My first square daily driver fixer upper 87 chevy

[Howell1988]

Well I told her when I bought it that it's not just a project.....well its not we do need two vehicles around so I went for this for a couple reasons. One because my dad is building an 84 swb into a pro street and two I have always loved the square years almost as much as my first love the 65-66 chevrolet swb....which was a little bit more complicated to restore due to financial difficulties and needing a family car at the time...so anyways I look forward to adding my slow progress over the next months but this is what I've got so far to start with. Bought her for 1900.00 she's got a mild 350 automatic nothing fancy...but I've got a 350 bored 40 I'm hoping to put new rings and mains in soon and make some bigger power. It was a beast we took out of my first truck when I wrecked it at 18. Has been on the stand waiting patiently to be ran again. Here's some pictures any advice or ideas would be awesome!!!

[Howell1988]

Some more pics.

[flashed]

I like it ,what are your plans for it ?

[Howell1988]

First off I have this set of 17 inch wheels my dad is giving me that came off his. Next put the lowering blocks off his old rear end under mine (I'm pretty sure there 3 inch lowering blocks) then since the 350 that's in it right now is still doing well enough to get me back and forth to work I want to start on the body work and interior changes as quickly as I can on days off and get her ready for new paint this next spring. If I can make it through winter and get the inside all dressed up and possibly the 350 in the shop back together and stab it and my 2200 stall in then maybe I'll have a truck worthy of the shows. The body is about 95% rust free and only a small dent in the door the size of a quarter so I'm hoping to have her sanded filled and primed before spring. Still haven't picked color though that'll be hard to do but here's a picture of what I kind of like to do paint wise anyways...

[Howell1988]

Originally Posted by flashed

I like it ,what are your plans for it ?

Thanks I'm glad you like it any advice?

[Howell1988]

I'm afraid these may rub though because they lowered the front end by cutting the coil springs so I'm praying it won't rub but excited to see this weekend how they fit.

[Howell1988]

Btw I loved the wheels on the truck but the guys brother wouldn't part with them.....dang it yes I paid 1900.00 for the truck with stock steelies to get her home on but they aren't picture worthy lol

[flashed]

Just make it your own and enjoy the ride .

[Howell1988]

Originally Posted by flashed

Just make it your own and enjoy the ride .

Couldn't have said it better thanks

[Howell1988]

So I've been shopping for replacement interior parts and I'm wondering what to use on my door panels if I decide to clean them up and maybe give them a new topcoat...any advice on what paint or materials to use? Thanks

[Keith Seymore]

Looks like a good starting point; have fun.

You may want to check out my build/intro thread (linked below) since I just redid a similar truck. There may be some hints in there that are helpful to you.

Originally Posted by Howell1988

...Next put the lowering blocks off his old rear end under mine (I'm pretty sure there 3 inch lowering blocks)...

Last thing: Lowering blocks aren't going to work (unless you've already done an axle flip). In the stock configuration the springs are ABOVE the axle, so blocks with just space the rear of the truck UP and make things worse.

Originally Posted by Howell1988

... Still haven't picked color though that'll be hard to do but here's a picture of what I kind of like to do paint wise anyways...

What's wrong with code 72U "Apple Red"?



K

[Howell1988]

Lol I feel dumb on the lowering block part and the color. ...well maybe keep it i do like red

[Howell1988]

Just a couple updated pictures before I had to leave her to go to work can't wait to start working on things this weekend yay

[Howell1988]

Well finally got my replacement wing vent for the busted passenger side...25.00 bucks sure beats ebay prices lol

[Howell1988]

Oh here it is forgot the picture. ...

[Howell1988]

Got the dash trim for 15 bucks at salvage yard

[flashed]

You got lucky ,I wish we still had decent salvage yards here .

[Howell1988]

No kidding they normally aren't that cool but I got them on a good day thankfully. ...Most times they make you buy the whole part whatever it's attached to

[Howell1988]

So this afternoon dad and I should be putting the drop on the trucks rear end hopefully my wide tires will clear the bed wells wish me luck friends!!!

[Howell1988]

Another lucky salvage yard find so I won't have to weld up the holes.....20.00 bucks in perfect condition

[Howell1988]

Well no pictures today. Just changed plans to installing original springs back in the front then going to run the 17s until I can buy the c notch kit and drop spindles to do it right. Since I can't pass inspection either with these nitto drag radials plus the little dirt road stretch I got will eat them up sooooo hopefully after work two nights I'll have the truck back to standard height and back on the road. Also learned that eventually going to need to overhaul this supposably already overhauled vortec 350 it's got a little blow by so got to baby it around for a couple months till then. On the bright side though the wing vent replacement went easy for me and my door panels I got a good deal 40 bucks apiece all there thank goodness just waiting delivery.