1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread

[Wrecked1982]

yeah I like the sound too

[ChevDog1]

Thanks. I like the way it sounds too, but I'm betting that the smog station won't. I also know myself well enough to know that I will get tired of it pretty quick.

I just picked up a pair of 15" glasspack resonators today to try and mellow it out a bit. I'll put them in tomorrow night and see what it sounds like then.

[ChevDog1]

Ok, I added a couple of 15" glass packs to tone it down a bit.

http://youtu.be/Q7ZLvxnwSl4

[ChevDog1]

Well, after several months of no activity, I'm back on the project!

Took it to the DEQ smog station this morning. Took two tries with some tuning in between, but it passed! I'll get plates for it next week, and then I can drive it whenever I want. Feels good to actually be able to drive it now.

I guess the next step will be starting the paint prep. Stay tuned for more photos.

[jpnh]

Cool

[Russ_the_truck79]

Sounds awesome! love the truck

[ChevDog1]

Yesterday morning, I went out to my shop and spent some time cleaning up the mess I made working on some other guys trucks this summer. Then Pulled my truck inside and started blowing it apart for paint. Feels like a big step. I finally made it road legal, and the next day started tearing it apart so that it can no longer be driven. I even got started on some sanding!

I tried to add some pics, but the system won't let me - something about a missing security token?

[ChevDog1]

Try again for photos

[Low Elco]

Cool! Glad you're back. You can do 5 if you upload one at a time. 5 gives the sec code error.

[Mark-L]

Cool truck. I have a 73 long bed with an inline 6 and I am trying to decide weather or not to install Big Block. I have a lot of Big Block parts and no 6 cylinder parts.

[ChevDog1]

I had initially planned on a V8 swap, but once I got the old six running, I decided to keep it. I'm not going to win any races, but it has plenty of power for a daily driver, and since most people swap them out, it will be a little different than most builds.

[InitialBoss]

I had to get my valve gasket replaced on my inline. The shop cleaned up the oily mess too and repainted it. I like the little engine but do wish it had more get up and go. I used to have the 3 on the tree but with the th350, seems like it bogs a little. Meh. Not my daily but like you said, not too many people have one.

[Dads79GMC]

Great work!

I believe you have 7" wheels all around? What size tires you running? Thanks Mike

[ChevDog1]

Good eye - yes they are 7's all around. Right now they are wrapped in BFG 255/60-15 rubber, but I'm strongly considering more of an old school look with something taller and narrower, like a 235/75-15. My rear tires are almost bald, so I will have to buy some rubber after I finish the paint work, if I want to drive it.

It will likely end up being my winter driver, so I can keep the M3 in the garage when the roads get dicey, so I'm also going to need a set of winter tires as well.

[ChevDog1]

OK - now that I am in the process of prepping it for paint - I would like to hear opinions from those of you who have been following this thread. What color should I paint this thing? I would prefer to go with a lighter, brighter color to minimize care issues (I already have two black cars, and would rather not care for any more dark paint).

Right now, I am leaning towards a bright blue, Like the Voodoo Blue used on FJ Cruisers, or Grabber Blue from the new Mustangs. I know that I want the paint to be a solid color with no pearl or flake. A close second is to just shoot it white. I would like it to look like it could have been an original color since I'm going for a lowered stock truck look. I have been searching online for examples, but nothing has jumped out at me and said "yes! this is it!"

I also love the patina look, but don't know if my truck could pull it off (or if I have the skill to do it).

Anyone have an opinion they would like to share?

[Low Elco]

How about some of the 60's colors? VW colors? Fake patina-ehhh, no.

[ChevDog1]

I agree on the fake patina - I like the look, but it just doesn't look right to me on a square body.

[ChevDog1]

Made some progress on the truck this weekend. I now have most of the truck sanded with 80 grit. My decision to touch up bare metal areas with rattle can last winter is causing me a bunch of extra labor now that I am finally starting the paint prep. Rustoleum satin black seems to plug up the sandpaper really quick. I went through an entire roll of paper this weekend, but I'm almost ready to start smoothing it out. Just have one rear fender to strip tonight, then I can start switching out to finer grades of paper.

[ChevDog1]

I also bought a new tool on Saturday. Picked up a HF stud gun. It came with a slide hammer and studs. Used it to pull about a dozen small dents and dings. In many cases, I won't even need filler! Great little tool - I highly recommend these if you have any dents to pull in areas that you cannot get to the backside of.

[ChevDog1]

And the passenger fender...

[ChevDog1]

The Hood...

[ChevDog1]

Found some Bondo in the drivers side of the cab

[ChevDog1]

I forgot to take pics of the doors, tailgate, and rear fenders, as they were sitting over on the other side of my shop. I'll try to remember to get some shots of those tonight.

[InitialBoss]

Looking like good progress! Keep it up!

[ChevDog1]

More pics from tonight. Tailgate