1981 K10 Project: Creamsicle

[hladkib]

Hello everyone!

I've been a long time lurker here on this forum and haven't posted much of anything. Well, here is my contribution.

I own a 1981 K10 Silverado. Like all of ours, this thing means a lot to me. I'll try and get everyone up to speed as to its story. The truck has been in my family since my grandpa bought it new. It has gone through a few engines and 3 transmissions. When I was in high school my dad and I replaced the body which was about 12 years ago now. The thing looked beautiful, we painted it the color is now, Viper Red. The girls loved it and I got nods from strangers while driving it all of that was a great feeling.

Since in my possession I've put three motors in it. One time I broke a connecting rod while driving to school, the other time a cylinder head cracked, and the one I have now. Right now there is a 350 Small block that is built up to 350hp. The cylinders are bored .060" with aluminum racing pistons, aluminum Edelbrock intake, roller rockers, Holley carb, mild cam.

I've recently upgraded by 10-bolt axles from a 2.73 ratio to 3.73. When I upgraded the engine it was too much for my drive-line and when I wanted to go fast the truck would just fall flat on its face. The new gears turned out great, I can do a burn out now! This upgrade posed a new problem however, at 55 mph the rpm's were just a roaring! That was something I didn't like, I didn't want to burn up half a tank of gas cruising around town. So, what's a guy to do? UPGRADE!

I took it to a transmission shop who recommended a 4L60 (not E). The thing drives great now and now I can focus on the fun stuff.

So this is where it's at now. Just a couple Michigan winters did a number on this Texas body. There is rust in all the standard places, cab corners and above the wheel well.

IMG_1505 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1510 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1513 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1517 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1518 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

[hladkib]

Next update!

I recently got a box to replace the rusted out one! Guess where this one is from? Texas!

The bed is in pretty decent shape, there is very little rust and a few dents. I can pop out the biggest one and fill in the rest. I might have to get some patch panels to replace the one rust spot.

The plan is to power wash everything and get all of the clay out that has built up over the 30 years of its life.

IMG_1529 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1531 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1532 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

This clay is going to turn into cancer if I don't get rid of it.
IMG_1534 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1535 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

[hladkib]

I scored some new headers.

I got them off facebook of all places, one of those yardsale pages. I just put that I was looking for some headers and just waited.

There some surface rust nothing too terrible, I got them for $50, I can complain about that at all.

The plan is to sand blast them and have them powder coated, there is a place close by that will do it for about $60. Can't beat that!

IMG_1538 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1539 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

[hladkib]

I got the bed all powerwashed. It looks pretty darn good! I won't have to sand blast the entire thing, maybe just a few areas.

IMG_1540 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1541 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMG_1542 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

All clean now!
IMG_1543 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

[VileZambonie]

Great start! Good luck with the build!

[hladkib]

So I bet you're wondering why I am calling this project Creamsicle. It's because of the inspiration of this vehicle. I want to paint it orange, I was looking at some pictures and I came across this one. It reminded me of a creamsicle! I am going to paint the truck with a normal orange with a pearl, the center two tone I am going to paint an egg shell/cream color with pearl. I'm pretty stoked, I know it will be a lot of work to get it to where I want but it's going to be well worth it!

I'm not going to drop it either. If anything I'm going to lift it a two inches or so, I don't really care for a dropped truck.

71ffe7566f897e90c24344339f9a77b7 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

[hladkib]

NEW UPDATE

I had a lot of fun and spent about 3 hours getting the rear bumper off the truck. Talk about rust! About half the bolts broke off the rest of them I had to use a cheater bar, I got one heck of a work out! Next is the Reese hitch, which I'm sure I'll have to go through the same trials and tribulations.

But all of this effort was not in vane, it is in preparation of what is to come this week. I ordered a ton of body parts! On the way is a passenger door, roll pan, new door handles and locks, and cab corners. Oddly enough I found them the cheapest on Amazon thanks to my prime membership, free shipping! Say what!? All I can say is that I'm pretty stoked!

I also blasted and painted the headers I got off of craigslist. They turned out pretty great! Especially for $50 plus the $15 for paint. Upon blasting them I found that these were ceramic coated and I was amazed at how well they stood up to the sand blasting. I'm going to make a note to myself to buy a set with a ceramic coating next time I am in the market for headers.

You guys should see more frequent updates now that school is over. I passed all my finals btw, college life.

So here are the pics, enjoy.

IMAG0904 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMAG0903 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMAG0907 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

IMAG0902 by Buffalo Wings, on Flickr

[Pilgrim0297]

Looks awesome man! Keep up the good work!


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[79 Royal Sierra]

Glad to see another Square Body kept out the scrapper. Good luck

[blazer74]

Glad to see another Square Body kept out the scrapper. Good luck

   


YUP!

[Swims350]

that's exactly what I was going to call mine creamsicle it's orange on top and cream on bottom, my 83 k10