Project Rust Belt 87'

[beastie_3]

Protect the tire with those metal plates mini trucks use to scrape down the freeway!

[chevymotocross]

I'm happy with the results! I am no expert at body work.... at all. In fact, I would much rather swap out an engine than do cab corners again I've never done body work before, but after owning this Chevy, that ended. It takes lots of patience and it ain't PERFECT, but it's presentable and daily driver proof!

I cut the cab corners to fit, I'm not sure of the brand, I bought them from a local, but they had Made in USA stickers on them and they were pretty darn durable and fit well. Yes, I painted the underside of the cab corners before welding them in, to help with rust resistance.

In some of the pics, they look wierd because the primer was still drying when I snapped the pics.

Also, the top of the frame ends on this truck were very thin and bent up from trying to remove the old rusted bed bolts. I welded in new pieces.

While I was sanding a cab corner, I heard a bang, and my exhaust fell to the ground! It rotted away right there, lol, better in the garage than on the road I guess.

Also, I removed the new shocks I installed on the rear, and installed them correctly. I'm surprised no one caught that in the photos I posted of my flip-kit install. Today I realized they were upside down.

Project is coming along nicely! I hope to put on my new bed this weekend since the back half of the truck is finished. Just waiting on my darn Western Chassis 1.5'' coils from Sport Truck Direct that have been on back-order for over a month now. Once they come in, I will start on the front.

[chevymotocross]

When I was working on the cab corners, my exhaust system decided to "speak to me"...... while the engine wasn't running. It sounded like a BANG. The left side exhaust was sitting on the ground. It broke at one of the rear hangers. I was planning on dumping the pipes over the rear-end but I decided to just fix it now. I added new hangers, and dumped it in front of the rear. It's respectable and it's hidden which is nice. Sounds deeper now but the Dynomax Super Turbos are relatively quiet, no drone even dumped, I like that compared to my Flowmaster days! I heard the super turbos are one of the better flowing mufflers too.

I also grinded away the rot from the bottom lip of my tailgate. I applied Zero Rust to the back side and this weekend I plan on welding and filling in the rotted holes.

[stavendirtbike]

Bought this bed 2 years ago and finally got it mounted. As you can see, the western chassis flip kit and lowering shackles brought the back down nicely Unfortunately, I have been waiting over a month, and still waiting, for the front coils from Sport Truck Direct. I'm going to have a chat with them tomorrow about shipping them with quicker than Ground service. I shouldn't have to wait another dang week to have them shipped when they never told me upfront I would have to wait over a month for them. Getting a bit rediculous.

Just have to finish up some minor body work on this bed, hook up my filler neck, light harness, apply do-it-yourself bedliner, and shoot with primer.

[mpeche923]

Hey there guys....

Truck is coming along great...  I also have an 87 with alot of the same issues that you have...  body rust....  I have to replace the cab corners  the rockers on the drivers side etc...  hopefully by next spring it will be ready for paint...  it's also a driver  maybe not daily but a few times a week..

Question... can you tell me how you cut out the drivers cab corner and replaced it with the gas tank still in place.. and I dont mean was it in the way.. im asking... was it safe to weld that close to a gas tank??  Did you cover it with a welding blanket etc.....  I have enough confidence in my abilities that i can tackle replacing the rockers etc.....  but i figured you had to remove the gas tank for safety...

Thanks
Mike

Truck looks great  keep it up......

[beastie_3]

I would think that covering it up with a blanket should be fine, IMO.

[chevymotocross]

I covered it with a wet rag. Just have to be cautious around it IE not hitting the gas tank accidently with an air grinder.