73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: macr0w on May 19, 2020, 07:32:19 am
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Hey guys this is my truck. It belonged to my dad. After he passed away in 2014 my mom gave it to me. I dearly loved my dad and this truck was probably the best vehicle he ever owned in his life. We were kinda poor and he never had enough money to fix stuff or buy a new vehicle. Over the years it was kinda run down and needed lots of help. After I got it I really only ever drove it around to get a load of lumber or mulch or something. My neighbors would borrow it when they needed something. One day last year the tired old 305 bit the dust. At that point I started thinking, "this was my dad's truck. I'm not going to let it die like this." So my son and I got to work.
New 350 engine and a ton of other repairs and upgrades. It's still a work in progress and I will add some pics and descriptions to this thread as I go.
Thanks for letting me share. 8)
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Awesome, nice to see a highly optioned Custom Deluxe having the RPO V22 4 headlight front end. Here was my 84
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Very cool. 8)
What's the deal with the RPO codes for the grill or headlights?
I didn't realize that was an option.
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Gorgeous! Don't mess with that patina! 8)
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Very cool. 8)
What's the deal with the RPO codes for the grill or headlights?
I didn't realize that was an option.
More than likely it was a dealer ordered special. I was under the impression that Scottsdale could only be ordered with the upgraded option so you have something really special. My truck was a basic 6 cyl. 3 on the tree. I loved this truck and it helped me move 300 miles and it served as my daily for a few years. The attached is what the front end offerings throughout the years
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Very cool. 8)
You got me thinking and I pulled this out.
It appears you know what you are talking about. ;D
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I'm going to post some pics of this project hopefully in chronological order. ;D
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Pics of progress
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More Pics
More progress
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More Pics
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More Pics
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Nice work guys!
Love when a plan comes together, you father would be proud.
I would put a clear coat over that patina, maybe a matte clear. Would really clean it up.
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Looks awesome fellas! 8)
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Thanks guys.
More pics. :D
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More pics. :D
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More pics. ;)
I had to install new turn signals after I discovered a short while install the Dakota Digital gauge cluster.
All the connections that I made in the dash and the signals are Western Union spliced, soldered and shrink wrapped. 8)
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I'm working on the floor right now and I have seat upholstery and springs coming.
Pics to come on these projects. 8)
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For some reason I can't get pictures of my spare tire carrier and drop shackles to get small enough to load up. :-\
Anyway, I recently bought a stock replacement spare tire carrier from USA1 truck. And I just bought a 2" drop shackle kit and put it on.
It's just a slight leveling. I don't want to really drop this thing. ;D
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My floorpans are rusty.
I'm not going to take the time and money to cut them out and replace them right now. Maybe one day down the road.
For now I'm just trying to stop the rust. I painted it with several coats of Corroseal which is a rust treatment product. I put some on there a couple months ago and then got new felt and a rubber mat for the floor. When I pulled it up to get ready for my seat upholstery I found my new felt was soaked and there was new rust forming. :-\
I cleaned it up and painted on a few more coats of Corroseal. I'm going to spray it with some bedliner/undercoating stuff next. I have to find out where the water is getting in. :-\
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Also got a new factory replacement spare tire carrier. 8)
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I have Dakota envy now... :(
Looking good man!
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The leak could be in your cowl area. Pull the wipers, and metal cover off and look around inside the cowl or inside the cab up high on your firewall. I had rust outs in that area that I had to repair with patch panels. The rust out was leaking water into my truck.
If your floorpans are not rust through, I would clean the rust from them with a poly stipper wheel, then use a POR or KBS product. I used KBS. After striping the floorpans, you use the cleaner, rust blaster (prep), and then the rust seal. Will keep them from rusting.
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The leak could be in your cowl area. Pull the wipers, and metal cover off and look around inside the cowl or inside the cab up high on your firewall. I had rust outs in that area that I had to repair with patch panels. The rust out was leaking water into my truck.
Yeah, that's where I will look next. We'll see what happens after this latest round of sealing stuff. ;D
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Right now my floorpans look like this.
Fingers crossed. :o
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Loving your work!
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Loving your work!
Thanks man!
I'm just hacking away over here. :D
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Pretty far from it, but humility is a virtue! 8)
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Shackles, battery disconnect and new air cleaner fastener.
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New seat cover and spring grid repair.
I was going to buy another spring grid but I got frustrated with the only seller online.
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It was a pain fixing the spring grid but it should be fine. ;D
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Totally loving this progress. You got us all wishing we were out in our shops right now!
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I treated my rusty bed with Corroseal. It was pretty rusty.
At some point I am going spray in a bed liner. 8)
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Totally loving this progress. You got us all wishing we were out in our shops right now!
Thanks Man. 8)
Get out there! ;D
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Digging around in my inner fender wall yesterday I found the original jack instructions sticker.
I know it may seem kinda dumb but I think it's cool. 8)
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That sticker is totally cool 8)
See how well pictures work? How can you go wrong?
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That sticker is totally cool 8)
See how well pictures work? How can you go wrong?
For real.
I still had to look at it very carefully to understand how it mounts. ;D
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A while back I got new fancy finned aluminum valve covers to replace the stock ones. I didn't like the hardware that came with them so, I improvised and bought some new bolts that would work with my spark plug wire managers. After a little while I noticed that they were blowing a little oil out of the bolt holes.
Can't have that. I pulled all the bolts and put some little rubber washers under each one.
Just one more little thing. 8)
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Clever- Wires look clean! 8)
Are those heads Vortec?
Couldn't tell from pics, Don't know of stock or replacement valve covers having bolts on the top.
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Clever- Wires look clean! 8)
Are those heads Vortec?
Couldn't tell from pics, Don't know of stock or replacement valve covers having bolts on the top.
Yeah, our engine swap was for a mid 90's vortec that was rebuilt stock.
It just has an aluminum dual plane intake, the stock Quad and 2.5" headers.
It's not "camming" or anything but it runs great. 8)
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I installed a wooden after market steering wheel for a custom but classic look.
Purists don't hate me. ;D
Plus I got my horn working after a couple of years of it not working. 8)
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I thought about that same wheel...if it weren't for the heat of AZ, I'd have gone that way. 8)
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I thought about that same wheel...if it weren't for the heat of AZ, I'd have gone that way. 8)
Yeah, I like it better that some of the other options out there.
It looks like an old Corvette or classic muscle car wheel. 8)
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Did you get the Dash and the seatcover from the same vendor?
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Did you get the Dash and the seatcover from the same vendor?
I did actually.
I don't think any of them have uniform colors.
The colors didn't match very well from the factory either. ;D
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Well guys, It's been a while since I updated this thread.
I recently logged back in so I thought I would add to it.
Let's see....
I installed a new bedside from NPD. It fit pretty good. It took a little tweaking.
Cleaned and prepped the bed and put new seam sealer all around.
Then, I sprayed a raptor bedliner.
I got new bed mounting hardware.
I got new latches and a pull for the tailgate.
Cleaned up and repainted the rest of the tailgate hardware.
With the bed all done I got really crazy and started installing a holley sniper setup.
New tank with internal fuel pump.
New nylon braided an6 fuel lines from front to back. send, return and vent.
New cap, rotor, plugs, wires and wire looms. I cracked one of my valve cover and had to buy new ones.
I cleaned up a bunch of wiring and added split looms everywhere.
New yellow top Optima dual post battery.
New ground straps
Sniper 510
Fast EFI throttle bracket.
I had the exhaust system redone. Added an x pipe. I had some issues getting wb02 sensor to be happy but eventually I got it.
What else?.....
There were so many little things I can't remember them all.
I got it all installed and after messing around with it for a while I got it running
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Looks great Mac! 8)
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More Pics. 8)
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More Pics. 8)
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Looks like Santa was good to you...
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Looks like Santa was good to you...
Just digging a hole, you know. ;D
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More Pics.
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More pics. 8)
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End Result. 8)
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There's a million other little jobs that went into this.
In addition to this I also installed new trim around the grill, Painted the center trim on my grill and installed new headlight aiming hardware.
;D
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And then to top off all that work, on my first real drive my 700r4 burned up.
I am assuming that my tv cable was not adjusted properly, even though I spent a lot of time setting it up.
I studied the fsm, I watched youtube videos. I asked questions on forums. I did everything right.
It still burned up.
When I got it home and pulled the pan there didn't appear to be any slack in the cable. The actuator and the piston looked good.
It still is burned up.
After all that time and money spent my truck is back parked in the driveway.
I'm out of money for a while. :P
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Wow man! Awesome progress!
Q: what is the gauge on the carb?
Transmissions burn up for a number of reasons: What are your symptoms?
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(https://i.imgur.com/Ex9Tw45.gif)
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I like your fuel tank setup for the Holley sniper. Neat idea to mount the fuel regulator right on tank. Is that additional item on top the fuel pump installation?
You can double check your TV cable adjustment by putting a pressure gauge on the transmission. Years ago I had a long hydraulic hose made and put a gauge on the end. Would plug it into the transmission and drive with the gauge poking out under the hood so I could verify pressures. I dont remember what they were supposed to be anymore but DuckDuckGo has the answer.
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Diesel...the main item with the black and red electrical lead is the fuel pump. The extra item mounted is a float type of fuel level indicator. Then the black bolted on thing is just the fill neck.
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Wow man! Awesome progress!
Q: what is the gauge on the carb?
Transmissions burn up for a number of reasons: What are your symptoms?
It's a fuel pressure gauge.
I'm guessing my tv cable was not adjusted correctly but when I pulled the pan there doesn't appear to be any slack in the actuator.
Lot's of clutch debris in the pan along with some metal flakes.
The symptoms were slipping bad in all gears and the smell of burning fluid.
I barely made it home.
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Diesel...the main item with the black and red electrical lead is the fuel pump. The extra item mounted is a float type of fuel level indicator. Then the black bolted on thing is just the fill neck.
This is correct.
The regulator is on the output side of the throttle body. The pressure gauge is on the input side.
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I still need a passenger front fender and a new bumper.
Maybe one day I'll get my transmission fixed. :-\
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Fender looks fine to me, but I'm probably biased...
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Can't speak to the TV cable being maladjusted.
How long since the trans was serviced?
Sounds like your filter is plugged and the oil overheated, losing pressure to shift all gears.
I would change the filter and oil a couple of times to see if it comes back to life.
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Can't speak to the TV cable being maladjusted.
How long since the trans was serviced?
Sounds like your filter is plugged and the oil overheated, losing pressure to shift all gears.
I would change the filter and oil a couple of times to see if it comes back to life.
It got a new filter and gasket 4-5 years ago.
I'm thinking about swapping it out for a 4l60e with a stand alone controller like the US Shift Quick 4.
It's just money, right? ;D
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That sounds like fun ;)
In the meantime, servicing might get you back on the road for very little money
4-5 years- daily? That would be like 50 to 60K miles since then. If that is true she needs a bath in that area.
Meant to ask: have you driven her at all since the 'burning'? If it is a clogged/heat issue, when she is cold she should shift through the gears till she heats up again. Is the pump whining?
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Nice to see your son helping with Grandpas truck. Don't suppose you still have the fill tube for the valve cover? I'm interested in one
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Nice to see your son helping with Grandpas truck. Don't suppose you still have the fill tube for the valve cover? I'm interested in one
I do not. :P
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Hey guys, A little update on my latest project.
I got the 4l60e and I got it installed. I added a trans fluid cooler and one of those double hump crossmembers from ebay.
I also decided to replace my trans fluid cooler lines with braided an-6 lines and fittings. I already replaced the fuel lines with the same so, why not?
My US Shift Quick4 controller is on it's way as we speak.
I got a new speedo wire for my Dakota Digital Dash.
I still have some things to do to get her back on the road but I'm getting there inch by inch.
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Looks like you should have some decent clearance with that crossmember!
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Curious about the xmember- is it cutaway to make room for exhaust?
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Yeah Johnny,
My stock crossmember was made for a Y-Pipe and a single pipe out the back.
With dual exhaust you have to do one under and one over pretty much.
My truck is not low or anything but this thing certainly does give you more clearance.
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I also got a couple of other things done this weekend.
I got the Quick4 Controller in place and mostly wired up, transmission fluid cooler in place, I also replaced my fluid lines with an6 braided hose and fittings.
Hopefully I can wrap it up this week. 8)
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Super sweet! 8)
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Very nice! Inspiring!
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I made more progress and bought more stuff.
I'm doing my part to keep the economy moving. ;D
The 4l60e and controller project seems to be finished and working well so far.
On to more stuff.
I got a used front bumper from a local guy recently. it needs a little tlc but it looks pretty good from the front. My truck is no show piece.
I've been cleaning it up. I'm going to por15 the back side of it.
Yesterday I bought new hardware for the bumper, a new air dam for under it, a new passenger side front fender and some door panels.
I almost forgot! I bought a Belltech 2"/4" suspension lowering kit with shocks.
Let's see how this goes. 8)
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8)
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I got my door panels installed and I put a couple of coats of por15 on the back side of my bumper and got it installed. 8)
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Nice!
Love the tire planted in the garden! Looks like it's ready to flower!!
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Nice!
Love the tire planted in the garden! Looks like it's ready to flower!!
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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This week I'm supposed to be taking my truck in to have the rear diff rebuilt with a 3.73 posi unit installed.
I bought this fancy diff cover for it. 8)
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Nice, even has a drain plug!
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That's the cover that pushes on the main cap bearing supports to keep them from distorting, right?
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Wow Shifty, never knew one existed!
Can we see the flip side pls?
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Sure thing.
This cover is the Summit brand. It looks good and comes complete with the plugs, gaskets and ARP hardware.
The inside still retains the basic stock shape. Which is what I wanted.
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I also finished up some new sheet metal with new marker lights. 8)
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It looks good and with that heavy casting, it won't leak! I used that cover along with a Hughes Performance deep sand cast pan on my 4L60 transmission and both are as leak-free as the day I installed them. I had the trans pan hard black anodized to augment heat dissipation.
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Wow Shifty, never knew one existed!
Can we see the flip side pls?
I only know from my F-body Z-28 and autocrossing on the weak factory third member. :o
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Came home from work and found these waiting for me.
A bench top console and some ball joints. 8)
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I'm reppin' my local c10 gang with my local Charlotte truck. 8)
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Way to represent macrOw! 8) I love cool stickers like that!
I have the same"console", even the same color, and I like it very much....the "chrome" on the cupholders doesn't last long, and they won't hold the bigger soda cups (my wife is an addict to Diet Dr. Pepper), but they are well made, and sure offer a good place to rest my right arm while driving.
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That's cool about the console.
It seems like it's put together pretty well.
We shall see. 8)
I also go some new rear leaf spring bushings the other day.
Ole Blue is in the shop getting the rear diff done right now.
When I get it back I'm going to begin the suspension stuff. ;D
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Be sure to lube the heck out of the urethane with a good synthetic grease meant for urethane....they'll squeak!
Superlube p/n# 41150 is what I use...
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Be sure to lube the heck out of the urethane with a good synthetic grease meant for urethane....they'll squeak!
Superlube p/n# 41150 is what I use...
Yeah man, I just did urethane on my Jeep.
They are good to go. 8)
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Right on! 8)
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I got a Yukon posi unit with a 3.73 ring and pinion set installed and topped it off with my fancy diff cover.
It made a pretty significant difference from the stock 2.73 open diff. 8)
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Woo! Two-tire fire!
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Woo! Two-tire fire!
lol ;D ;D ;D
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I'm going to start on my Belltech 2/4 kit and shocks today.
I have new leaf spring bushings and ball joints so, it have some work to do. ;D
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Now the heavy lifting begins... ;)
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The rivets in those hangers are trying to fight about it.
I didn't as far as I would have liked yesterday.
I'm getting there though.
Currently from the street to the center of the wheel well is 31" on all 4 corners.
Let's see where we end up. ;D
Here's some before pictures.
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It is coming together nicely!
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Nice nice nice!
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Good Lord!!! :o
The factory outer leaf spring bushing sleeves and the upper ball joints ain't no joke.
These things have really wanted to fight.
I got them apart but jeez! :P
Pics to follow shortly.
I hope.
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I blew my elbow taking mine loose...I feel ya.... >:(
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8)
I went to the Piedmont Traction show this past Saturday.
It was great.
C10's and other Chevy trucks as far as the eye could see.
8)
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My truck randomly and suddenly shut off this past Saturday after running great. After some quick trouble shooting I figured out that the fuel pump was not running. I have pulled the fuel tank in and out of this truck more times than I care to count. This time I opted to pull the bed off. After some further testing I found a broken ground wire. I fixed it and she fired right up. Since the bed was off I took the time to do some cleanup. Straightened out some wiring and re-routed my fuel lines. Then I pressure washed everything real good. Then I ended up replacing some tail light bulbs and fixed my right front turn signal.
She's ready to roll. 😎
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When I get ready to really do the paint I will do the frame and everything underneath.
For now I just want to drive it. 8)
My pics won't load. I'll get them posted tomorrow.
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Nice job man, we feel the energy!
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Alright, let's see if I can post some pics. 8)
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I should have taken a picture of it after pressure washing the frame and everything. :P
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As she currently sits.
After doing the Belltech 2"/4" drop kit, the front end didn't go down a whole lot.
The rear went down significantly. I actually had to raise it up a notch.
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Love it! 8)
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Nice work!
If she were my gal I would lay down a flat/matte clear coat to preserve the patina.
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Nice work!
If she were my gal I would lay down a flat/matte clear coat to preserve the patina.
You know....
That is definitely the style these days.
I understand it but, I'm not into it really. It's just not me.
Maybe if this truck had a more eve and natural patina it would be different.
I am actually looking forward to getting it painted back the "light blue metallic" it rolled out of the factory with. 8)
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Nice work!
If she were my gal I would lay down a flat/matte clear coat to preserve the patina.
You know....
That is definitely the style these days.
I understand it but, I'm not into it really. It's just not me.
Maybe if this truck had a more eve and natural patina it would be different.
I am actually looking forward to getting it painted back the "light blue metallic" it rolled out of the factory with. 8)
I'm with you on the clear-coat thing...just doesn't look right.
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He guys, I added some of these speaker brackets for my 6"x9"s. I marked and drilled the necessary holes in them and then scuff sanded them. Then, I sprayed them with rubberized bedliner stuff to kind of deaden them so they don't resonate. I stuffed the holes behind them with a moving blanket. Rocking some tunes in the Blue Beast.
I also ordered a Belltech swaybar kit to go with the shocks and everything else I did last month.
I try to keep a steady flow of cash aimed at my truck. ;D
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Looks good and rock on!
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8)
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Front and rear anti-sway bar installation is complete.
She's rolling flat.
It feels good. 8)
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The front bar is much bigger than the factory bar. 8)
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Chubby! ;)
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Wow what a difference!
I got a 3/4 ton sway bar for my '80 C10, should stay flat with that stout of a bar.
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I feel like all the thousands of little things I have done to this truck finally starting to ad up. 8)
Now that it's running good and everything seems cool, I'm getting ready to pull the top end apart and install a bigger cam and do some head work. ;D
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Man, my son and I went out to the Auto Fair weekend before last just to look at hot rods and stuff.
Little did I know that the Coker Tire guy would be out there.
I normally don't pay attention to the big vendors but, I happen to know that Coker Tire and WheelVintques are owned by the same company.
I've been looking for a pair of 15"x10" truck rally wheels for a long time. So, I go up and ask the guy if he can get some.
He starts out by saying "Oh yeah, we haven't been able to get those for a while". Then he says "well, I'm showing a few in stock."
So, like a true sucker I had to buy two 15"x10" rallys and two 295/50/r15's. They showed up yesterday.
And like a true idiot I also bought two 245/60/r15's for the front.
So that means I have new tires all around and new rims in the back.
It was a lot of money but I'm happy. ;D
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Chubby! I love it! 8)
Oh, and buy once, cry once. ;)
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Major score! Nice... 8)
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Congrats, looks good!
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Thanks guys!
Now I'm thinking about getting some spinner caps. ;D
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Before long, you'll have a completely new truck bolted to the horn!! 8) ;) ;D
It's great fun to follow your progress!
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Before long, you'll have a completely new truck bolted to the horn!! 8) ;) ;D
It's great fun to follow your progress!
One thing at a time. 8)
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Did anyone on here go to the C10 Revival this past weekend?
Some people are saying there were upwards of 2000 chevy trucks there.
I was #1100 coming through the gate.
There were a lot of killer trucks out there. 8)
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Sure would be nice if they had something out here (AZ)
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I bought my truck some spinners for Christmas this year.
I like it. 8)
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I've been told a million times that "it would look killer with some rims on it".
Nah, I like the old Rally's. 8)
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Those are perfect! 8)
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They look great to me....
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I really can't believe that it took me so long to do this.
I also can't believe the difference it has made.
Such a dummy sometimes. ;D
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I've been told a million times that "it would look killer with some rims on it".
Nah, I like the old Rally's. 8)
nothing like the stock look. Here was my 84 a few years ago.
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I've been told a million times that "it would look killer with some rims on it".
Nah, I like the old Rally's. 8)
nothing like the stock look. Here was my 84 a few years ago.
Wow!!! That thing looks so good.
I wish mine looked that good. 8)
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I've been told a million times that "it would look killer with some rims on it".
Nah, I like the old Rally's. 8)
nothing like the stock look. Here was my 84 a few years ago.
Wow!!! That thing looks so good.
I wish mine looked that good. 8)
That is one I wish I hadn't got rid of! This was after I did some sprucing up on it. I couldn't sell it with the rally's
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Hey guys, it's been a while since I updated this thread.
I really haven't done much to my truck until recently. I've just been driving it and enjoying it.
Recently I went through and replaced a bunch of hardware in my grill, repainted my headlight bezels and stuff.
Then I repaired a leaky input shaft on my steering box by replacing it with a quick ratio Borgeson and a u-joint shaft.
It's definitely quicker and more responsive. I like it. 8)
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My truck's OEM color was the same baby blue as your truck when I bought it in Colorado. It was quite a while back when I did a color change.
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Good to "see" you back! What steering shaft is that?
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Good to "see" you back! What steering shaft is that?
It's a Borgeson. 8)
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Looks pretty stout! ;)
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Well, I got on a roll and couldn't stop myself today.
New billet aluminum alternator bracket mounts my alternator down much lower than the factory bracket.
I like it. 8)
Before & After
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Gives you a lot more clearance behind the alternator as well....looks good!
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Hey guys, My starter recently started acting up and I couldn't help but upgrade.
I replaced the stock starter with a mini high torque and I took the opportunity to replace the stock alternator with a 150 amp one wire.
I got to pull some more wires out of the engine bay and re-do a few things in the process. 8)
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make sure the bolts that came with your started are correct thread pitch for your engine...
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make sure the bolts that came with your started are correct thread pitch for your engine...
Yeah, they fit right in. 8)