Carolina K10, 1979 Reg cab short bed.

[TheBlueBomber]

July of 2012 I had sold my '79 k5 to a good friend of mine and 9 months later I had a handshake and promise on the purchase of my '79 K10. 2 months later I shook hands once again for the huge sum of $1000 and a 2 hour DRIVE home from Mocksville, NC to Cary. Lets just say, between the 33"s, the airflow of open windows, and a tailgate latch not catching it was a very fun ride.

This picture is where the truck was sitting at the PO's house.
Note the RED paint color...

[TheBlueBomber]

The brake booster is leaking so I had to make sure to leave PLENTY of distance between cars. No rear brakes at all and the pads in the front were worn just about all the way through...


First thing I did when I got home was some poser shots.

[TheBlueBomber]

A little background on the purchase... Earlier that year I had shaken hands with a lady on a '78 longbed k10 two tone green and gold. It was a beautiful truck but unfortunately cancer was an understatement for the amount of rust on the truck. The motor ran quite nicely but the transmission was shot so a handshake for $600 and a return 2 days later with a trailor was made.

That never happened. Apparently some friend of hers told her she could get at least $1500 for the truck and broke off the deal... nice right?

[TheBlueBomber]

Anyway, After that I lost faith in humanity for a little so I didn't quite trust the PO on the handshake. He was waiting for the title work to comeback before I purchased the truck so since it was then June and we shook hands in April, I started my birthday spending.

Shoes for the K10

[TheBlueBomber]

And my new fishing monster. Planning on starting a Crew cab Dually build so I can tow this monster

[TheBlueBomber]

By the way... Feel free to post comments, questions, any advice as this thread progresses.

Can you say tune up time?? This was the worst plug in the motor. #3 cylinder and #4 or #6 was almost as bad...

Also got the truck washed and waxed. Not so much red anymore. Tangier Orange I belive.

[TheBlueBomber]

Right now as she sits, she has a '80-82 305, TH350 transmission, Corporate 10 Bolt. The plan is to pull the 305, See what the block looks like, reseal everything possibly bore it a little, and put it back in the truck. I have an engine stand that I'm trying to decide if I want to put a vortec 350 or a BBC on it. Will take my time with that build so It will be done right and not kill the bank.

Keep the TH350 and maybe throw 14bolt under there. Planning on having a modified stock look with the truck in the end.

[TheBlueBomber]

mid '60's cab lights a good friend of mine 1963c-10 gave me. Mocked up for this picture, looking to get a harness for these bad boys. Again thanks Jon for all the help.

[TheBlueBomber]

I go camping every couple of weekends especially when it starts getting cold.

On the way out, Chris's jeep broke both upper and lower control arms. So the old square body saved the day.

I apologize for the poor picture quality, My smart phone died and my contract expires in a couple weeks so i've been blackberrying it up.

[TheBlueBomber]

Here's a picture of a downed tree I made it across earlier. Thankfully the tree broke the rusted out exhaust for me so that was one less thing to do. Straight piped for about a week before Mule days here in Benson, NC.

The rims that the Boggers are mounted on wont fit on the front so my buddy Steele gave me these 15x10" wheels.

[TheBlueBomber]

Some more pic's of the boat, washing, some trim I picked up that I'll be cleaning up and either selling or mounting.

[chrisestes]

nice truck thats unfortunate about your friends jeep

[TheBlueBomber]

Another good friend of mine Cheyenne Chevy's rig. Has a '79 stepside his father built. Bought it from his dad a little before I picked up mine. Definitely think he got the better deal.


Photo credit goes to Cheyenne Chevy. My blackberry couldnt do anything near that quality.

[TheBlueBomber]

As of right now, Short term goals are to pull the 305, Th350, and NP203 Tcase. clean them up stick them in and get prepared for my motor build, suspension work, body work (cab corners, rocker panels, FENDER, couple of bed corners) I am happy I got this truck I feel I got a good deal and it'll be a great starter build for me.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by chrisestes

nice truck thats unfortunate about your friends jeep

Thanks. Yea we got it fixed the next day after we got parts. The shock got bent up bad so he removed the other side also. Bouncy bouncy bouncy.

[TheBlueBomber]

Okay one more poser shot. After this i'm done, promise!

Again, Photo cred. to Cheyenne Chevy.

[1963c-10]

great job on the thread austin. keeps the pics and progress coming

[TheBlueBomber]

Not much progress this past week. Mainly been working and spending time with the family. Taking a break from sandblasting my sway bar right now, Heres some pics of the interior. No cracks on the dash and one or two holes in the bench seat.

[rusty76]

Cool truck man. You came all the way out here to get the truck. Pretty good little ride. I bet it was fun. I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide to do with it. Do you ever come down to Uawharie? If I spelled that wrong I apologize. Take care.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Cool truck man. You came all the way out here to get the truck. Pretty good little ride. I bet it was fun. I'm looking forward to seeing what you decide to do with it. Do you ever come down to Uawharie? If I spelled that wrong I apologize. Take care.

Yea that area is beautiful, Mocksville is a nice area. Lots of farm land and the truck was right off of the highway. I haven't been to Uwharrie but a lot of my friends go there pretty often with their jeeps. Planning a trip sometime around January/February. Looking forward to checking it out I here there is good wheeling.

[TheBlueBomber]

Spent the past couple of days sandblasting the sway bar. Been very busy so I've been taking projects a little bit at a time. Planning on priming it before I go to work in the morning.

[rusty76]

Yeah Uwharrie is really nice. I spent some time camping there a few years ago. Really cool place.

[TheBlueBomber]

Went to the junkyard again today with my buddy who was looking for some bolts for a ford probe. Happened to see a freshly dropped off '74 c30. Picked these up for $4.88. Got home and got to blasting.


What do you guys think, keep the bare metal look or paint them black?

[rusty76]

bare metal just make sure to coat them

[1963c-10]

Nice progress Austin...keep up the updates.