73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: 86HighSierra on June 28, 2015, 09:13:34 pm
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Hello everyone, I finally got the courage to start and show yall my project ive started. First i want to say im 31, electrician by trade and a father of a 5 yr old boy and 3 yr old boy girl twins, And married That being said this will be a slow build. I dont plan on making a trailer queen or a super mudder, just a work truck that will go anywhere i need it to go or do.
The truck is a 1/2ton 4wheel drive regular cab longbed. I know some of you find it hard to believe that someone can own a truck and not tell you whats in it, as of right now i have pulled everything off to the frame minus the axels and wheels/tires. It was a target 350 motor with a stock tranny and transfer case. The plan is to put a 1995 chevy tbi 350 in it. I have the complete 1995, frame was bent so inpicked it up for 400$, has a new to it motor. It still runs and drives just fine.
I have a couple pictures i can post now that are on my phone. First is what i started with and last is how its sitting now
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Welcome from California. Nice truck.
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/e639bba2b5916135a3ec2284dc2faa52.jpg)
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/353cd9ca5b6800596a4723f3ff0f44a2.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/bd10d26db02ebcd8ecfd2ab7095f2d1f.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/1f929d6f1fdb551358404310e9094de6.jpg) the cab i had put on it was a 2wd cab. Dad had a couple bolt in humps he was not going to use so i gifted them to myself.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/92e06ade4e6774955135e730ead626e3.jpg) my new shackle flip i hot from ORD. went with a 4"
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The truck had been sitting in my fathers impound lot for about 4 years, had to have it trailered home, was sad i didnt drive it one last time before the tear down, while it was up there a mower shot a rock into the driver side window, you can see the glass on the floorboard. Most of the teardown took place on the weekends this past winter. Was working out of town during the week, 3 12hr days and 1 4 hr day then drove over two hrs home. Some how my wife agreed to let me work on it a couple hours each night friday and saturday. Got a good woman. But her and I met in this truck and have alot of great memories in this truck.
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These are the wheels I traded for. Gave a set of 6lug stock chevy rally wheels with centers and rings, the centers say they are M/T but have my doubts. As two wheels are different might put the matching ones on the same side so u will never know(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06/29/e7079e320f937b9ce83cedf5bec155b2.jpg)
The wheels need some cleaning. I couldnt wait so i went ahead and put my tires on. Wanted it for mock up. Tires are (sadly) junk! They were supposed to be sitting on concrete while in storage ,but since i wasnt paying, dad moved it to the dirt side. Dang dry rot! And they have so much tread left.
Any one have a good cleaning method they found for aluminum wheels? Not sure if i want yo polish or powder coat them, keep in mind im planning on s factory paint scheme. It was red with the white strip. Just like my first picture.
I had the idea of doing plastidip ( so i see what it will look like before i pay to powder coat) like all black with a red bead or white? something along those lines.? Dont want it to look ghetto, just thoughts i had, i know it will upset some of you, but i dont know if these will clean up to be worthy, small pits and dents in wheels. Will post more close ups of wheels soon.
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Took some pictures today of tranny i pulled out of my truck. Everything from what i found its a 700r4.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/02/5df3d0f9b42b981fdbf6c19125b11cbd.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/02/82296398388e7b9999f6d917fa864e78.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/02/fd96f53f1b047c09b523f4eab3e905b0.jpg)
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/02/fa7ce11616bc3ddec72a7489fd9a09b0.jpg)
This is what i found on my T/C im think its at np208
The housing is aluminum.
This is what i found in the other half
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/02/24e6fece82ff7ed1d455e4e091a502b4.jpg)
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Aluminum slots. Man, now that brings back memories.
And I'd bet those are NOT Mickey Thompson wheels. Mickey Thompson didn't start making wheels until after the aluminum slot era had passed well into ancient history.
I'd give the aluminum slots my best effort at polishing them out. Painting wheels black is a fad that has almost played out. You'd be surprised at what those wheels will look like with only a little work, and they would be "period correct" for a build based on a mid 80s era truck. Buy one of those Mothers wheel polishing balls that you chuck up in a drill. Look in my build thread on page 3, or 4. I used the Mothers ball on some old mud truck wheels and the result was stunning.
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Thanks engineer, like i was saying before not sure what i want to do with them since they are kinda pitted. I will Try that now that im in town working again
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I really like those aluminum slots. Engineer is right on the money about using a polishing ball. I told my son if I run on to a set that is what we are putting on the truck. I will not hesitate. He wants a set of American Racing Baja's or MT's.
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Welcome to the site.
Its sounds like you have a good game plan for your truck .
I'm a huge fan of aluminum slotted rims on our trucks.
Engineer is right on target with the info on these rims.
One of our members named Mike Phillips did a great write up a while back on how to restore aluminum slotted rims.
Unfortunately, I can't figure out how to post a link on my so called "smart phone".
If you google " Mike Phillips, old school aluminum slotted mag wheel extreme makeover" it will lead you right back to his write up on this site.
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Thanks Don5 and Fitz
I am for sure going that route of trying to restore these.
I came accross another set of these today on craigslist in wichita ks, if you are looking for them- not trying to break the rules im not the seller or the listing person, i dont know him or anything just thought id pass it on. If this is still wrong to do i appalogize. I love this site and wouldnt do anything to harm it or get kicked.
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Holy cow!! Looks like i have some materials to get. And need to get the tires back off again if im going to do this correctly. Looks like the next time i get 5-8 hrs of free time im going to take care of these bad boys! He made them look like they were fresh out of the box.
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MT did make some wheels called Challengers that looked like old school slots. They were just a touch different though. Nice wheels, I had a set on another truck years ago.
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BTW, that's not my truck, I couldn't find pics of mine, so I searched the web for Mickey Thompson Challenger wheels and found a pic.
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I've already got 6 sets of the slotted rims. Thanks for the heads up on that set, but
Wichita is a little far for me (in in Mass)
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Are your slots 15 inch or the 16.5?
Also here's a pic to help identify the Transmissions
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/06/cdced677f86f7884a95ab3e9beee9579.jpg)
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roundhouse, my wheels are the 15" its only a 1/2ton 6lug truck, i wasnt quite sure if they made 16.5 wheel in other than the 8 lug, but thrn again thats why im on this site. Is get get all the help and info i can.
And the tranny i have, has 15bolts and is square like the 700r4, after about an hour of surfung and double checking that picture is what i had found as well
Thanks
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/19/f74d68beae07d407468c6e8fcc454a52.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/19/b5bc15f4dec34e8c5a2036b3b8468945.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/19/fad6c1bc8abc4d0018a26abab6d7b2ef.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/19/d2a52288280e3379693e6c5ae4c7c625.jpg)
Look what I got fellas. Cost me $50 ( was a freebie from my father) customer wrecked his truck and dad did his tow. He didnt want it!
I will use the bed and cab. Cab is 2wd. And its already the factory color i want
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I will start this week on getting bed off first then the cab
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I got the bed unbolted. Only 1 of the eight gave me problems. The bolt hole was rounded. I think the p/o had something to do with that! Grinder took care of that. Next i have to gather about 4/6 more people to help me lift the bed off and place it on my truck. Then I can tackle the cab it has a couple spots I didn't notice when I looked at it 4 months ago.
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Ok people i got the bed off the donor and on my truck, keep in mind i did not coat the under side of the bed. And the nuts are not tight. I need the flat surface, and didn't want the truck sitting in the impound lot anymore. I plan on removing bed to install the new gas tanks and fuel lines when i get those.
Here are some pictures for you.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/24/b3242d564a4463f7e2443f200499e6ca.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/24/f73bb856fe22d0978f046b267d9a85ff.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/24/c0d7ba81847c49d98fbf2a49ebdaf60d.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/24/2bb217626f19bd131950c13c5cb6001f.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/24/56d16a6e33651c25d56f8eb778ead89a.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/24/692e2bf4b9ea92b8a60d44c502a1084f.jpg) my 5 year old son.
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The next step is to remove the fenders and doors and anything else i need to. Hopefully in the next week i will be ready.
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nice progress.
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Thanks, got the cab ready to be lifted off lastnight. Got late and the kids wanted to watch a movie do i came in. Hopefully i can get it off today and set it on my frame.
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Well the cab is off the 2wd, and in my garage. 3 of the mount bolts came out with little to no effort! The front passenger mount bolt was broke. That was the side that had more damage from the wreck. I have the cab on a table and jack stands. Started cleaning the bottom and spraying with rubberized undercoating.
Not sure how i will extract the broken bolt out of the cab and nut. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Will do dome research tonight. In the mean time its hot and i mean hot here.
Here are a couple pictures to enjoy
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/26/aee563d30f87b53b1fa66202e150cb0d.jpg)
The hoist just barely went high enough to lift over the 2wd frame.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/26/18c0fa374d9bb694664e6f18666e0668.jpg)
Wife got stuck helping me drag it in garage. ( its not fun when driveway is full of cracks and dips)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/26/7787cff7b8f370fee4c06981afa7f749.jpg)
This bracket dad is letting me use is really saving me time. Especially since its hard to get 4-6 people together for just 5 mins of work.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/26/657b6aafb84cb1be4124b783bab16394.jpg)
Scoping it out. Not alot of rust. I think i can even fix it. Mainly some bubbling and surface.
For now i will be taking carpet out and windshield and back glass out. Going to try and have dad bring home my 95 chevy and pick up the 85 2wd frame.
Oh and thats my 3 yr old twin boy cheesing on the left. He thinks this truck is huge!
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I have been looking on the web, youtube, and here, I think i will just drill a hole in the floor board of the cab. And see if i can get the nut out with the bolt. Will see if i have time this week to do it. Might have to go out of town for the week again.
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I drilled a hole directly above the mount in the cab floor. I have sprayed the crap out of this thing. If soaking it and getting ahold of the stud with a pair of vise grips and trying to twist it out dont work i will pry on the " keeper tabs" and pull it out and go that route. Im out of town for work. I will take some pictures of what im doing if anyone else is having, or will have the same problem.
When i get the stud out i will leave it open till im ready to finish interior. In case i have problems later with it. (Remeber im planning on test fitting all body parts and fine tuning. Then plan on a tear down again and painting)
Since painting and body work will be the most expensive i have planned on doing it last and getting this truck together and running is what im really after here
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Look what i got done tonight.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/4c03e5b404d90b389e95584db7747369.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/6c2cb84dd4cf674496532826f192ea8b.jpg)
The twins wanting to help so bad
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/90548fe5e784247416827c3fd76883b5.jpg)
The boy that wants to drive it to school when he is old enough
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/07/31/c12b7c4cbc105dd909f43990893ac9c9.jpg)
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So i did a little measuring, and the truck stands 3/4" too tall to go through the garage door. Might let air out of tires or put a smaller set of wheel/tire on till its rain tight. The meteorologist claims it shouldnt rain till monday. So i have all weekend to get doors removed from suburban and installed.
On a side note, i have that body mount bolt soaking in penetrating oil. My acetylene hose split over the winter( was old) and i haven't gotten a new one yet. When i so i will be able to heat it up and hopefully remove the stud. If this fails i will rob a nut from the cab i removed from the beginning of thus build.
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I let almost all the air out of the front tires. It was enough to drop the cab, and i was able to het it in garage. My wifes tahoe was giving us fits, and i also had the opportunity to buy my late mothers 1997 suburban. So work has come to a stop on my truck. ( got to keep momma happy) got tahoe sold and will hopefully pick up my new to me burban.
Will post a pic. Its a clean looking ride.
Not to forget, my brother is building a house so my extra time will go to him, we are doing all the electrical on his house.
Im hoping to get back to this soon. I haven't had the time to rob the doors off a suburban pops has in his storage lot. The doors im getting are a two tone brown and tan w electric windows and locks. Would like to put the 2013 or so chevy tow mirrors in the doors. Plan on mimicking the ones another fellow did on here. Use the wing windows. Will play with one of the jacked up doors dad has. This way if i dont like it, i can just walk away from it!
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/08/06/e72010686c44d6b604ba2e8736306cf4.jpg)
The suburban on the left is what i bought. The one on the right is the one i grew up with. Mom babied her vehicles.
Washed 2-3 times a week , cleaned inside and out,
Dad built it in 1990 or 91 after he spun out on black ice and bent the frame. It had 33" tires and a 2" spring lift.
The picture was taken just before dad pulled the 454 out and sold burban to a buddy.
Mom made the buyer agree to never bring it around if he wasn't going to keep it clean and nice. Lets just say we never saw it again!
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/09/50ed5289144e7c5cbed8f3266afa096f.jpg)
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Between working full time out of town, doing a bathroom remodel, and just being completely worn out at the end of the day, I a as finally able to get my doors pulled off of a donor burban and installed on my truck. No dents and I haven't seen any rust yet. Full electric
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(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/07/a73a0328460fb98c86222a1ede2a9616.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/07/545d965bd4b2e43525f2a9bd48ac0202.jpg)
I was able to get my topper on, I like the idea of it, just not this particular one. I want one that's even across the top. Haven't come across one yet, hopefully in February (next swap meet at coliseum ) I will find one.
As u can see I was also able to paint my core support and put it on. Then I bolted my hood I got on as well. Starting to look more and more like a truck.
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I was searching around Craigslist, and i stumbled across an ad that was about 30 days old. It was for both front fenders no dents no rust, the cowl, and the metal filler above front bumper. Was only asking $100 for all. Dont know about you other fellas but i couldnt find one with damage for that price. Let alone pass and driver side.
Luckly he still had them and i got them half way installed
Was also able to pull the motor out of my donor truck and i got it in as well.
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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160611/57b6f0c267ee8f6c4257b37a1494a6ad.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160611/f4a1ec2babfdf4ed981fbf402f417b15.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160611/c5b325f81412719ee0b6eb51bf3714a9.jpg)
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Nice score on the fenders.