Where to begin...

[ModelKing]

Well, Hello everybody! My name is Joseph, I am 16 years old, and I live in Wisconsin.

I have a 1981 shortbox Chevy K10. and It's going to be a father son project truck. The thing is, I don't really know where to begin with it. The chassis is in great condition, And the drivetrain is also solid. (5.7L, TH350, NP203 T-case, And a 12 bolt rear) The problem is the cab...It's pretty rotted out. The drivers side is gone. (Inner and outer rockers, floor and cab support, as you can see in the pictures) But the passenger side is in really good shape. So, If it where you guys, How would you go about it? I was thinking just take the cab off, and put it on jack stands. support the door post. And start welding the new stuff in... But, how would you support the door posts accurately? Basicly I'd love any help I could get. Thanks for your time!





(I know these pictures suck, But it's the only camera I have at the moment)






Also, the reason I want to fix it, is because of many things, #1 being, me and my dad found this truck accidentally, we took a wrong turn and it was sitting on the side of the road for $700.
#2 I learned just about everything I know about automotive stuff with this truck, Me and dad put a lot of work into it, I'd love to keep it.
#3 is I love these trucks, And you can't hardly find these trucks in Wisconsin. (At least not in any better condition)
#4 Is I would love to know how to weld and fix this kind of stuff. I'd love to be a mechanic some day.

So, Thanks again guys! 

[VileZambonie]

Easy fixes. Take a look around at the member rides and see where people have gone with theirs. There's the quick, the shortcut, the quick thorough, the long custom etc but it all depends on what you want to do and how much $ you want to spend.

[Blazin]

Welcome from New Hampshaa first off.
First thing I would do is get rid of that bed, and bumper.
That cab doesn't look to bad actually unless we can't see it all in the pics. As far as replacing floors, rockers etc. I am a firm believer in doing it on the frame. At least the placement, and enough welds that it doesn't move when you take it off the frame.
When replacing parts screw everything together first with hex head self drilling screws, then make sure your door, fender etc fit. Most of the time I will get the door, or the new door if you are replacing it adjusted, and working properly before I even cut the rust out. Mark it for easy reinstall after. Then sand blast etc. Then reinstall the door to, and fit the new sheet metal. Once it is all fitted then tack weld it, double check fitment.   

[bake74]

     Welcome to the site from California.  I am with Blazin, I would fix everything possible on the truck first for placement and alignment issues.  There are a lot of post in the member's rides and projects of people fixing the same pieces on their trucks while still mounted.  ( And a lot of nice pics too ).
     You also have great reasons to keep the truck, father/son's projects are great, especially when the excited party is mostly the son.

[ModelKing]

Thanks guys. That's exactly what I needed to know! I might be starting a build thread on this one. So stay tuned! 

[thirsty]

Sounds like a great project for you and your dad to continue on with.

With that green fender and those wheels it reminds me of an 81 k20 I had. This is it at deer camp years ago.


When it comes to rebuilding your cab I am with Blazin too. Do as much as you can with the cab on and then take it off and stand it on it's back if you want to go that far.

Welcome to the site from NH!

[Bitzer!]

I'm with most on this, fix it on the frame. Would suggest new set of cab mounts to give you every chance of it being tight on there and no sag.

Those "things" on the room make the truck look like a reptile! Sorry but they'd have to go!!

Good luck fixing the ole girl up, take time and care.

Measure twice - cut once!!

[1980c10]

Hit up the swap meets in wisconsin. I see parts, especially metal selling really cheap.

[Jason S]

Welcome from Oklahoma.  I started off driving a 30 year old truck when I was 16. I learned a great deal from working on that truck. Try to remember to take your time and have fun doing it.

[ModelKing]

Thanks for the Welcomes, support and help guys, Sorry I haven't posted anything in awhile. I've had some bad computer trouble.

Sounds like a great project for you and your dad to continue on with.

With that green fender and those wheels it reminds me of an 81 k20 I had. This is it at deer camp years ago.


When it comes to rebuilding your cab I am with Blazin too. Do as much as you can with the cab on and then take it off and stand it on it's back if you want to go that far.

Welcome to the site from NH!

thirsty man, that's an awesome truck! Oddly enough, when it's all done, I'm going to paint it olive drab. So that's some really cool inspiration! Thanks for sharing!