1986 Chevy C10 SWB Step Side

[aotte1]

The drill with cutter was used to clear the holes in the frame.

[aotte1]

Here are the pictures of the hammer I used to shape the metal repair pieces for the firewall, mentioned above. I am no body man, novice at this. Using "Metal Bumping" book mentioned by others here as a good resource by Frank T. Sargent for repairing body damage.

The hammer worked well for me using the chisel like end to bend the metal and the round flat end to flatten/ straighten areas as needed.

[aotte1]

The hammer chisel like end.

[aotte1]

The round end

[aotte1]

The whole hammer

[aotte1]

The truck was delivered to the painter this afternoon. Wasn't sure it was going to happen, several disappointments with appointments canceled, the dates just kept being pushed back, and back. Found a new painter who is going to do it. Used 2010 chevy short bed to tow. Kept the speed under 55 MPH. It tow really nice with weight distributing hitch. Usually don't tow with such a short WB vehicle. The 3500 was full of big truck parts in the bed.
Les

[Rich84]

Now the waiting game...Good Luck.

[aotte1]

Rich,
You are right and today when I took over the hood and a couple of smaller parts, the painter ask if I wanted a brighter RED like is on current trucks vs the darker red on mine ( code 72). Now waiting and decision on color, leaning toward original red. I have a couple of week to make my color decision. My painter is more a street rod person, who likes lots of bright colors the newer paints provide.

Currently working on Stepside bed metal strips, cleaning them. Going to paint them body color, reusing them as they are in good shape.

[aotte1]

Found a few things this weekend at a local swap meet, two NOS rally wheel caps, an old engine analyzer for my grandson's 1964, chevy truck, and a few restoration materials.

[aotte1]

Picture of swap meet items.

[aotte1]

Today worked on cleaning the bolts from the front end and engine compartment.
First logged in each bolt, nut, washers. In my notebook on C10, I drew an image of each heads markings, dia and length, washer, etc. and where it is used e.g. Battery tray bolts. I did this because all the bolts are being cleaned and coated together.

Below is picture of bolts after being removed from tumbler machine. A few still need a little more cleaning before coating. On the coating, still deciding which one to use, looking at several "Techline " products.

[eighty-seven]

love those chevy wheel caps. nice and shiny.

[aotte1]

87,
Thanks, they were very reasonably priced at $15 each, now I have four new one for when truck goes back on the road. Their was a set of four NOS GMC center caps for $75 at the swap meet too. If you look in my bolts picture above you may see the attaching screws from the recycle yard that are being cleaned to use with them.

My biggest retreat from last weeks swap meet was that I did not purchase a pair of 15x10s 5x5 aluminum slots for $200. They were in very nice condition. Did not purchase them because of the back spacing being only 3.5". Would not work on my truck as bolt on. Still a very good deal for 10s. Saw three pairs of 10 inch slots in 5x5. The other two had even less back spacing!
Les

[Rich84]

I bet the GMC ones are very hard to come by..In that condition.

[aotte1]

Painted grill and headlight trim today with Dupli-Color HWP101 Silver High Performance Wheel Paint - 12 oz. First cleaned them with industrial cleaner, because they were very dirty from truck long term storage in a barn. Cleaned and rinsed three times to get them clean. Used scuff pad and several different brushes to get in all the corners. Used "final prep" to do final clean before painting.

[aotte1]

The head light trim.

[aotte1]

Work on my other step side body today, removed the rear fenders. Things went well. Was able to remove all the bolts that hold them on. The pictures below show what Keith S. Said, that factory sprayed color with fenders on. You can see from primer that they were on bed when sprayed. Thinking of sending the bed to be dipped to clean.
Les

[aotte1]

The removed fender bolts.

[aotte1]

The fender after removal.

[aotte1]

Receive new cab and radiator body mounts today, you need six and they are all the same. Each position needs two parts to make one mount. I purchased them from Chevrolet parts department. Below is a picture of them. Will install them once truck is back from paint shop.

[jetfast]

While you are disassembling your stepside bed, can you snap a couple pictures of the bolts that hold the tail lamp brackets to the bedside? Some measurements of the bolt size would be even more helpful.
I took the tail lamps off of mine a few years ago and have since lost them. Thanks.

[aotte1]

Jet fast,
Sure may take me a day or two.

Les

[aotte1]

The following are the GM part numbers for the cushions above:
Part number / Group
15597629. 9.023. Smaller part
15597600. 9.023. Larger part

Les

[jetfast]

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'm in no hurry.

[aotte1]

Jet fast,
Here are pictures of the Stepside rear tail light bolts. One of the pictures has notes on the bolt dimensions. The threads are course.

Les