1978 Sierra Grande project

[aaronboss221]

Hello from middle TN kinda new but definitely wanna get more involved I have two trucks already and just got another. Picked it up for 600 bucks. It is for sure a project but I just wanna get it going down the road for now. The bed has zero rust whisk is awesome frames good has 12 bolt rear 350/350. It needs new floor pans and rockers. I have another cab but wanted to try to save this one. Any feedback and tips are greatly appreciated. I was also wondering about the support under the floor pans one of them is almost gone. The floors are the worst part about this truck. Can I buy those support and where at? How hard are they to get in? In pics you can kinda see other truck both 86s one 4x4 one not

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[aaronboss221]

I also need one of these badges

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[1967KaiserM715]

You have to put the support on before floors and rockers


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[Greybeard]

Hello from middle TN kinda new but definitely wanna get more involved I have two trucks already and just got another. Picked it up for 600 bucks. It is for sure a project but I just wanna get it going down the road for now. The bed has zero rust whisk is awesome frames good has 12 bolt rear 350/350. It needs new floor pans and rockers. I have another cab but wanted to try to save this one. Any feedback and tips are greatly appreciated. I was also wondering about the support under the floor pans one of them is almost gone. The floors are the worst part about this truck. Can I buy those support and where at? How hard are they to get in? In pics you can kinda see other truck both 86s one 4x4 one not

Was that a typo? both 86's? The brown one is is not an 86 I guess you know because you called it a 78 in the title.

Anyway,

Fix it, you need a small mig welder, some welding skills, and the easy to get patches and a load of patience.

The interior can be salvaged with blood sweat and tears (except the dash, it's toast but might be rebuildable if you want to spend the cash), the door covers can be cleaned up and repainted and the seat can be recovered easy enough. It is odd that only the passenger side has rusted out, that's entirely normal. Might take a look at the bottom of the drivers side to see if it has already been repaired. It doesn't like it from the picture but....it still needs a new rocker installed, just not right away. Better to do it all once however. If that dented front fender is original and has that little rust on the rear of it I would send it to a body shop for repair instead of replacing it. It will cost considerably more but the end result should look better.

It all depends on what it will be used for in the long run...thrashing in the woods, or a daily driver. If it was mine to be used more off road than as daily driver I would tack some metal under the floor pan, lay a p[ice of sheetmetal over it and weld in down sort of, run a bead of silicone caulk around it to make it sort of water/dust proof and drive it till the wheels fall off. I hope you don't do that however. 

[aaronboss221]

Thanks for the reply greybeard as for the 86s I was talking about the 2 other trucks you can kinda see in one of the pics. They are my other trucks. As of now I think I'm just gonna try to get all the floor in good condition. I've never welded much before and have a not welder probably gonna get an old piece of something to practice on before doing the work. I also have to figure out if the gas tank is good. Should I fill it with a little gas and see if it leaks or is there an easier way. I do have it out of the truck. I'll post a pic of it.

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[aaronboss221]

I meant to say mig welder

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[Greybeard]

If money is tight check it for leaks, otherwise I believe gas tanks are not very expensive. About $100m/l depending on where you look.

Tap on it with a ball peen hammer lightly all over. Then test for leaks, YMMV but I used water. Much cheaper than gas. Add a little air pressure, no more than a few pounds, by putting a air hose in it and wrap a rag loosely around the hole and a rag stuffed into the filler neck. Air will come out the rust holes on top, and water will come out any holes where there is water.  hahaha

If possible, just buy at least one new tank and hanger straps. You stay happier in the long run.
BTW- when I tested mine it leaked like a sieve on one end on the bottom. I let it dry in the summer sun for a week and thought I would save money by buying a gas tank patch system and then line the inside with tank liner. It didn't even come close to working. Money wasted, lesson learned. I ended up with new tank, new fuel sending unit, new hangers, fresh undercoating, and new rubber lines.