78 K10 Yeller2 - Build and Partial Restoration Thread

[jumbowolfe]

Thought I would start this to show the progression of things.  I'll try to post pics of where I am so far and as it keeps going in the future.  I think this is the right area for this.

Here it is, I've posted pics before, but here's some Photoshoppin' to show where it is and where its going....

As she sits now (with some edits for show off)


And where it will be (but better when done) when she's solid yellow


Current issues I'm working on:
1.  Kinked Hood - Have a hood I've been working on and removing cancer (pics to follow soon) to replace this one.
2.  Shoot the front clip - will post pics as I body work up and paint.
3.  Interior - Was really bad when I got it, its slightly better, but will be fully restored this year.
4.  Bed - I have a bad passengers side bed panel, looking to find one to replace.
5.  Frame fracture - passengers side near shock, will weld and reinforce it
6.  Shoot entire truck.
7.  Replace windshield.
8.  Brakes - want to convert the back to discs and run new lines, new master cylinder.

I should note mechanically its 100% sound at the moment, which is the best part of the truck.  I bought it with a 3 year old engine, no main seal, transfer case, or other leaks present at the moment.  Hardly any rust on this puppy, I scored when I bought her last year.

As I've discussed in other threads, this  has been a 20 year journey to get back a truck exactly like Yeller1.  It's hard going to sleep at night knowing that I have so much to do, but cannot wait to see it done. 

[illinoisk30]

Truck looks good either way. I love the 70's two tone trucks. I'm guessing the interior is brown? If only changing the color on your truck was as easy as clicking a button. Keep up the good work.

[jumbowolfe]

Thanks.  I would keep it two tone if not for trying to reproduce my original 78 I had as a kid.

Here's some before and after on the interior, which is still a work in progress.

   

[jumbowolfe]

Here's my hood project.  I'm on a budget these days to keep the wife in check, so as to not spend too much money and set off any red flags.

Bought it for $40, not an actual 78 hood, but for $40, who can complain.  I ended up using Marine Tex/Dolphin Glaze for the cancer removal spots.  Not the perfect welded in solution, but it will work.

[LTZ C20]

Very nice work so far! I'm impressed with the outcome of the hood repair and interior refresh. Looks alot better!

[enaberif]

I'd be lifting up that carpet. You'll either be super stoked or super sad.

[jumbowolfe]

Oh I already did.  This was a California truck, minimal rust.  The floorboard and tar sound barrier were still very much intact.

Got lucky on this one.  The hood rust was a part off another truck.

[illinoisk30]

Everything looks real good. Excellent work.

[Car10s]

that yellow is my favorite. I am staying tuned in

[Delorean1986]

Nice truck. Looks like mine, but less restoration.

[Kimper]

That interior looks great, what a transformation. Where did you get most of the parts ford it??

[jumbowolfe]

Thanks!

Most of the interior pieces came from flebay but some from the usual online suspects. I'm not done with it yet though, eventually the whole interior will be "new".

Here some update shots.  Got the passengers fender removed, so that I can start doing body work (temporary crappy fender installed to protect the engine bay until I'm done painting).  Now I have a complete front clip (other fender not shown in photo) including the grill valence.  Plan is to shoot all front clip parts, and leave whats on there until I'm ready to install the painted pieces.  I'm going to paint the portion of the cab by the fenders, install new hinges, align the doors, then install the entire front clip.  After that, move to the back, remove the bed, fix a frame issue, paint bed, back of cab, reinstall bed, then paint doors and cab.  Its a long drawn out process, but I think I have a flow in my head of how things are going to get done a section at a time.  Gotta construct a makeshift paint booth too, once it cools down here in Texas.

BTW - Red Wasps really like embedding themselves in my truck this Summer. 

Anyway, new photos.

[jumbowolfe]

Thought I'd add too a real quick story, once I complete the truck I'll give a detailed account....

The story of this truck is, I've been chasing it for 25 years.  My original Yeller, as seen in the pics, was my Dad's truck that he bought new in 1978.  We took a cross country trip in it, from Dallas to LA in 1980, which involved camping, seeing the great southwest.  He gave me the truck when I first got my driver's license, that old truck had so many stories that it would take a book to document them all.  Between Dad and I, we had good times with it.  The day I sold it, to get a more reliable car for my 45 minute drive to Denton, Texas I regretted it, and haven't stopped regretting it since 1989.

I lost Dad in June, suddenly and unexpected.  That being said, when he saw the new version of Yeller earlier this year, I couldn't do anything but shed a small tear when he first got sight of it, and said "Geezus Michael, you got our truck back!". 

This restoration is not just a mission for me anymore, its for Dad too.  Trucks are special, they create a bond between Dad/Son.  Yeller is special to me, Yeller 2 is even more special now that he's gone.  This one is for you Pop!

[enaberif]

Right in the feels.

[Delorean1986]

Thought I'd add too a real quick story, once I complete the truck I'll give a detailed account....

The story of this truck is, I've been chasing it for 25 years.  My original Yeller, as seen in the pics, was my Dad's truck that he bought new in 1978.  We took a cross country trip in it, from Dallas to LA in 1980, which involved camping, seeing the great southwest.  He gave me the truck when I first got my driver's license, that old truck had so many stories that it would take a book to document them all.  Between Dad and I, we had good times with it.  The day I sold it, to get a more reliable car for my 45 minute drive to Denton, Texas I regretted it, and haven't stopped regretting it since 1989.

I lost Dad in June, suddenly and unexpected.  That being said, when he saw the new version of Yeller earlier this year, I couldn't do anything but shed a small tear when he first got sight of it, and said "Geezus Michael, you got our truck back!". 

This restoration is not just a mission for me anymore, its for Dad too.  Trucks are special, they create a bond between Dad/Son.  Yeller is special to me, Yeller 2 is even more special now that he's gone.  This one is for you Pop!

What a great story J wolfe. The whole reason I bought my 79 Chevy Big-10 just 4 weeks ago was because of my father too. When i was maybe 8 or 9 he  had a very similar truck.

My wife was in an accident and totaled her car. She's fine, someone else hit her. After the crash we started looking for a truck to cart around dogs, motorcycles and horses. Popped on the ol' Craigslist the 1979 Chevy popped up! Not the same color or much that is the same to my fathers. But I couldn't resist because of the family memories I had of my brothers and my dad bouncing around on the bench seat together. Long story short, I dropped the 2k for the truck and started dumping money into it to get it running better. Feels good to know I am doing something my father did when he was my age, and although i don't want any yet, I hope to be able to share this truck with my kids someday. Makes the bond strong with the truck. Just how it should be.