73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: 78BBSTEPSIDE on March 23, 2008, 06:22:29 pm
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Been here a while so I figure I better post a picture of the project. Doing a ground up build, every nut & bolt. The frame has been sand blasted, epoxy primered and is ready for paint and assembly with all new components. The cab and bed are rust free and will be running the 89-91 front sheet metal, I was fortunate to run across a set of NOS doors. For power it will be running a 454 and Turbo 400. Thanks.
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Looks good. These trucks look good with the stepside bed on them. ;D Looking forward to seeing more pics as you go.
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Me too. I love stepsides
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sounds/looks like the makings of a bad, baaaaad street rod!
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The truck has a long way too go, at least I finally have the foundation for the build, its been 3 years chasing the right parts. The chassis is pretty much ready for paint and assembly and now with it starting to warm up I can get back on it and start doing some body work. Should hopefully have it rolling and jammed out this summer. Thanks
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Something about a step side that just says "MEAN" I love seeing lifted step sides
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Looks like your off to a great start! Keep us informed on how it's coming along. Lorne
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Looking good.... How long do you plan on taking with the build?
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Stepsides are always cool. Harder to come by in nice shape though. Should be really slick when it's done. I missed out on buying what would have been my ideal truck a few years ago before I bought my current 85 short-wide. It was a short-step 2wd, lowered, 90 GMC front end, 350 w/ 700R4. All the main things I wanted my truck to be. It needed paint but it was rust-free. My father in law had bought it and had it at the paint shop, where it was stolen and never recovered >:( The thieves had actualy moved other cars out of the way to get at this one. Totally sucked. He then bought another one, an 81 which was stock and in fair-rough condition. Put $4k in it at the same body shop and it looked great, but needed an entire interior, bed wood, conversion of the 350 from propane back to gas, get lowered, etc. The pricey stuff was done, but that would have pushed it beyond what I wanted to pay vs. what I paid for my current truck. Oh well, I really like my fleetside but steps will always have a soft spot with me.
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It is a fun project, I would suspect it will take a couple of years to finish, just takes time and money do do one right and with a son headed to college????? If I can get it rolling and jammed out this summer I will be happy. I will keep updating as progress is made.
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Yep! Sweet project! My K-10s getting a stepside soon. ( If I find a bed in good shape)
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Looks good. I have been tinkering with mine for a long time - a little at a time (maybe too little at a time). I too love the look of a stepside versus the fleetside.
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Finally had the opportunity to work on the truck a bit. Hung the new GM doors, seem to fit quite well for just a trial fit. Modified the front frame horns to accommodate the newer style bumper brackets. Just about to the point of tearing it all apart and starting on the body work.
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looking good
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Yes, that is looking really good.
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Has a long way to go, but at least I finally have the foundation for the build. Hung the front and rear bumpers over the weekend in addition to the doors. It is just about time to tear it apart and start bringing it up. Thanks
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It's looking great ;D That body work is a real drag. Did you have alot of rust to repair? what engine are you going to be installing? My 77 stepside has a big block too
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I'm was real fortunate to have located rust free parts to work with, virtually no rust anywhere with the exception of a little surface rust on the floorboards near the kick panels, nothing that won't clean up with little effort. The floors had what appeared to be a factory black plastic coating and when I removed it the floors were like brand new except on the edges by the kick panels. I ran across a set of NOS doors in the box, luck strikes again. I currently have a mild 454 to run with a Turbo 400 that has been a strong and reliable engine, I'm not sure at this point if that is what I'll be running as I have the itch for something a little healthier. Thanks.
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You're sure it's a 78? Then I assume you must have swapped out for an 81-87 front clip....
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Did you read the 1st post?
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Did you read the 1st post?
D'oh, I retarded.... :-[
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I finally got the engine back together and painted, used all ARP Fasteners (polished stainless steel when possible) and a couple of dress up items such as GM Performance Valve Covers, Milodon Chrome Timing Cover and Timing Tab, topped off with an Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock Q-Jet and GM Open Element Air Cleaner. Not the progess I was looking for over the summer but a good start in the right direction.
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Looking good ;D,, BBC and stepside what more could a man ask for :D
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nice, good project.
that body mount use? 73-80??, having to move the supports of the radiator?
more pics----
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I have not reached the point of sheet metal alignment, but as far as I know it is not necessary to move the radiator support mounts just use the body mount cushions that are appropriate to the year of the frame. Did you move your mounts? Thanks.
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Just an update on the project; been collecting some odds and ends, cleaning up some of the misc. parts etc. Ran across a set of NOS hood hinge springs a couple of weeks ago and today scored big, picked up a factory bucket seat 76 K10 with decent seats and a real nice console. Originally I was planning on running buckets as I had a set of the factory highbacks, however did not like the look of the back of the seats in the rear window. The plan is to remove all related seat-console hardware this weekend from the 76 and replace with the bench seat I already have and send the 76 on down the road. So far the year is starting off right!
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Can't wait to see some more picts :)
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Here's a couple of photos of the seats, console and the donor truck. Pulled the seats, console, all brackets and rear cab carpet and replaced with a bench seat. The bench seat looks at home in the donor truck as it is blue as well.
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Nice find. Those are gonna look good in your truck.
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thanks, it should set it apart from most and are actually quite comfortable, just need to figure out what to do for upholstery now.
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Unfortunately have not made a whole lot of progress as of late, just the cleaning and media blasting of odds-n-ends. I did manage to find the donor truck a new home over the weekend and also picked up a pair of NOS front fenders :)