Dads truck Re-build

[79k30guy]

     Its back, as of last weekend, our dad drove his rig the 2,000+ miles back from chicago. Its been there for over 5 years and now its back home for good in Northern California and in serious need of attention.  at least sheet metal wise. The snow and salt had not been kind to it.  The plan: Tear it down to a drivetrain in framerails. then have donor truck body components painted individually and reassemble. Our Dad, my brother, and I have been looking forward to this project for some time. He's owned this truck our whole lives and we grew up riding around in the back, camping, road trips, (back when it was acceptable to load five kids in the bed of a truck with a shell and just roll) We consider this rig the granddaddy of all the ones we've been through, and it started a family tradition and pastime. We acquired the donor truck back in march.  His motor (454) and the rest of the drivetrain are in good shape, as is the interior with the Cheyenne wood trim with factory Tach, so its cleaning up the frame, and puttin together painted body pieces.

   I'm gonna post pictures of the progress, start to finish.

Here's the Before: Its a 74 K20, 454, TH400, np203, upgraded to dana 60 front axle, 3in stainless exhaust, check out the front bumper!

[79k30guy]

check out what we did with the shell.  lol.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=18585.0;topicseen



Here's the Donor Truck, '80 K20, pretty straight.



Heres an OLD pic of dads truck. This is what he's going to have it painted like! goin back to stock, original brunt orange and white.  Wish we still had those slot mags, I would love to have them on my truck!

[fitz]

I wish you had the slotted mags to. Keep checking craigslist, they are on there from time to time.
Thats a great project you have going on with some cool family history to it.
I look forward to seeing the build.

[Layne]

The before pic is like mine when I got it. You should see some of the "seasoned" 73-87's out here

[79k30guy]

Off and running...  got a great start today, had some friends over, made a huge mess, went through more than a little beer.
most of the truck body we were able to junk right away, as we have a scrap metal guy right around the corner from us.  our goal was reached to bring the old rig to frame rails and drivetrain.



My brother, Dad, and I.  custom seat done 10 years ago by our older brother.

serious rot.  rust.  everywhere.

this is the bottom of one of the fenders.. 

about 15 years ago, the truck was painted by dads best friend, NOT a body guy, but for free, so hey can't give him too hard of a time.  lol.   here is what he had to do to make the bondo carry,  ..thats how bad the body was 15 YEARS ago, before 5 years back east in snow country. yes, that is the tip to a wooden stake.

I think we all know whats going on here.   lol.   SHHHHHhhhh.....!



I love the Picture below. Its a Father son Legacy. My K30 ready to haul dads tub off..



And there we have it. all in all a great Saturday.  ...stay tuned!....

[bake74]

    That not only is a great story, I would bet that the truck will also turn out great.  Keep us posted, and looks like you have a great start.

[hotrod24]

WoW one saterday it took me 3 years lol but i kept having to move it around, looks great man...

[Engineer]

 

Keep us updated.

[beastie_3]

I think we all know whats going on here.   lol.   SHHHHHhhhh.....!

Your just removing the rotted metal from below, right?

[howlinwolf]

*cough* thats what it looks like to me

[Yamaha74]

Are you getting rid of the cab completely and not reusing it?

[howlinwolf]

there is a strong possibility that mine will soon come to this.  ITs been in my family since new, my grandpa bought it for the company, and my dad bought it after that.  dang thing always starts every time i hit it. 

[79k30guy]

It's been a little while, but with the Holidays behind us, we were able to sneak in a couple hours this afternoon to move this project along a little.. todays goal:  to get the frame naked and loaded to take to get blasted. 

heres a little strongman action..  not that heavy with nothing on it.  lol.

And here she is.. ready to roll.

then undress the axles a little.. here we have the universal cure for stubborn U-bolts:

heres a nice shop picture, Corprate 14 bolt, Dana 60, and 454.  hah. perfection.

heres the donor sheet metal truck and the frame it will go on..

More to come after the football season is over. GO BEARS!

[bake74]

     Too bad you have to use the 80 for a parts truck.  It looks to be in great shape..

[bake74]

       I thought that pic looked familiar to me, ( the one of the seat with the hill in the background ) I use to service machines in petaluma with my last job, and can swear I remember your driveway..