Twins!

[got2haul]

Picked up yet another 1980 SWB this weekend.  This one is a Silverado fleetside.  It has the Silverado rectangular headlamp setup that was a one-year only option in the 73-80 models.  Although nothing is concrete yet since I expect this will be a long-term project. I’m thinking I’ll probably scrap the idea of rebuilding the 1976 GMC I recently acquired and use it as a parts truck (motor/trans, suspension, seat, some parts of the body that are still solid, like the bed bulkhead) to rebuild this short-wide as a twin to my ’80 stepside.

During the long trip to go get it Saturday, I drove through CaptKaos’ home town.  My route took me through Birmingham so I had asked Chris in advance if he had time Saturday afternoon to meet while I was on my way back home.  Chris graciously accepted and he and I met for a short period at a local restaurant.  It was a real pleasure to meet Chris and we had a very nice chat.  I regret that I had to keep it short since I had already been on the road most of the day and still had a long way to go, now pulling a truck behind me.  I feel we could have talked shop for hours! Thanks again, Chris for taking the time out of your very busy schedule to meet with me!

The short wide has some issues that I‘ll address very soon, like some rusted through areas (mostly typical, like cab corners, and above one of the wheel openings on the bed).  The floor pans look good from the underneath, and the rockers appear to be ok as well.  The truck runs, and although it smokes a lot it’s driveable.   The interior is worn out.  The body side molding looks restorable.  I plan to use only the upper body side molding on this truck to replicate the second 73-87 I owned, a 1977 Scottsdale with Cheyenne body trim.  I’ll scan a photo I have of that one and post it later so it’ll be easier to see what I’m trying to describe.  I’m undecided on the front end, though – whether to keep the rectangular headlamps or convert to round ones, which I’ve always really liked.  This truck has a chromed grille which is unbroken anywhere that I can tell, and in very good condition.  Using this grille will allow it to match my stepside and be a true twin.

Decisions that will be made in due time.  I still need to wrap up the stereo install on the stepside so I can begin driving it regularly before I begin having fun with this one.

[got2haul]

More pics...

[got2haul]

(apparently I deleted the pics in the first post by mistake.  Here they are again...)

In this post,

The first pic is in Birmingham at the gas station where I met Chris.
The second is one of the 73-87 "collection".
The third is Sunday morning, the '80 short-wide is still on the trailer.
The fourth is the twins' rears!

In the second set of pictures, the first is the twins' smiles!  (Ain't they cute?)
The second is showing some of the rust.
The third is the Silverado chromed grille with the rectangular headlamps.

[JRConnieK10]

Nice looking truck. Good find. I got my new calender and get to look at your red truck all month. So are ya gnna get this one done for next years?

[got2haul]

Thanks for the compliments!  In time for next years calendar?  I'd love it, but unfortunately, it won't likely be that quick a build.

[Captkaos]

I was good to meet you Got2haul.  I could have talked your ears off if you let me.  BTW, the rectangle headlights started in 1979 on the Silverado's at the end of the run so you could have a 1979 with it also.  All the 1980 trucks had them though.  Can't wait to see some progress!

[got2haul]

... BTW, the rectangle headlights started in 1979 on the Silverado's at the end of the run so you could have a 1979 with it also.  All the 1980 trucks had them though.  Can't wait to see some progress!

I seem to recall you mentioning that in another thread some time back but I had forgotten it.  To be honest, this is something of which I was completely unaware.  I don't know that I've ever seen a '79 with this headlamp treatment, (that actually came that way from the factory, anyway).  Cool fact.

[got2haul]

Something I just thought of... do you know if they used the 1979 grille with those 1979 models that were built with the rectangular headlamp treatment at the end of that run, or did they use the '80 grille?

[Captkaos]

You know, I don't remember.  I think it was a 1979 grille.

[DnStClr]

What are you going to do, put a stepper bed on the blue one? It looks like it's in great shape..

[oldwhity]

That's awesome. Now you'll need to extend the carport!

[78 Chevyrado]

So how do you feel about chevy trucks, do you like em?     looks like a cool truck.