Doors, dash, and custom headliner

[Avidyn]

Hey guys!

   First post on here. But, I've been reading the forums for quite some time. I've got an 83 C10 LWB that I picked up about 3 months ago for $400. Wasn't too excited about the interior, so I started going at it. So far I'm about halfway done with my headliner. The doors and dash will all get wrapped in similar fabric. Here's my progress so far. 

Here's what I started with. Nasty and old.


Started by stripping the old headliner and glue off. Then laid down a coat of fiberglass resin to stiffen the foam a little bit before I moved on. Here it is after some resin.(Sorry for the horrible picture)


After going rounds in my head, I decided to keep the stock stereo in the dash for the looks. So, I got a universal under dash setup and decided to put it into the headliner.


Once I got that on there, decided to add some speakers to it as well.


Once I got my layout all right. I broke out the hot glue gun and some fleece. This is where I'm at now.


Another view. You can kind of see where the radio will mount.


I'll probably get to the fiberglass part of it this weekend. I'll post more updates once I get to that point.

Here's what the fabric looks like.


Let me know what you guys think!!

Steven

[zieg85]

I like it so far.  I have never had a Silverado with a headliner so I don't know the backing, hopefully it is stout enough and not bounce with the added weight.

[beastie_3]

I like that idea of reenforcing the board.

[chuck13]

I like the idea of speakers in/on the headliner!Was thinkin
about buyin one of those "Highliner" (?) headliner with the
speakers built in for my 82.Keep us posted on your project,
may have to try it myself.

[Avidyn]

I like the idea of speakers in/on the headliner!Was thinkin
about buyin one of those "Highliner" (?) headliner with the
speakers built in for my 82.Keep us posted on your project,
may have to try it myself.

I thought about getting one of those myself. But, the quality didn't really seem up to par to me or worth the cost. Plus, I like doing something different than most.

That said, I got a little done this morning. Got some resin and glass on the speaker pods. Was going to do the stereo also, but ran out of resin. Once I get another gallon, I'll get the rest done. Need to order my headliner material monday also. Here's a couple pictures. Not much, but gives the general idea.




Don't mind the edges of the fleece. It's not glued down on the backside yet. 

More to come soon!
Steven

[bake74]

     Nice progress so far.  It is always good when you can do something yourself.

[Avidyn]

Sorry there hasn't been any updates lately. Been pretty busy at work, got sidetracked with another "project", and am in Idaho until tomorrow night.

Here's my other "project"


2003 Silverado 5.3 (LM7). Needs a TB and a couple of lifters. But, I couldn't pass up a new motor with 120k for $150.

Also, got these from work for free. Got to love working at a dealership and people not caring about what goes away when they trade in a vehicle.


More to come soon!

[bake74]

     Sweet pick up on the motor.  Is that slated for the pickup or another vehicle ?

[Avidyn]

It will be going in my 84. Going to need to find a transmission for it too. Not sure if I want to run a TH350 behind it for awhile. Any ideas if it would hold up?

[bake74]

      Th350 can be built to handle monster power.  Stock should last for awhile even if you drive like you stole it.

[Avidyn]

So, I picked up my motor today. I'm still thinking it was a good deal for $150. And, it was pretty awesome having my girlfriend helping me get it out of the truck.

I tore off a rocker cover once I got it home and this is what I found. I need your guys input on a possible cause.


And on the underside of the rocker cover.


The PO told me that he was losing a little bit of coolant. Looks like he may have blown a head gasket. What do you guys think?

[87454westernhauler]

id say bad head gasket or posibly cracked head or block, but sure does look like it had coolant in the motor!

[bake74]

     How did the oil look ?  Could be as 87454westernhauler said, or they hardly never changed the oil and sludge built up.  Either way I would suggest at least a tear down to heads to check what the rest looks like and determine if the motor needs rebuilt or just the top end.

[Avidyn]

So, after doing some more research and talkling with the master tech at work... looks like it's probably a cracked head. Not too horrible, but not what I was hoping for. Seems it was a big problem for the 5.3(LM7) engines from 2001-2006. I bid on a set of non-castech 862 heads on ebay. I hope that I get them!

[jaredts]

I wouldn't buy new heads until you've taken the existing ones off and inspected.  You'll probably be able to tell what the problem was at that point.  If the motor was run long like that you'll need to save up for a complete rebuild.