87' 4x4
 

I sold my 4x2 76' Silverado about a year ago and started looking for a 4x4. I bought a one ton millitary truck and picked up a cheap non-running 2wd 87' with a clean body that I was planning to use for a restoration. While looking for parts for my project on Craigslist, I ended up buying an entirely new project. lol

It's an unfinished 87' 4x4 frame-off restoration project that was started in 2005. Pretty much everything bolted to the frame is new. New tbi crate motor, rebuilt 700r4, shocks, brake lines, etc. It came with receipts for the parts that have been purchased. Here is a before pic that was given to me. As you can see it had some rust.

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Here are a couple pics of the drivetrain.

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Here are a couple of pictures of what it looks like now. I'm having the cab and front clip painted. The plan is to get it back home after it is painted and start putting her back together. Disregard the newer style bed. It is just sitting on the frame. I don't think it looks that bad, but I want to go back with an original bed. I am on the hunt for one now. I'll post more pics as I make more progress. :metal:

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Looks good, what color are you planning on. I am building a 85, just picked up an 87 for parts, I am gonna use the TBI motor in my 85, I love the TBI, good luck.

Subscribed,

Sarge

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Just out of curiousity, does that newer bed bolt up to the stock frame locations?

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Looks like a great project!

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Thanks. Good luck with 85' build! I like the TBI too.

I'm going to go back with red. I thought about some other colors, but I already have a bunch of good red interior parts.

Re: 87' 4x4
 

There is a thread somewhere on this site that says you have to drill new mounting holes in the frame, and use a body lift or trim the mounting points on the bed to even it up with the cab. I haven't really looked at it too closely because I decided not to use it.

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Good looking project! What bed are you going to use instead of the NBS stepper?

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Probably just a regular fleetside SWB bed. Also, thought about a stepside if I could find a clean one. I'm also trying to decide if I want to go back with dual tanks or not. I may decide by what I happen to find first that is clean and at a decent price. Right now I just can't wait to get it back and start putting it back together. Painter says it will probably be the end of the year before I can have it back. :waah:

I seriously thought about painting it myself in the garage. I have some limited experience and it would be kind of fun. I painted a Jeep a few years ago that turned out pretty good. However, I ultimately decided that I don't have the time or the space in my garage. I have a lot of respect for the guys on here that do everything themselves!

Re: 87' 4x4
 

I'm finally getting some paint on it. Since I last posted, I found an 80's stepside bed for it.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03764.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

hood...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03768.jpg

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fender...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03766.jpg

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door...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03767.jpg

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As she sits right now...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03769.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Wow looks good! I love that color.

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Yeah, that paint looks awesome.

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Thanks for the compliments on the paint. Here is another progress pic...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03943.jpg

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This is a parts truck that came with it...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03945.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

You can't see much, but this is the stepside bed I'm putting on it. Getting it home was a Greek tragedy. The strap broke and it fell on the parts truck putting a dent in each bed rail. At least I got my first dents out of the way...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03944.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Looks great, too bad about the bed damage.

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man i love that red

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Worked on the truck this weekend. Man it's hot!

Got a steering column put in so I can move it around a little easier, and got the stepside bed put together.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03955.jpg

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Latest pic...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03962.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Looks awesome...nice job, love the progress. :metal:

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nice

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Very nice color!!

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Thanks guys. It's the stock color, but I guess it looks a little more flashy when it is new.

Gordon i have followed your build thread and it's an inspiration!
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Re: 87' 4x4
 

Awesome!!!

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very nice
and nice red too

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I made a small amount of progress this weekend. Sand blasted and painted some of the small parts. Got the tailgate on. I bought a new master cylinder and brake booster, but didn't get it put on yet.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC04002.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

tailgate...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03998.jpg

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As she sits today...

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC03999.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Looks real good...keep up the good work and progress.

Sarge

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Did a little work on the truck this weekend. Progress has been a lot slower than I would like. Finding time to work on it is a challenge!

This weekend I swapped a serpintine belt setup from a 1990 Suburban.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC04349.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Also, since my last post I took apart the steering column and replaced the lock cylinder and turn signal / cruise. I cleaned everything up, did a little painting and put it back together.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC04163.jpg

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Here is the steering column back in the truck. I should have wiped the dust off before taking a picture!

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC04347.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

Nice project. Nice clean build. Keep up the nice work.

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I got the radiator in and the transmission cooler lines etc. I'm starting on the wiring now. If I can get the wiring figured out I should be ready to finally fire up the engine.


http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC04950.jpg

Re: 87' 4x4
 

This is an 89' Suburban that I'm using for parts. Right now I'm trying to carefully take out the wiring without breaking any of the plastic clips etc. If that doesn't work, I will resort to a painless wiring kit. The burb was running and driving and in decent shape.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/h...n/DSC04967.jpg