Project Snowball- Slow build

[rs74]

And no this isn't a white truck. It has just turned into way more than I wanted to do to get it back on the road. I have had my 85 for about 14 years and has sat the last 8 years or so. I got it out and decided to just redo all the brakes, redo the heads, reseal engine and trans and put rockers on, then paint. Lower it and put on some WV 037 vetter rallies. Now the more I look the more it needs. I am talking to the guy who does my body and paint work now.

It's starting to look like I am going to get down to the frame and have it blasted and put some SEM (kind of like POR) on it first. Then inner and outer rockers, possibly floor pan work but will have to wait and see how bad it is after I have the bottom of cab blasted. It will get the SEM also. I have a place behind the drivers side bed wheel well that has to be replaced too. Atleast one cab corner and not sure about the other yet. The drivers side lower rear of door is starting to rust. I have extra doors and also have new GM doors and fender still in the box if need be. I have had them for 15-16 years.

I am getting pricing to get all this done and for now the drop and rims are on the back burner. The last thing that I have in mind if either a LS or Vortec 6.0L but that is down the road after all the above is finished. Isn't this how it usually goes. I will just do this and it turns into a snowball effect. Just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Here are a few before photos after pulling it out of one side of the shed and over into the other side. In the middle of brakes now. Nothing fancy. Pictures of the rust repair on the bed and in the door jams as well. This is not going to be a full blown build, just trying to get it back on the road and presentable. I want it to be my DD from now on. I am tired of driving the new stuff and selling off the new and rebuilding the old.

[rs74]

a few more

[CrazyDave]

I feel your pain I have been there more than once with projects........ the old "Well since I'm here I might as well" syndrome LOL
Good start!!!

[rs74]

Originally Posted by CrazyDave

I feel your pain I have been there more than once with projects........ the old "Well since I'm here I might as well" syndrome LOL
Good start!!!

LOL! Yeah lets just hope my pocket book can give me enough to get it back to driving condition. Trying to find a 81-87 SWB 4x4 Silverado project to buy and drive in the mean time.

[rs74]

I was also going to rebuild the front end with all new ball joints and steering components but think I will wait until I can get the drop spindles and springs first. I was looking at replacing all that with MOOG parts. That would probably be alot better than buying the cheap stuff.

[CrazyDave]

MOOG is the only way to go in my opinion I spent 10 years in the parts business and they are alot better than the cheap stuff

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by rs74

I was also going to rebuild the front end with all new ball joints and steering components but think I will wait until I can get the drop spindles and springs first. I was looking at replacing all that with MOOG parts. That would probably be alot better than buying the cheap stuff.

Yeah thats actually what I'm in the process of doing pretty soon, replacing the whole front end, with control arms and everything, you never know might not hurt to get it out of the way but yet again you could buy everything and when you get the stuff for your drop do it all at once?

[77ChevySharkBite]

looks like a solid foundation for a restoration if you ask me! Good luck and as you know there's plenty of people here to give you advice and help out.

what kind of motor is in it now? 305 or 350?

[77ChevySharkBite]

Sweet sounds like it's coming along slowly but surely!

I feel the same way about my thread I feel like I'm the only one posting and nobody ever responds but hey its your build, I know I always read it to see where your at, might not always post but definitely read it. Your making awesome progress man keep it up!

[panhead671]

I'm a readin...good thread!

[rs74]

LOL! I knew you guys were reading it. I was looking at the views and they kept going up. I do the same thing, reading a post and not posting. Thanks guys.

[pwradder]

just stumbled across this thread-you've got a lot on you're plate! seems like its coming along nicely though, this stuff takes a while when it's barely part time. keep it up!

[rs74]

Well after $140 labor I got my new control arm shafts and lower ball joints in today. Maybe this weekend I can start putting them back on but I have a lot of running to do first. I got the bed delivered today to the bodyshop.

Tomorrow morning I am making an hour drive up to a couple of salvage yards to look for a cab for this project and a swb bed for the 4x4 frame I am going to go get sunday. On sunday I make the two hour drive to get the 4x4 frame for the other project then drive another 45 min. to look at another cab for this build. This guy says has also has alot of interior trim pieces and a couple nice dash pads. So I will check out what he has and maybe pick up some trim pieces since I am changing the interior color on this one. Going gray. Hopefully he has some nice pieces to make the trip worth it. I will let you know how things go.

[77ChevySharkBite]

wish you the best man!! sounds like you got a killer weekend ahead of you!

Just remember slow progress is just as good as fast progress just stick with it!

[rs74]

Not much luck today. Didn't find anything I was looking for. Hopefully things go a little better tomorrow. There is a custom deluxe cab with air here in town for sale for $750. I was trying to get by for $500 or under. Trying to watch my pennies. I also made a phone call and found two short beds fpr $885 each. I may just have to bite the bullet on both of them. I would have to drill all the holes for trim on the cab since it is only a cust. deluxe and I have the silverado package. The bed is a little pricey to me although I may not have much choice around here. Some of these guys are wanting $1800 for a bed and $2400 for a cab.

[68Timber]

That would buy a complete truck or two around here. I like your plans for it, good to see another one saved. Subbed.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Wow that is pricey, I'm right there with Bruiser you can get a complete truck here for that, sorry about the loss hopefully you can find something though man!!
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[rs74]

This was a pretty dissappointing weekend. If you haven't yet read elsewhere I think I got dooped on the 4x4 frame today. Instead of being a 86 it turns out to be a 73-79? I can probably still use it but might just shorten the long bed frame.

Anyways about my build. Didn't find any cabs anywhere. I did go look at one but it was a 73-79 cab and about as worse as what I have now. The guy told me it had new rockers and cab corners in it. Bother inner rockers were shot. Someone just put outers on to make it look good. I am going to focus on the cab for my build and lay off the bed for the 4x4 for now. I am going to call about the custom deluxe cab and see if he will take $500. It is a nice southern cab though it has been setting in Illinois the last 4-5 years. That way I can move forward a little bit and get something done.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yeah buddy! Never know they might take that $500 hope you get it man!! Take pictures!! We all love pictures
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[rs74]

Work on the truck has been kinda slow lately. I finally got the front drop on. I am going to try and get the frame and cab to the body shop friday. If I can't do friday then I will shoot for the first of the week. Will have to pull the cab once I get it there. I still have to pull the tanks and do some minor removing of a few brake hoses and grind off a couple of exhaust hangers that were welded to the frame.

Going to try and have the blasting guy just do a wash over the frame to get all the loose stuff and grease build up off of it. I am not going to blast the whole frame down to bare metal. Behind the cab and the engine compartment needs it the most. I already power washed it once and knocked alot of it off.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Well wishing you the best man!! Even though nothing goes on seems like your still busy.

I hope you get all that you need taken care of man, with ease and no issues.

Just remember little progress, is progress my friend

[rs74]

Thanks Sharkbite!

[77ChevySharkBite]

Don't forget pictures man! You got to remember were picture whores here we love us some pictures haha

You have any pictures of what the drop looks like?

[rs74]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Don't forget pictures man! You got to remember were picture whores here we love us some pictures haha

You have any pictures of what the drop looks like?

I will take a few. It just has a cab on it though. I threw on some old rallies for the paint shop and the front tires are different sizes. Talked to the guy about the cab today and he is firm on the $750. Still more than I want to spend on it but may have to.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Ouch! Hope you don't have to man, I'm in the same boat trying to save pennies everywhere I can. Have you looked at any junkyards in your area? Or is that something that you're just a prone to end up with a crappy cab too? Only reason I suggested it, is because sometimes junkyards you can find a nice little diamond.

I know I need a bed because my is half rusted to hell, I went to a couple junkyards found some outstanding beds for my truck. Of course I wasn't there for me, or with the proper tools so I couldn't have taken one home either way.