73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: nova801428 on November 13, 2007, 12:20:30 am
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Well, here I am. I have a 75 Chevy k20. It has been wrecked in the front end (the clip needs to be replaced) and the floor pan has lots of rust (barely holds up). Anyway. What should I do? Is it easily fixable? Should I go another route and buy another truck, and get that body and put it on my frame? Any suggestions? Thanks
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1755.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1753.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/CIMG1307.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1728.jpg)
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Its always rewarding to bring the dead back to life, but I'd be afraid of not finishing with the amount of work that needs...I'd find a better body and go for a body swap..
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Is a body swap fairly easy? I am assuming it is.
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Is a body swap fairly easy? I am assuming it is.
Everything stripped from it, ie doors/interior/front clip,all mounting bolts removed, it is fairly easy with atleast 3-4 decent sized buddies, and a few beers(Asuming all are 21+) as incentive ;D
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I'm only 17, so buying beer is pretty darn hard (never tried) I do have some friend that can help and I have 2 brothers. I did find a very nice long bed, crew cab body sitting on the ground. But I know it would not fit. What could I do? I could shorten the bed....and have a unique truck!!!
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You could shorten the bed and mount the crew cab on there, but that would be more work than fixing what you have. What you have judgeing from the pictures is an easy fix. Why not price the parts and any labor you cant do your self. Price a 110 mig welder while your at it, then you could do more of the work your self.
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Here in the south east, Its pretty easy finding good truck bodies from the 80's models, cabs are about the same. I went 16+ years with my '75 in the same condition as yours (as far as the rust goes), thinking I'll never find what I need. But then I started looking, on the first trip to a salvage yard I ran into a guy that had a rust free shell and frame -- no engine -- perfect. $300 and I had a project. I am over halfway through the body swap now.
Just start looking.
Chip
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I already have a tig welder at my house, but I am not allowed to use it though. What welder would you suggest? I am thinking about a Lincoln Electric mig welder...what do you think?
Yes, it would be probably more work than just repairing what I have. I obviously have to take the cab off, so I might as well take everything else off a do a complete resto.
I haven't quite seen the frame, but when I was underneath it doing my 6" lift, it looks sound. I heard of people boxing the frame. Why would they do that? Is there any point of doing that? Thanks
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Extra strength. If you wheel it hard, its a really good idea to box the frame.
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I think I might just look for a donor truck....it would probably be way easier.
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Check out this thread: http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5661.0
This is the installation of one of our 5 piece repair kits done by a member here. It will give you an idea of what the floorboards will need to fix it.
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Thanks, I just don't know if I feel that confident in doing that. I don't know. I could get a pretty cheap truck, verses buying all the parts new and saving a couple hundred bucks.
I have also heard that bought parts don't fit as well as original parts, is this truck?
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Any part you purchase either it be aftermarket or original are not going to bolt onto a truck and look like 21st century body gaps. ALL of them will have to be aligned and adjusted to fit. The doors on my project truck are original, the don't fit worth a dime, they are going to have to be manipulated to fit.
As for patch panels, they would be cut to fix.
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A grinder with a bunch of cutoff wheels, or a torch, and a welder and some sheet metal. You can fix most of that yourself with some simple (but slightly expensive) tools.
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O.K, I priced out fenders, hood, core support, grille, molding, inner fenders, and cab repair kit, it was around $1k. Is that worth it? I probably could get a pretty nice looking truck for $500, and have some left over. What do you think? Sorry CaptKaos, I am not saying your parts are expensive, they are not really in my price range. But, it would be worth it since they are new. What do you think? Maybe I am just being a baby.
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$1K is pretty good, is that from this site? Make sure you check as well. I mean those parts will be all new for $1K, but if you find a decent truck for $500, but that $500 might not get you a rust free truck and you'll still have to do body work. I think if you have the $1K then you sould get those parts.
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It was from this site. It was actually $1,300 with a hood with a cowl...which I don't care if I have, but I think it might be worth it. Anyway, I still might have to do some body work on the new parts too. Oh, forgot, that is a whole front clip, with a tailgate (minus bumper) I think it is pretty good, I think I will just start saving for those.
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It is only worth it if you think it is. If all those parts are beyond repair and you can find a donor truck THAT is what I personally would do. If it was just the floorboard, I would replace them. If you aren't building a show truck that you would rather start with a clean slate on, I would go with good used parts if you can find them and new parts if they can't be found.
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BTW, What is wrong with the suspension on that truck?
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On which truck? My 75 Chevy k20? Or the one I am buying? Anyway, mine is lifted 6" and I just put money into that, and the other one (the GMC) is a 2wd, I want a 4x4. So, nothing is wrong.
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in the picture the truck is like sitting all c0ck-eyed and stuff...
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wait...I see it now the rear tire is up on a block, it looked weird to me sitting like that but now I see why it was sitting like that.
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It looked c0cked eyed to me also, until I noticed the block.
I suggest buying the patch panels from this site - GOOD quality parts, cheap and no shipping damage. You are NOT guarenteed that from . I bought plenty of panels from Chris (captKaos) and even a front bumper (heavy large part) and all arrived without any damage. I ordered a front grill filler piece from (long light piece) and arrived almost bent in half. I have to keep it because it would cost more to ship it back that what I bought it for.
I think the consensus here is that sells alot of junk parts. I know I received some.
Also, don't forget, buying from Chris helps pay for this site - where would we be if this site didn't exist. I migrated here from Fullsizechevytrucks.com because that site mainly delt with newer chevy trucks.
Please don't get me wrong, I am not bashing . They are a source of parts when you need that hard to find part and God knows, I spent a bunch of money there. But what I find is you order the part ahead of time to have it on hand and when you repair that part of your truck, only to find later on that the part doesn't fit or is of such inferior quality, that a junk yard part would have been better.
I will go to the junk yard now to find the part I need and restore that part before I buy from again.
Sorry if this seems like a lecture - it's not what I intended :) After spending alot (10,000 to 12,000) so far on my restoration, I am getting sensitive to junky parts that I receive.
Anyone else?
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Thanks. I also came from fullsizechevy, since there isn't much action taking place. I planned on buying from this site, although is only one state over. I would rather help this site. I just don't have a big budget right now and was looking for a good truck to do a cab/clip swap on. Yes, my truck is sitting on a big piece of concrete I found in my back yard and decided to do a pose
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well, i'm not saying anything bad about ya, because i think you're a good guy Nova...but how do you think you will ever "feel confident" about it if you never try it and learn? some of the best experience is actual, real-world experience...
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I'll put it this way...you have to REALLY love the truck and what you're about to tackle to complete that much work. It's ALWAYS more involved than you would think at first. Ask anyone on this site. The more you dig in, the more you find. Patience is everything.
Good luck with it.
I purchased my truck for $1200.00 with the INTENTION of fixing/modifying it little by little as I drove it. Well, as I started to fix this and that, I discovered more and more wrong. Needless to say, I stripped it to the frame and started to do a complete restoration/modification process-----3 years ago !!!!!!! (Look for my posts throughout the site).
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Thanks. I know your a great guy too. I don't have the skills nor tools to do any of this. My family is talking about building a shop in our back yard, and I volunteered to pay for a garage space attached to it. Then, I'll start working. I didn't want to get to involved into this until I get all the stuff I need. I don't feel like working on gravel. Also, I would like to learn on another truck....I like this truck too much to screw it up. It just looks really time consuming, and I know this is bad, but I wanted this done by the end of next year....but I am also buying my bro's motorcycle in the summer, so that takes a big chunk of change. Anyway, I would like to do it, but my cab isn't that great. It is thin on top and rusty on the bottom. I reason I am building this is to be my tow rig for my future 4x4 wheeling rig (probably a Ford Ranger)
Thanks for the help
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its deffinatly worth it. i agree what 79SHORTWIDE said. earlier this month i started fixing up my truck. i have new inner/outer fenders, doors, cab corners, rockers and both floors. this is my first time doing it and this site deffinatly helps alot. i was kind of on the fence like you are but then i saw the thread with JJSZABO redoing his truck and it got me inspired haha. my mom is pissed tho that im taking up her garage space haha but oh well because it will be worth it in the end
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Wow, sounds like my mom, except I don't have a garage to work in, only outside.
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well, look at it this way man...you can pretty much always un"screw" what you end up screwing up...
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Yes...but with me....screwing up = $$$
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O.K. It turns out I want to just replace the front clip and floor boards right now until I get enough money and time (also a garage) to completely restore it. So, what all will I need? I am not sure if I need the whole cab kit or not. I forgot, but do they cover both sides of the floor (ex. driver and pass. side)?
Thanks
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how do you figure that front end is wrecked?
and def just fix the rust dont swap cabs.
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Our pieces are per side. Left = Drivers, Right = passenger.
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Kind of confused as to what I need to get. I will take some pics and let you decide what I need.
Thanks
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No problem. It is going to be hit/miss over the Holiday weekend for visiting the site, but I will respond when I see it.
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Both driver and passenger side floor boards need to be replaced. But, the question is, do I need the whole cab kit? I don't think I need the cab corners but I will let you decide. Thanks
Driver side...not too bad.
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1805.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1806.jpg)
Passenger side....ewww
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1808.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1807.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1754-1.jpg)
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1753.jpg)
Passenger side fender
(http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x285/Trevor2500/IMG_1728.jpg)
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If I were to look at this as a job, I would tell the customer you need cab corners, rockers, inner rockers, floor pan, possibly inner cab corners, or some sort of patch & possibly floor support.
Once you cut into it I would bet $ it will need everything.
I think you will find that your cab corners have already been done once.
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yea those pinch welds look pretty messy to be factory, even for GM haha.
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So, you think I need rockers for both sides? The driver side looks fine to me, only looks like surface rust. Anyway. So, I pretty much need the cab kit (left and right) from this site? Thanks
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yea man, you need to get everything for both sides. that truck has been repaired before and it really doesn't look to have been done right...you need to find someone who is good at welding in new panels and have it done right...
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My step dad does excellent welds. So, this sounds like a project. I don't think I am going to restore the truck though. I am going to just fix whats wrong with it for now. I want to restore a shortbed 2wd truck rather than my lifted 4wd. Thanks for the help....I will probably doing this again in the future. This sounds like a Christmas Present to me!!! ;D ;D ;D
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keep in mind you dont have to weld the patches in. they have body glues out now that are literally stronger than welds. ive known people that installed rust patch panels with it, and theyre safe to use even on quarters and things like that, so for a cab corner, it should be fine. just something to consider.
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Really? Where do you find it and how much is it? Is it easy to use?
Thanks
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Fusor is the brand I use. You have to by a special calking type gun to use their two part tubes. The gun is around $80.00
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Is it pretty easy to use? Like easier than welding?
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When are you gonna start this repair? And are you gonna keep us posted with pics?
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It is fairly easy to use. You just have to prep the surfaces and you need the gun...
http://www.lord.com/Home/ProductsServices/Adhesives/FusorAutomotiveAftermarketProducts/RepairProcedures/tabid/3411/Default.aspx
Here is a video of a patch panel install...
http://www.lord.com/Portals/0/Fusor/PatchPanel.wmv
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When are you gonna start this repair? And are you gonna keep us posted with pics?
Not sure. I am thinking it is going to be too cold to do it any time soon. I am going to wait after Christmas sometime. Yes, I will get plenty of pics.
Thanks. It sounds pretty easy to use. I think I will use that instead of welding....but I still have to weld in the floors.
Thanks
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yes fusor is good, so is 3M. any autobody supply place should carry it.
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Can you use it in cold weather?
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just say new body is going to be alot easyer and mayb cheeper!