1986 Chevy K10 Custom Deluxe Restoration

[Chevy Truck Guy 86]

I haven't posted stuff on here in a while, thats just because I haven't made the time to post on here. I feel like I gotten alot more done on my truck. First I got the cab off of the frame which was welded to the frame by the previous owner. Then I was going to sandblast the frame but my air compressor and sandblaster setup just isn't working for me. So I just wire wheeled the whole thing. I didn't get the whole frame painted yet because It has been so humid and raining all this week but its getting there. I painted the frame with 2 coats of "1 Step" Rust Killer then put a layer of automotive paint. You guys think that'll be enough on the frame?



I also got a new cab for my truck. This isn't an '86 but it is a '73, I think the front clip from the 70's look so much better and so thats what I got. The cab included all the glass (windshield cracked), mirrors, doors, all fenders, grille, lights, core support, and just about zero rust. I think I got a pretty good deal. I am going to fix the tranny tunnel, which they did a bad job on, so i'll just cut the tunnel out of my '86 and weld it into the '73.











I got some questions for you guys, where can you find door panels like these, I like these but they are craked near the window. I found the plain black replacement ones but I don't like those. Would door panels from 77-79 fit, because I know the door are different but I don't know by how much.



Also I don't like these mirrors but I have found any of those regular mirrors, they say there only for 1977-1987, would those mirrors fit?

[jaredts]

That doesn't look bad at all for a '73 cab.  If the door panels you are talking about are the same as yours all you have to do is dye them the correct color.

[nitewolf]

they changed the doors in 77 so 77+ panels won't fit a 76 or older door. the change was on the inside panel of the door cause 77 was first year for power windows.

[bake74]

they changed the doors in 77 so 77+ panels won't fit a 76 or older door. the change was on the inside panel of the door cause 77 was first year for power windows.

     x2, you will have to find earlier door panels.  There are several places that sell them.  I would start with Chris here on this site.  Click the link for the store at top of page next to the home button.  If you do not see what you want, e-mail the store, they have more stuff than shows up, or he can point you in the right direction if he does not have it.

[Chevy Truck Guy 86]

This is when you know that you got tight lug nuts. I had to use my 1/2 breaker bar with a 4' pipe just to get 6 lugs loose on one tire. To get the tire off I used a 5' bar with like a 15 lb sledge hammer, but I got it off.

[Captkaos]

You could fix the crack on the door panel with Epoxy or Resin if necessary and salvage them.  If you want factory door panels I would look to find some.  I only sell replacement panels and the factory Trim won't work on them.  I don't sell the panels that accept the factory trim as all of them I have had were garbage.

[Chevy Truck Guy 86]

What is the difference between the 73-76 doors and the 77-87 doors?

[Captkaos]

The 73-76 panels are smaller and don't cover but the center portion of the door, the 77-87(91) cover out to the opening.
In addition the 73-76 window cranks are shorter.

[Chevy Truck Guy 86]

Finally posting some more pictures. I have a lot of painting to do and these are  just a few pictures.

The frame is all done and painted now, looks so much better.


This parts hanger device I made works really awesome. These are some frame parts and others primed.


Rear axle primed


Parts all nice and black


Axle painted


do you really even need this center ring thing on the caliper bracket because this one is shot.


While my paint was drying I've been working on my cab I post more pictures as it gets farther


I still have some more parts to blast and paint, but I have to fix my cheap blaster first.

Then after painted I will work on my cab and start the assembly process.