks like the coating you used went well.... I've got some KBS Coating coming today in the mail so hopefully this weekend I can get the frame all done. Mine is a lot more rusty than yours though... so you are lucky!

Looking forward to watching the progress!
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: 79chevykid on September 08, 2011, 10:48:01 pm
I have the chassis rolling now so I'm going to have to order new brake lines and stuff, I'm in 11th grade and I just started my first year of autobody, I go half day to boces. I'm hoping to start on the body work real soon, eventually ill be able to bring the truck to school and paint it. We have 2 full sized paint booths and a lot of really nice welders, just this year they got a machine that will do factory spot welds and I have access to just about any tool I could possibly need. I'm really excited to work on it.
Title: Re: 79 short box project
Post by: Cabcorner on September 13, 2011, 08:23:39 pm
Hey I remember seeing that truck on craigslist and the box . Awesome progress ,keep us posted.