73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: Boger on February 23, 2015, 09:15:56 pm
-
So I bought a 82 K10 from a Co-Worker, he was hard up for some cash. So I took his old push truck off him for $2000.
I probably overpaid a bit, but like my dad said I wanted a project and I got one.....
Truck as it sits right now has a fairly recent rebuild on the engine 350, .30 over, mild cam, eldelbrock aluminum intake.
Turbo 350 b&m shift improvement kit.
I have not had a chance to pull differential covers to determine gears, but from the way it drove I am 90% sure they are 3.73 or 4.10's.
I started thinking "Eh, put a patch in the floor board and fix the power steering gearbox". Next thing I know the interior is stripped out and I am chasing down rust............
But starting to make progress, and every time I have a question I do a google search and it leads me to this site.
Bought a welder and learned how to weld on the drivers side floor pan I don't think it turned out to bad.
Pretty much after I get the windshield out and fix the source of my leak, I can get started on piecing it back together and making it what I want.
(http://i.imgur.com/ReLC5QU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5lvsiuq.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/TtAlSCb.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/vid2LHi.jpg)
Also, I had a fit trying to cut my patch panel for the drivers side kick panel. I was curious if there are some must have tools for sheet metal work, right now all I have is a die grinder, and some body hammers.
-
You need a hand held sheet metal bender
Like a pair of pliers but the jaw is 4" wide
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
those pliers are nice to have.
plus some air shears are handy dandy.
eastwood.com has some pretty nice stuff ive gotten a handful of tools from them
-
Awesome suggestions, I get paid tomorrow. Going to have to do some shopping. Thanks for the responses.
-
So little update, I have not forgot about my truck. I am currently waiting on back surgery, so I am not really able to do anything. As soon as I start to feel better the windshield is the first thing to come out so I can start doing some rust repair. I was outside cleaning today, and I think I am going to try my hand at repainting the interior. So going to be doing some reading on the process of that.
-
Had my back surgery on 17th, worked like a charm! Downside is no bending or lifting for 2 weeks. So today me and my dad went out to the garage cleaned a bit, he helped me put up my new peg board.
I also spent about a hour working on the truck, starting to fish out the engine bay wiring harness. It is not looking good unfortunately, lots of cut wires all over the place its gonna be fun.
One of the guys I work with made a interesting point, I already have the truck pretty much stripped to nothing. Rewiring it with a painless wiring kit would be incredibly easy vs trying to chase down 30+ years of hacked up wiring. So I am keeping that in the back of my mind for now. My back is sore though, did all I can for today going back out to finish it up tomorrow.
(http://i.imgur.com/WqImzrW.jpg)
Those valve covers came off a 283 I have in my garage, I just wanted to see how they look on my truck. Like putting make up on a pig lol.
But when I pulled off the old valve covers, I discovered the heads are 441's. From a little research I have determined those are a fairly decent set of heads at least. I've also been told they are 2.02/1.64, don't think there is a way to check that without pulling the heads and I don't really wanna do that.
-
painless is nice but since you have the downtime could find the factory wiring diagrams on here and make a plan of attack and save some cash and do it yourself. not a ton of wiring on them. Mine was the same way and just took my time, did my research and re did the wiring on it. and deleted about 30 ft of useless wiring the p/o installed.
-
An air saw is a must have for doing body work. Carbide burrs, die grinders, angle grinder, flap discs, DA, long board, sanding blocks, mud cutter all good to have if you intend to do a nice job with the least amount of hassle.
As far as your wiring harness, it looks like based on what you have there, it's plenty salvageable. If you are going to really clean up that engine compartment then it would be a worthwhile investment but otherwise, clean up what you have.
-
I would repair what you have, if you plan to keep it stock and only need portions of the wiring I sell American AutoWire sections for up to 1982 they are already terminated and just plug in and replace what you have.
-
So I got out there again today finished pulling the harness, it is not near as bad as I thought. I am going to try and clean it up a bit. I guess the clutter must have made me think it was 10x worse. All of the wires that were cut, lead to connectors that went to nothing. Not going to lie a little confused by this.
I am going to mess with the harnesses more tomorrow, basically all I am going to have to do is clean them up lol. I am just ready to stop taking stuff apart and start putting things back together...
-
Just got a little bit to finish up on the wiring, took a break from it and went to a few junkyards. Found one with loads of 70's-90's chevy and scored a set of captains chairs with center console from a 89 suburban. Got the drivers side mounted and I like the way it looks.
(http://i.imgur.com/jlQKJpa.jpg)
Excuse the mess, I can't bring myself to clean when I still have loads of work to do on the inside.
Also found a K10 blazer with 3/4 ton drivetrain underneath it out there, was quoted 400 for the pair. Not sure if I wanna do that or not.
-
Wow. I mean wow. I commend you for wanting to fix the wiring on that. As it stands you shouldn't have to worry about your spark plugs cross firing.
And the butchered up rubber fuel line laying on the heater hose has vapor lock written all over it.
By all means don't be afraid to ask for advice. I've seen too many square bodys look like yours under the hood and it irritates me to no end that people with no brains would do that to a truck.
-
Wow. I mean wow. I commend you for wanting to fix the wiring on that. As it stands you shouldn't have to worry about your spark plugs cross firing.
And the butchered up rubber fuel line laying on the heater hose has vapor lock written all over it.
By all means don't be afraid to ask for advice. I've seen too many square bodys look like yours under the hood and it irritates me to no end that people with no brains would do that to a truck.
Thank you, wiring is not fun :( still not done, but I am seeing progress (got rid of a handfull of wires and everything still works). As far as fuel, transmission, oil cooler ect... I am probably going to try my hand at doing some braided stainless steel AN fittings tied into some solid lines. As of right now everything rubber is on a list to get replaced. I've spent countless hours on summit/jegs and many other sites looking at my options. I am fairly confident I can get it sorted out just going to cost me some $$$.
-
Had Easter off, finally finished getting my bucket seats installed.
(http://i.imgur.com/NVIMo4t.jpg)
Pic just incase anyone was interested in how they looked installed. First week back at work, so I will have a paycheck thankfully. Going to go back to the junk yard and get some door panels I think.
-
Work has slowed down a bit on my truck, but I have been doing stuff!
Wiring has been slowly getting better, I hate doing it so I only do it when really really really really bored.
(http://i.imgur.com/6QjE3sS.jpg)
New kick down/throttle cable bracket, also broke the tab on my kickdown cable....
(http://i.imgur.com/IYPV0uC.jpg)
Burned my angle grinder to the ground...
(http://i.imgur.com/PgmENwo.jpg)
Broke my Harbor Freight 1/2 breaker bar, bought a Snap-On breaker bar to replace it. Came with a free magnetic screw driver, seriously my favorite thing in the world.
(http://i.imgur.com/8OxyXUC.jpg)
I mean seriously, I use the crap out of this thing it is amazing.
Interior is ready for new panels, engine just needs new wires/plugs and fuel lines run to get running again. Its getting closer to moving out of my garage.
-
So, I havent posted in a while ran into a few problems on the truck.
But first a few life updates!
(http://i.imgur.com/YvJcmZm.jpg) Don't ban me plzzzz, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
(http://i.imgur.com/EboU4dH.jpg)
Picked this gem up for $150 with a valid Iowa title. Box is gone, its my next project. I also ran jumper wires from starter and a wire to coil and got it to run! 1979 K10 350 TH350/Np203
(http://i.imgur.com/3PpFjMH.jpg)
1967 GTO I got for free, gave it to my friend. I have no space for anything :/
(http://i.imgur.com/Mjg93Kt.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/5vivve7.jpg)
Front end kit, not terribly happy with it. Felt kinda cheap to me. I think it looks good anyway.
(http://i.imgur.com/XfRcnA4.jpg)
Wiring harness from speedway motors, $186. This harness is a great harness for the price, all wires are labeled everything worked first try was really impressed. Going to do it differently the next time around. Keep reading to find out what I mean.
(http://i.imgur.com/cPc4y4l.jpg)
Starter ate the teeth on my flexplate :(
(http://i.imgur.com/6jyjAVS.jpg)
Caught the truck on fire :/ no damage just my pride.
(http://i.imgur.com/cpIbz2q.jpg)
Dash removed
(http://i.imgur.com/MC5UoU9.jpg)
Pulling engine. Harbor freight load leveler saved my life.
Found a set of 3/4 ton axles!!!
(http://i.imgur.com/A80vZBA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6R7N7n2.jpg)
Came out of 1978 K20, just took the outers off the dana 44 and put them on my 10bolt front, not sure which one is better. The parts are identical from what I have seen. Planning disc brake conversion on the Corp 14.
Went to compress the caliper to fit the pads in, and I snapped the bleeder screw flush :'(
(http://i.imgur.com/U0vlFfN.jpg)
How the truck currently sits:
(http://i.imgur.com/ZFya0aN.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/u1mZr8j.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/GpIGhBm.jpg)
I started rushing trying to get done, then I got a some advice from a gentleman who comes to my work all the time. Invited me to his shop showed me his process for his GTO's really kinda inspired me to go the extra mile and do things right. Which is why I took the truck completely apart.
Which unfortunately lead me to where I am at now.
(http://i.imgur.com/5C61a3Z.jpg)
Dome light rust
(http://i.imgur.com/J8xQdad.jpg)
Door frame rust. (I made notes before I put the primer on, had alot of bare metal needed something to protect it).
And the cause of 90% of my rust problems I am ashamed to say I never noticed this untill I started sanding.
(http://i.imgur.com/cYmf8QK.jpg)
That hole is from a antenna that pioneer used on all the fleet trucks, there was a weather checked rubber plug that had 3 coats of paint over it.
So the water was running down through that hole----down the door pillars and causing all my kickpanel rust and also there is ALOT of rust under there and I am not sure how to tackle this. I didn't take very good pictures, will take some better ones tomorrow.
I work in my garage every night, I have 13gbs of pictures I just don't have alot to show for the amount of time I spent working on the truck.
Tuesday I am going to sit down and make a list of how I want the truck to turn out, set a order to do things and start making a parts list.
Sorry for the wall of text its been a while since I posted. Project is not dead, just in the hospital.
-
Been kinda slacking recently finally got outside and decided to do something. Spent about 30 minutes removing the welded over rockers/cab corners from the passenger side.
Front part of rocker
(http://i.imgur.com/pFeGs1d.jpg)
Cab Corner
(http://i.imgur.com/g0xBEdi.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BuHJiDr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LKwUxL5.jpg)
-
Nice progress!
-
Just a little update sorta, nothing has really changed, I am kinda stuck. Did not order inner/outer cab corner, also didn't think to order floor support.
Been trying to figure out how the inner rockers are supposed to look, I found a ton of good information I am just not getting it.
This topic had the best information I could find: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5661.0
This is the panel I am having trouble trying to fit.
(http://i.imgur.com/pCoxPHM.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/0pKeoNU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/LAQamZM.jpg)
I would rather not start trimming the patch panel until I am 100% on how it is supposed to go. I also ordered a partial floor pan when I needed a full floor pan patch so I am kinda done until I can get new stuff ordered. Just kinda looking for some input.
I found a few pictures and I am 90% sure it is spot welded to the cab floor support, I am not sure how though....I have spent more time trying to figure this out than I would like to admit
-
That's only a partial inner rocker. What you would really need is called outer cab floor, it will extend all the way to the front of the cab, or rather front of rocker.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Oh and that is how it fits
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
That's only a partial inner rocker. What you would really need is called outer cab floor, it will extend all the way to the front of the cab, or rather front of rocker.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks, I just goofed big time when I ordered parts. Oh well live and learn I guess.
-
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=32209.0
If I added the link correctly it should take you to our build. I have quite a few pics of the rockers. Otherwise, in the body section, there is a sticky about rocker panels.