Building a mix-matched truck from a bunch of 80's chevy trucks, Blazers, and one 1991 'burban. Oh, and a '95 Vandura for a 6.5NA diesel.
Basic run down.
-----Sheet Metal-----
1986 Short-Bread K10 Frame
1986 Short-Bread K10 Cab
1986 Short-Bread K10 Bed
1991 Suburban Doors
1991 Suburban Front-Clip
LUND Cab Spoiler
LUND Cab Visor
-----Running Gear-----
12-Bolt Axle (From a 1976 Blazer)
3.73 Gears/Posi
10-Bolt (From the same '86 K10)
3.73 Gears/WARN Hubs
NP208 Transfer Case (From a 198X Blazer)
SM465 Transmission (From the same 198X Blazer)
Late-Style Mechanical Clutch (Same Blazer...)
6.5L HO N/A V8 Diesel L57-Y (From a 1995 Vandura 3500)
What I started with. Frame broken around the steering box. Steering column missing, dash tore up... Had a factory 305SB/700R4 setup. Both gone...
In the shop, and the front clip removed.
Pile-O-Parts
Got it on the lift, and removed the transmission. Removed the transfer case first. Then cut the exhaust out, and finally dropped the tranny.
Then went at the bed. It had a plastic liner in it. My worst enemy! Lucky for me though the bed was clean under it!
Next was the bolts holding the bed. I held them down with a board while my Dad tried to get the nuts off. Most all of them spun, so we had to torch the bolts off.
I seem to have a lack of truck bed in this general area...
Pulled the engine next.
Next some penetrating oil on the leaf spring bolts. I swapped the front leafs, and swapped the entire rear axle.
Settled for blocks until I can get leafs. I'm probably going to end up doing a shackle flip. That'll be the same time I go 3/4 ton.
I had planned to use a 350SB I had laying around until I got the 6.5. At this point in my working I went ahead and started on the 350. I pulled it out of a '83 Scottsdale 3/4 ton. I pulled the heads, and the engine looked like butter. Still see the hash marks from when it was rebuilt! Gonna keep this engine for later.
After this I pretty much stopped for a couple months. But one evening I was bored and went out and did a little work. Not much, just painted the firewall, and trimmed the junk I don't need.
Next I went to work on the cab. Took the bench out, and stripped EVERYTHING. Someone beat me to the dash, so all I had left was the cluster, and what was left of the dash pad.
Found under the seat belt bracket...
All the panels I took out (Anybody need anything?)
After I was done. I got a vinyl mat to go on the floor, and I'm not putting any of the pieces back. Trying to make it more like my dads Custom Deluxe.
I had watched Zombieland before working on the truck...
The frame after sealing. I had wire wheeled it before. Still needs painted.
My truck grew another pedal. I mounted the clutch pedal, and mounted the bell crank arm to the frame. It was off a Blazer. I hammered out the old rivets, and bolted it to the frame. Chevrolet was nice enough to put the holes in the frame already. Made it easier for both of us.
Although these tires aren't staying, I need them to roll it around. But the driver-rear kept going flat. With some soap I found it was the bead. So the tire was put on the machine, and the bead broken. I then wire brushed both the wheel, and tire to clean it. After this some spray glue around the bead. Aired it back up, and no problems since.
I completed the front area by doing the top-area-thingy (The proper name slips my mind). Took the wipers, and the grill off. Then the plastic piece. Used a shop vac to clean up all the junk. Including a mouse nest. Then I painted the sheet metal. I then painted the metal grill, but haven't uploaded the pictures. Sorry.
As the truck sits. Next on the list is to get the column out of the donor, and pull the 6.5 from the van.
Here is a picture of the front clip I'll be using.
And the doors.
And that is what is done up to date. The final truck will be with the above specs. Flat black paint, and a single off-set 6" stack. Still deciding on tires. Lots left to do, but I'm working on it! I need to order new outer rockers, and cab corners. Wonder where I can get them?
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