Plans for the 1980 short box fleetside

[got2haul]

Ok, here are some of my thoughts on the future of this truck (shown below, first picture):

First, the truck will retain its stock look and feel, just because I like the factory style.  Initially, it will be refurbished rather than restored.  Sometime in the future it will get restored.

Body repair and paint.  Cut out the corresponding wheel arch from the red(ish) 1976 GMC’s bed (shown below, second picture) to replace the rusted-through arch on the passenger side.  Remove the body side molding and make necessary repairs / sheet metal panel replacements, using what solid sections I can salvage from the bed of the GMC or purchased replacement panels.  This includes parts of the bed rails.  Wire brush, grind, and sand the surface rust and prime those areas to prevent further rust damage.   Repaint those repaired areas with color-matched paint.  The truck is currently a “40-footer” and patching the paint will make it a “20-footer”.  Eventually, I want to tackle repainting the truck myself.  I’ll likely repaint it in the original color since it will be my first paint job and I think that will make it easier.  I plan to restore and reinstall the upper body side molding only, along with the tailgate appliqué, an example of which is shown in the picture of the yellow fleetside, below.  I will restore the taillight trim rings and marker light trim (or replace them).  The front bumper has a couple of holes drilled into it where someone mounted some auxiliary lights at one time, so I’ll eventually replace it but for now, since it’s not dented I’ll keep it.  I’ll replace the rear bumper with one that matches the front bumper as seen in the picture of the red Chevy’s tailgate and bumper, below.  I also have a set of near-NOS bumper guards that I will install. 

Motor/Trans.  Pull the motor and transmission.  Replace them with the lower-mileage motor and transmission from the GMC.  Replace the brake booster and other brake parts as needed using parts from the GMC.  Replace components of Air Conditioning system as needed with parts from the GMC or new parts.

Interior.  Strip the cab.  Repair/replace/repaint the rusted areas as needed.  Replace the dash pad and bezel.  Refinish or replace the door panels.  Restore the gauge panel.  Clean everything!  Replace the carpet, etc.  Clean or replace seat belts.  It would be nice to have buckets and a factory console, and if I can find a set at the time I’m ready, I may go that route.  If not, then I’ll just reupholster the seat myself with a seat cover bought from 73-87.com.  Replace the steering column with a tilt column that I have on hand for an automatic transmission truck.
 
Chassis.  Remove the bed and sand/paint the back half of the frame.  Install a flip kit to lower the truck’s rear end.  Install spindles and remove one coil from the front springs.  This should result in a 4/5 or possibly 4/6 drop.  I want a slight rake.  Replace the ball joints and bushings as needed.  Brush/sand/paint the frame everywhere I can get to it without removing the cab.

Wheels/Tires.  I’ve got a pair of 15x10 rally wheels on hand.  I envision getting these widened to 11” or 12” so I can run a 29x15.5-15 Hoosier Pro Street radial.  (11” is the minimum rim width that is recommended for a tire this wide.)  I haven’t taken measurements yet, but I might need to modify the width of the wheel housings some and roll the inner fenders to get these to fit under the truck properly.  Front tires may have to be a different brand with a similar tread pattern – haven’t looked into this thoroughly yet.  I want that hot rod style like my stepside with the wide rear tires and narrower front tires, but both with a similar height.  If widening the wheels is cost-prohibitive, then I’ll keep them as is and use the next the narrower Hoosier tire (29x12.5-15) which is the same width as and only slightly taller than the rear tires I have on the stepside.

Grille.  I have a near-NOS 1977-1979 grille complete with restored molding that I may use; but I’m torn on this.  I really like the idea of having twin trucks, so I’ll at least start with the original 1980 grille that’s on it now.  I plan to change the headlamp and turn signal setup to the 73-78 style as I did with my stepside.  If I use the ’80 grille, I will restore the headlamp bezels that are on the GMC and use those (argent silver paint trim).  If I use the 77-79 grille, I would paint the trim on the bezels to match the grille. 

[84chevysilverado]

sounds like a good project. got some nice trucks there

[Captkaos]

Wow, you definitely got a plan!  Sounds good!

[frogman68]

Dang can you follow the plan ??

Sounds like a great plan

It might just be me but when I do a plan it goes out the window with the cracking of the hood

[got2haul]

Dang can you follow the plan ??

Sounds like a great plan

It might just be me but when I do a plan it goes out the window with the cracking of the hood

Wow, you definitely got a plan!  Sounds good!

Now I didn't say it was a plan, just some thoughts.

sounds like a good project. got some nice trucks there

Thanks, but the yellow and red ones are not mine -- just some that I had pictures of to use for reference.

[choptop]

If it turns out half the truck your step is, it will be awesome.

[DnStClr]

Yeah, got2haul.Looking forward to seeing your PLAN come along

[got2haul]

On Saturday I removed the bed rails, the wheel opening moldings, and the lower body-side molding.  I think this gives the truck a more agressive appearance.

Before:



New leaner, meaner look:



There's lots of work to do now filling the molding mounting holes and removing rust!

[rockable]

You've got the basis and you've got the ideas.  Get to it!..............as your budget allows.   

[Captkaos]

Nice Progress! 

[DnStClr]

Geez you're takin off all the stuff I like on my truck! lol
BTW, does your truck still have it's rpo codes in the glove box? Can you get me the code for the blue paint?