'74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

A short story about this 1974 Chevy.

This truck has been in my family since about 1984. My father had gotten it used and he was the 2nd owner. It was a 6cyl 3 on the tree. I have so many great memories of this truck and the time spent in it...When my brother Graduated HS in 91 it was passed on to him.

WELL, in about '94 or '95 it was taken to a "friends" Shop to have some minor work done to it, and over night the guy decided he wanted to leave town, so he did with the engine, tranny, drive shaft, radiator, battery, stereo, rims... he basically left the shell on cinder blocks, he had done that to a few other vehicles that were there also. The guy even took a freshly painted Buick Regal with him....

Sooo... this truck as been sitting like that for a while, except now it has a v-8 in it.... to make matters worse my brother was killed by a Drunk Driver soon after the engine and tranny was installed. (3/8/09) SO i have now Inherited this truck and I want to get started on it!

What i would like to do.. what i think would be the easiest.. is would be get a complete 73-87 SWB and basically switch the Cab, Bed engine and tranny. to get this beauty up and running again...

or would a '90 Jimmy work for this project?

I'll dig up a picture or 2 of what it looked like in its prime and when it was all original before it got painted...

here she is for those who just want pictures....


Please Help!

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

sorry to hear about your brother after all the stuff that happend to the truck. looks like a great project,i have a 78 c10 stepper

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Whatever you do, keep that front end! Beautiful.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

The jimmy has a different frame but if it was mine, i would just rebuild what I have. these trucks are pretty basic. I think swapping the bodys would just be a hassle IMHO. I am sorry about your bro and I hope you get the old truck back on the road!

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Thanks everyone for you support

I am planning on it! IMO round eyes go with step sides!

I kinda figured the Jimmy's frame wouldn't work, :banghead:
The frame that's on it now is not the original frame (i forgot to mention that) The frame had been cracked (from what I remember) due to having Hydraulics and driving low (it was the cool thing to do at the time) and my brother hit a pothole (may have been driving faster than he should have) and the frame cracked on or near the motormounts? I was young(er) at the time so don't remember the details... BUT the cab and bed swap have already been done. I just remember it took about 6 guys to move the cab...

as far as the "swap" goes I think it would be more cost efficient to get it up and running again rather than doing it piece by piece...

some of the things i know for sure it needs to make it drivable

1) Driveshaft about $100
2) rear end (from what i remember it wobbles when driving)About $200
3) Radiator & hoses/support etc... about $150
4) Windshield (has a big crack through it, and won't pass inspection) about $100
5) Tires depending on if i get a set of used tires between $150 and $650
6) Brakes... (not sure if whats on it is any good anymore)

so I can spend anywhere between $700-$1200 (keep in mind im just estimating prices based on a few visits to the junkyard and browsing online for prices)

or

Buy an already Running (or Semi-Running) '73-'87 Shortbed and do the engine, tranny , cab and bed swap for about the same price range (and I would get extra parts ;) )

Anyone ever done this?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

it all depends on the room u have to have 2 trucks apart.btw i like the vinal top on the truck. put some ralleys on it it will look perfect.good luck on the project.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

EL PASO?!!!!!
no wonder why that truck looks familiar!!!
Sorry to hear about your brother
Shoot me a txt 915-850-3194...ill go check out your truck

i just finished mine
http://www.southwestdrags.com/forum/...ad.php?t=10034

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Where have you seen this truck at? It hasn't been around in about 15 years?
Thanks man.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

here's a few pictures of it when I was a youngin' (sorry these are old pictures from the 80's when cameras weren't the greatest)

Does Anyone know what that original color is? Its kinda burnt orange..?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Prolly in the late 80's, when the crusing scene was popular.
I cruzed my nova everywhere..didnt matter where.
Back then it was Ascarate park on sundays, Monopoly's on friday nites.
Monopoly's is closed now, its a china buffet now. Same parking lot where barnes and nobles is...that parking lot held @ least 300 cars! lol!
Friday Nites was Industrial park for illegal drag racing...way later was 54 in the north east.
Low Riders and Low Rider Car Clubs use to hang out in parking lots around North Loop Street and Alameda. I think with business owners permission cuz those clubs were huge.
But now when the gang violence grew, all that came to an end. Then when fast and the furious came out...that really put a nail on the coffin with the crusing. Bad apples ruined it for everyone.

Last but not least Ultra wheels and Phatom tops were a big deal back then (late 80's early 90's).
That top has some funky material, cuz its not vinyl right?
That truck looks like a blast from the past! im glad it survived!

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Yea that material isn't Vinyl its like a denim cloth (im scared to take it off and see a bunch of rust)

Those Ultra rims are off of another truck I used to have they needed tires so i just went ahead and got a new set of rims and tires I'll have to dig up an old picture of when it was a "nice" green and with the 15" Roadsters on it

here's a picture of the old truck those rims came off of... I had bought that truck when i was in the Air Force and sold it to some kid in Clovis, NM.. I wonder if he's on this forum...

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

I have room to do it .. it shouldn't take too long to get it done (at least i don't think so)

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

get some buddy's cuz u will need them.btw love the wire hub caps.lol

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Those wire hub caps were classy in the 80's :bling: :lol:

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

I found some pictures of My truck and what it looked like in the early '90's :metal:


Lifted in the front and slammed in the back with Hydros

15x7 Chrome Roadster Rims

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

wow!!! thats crazy!!

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

You just need an engine hoist and a 1 man cab/bed mover.

My thread link for hoist & 1 man lift.

Wooden Cab/Bed Lift

Metal Cab/Bed Lift

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

wow a hundred bucks for a driveshaft? I thought $65 was expensive around here that's worse, I think I'd check around more, or maybe ebay or something. Is yours missing or messed up? if it's there you can get it fixed, shortened or lengthend at a local place or find a longer one and have it cut down. I'm sure somebody on here has one their are parting out and is longer or maybe the right length.

Nice truck though I love the round headlight trucks wished I had another one.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Thanks for the info I'm going to have to try one of those options

The drive shaft isn't there at all it was taken with the engine/tranny etc. I've briefly looked into getting a longer driveshaft and having it cut down but that would cost nearly the same as getting one that i don't have to cut down. The $100 was from maybe 2 different Junk yards that I've gone to.

I love the round eye trucks especially the round eye shortbed stepside...but maybe it's because i have one ;)

(i did have a '84 SWB tho...)

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

we had 2 square eye trucks an 86 4x4 swb fleet and the 84 swb fleet dad has now but did have a 76 swb fleet and loved the round headlight, would love to find me another one. I know other places have different prices, but the local guy we just got one from was $65 and gave us a few days to get it in and make sure it was all working in good shape. I thought it was kinda high, but there's no driveline shops within an hour drive or so from us.

Too bad you aint close man he had a huge stack of driveshafts and I saw about 5-6 81-87's on my way to get the shaft. What trans is going in it?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

it has a 305 .30 over with a mild w/Gear drive timing setup I believe the tranny is a 350?

are there any identifying markings on the tranny so i can tell which one it is?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

whats the shape of the pan? if its a square with a corner cut out of it shape its a th350 /also can tell if it only have 3 gears

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

I completely forgot about the pan shape! THANKS! I'll check it out later toady.:metal:

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

dude! i just found this on craigs!
go get the measurements for the drive shaft on this one before it gets sold.
i think its the same frame
http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/1881091244.html

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Isn't the Driveshaft the same for all the Shortbeds?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Took some pictures today of the truck sorry if the picts are kinda crappy was taken with my cell phone...

1st 2 are of the sticker in the glove box i couldn't read what some of the stuff said is there a decoder of some sort for these codes?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG003971.jpg

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG00398.jpg

Tranny pan (judging by the pan shape is it a th350?)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG004001.jpg

Shiny Oil Pan

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG003991.jpg

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

I haven't posted in a while, i went out to take some pictures so here they are...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1214.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...s/IMG_1227.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...s/IMG_1210.JPG

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...s/IMG_1211.JPG


I'm not sure why those pictures are smaller than the 1st one.... i'll try to fix it later :uhmk:

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

I'm Back!

I have been searching craigslist in my local area for a perfect "donor" Truck to get mine up and running and here it is! I paid for it and have the title in hand I just have to pick it up on Friday. :metal:

Heres some details on it:

Its a '85 SWB it happens to be a non-running 305 w/turbo350, the guy said when he bought it if he remembers correctly it was the water pump and its been sitting since about Feb/Mar 2008 and he didn't want to see it just rot away. The body of the truck looks pretty good 'cept for a dent behind the front tire on the drivers side and the rear bumper is banged up. I looked underneath to see if the frame was rusted, cracked or bent didn't see any. Hopefully I can have one of my trucks running by the end of this weekend. I'll be sure to take more pictures on Friday when I pick it up. :ito:

(I forgot my good camera when I went to look at it so these are taken with my Blackberry)

Heres the pictures i have for now :

The Interior with a Cloth Yellow Bench Seat (with a roll of body molding)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG004341.jpg

The Engine bay w/Air! (hopefully that works)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG004401.jpg

The Gauges (the Dash was crap... I meant Cracked)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG004351.jpg

The Exterior
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG004331.jpg

Another one of my Round Eye for Comparison
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG003752.jpg

A better view of the The Engine from the previous post
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5/IMG_1210.JPG

Again
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5/IMG_1211.JPG

The Tailgate on The Round Eye
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...5/IMG_1227.JPG

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

nice! so u are using that frame for the stepside?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Yessir, my plans haven't changed. First things first, i'm putting the engine from the '74 in the '85 and gonna drive around the '85 for a while then change out the beds, then cabs... etc

I can't wait! :chevy:

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

nice!
let me know when you want to sell that fleet side bed.
My brother might be interested.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Will do, is he gonna use it for parts?

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

na, he needs the whole bed. Years of abuse caught up, hard 4wheeling.
He painted the truck few years back but that bed is done for, lol.
I found him a clean 90 front end to a sub, now the bed is next

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

I thought you had meant the whole truck thats why I asked if he wanted it for parts. LOL! it was early... but now i see you just want the bed, I'll let you know when I'm done with it.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Got My Donor Truck today!

I finally got the truck to me earlier today, got it next to the '74 and took some pictures.

But 1st, When I got the truck home we noticed a puddle on the trailer when we were taking the truck off (we figured it was just stored rain water) When we got it in the driveway we decided to check out the truck and see what was wrong with it. So, We connected a fresh Battery, poured some fresh gas in the carb and it fired right up! Then we realized that we didn't check any of the fluids. SO, I immediately shut off the truck and we checked the fluids/belts.

There was no water in the radiator, Oil, Tranny Fluid and the belts were good
so we decided to top off the radiator with some water. As soon as the radiator filled up i noticed the truck was gushing out water... (it looks like the hose was on)... its leaking from the Freeze plug. :(... Also, the fuel pump seems to be out/going out (its buzzing). I noticed that the parking brake was on the whole time we were pushing the truck.... so i don't think it works.

I am hoping to switch out the Engines ASAP (just not this weekend)

Anyways....

Here's the pictures:

Sport Mirrors
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1256a.jpg

Stock Height
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1257a.jpg

Fleetside vs. Stepside?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1255a.jpg

The Seat looks really good in this photo
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1254a.jpg

Killer Wheel Cover
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1253a.jpg

Side by Side
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1252A.jpg

Round Eye vs. Square Eye?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1251a.jpg

The Girls
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/...m/IMG_1249.JPG

The Engine Bay of the '85
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1248a.jpg


Look at the taillights on that one
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/.../IMG_1247a.jpg

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

SOMETIMES!! you can get lucky and stick a new freeze plug in and be ok if it didnt bust the block. If its hard to get to you can get one of those rubberish ones with the bolt in the middle to tighten. Looks like too nice of a truck to part out... how about I trade you for a 76 swb parts truck I have with a clean frame? lol then you would have the right cab mounts and stuff. But if you must.... Why dont you just pop your other motor in and keep all the a/c stuff, swap front clips and install bed and forget about cab swaps.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

na, he wants to keep the cab of the stepside. Thats the soul of the truck.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

Yea the cab has all the memories in it... I did think of keeping the cab from the '85 & changing the front clip so I have A/C but if I remember correctly the '74 has A/C

How difficult is it to change the front clip?
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

If you were A LOT Closer then i would consider it... ;)
I'm hoping to get started on the trucks this weekend or next.

Re: '74 Round Eye Stepside Project
 

nice Project