My '81 stepside custom build

[nucknoel89]

(Updated August 24/2015)
I couldn't seem to find a general thread about my truck and what all I'm doing for my build, so I figured I'd start one.  Got this thing back in September 2007, my first vehicle.  Got it running and free from a friend of my dad.  This is how it looked then:


Over the years I replaced some fenders, doors, etc, and screwed around with some spray paint.  I also swapped the front end for a 1991 Suburban and billet grille.  Back in 2010 I swapped in a 5.3 and 4l60e, and a little while later I got myself some cheap 20s.  This is how my truck looked until December 2012.


In December 2012 I bought a 2013 Silverado, so the teardown/customization began!
Rockers and cab corners:


Windshield rust repair:


Firewall shaved (save for the wipers, booster, and column):


And my favourite part so far:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xONHA1Mn8x0
So now you're basically caught up.  I will try my best to keep this thread updated.  Comments, questions, and ideas welcome!

[nucknoel89]

Firewall filler roughed in

[ModelKing]

Keep us updated! It's looking great!

[tex62]

Don't think I have ever seen suicide doors on one of these trucks interesting to see how they will turn out ! Cool project man.

[winky]

Hmmm... post on how you did the suicide doors?? Looks like an awesome project

[nucknoel89]

Thanks for the compliments guys!  Not a ton of progress, just got the filler panels all tacked up on the driver's side there.  Now I gotta get all the welds smoothed out and throw some bondo on it.  If anyone else wants to shave their firewall, just know that on the driver's side there are some bends/curves/whatever in the metal, so if you want it completely flat you'll have to re-work some of the areas along with doing your filler panels.

Hmmm... post on how you did the suicide doors?? Looks like an awesome project

There's a guy on this forum who did it before me, I've linked the page below.  I just followed along the way he did it, except that my hinges are 1 inch closer together.  I haven't gotten the latch/inner handles done yet, I got sidetracked by finishing on my rockers, which led to the side cowl panel, which led to the windshield channel, which led to the firewall.  I get sidetracked easily lol.  Once the firewall is finished I'll try to get the latch and all that finished on the passenger door and then I can get started on the driver door.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,10006.105.html

[nucknoel89]

Tiny bit more work on the firewall:

[nucknoel89]

Updated original post

[nucknoel89]

Got work done on the driver door. Still have to fix the sag on that side, as well as do the latch and such, but now both doors are backwards! Not the greatest pic, but you get the idea.

[Captkaos]

nice work.

[nucknoel89]

nice work.

Thanks! I know some of my bodywork techniques would make professionals cringe, but I feel like I'm doing okay for just reading forums and watching YouTube.