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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: 78 BIG TEN on March 08, 2008, 02:01:46 pm

Title: 78 Big Ten (Floor pan redone!!)
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 08, 2008, 02:01:46 pm: Paid $500, this thing is running really good. Let me know your opinions.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/100_0348.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/100_0349.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/100_0350.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/100_0351.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/100_0352.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/100_0353.jpg)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: hotrod24 on March 08, 2008, 02:05:02 pm: good looking truck post some pics when you start working on it
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Bowtie Bomber on March 08, 2008, 03:42:22 pm: Looks just like mine when I started (Mine was a little more rustier) that baby has some potential though! Just some sprucing up in the engine bay and some lower rear bed panels and fenders and you'll be set.

Good lookin' truck.

P.S.
Is that a new master cylinder/brake booster?
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 08, 2008, 05:04:41 pm: Yes the brake booster and master cylinder had to be replaced when I bought the truck. The brake pedal was hard as heck to operate. Bought a new one and feels like it should.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: dunedigger on March 08, 2008, 06:18:42 pm: Looks like a lot of truck for 500, nice.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Captkaos on March 08, 2008, 08:25:07 pm: That ain't bad for $500. A buddy of mine just sold one with no motor/trans for $450....
Title: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 11, 2008, 06:17:06 pm: Started priming today. (The panels that are good.) So I can have a picture of what needs to be replaced...
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer001.jpg)
This door needs to be bondoed in the corner...
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer002.jpg)
Some of the bed, I am getting the replacement arches...
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer003.jpg)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Bitzer! on March 11, 2008, 06:23:41 pm: Good luck with it bud, sure looks like theres some rot to sort out!
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: team39763 on March 11, 2008, 08:22:10 pm: Oh yeah, you got some work to do on there. But it'll make for some cool before and after pics when you get done. Good luck man.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Bowtie Bomber on March 11, 2008, 08:31:12 pm: Man I love projects. Looking good, all in good time my friend.

Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 11, 2008, 08:37:00 pm: Thanks guys and I will keep you all updated.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: bowtieguy on March 11, 2008, 08:45:11 pm: HOLY SWISS CHEESE BATTMAN.

No seriously, I am impressed with the door gaps! You can tell it hasn't been messed with. What does the rest of the truck look like??
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 11, 2008, 08:50:16 pm: About the same all the way around, I posted the old pictures (week old, lol) on another post.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 12, 2008, 11:17:47 am: OK I am asking you guys for your honest opinions. Should I primer everything now (over the rust) and then repair the rust or just wait?
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: bowtieguy on March 12, 2008, 12:33:06 pm: Don't waste your money on the primer. I like seeing multi colored riggs. They do get more credit in my book.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Bubba13 on March 15, 2008, 07:53:47 pm: My tach is in the same spot, and I like the gages, they look better than the originals
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 1978Bonanza on March 16, 2008, 08:10:41 pm: Nice, I have a 78 bonanza I bought for $500. In better shape but not a better runner. What kind and model are those guages?
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 76 k10 on March 16, 2008, 09:29:23 pm: good deal but that are you going to do about the rust
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 17, 2008, 01:30:28 pm: Quote from: 1978Bonanza on March 16, 2008, 08:10:41 pm
Nice, I have a 78 bonanza I bought for $500. In better shape but not a better runner. What kind and model are those guages?
It was just a 3 pack from Oreilly's.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 19, 2008, 06:50:07 pm: Got a good looking door...And sanded and primed it...
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer004.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer005.jpg)
Then got a whole front clip, got the passenger fender on today...
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer006.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer007.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer008.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer009.jpg)
It's coming along...Need to put the other fender on and the grill.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: hotrod24 on March 19, 2008, 06:53:22 pm: looks good i am doing about the same thing with the fenders
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: Bowtie Bomber on March 19, 2008, 06:55:32 pm: Hey, it's coming together pretty good!

Keep up the good work!
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: 79diesel on March 19, 2008, 07:09:35 pm: wow big difference already...are you going to paint it the same colour?
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on March 19, 2008, 08:00:05 pm: You mean the whole truck (the brown color) no. Just primer for now, then a co-worker is going to paint it for me later on.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: lowbucktruck on March 20, 2008, 08:32:24 am: That's a whole lotta bang for 500 bucks. ;D
I had same problem with the brakes on my ole '73 C10, had to replace the master cylinder/booster.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on March 20, 2008, 10:32:02 am: nice truck! you should name 'er "Rusty"...hey, i tried...:D
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten UPDATE
Post by: JJSZABO on March 20, 2008, 02:09:26 pm: Nice find - keep up the nice work.
Title: Update on the 78...
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 05, 2008, 06:37:04 pm: Took the bed off, looking for the 89 and up style, and did some more painting...
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer3001.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer3002.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer3003.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer3004.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/primer3005.jpg)
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: dumbucket1 on April 05, 2008, 08:07:43 pm: looks like your tear down is coming along nicely. how did you get your bed off? I just grinded the heads off the bolts on mine and me and my wife just rolled it off my truck cause my bed wasnt any good anyway. Jeremy
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: hotrod24 on April 05, 2008, 08:22:34 pm: looks good i am going to do the same thaing about my bed i am going for a 79-87 bed i like the gas filler door better then the 73-78 one
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 05, 2008, 08:31:27 pm: Quote from: dumbucket1 on April 05, 2008, 08:07:43 pm
looks like your tear down is coming along nicely. how did you get your bed off? I just grinded the heads off the bolts on mine and me and my wife just rolled it off my truck cause my bed wasnt any good anyway. Jeremy
I was able to get all the nuts off the bolts except one. The one I couldn't I just made the hole bigger on the bed and used a hammer and pounded it out of there. Then to get the bed off me and my friend rolled it off the truck also.
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: VileZambonie on April 05, 2008, 09:34:33 pm: Why don't you want to keep the 73-87 style bed on your truck?
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: hotrod24 on April 05, 2008, 09:41:42 pm: what are you going to do about your rocker panels and cab corners
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 05, 2008, 09:46:37 pm: Quote from: VileZambonie on April 05, 2008, 09:34:33 pm
Why don't you want to keep the 73-87 style bed on your truck?

Something different. It really just depends on what comes up and is cheaper.

Quote from: hotrod24 on April 05, 2008, 09:41:42 pm
what are you going to do about your rocker panels and cab corners

I am going to buy the replacement parts and have my buddy weld them up.

Also, does anyone know how that back trim piece under the rear window comes off without tearing it up?
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: hotrod24 on April 05, 2008, 10:01:56 pm: yea the corner moldings have speed nuts just reach up inside the corner of the cab and spine them nuts off and the middle slides out
Title: Re: Update on the 78...
Post by: autorepr on April 06, 2008, 10:36:56 am: Keep On Truckin good buddy! Long live the "78"s!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: NevadaNeal on April 07, 2008, 02:55:04 pm: Not to hijack the thread,but what makes it a Big Ten? ive seen them around i was just wandering.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: bowtieguy on April 07, 2008, 03:19:22 pm: Big 10 and Heavy Half trucks are just that, Heavy Duty. They should have the Z85 suspension package as well. If no stickers on the bed, you can count the leafs. My big 10 has 8 on each side. Regular half ton's have 4 I believe.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 22, 2008, 10:42:02 am: Well started tear down on the interior. Had to to get to the rusted up floor pans. Here are some pictures.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/truck001.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/truck002.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/truck003.jpg)
Here are the pieces waiting to be dyed..
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/truck004.jpg)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: hotrod24 on April 22, 2008, 01:42:58 pm: your floor is not that bad mine i have to replace both sides of the floor and both kink panels just take a grinder and a sanding wheel and sand the rust around the holes and make sure if you do use a grinder take your insulation out under your dash
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Bowtie Bomber on April 22, 2008, 09:06:42 pm: My old cab had a hole in the floor where my uncles shotgun went off (it was his hunting truck)..

It was a pretty impressive hole.

And heyyyy, doing great on the tear down! Your moving pretty quick!
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: SUX2BU99 on April 23, 2008, 01:20:03 pm: ^ Related to that, when I was in high school, a guy in my grade had an F250 of which he and a buddy were in the bush hunting for something. His rifle went off in the truck and shot thru into the transfer case. Came to auto shop on Monday and there he was taking the t-case out :o
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: ccz145a on April 23, 2008, 02:11:02 pm: ^ Related to that, a buddy of mine had his carburator shot with a 30/30 by a hunting buddy riding in the bed who saw and lined up on a buck. He fired just as the driver saw the buck and slamed the brakes. :o
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten
Post by: Bowtie Bomber on April 23, 2008, 09:41:53 pm: ^

Talk about itchy trigger fingers. ::)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Maybe New Seat??)
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 26, 2008, 01:53:54 pm: Guess where I took it from... Let me know what you all think about this idea. It could work.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat001.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat002.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat003.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat004.jpg)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Maybe New Seat??)
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on April 26, 2008, 06:47:56 pm: looks to me like they came out of a Cadillac...possibly a Deville?
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Maybe New Seat??)
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 26, 2008, 08:06:14 pm: Yep, what do you guys think?
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Maybe New Seat??)
Post by: gezn2 on April 26, 2008, 09:08:04 pm: Quote from: 78 BIG TEN on April 26, 2008, 08:06:14 pm
Yep, what do you guys think?

They look good, but how do you fit?
Ergonomics matter, you're going to spend some time in that seat. if your legs are cranked into a bad position and the wheel is right in your chest it's not going to be any fun to drive the truck :(
I'm a 'burly' 6-footer and the *stock* seating and controls position is a tiny bit cramped IMO :)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Maybe New Seat??)
Post by: Fordeatinz71 on April 26, 2008, 09:38:35 pm: those look pretty comfy. i plan on running something like the 99-07 Silverado/Sierra seats in mine...
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Maybe New Seat??)
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on April 26, 2008, 10:24:55 pm: Yeah they are very comfortable. The steering wheel sits perfect to where I can rest my wrist on the top of the wheel comfortably.
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Floor pan redone!!)
Post by: 78 BIG TEN on May 10, 2008, 12:40:26 pm: I used the old door that I had laying around and cut it up for my replacement metal. Drilled some holes and riveted them in. Then painted the whole floor gloss black. And I also decided to stay with the bench seat.
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat005.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat006.jpg)
(http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii169/afmerrill/seat007.jpg)
Title: Re: 78 Big Ten (Floor pan redone!!)
Post by: hotrod24 on May 10, 2008, 02:42:02 pm: looks good big ten and good work