1978 Big Ten, Big Block

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by Big Rat

Hey buddy. Man I didn't check the page for a couple days and you get all busy on me! I was wondering if you were going to have the spindle/rim issue. I had the same issue. I ended up grinding the control arm a titch and all was good. As for your tire question you have a lot of variations you could run with the 17x8 rim along with a lot of variables to take into consideration. The amount of sidewall you have is going to govern how much over or under width you can have with the tire width.

Okay, now I'm going to get all biblical on you... On a 15x8 you can basically run a 4 inch variance, of course depending on your sidewall. On my truck I will be running 15x8's, until I can get my custom wheels. My tires are 225/60/15 up front (8.86 inches wide with a diameter of 25.63 inches) and a 295/50/15 in the rear (11.61 inches wide with a diameter 26.61 inches). Now on a 17 your sidewall is going to be reduced allowing for less "safe" stretch by the tire. Okay so here is an example of a staggered setup that is probably safe for you to run. 225/60/17 front(8.86 inches wide, 27.63 diameter), 275/50/17 rear(10.83 inches wide, 27.83 diameter), comparatively to your 255/60/15(10.04 inches wide, 27.05 diameter) on your 15x8, you are very close to the same dimensions. Understizzle?!

I understizzle, Rat! Thank you for bestowing upon me your knowledge and power.

[Big Rat]

Knowledge and power!!! For some reason I just thought of Indiana Jones, "Fortune and glory kid, fortune and glory." I have no knowledge, I just throw out verbiage and random digits in hopes of sounding like a more smarterier feller.

[bohmankid]

Uh-Oh, the bed came off.. It starts getting real when the bed comes off!

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

Uh-Oh, the bed came off.. It starts getting real when the bed comes off!

Attachment 1116331

This s!@# just got really real!

What's the color of the truck? you don't have to give me a code but initially it looked like it was kind of green, now it looks blue. Is it greenish/blue?? No way its got that pearlescent paint job! all joking aside what is the true color?

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

This s!@# just got really real!

What's the color of the truck? you don't have to give me a code but initially it looked like it was kind of green, now it looks blue. Is it greenish/blue?? No way its got that pearlescent paint job! all joking aside what is the true color?

It's turquoise. SOOO yeah.. greenish/blue
I think it's factory color. The floor pan, firewall, and all window seals are that same turquoise color.

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

It's turquoise. SOOO yeah.. greenish/blue
I think it's factory color. The floor pan, firewall, and all window seals are that same turquoise color.

Dang I was right!

Hmmm.....first time I've seen that color on a square, what you plan on changing it to, or you planning on keeping it that color?

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Dang I was right!

Hmmm.....first time I've seen that color on a square, what you plan on changing it to, or you planning on keeping it that color?

ALL RIGHT YOU TALKED ME INTO IT! I'LL TELL YOU THE COLOR PLAN... red

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yes!! Victory is mine!!

Now I don't want to know what specific because there's only like what seems like 10million different reds in the world, but I know it'll be sick!

[Zane M]

Another solid project you have going. 'Grats!

[bohmankid]

I work on this when I have spare time. Right now my spare time is limited so I didn't get a lot done since my last post. My other truck has been getting most of my attention. Let me show you what I've done to this one!

I stripped out some of the interior!


I also started stripping the frame. My buddy gave me a one-piece window to replace my sliding one. I tinted that and threw her in!!






And look what I found when I pulled the exhaust off!! Kind of crazy hahaha. Sad because I liked the way it sounded LOL

[bohmankid]

I bought a new rear end for it. It's a posi unit with 4.11 gears. We'll try them out and see how I like them.


Rust Protection?! YES! A whole gallon.


And here is a picture just for fun. How-low-can-you-go..

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

I work on this when I have spare time. Right now my spare time is limited so I didn't get a lot done since my last post. My other truck has been getting most of my attention. Let me show you what I've done to this one!

I stripped out some of the interior!
Attachment 1118484

I also started stripping the frame. My buddy gave me a one-piece window to replace my sliding one. I tinted that and threw her in!!
Attachment 1118485

Attachment 1118486

Attachment 1118487

And look what I found when I pulled the exhaust off!! Kind of crazy hahaha. Sad because I liked the way it sounded LOL
Attachment 1118488

Looks pretty solid on the inside bro!

It's coming along nicely man, sharp looking well the rear is naked now, what's you plan to clean up the frame then throw everything back?

The exhaust is a sad story I remember one time in my moms car we were on the freeway and something metal put a hole in my mom's muffler got to admit it sounded pretty badass! looks like some flowmasters or magnaflows.

[bohmankid]

An entire days worth of grinding, wire-wheeling, and painting.. I'm tired..

[naphtali5725]

frame is looking good man!

[Big Rat]

Clean, wire wheel, POR, ALL IN ONE DAY?! You are making me look horribly slow and lazy!!! Nice work dude-guy!

[Remon.]

Originally Posted by bohmankid

I stripped out some of the interior!
Attachment 1118484

Does anyone know if the carpet has been cut like this from the factory or why it has been cut like this? My C20 carpet is exactly the same, but why, I can't figure.

Anyway, nice build!

[Claytona08]

Man I just stumbled across your thread. Nice progress!!!

[Big Rat]

So, any progress?

[bohmankid]

Thank you all for compliments. I appreciate it.

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I stopped working on this truck since I'm doing an LS swap in my 4x4 right now, but I'll give you an update of what's new. I put the bed back on and my new rear end with 4.11 gears. With the new gears, it feels a little different. This truck pulls extremely hard.

I put a new (used) hood on it. The old one was rusting out through the bottom. This one only has surface rust.







a couple pics of the short bed with the long bed. These pictures were taken right before the blue one was crashed. The long bed truck will be missed, R.I.P.







Here's a picture of my truck and that beautiful sunset we had awhile back thanks to those Tooele fires.




Since my 85 gmc is crashed, I pulled the rust free doors off that and put them on the short bed (the old doors had rust bubbles forming along the bottom). The 'new' doors currently have electric windows and locks so I'm going to try to convert them into this truck.

I also installed new DJM drop coils on the front. It raised about an inch or two and I like this stance much better. The lower control arms do not hit anything anymore and the bump stops are not touching. I also replaced all four ball joints along with nitro drop shocks.

I currently have the interior stripped down to all metal and will be wire wheeling, painting with POR-15, laying down dynamat and new carpet.

Let me add that the 4.11 gears are not too daily driver friendly, but this truck is fun to drive.








Look what I found on the internet. I'm thinking about going out and having one made for myself!!

[Big Rat]

YOU CRASHED YOUR LONGBED?!?!?!?!? NOOOO!!! You know I want one! If you didn't want it anymore I would've taken it off your hands!!! What happened? Oh and I love the progress on the 78. It really shows how slow and lazy I've been the past 5 months. It looks really good. So does that hat. I want one.

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by Big Rat

YOU CRASHED YOUR LONGBED?!?!?!?!? NOOOO!!! You know I want one! If you didn't want it anymore I would've taken it off your hands!!! What happened? Oh and I love the progress on the 78. It really shows how slow and lazy I've been the past 5 months. It looks really good. So does that hat. I want one.

Unfortunately, I crashed the long bed a few months back. Details are in my build thread in my signature. I also bought a new long bed to replace it (also in sig).

Thanks. The 78 is coming along.

[Greenlee]

Looks good! You are making the rest of us look bad buzzing along with two projects!!!

I converted from manual windows to power also. Does your cab have holes for the wiring? I didn't notice there were no holes and had to take the doors back off to drill them.

[bohmankid]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

Looks good! You are making the rest of us look bad buzzing along with two projects!!!

I converted from manual windows to power also. Does your cab have holes for the wiring? I didn't notice there were no holes and had to take the doors back off to drill them.

Right on. Thanks man!

I haven't wired the power windows and locks yet. But you are correct, I will need to drill holes. It won't be hard. And I have my crashed 85 with lots of spare parts.

[Zane M]

Awesome truck. I look forward to the continued progress.

[Hankster]

Just found this thread and read the whole thing! anymore progress? sweet looking truck.