82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

So, I've been looking for a project for a few months now. I was dead set on a turbo LSx setup, but couldn't decide what I wanted to put it in. A thread on another forum made me start thinking about square body chevy trucks. My dad had an 85 when I was a kid and loved it, I actually had an 86 step side that I bought and flipped right after high school. I came to this forum and started looking around at all the stuff the make for them now and I was sold.

I started scouring eBay, craigslist, Facebook classifieds looking for a truck. I wanted a short wheel base 2WD with factory AC (It's hot in the south, it's not even really optional). I hit upon this 82 on Craigslist. It runs and drives, has a newer 350, and has a very straight body with zero rust.

These are the pics from Craigslist:

http://i.imgur.com/fUnXYxzh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7xpcqIeh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/r64Kidqh.jpg

We came to an agreement on the price and he met me in a nearby city. The truck checked out fine so I went ahead and bought it.

http://i.imgur.com/4ImgZzdh.jpg

Drove it back to Memphis, about 50 miles. Did fine at 60-65 the whole way. None of the gauges work and the brakes are absolutely terrible, but otherwise it's in good condition and I mainly wanted the body anyway, as the drivetrain is getting replaced. Here it is as I got it back to the shop.

http://i.imgur.com/9Q1focAh.jpg

I'm going to tear into the brakes soon. They seem to be completely worthless, I was allowing like 10 car lengths on the way back. There might be something actually wrong with them, or I could be biased because my current fun car is a 96 Miata with aftermarket pads that will stop on a dime.

Nice straight bed:

http://i.imgur.com/SsNHylTh.jpg

Interior is all there and in fair condition. Obviously that seat is going to need to be recovered and the dash pad is busted up. Everything else looks to be in good condition.

http://i.imgur.com/vWAwvyth.jpg

SPID still in the glovebox.

http://i.imgur.com/dxkGyjHh.jpg

What I'm guessing is the original 10 bolt. Can anyone tell me anything about them? I'm guessing for my power goals it won't be super long for this world before it's replaced with a 9" or something.

http://i.imgur.com/4uwlO4Xh.jpg

My first order of business was to order some suspension to lower it a bit and replace the ancient shocks. This should arrive shortly.

http://i.imgur.com/PnrKuQ6.png

Here in the next day or so I'm going to pull the bed off and pressure wash the hell out of the frame and suspension in anticipation of new parts. Also gonna check out the crappy brakes. I'm also looking for a donor truck to swap in a 4.8/5.3/6.0 and a 4L80. Then it's gonna be time for turbos.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Looks like a nice start. Cant wait to see the turbo build.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yeah I'm ready to get started but every truck at the salvage auction today has over 200k miles. Literally the lowest mileage truck today was 214k, lol.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Clean truck i am excited to see it put together. Ls power! Plus turbo hell yeah. Post pics galore. Welcome

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I most definitely plan to.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

pulling up a chair to watch this build as well, pace yourself and keep the detailed updates coming, keep in mind there will be many people following along even if they don't chime in and post something here, but there will be plenty of us that do, so go for it

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

yeah man for an LS that's way too much, those motors were ran hard, just keep looking I know you is excited but be disciplined and smart, weather this is a 2 month build or a 2 year build the time will just fly by, and you want to sit back when its all said and done and say man I did it the right way

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Will do, your build thread inspired me to document the bejesus out of it because I really enjoyed reading yours.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yeah I'm not super scared of mileage, but I don't want to go too much over 100k. There's no shortage of chassis and interior work I can do while I'm waiting for a drivetrain. Fedex says my shipment from Western Chassis will be here today. :metal:

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Speaking of which, ordered the stuff to make my windows functional.

http://i.imgur.com/qJtltmW.png

I went ahead and bought a window regulator, I haven't even pulled my door apart to make sure the driver side needs one, but it doesn't move at all and for $25 shipped, might as well.

http://i.imgur.com/I2ZF1nz.png

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I'll follow along for the ride as well. :)

I have to say though....with the drive train plans, I am a little surprised you ordered a lowering kit. I was expecting something a little more aggressive with the suspension. At least a 4 link with coil overs in the rear.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yeah there's a chance I will regret that decision. That's the only reason I haven't ordered rear disks too. I might end up having to go with a different rear end entirely and buy them all over again. I wanted to get it at the level it's going to sit at though for the sake of exhaust routing. I would be super pissed if I built out the turbo setup and then found out that lowering it makes it not work.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I've been kicking around an LS swap. I'm going to follow along.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Plenty of LS engines out there with over 300k miles holding 600+ to the wheel. Mileage isn't a huge issue with these engines, as long as they aren't super ****ed lol.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Cool. Gonna watch. Like your truck.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yeah I've seen some pretty high mileage ones, but the reality is I can likely get one with 110k for the same price as one with 200k. Might as well go with a lower mileage one.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Thanks!

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Excellent!

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

First parts came in from LMC. Unfortunately my window regulator hasn't come in from RockAuto so I'm sitting here bored as hell.

http://i.imgur.com/DCul5uTh.jpg

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

wonder if your new window handles will slip on the new regulator(s) you are procuring, it is common to find that at one point GM changed the depth of the handles and some will not mate well with some window regulators, not raining on your parade just trying to help, you way want to slip these new handles on your existing regulators just for a quick test, see my thread Restoring Rusty for more details

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Good idea, I'll try that before I tear the door apart. If they don't fit, at least I won't stab anyone like I would if I just spent an hour taking a door apart.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

what lowering kit did you go with....like brand and parts that are in the kit?

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

This:

https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-8...-Front-4-Rear/

(I have no idea why that is the link, it's the 4/6)

It's front drop spindles and drop springs, rear flip kit and C notch kit.

I added these:

https://westernchassisinc.com/1973-8...nder-kit-Rear/

So that I can use stock length shocks in the rear for better travel.

I also bought new shocks front and rear to go with all of the above. Here's a link to the front drop shocks:

https://westernchassisinc.com/ds-2-f...cks-chevy-c10/

I ordered the same shocks for stock height in the rear, because of the aforementioned relocation kit.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Thats top notch stuff.....i had western chassis spindles an springs on mine wth belltech flip kit rear......also had belltech drop shocks for 6" drop for the rear an still had to add shock relocating brackets......u might or might not have problems wth the stock length shocks on the rear

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I saw conflicting stuff regarding that, so I figured I would give the longer travel shocks a shot first. If they don't work I'm sure Western will swap them out or worst case I can sell them and order the lowering shocks.

Glad to hear you were happy with Western's stuff though, I'm not at all a car noob, but I am to these vehicles and these vendors.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Food for thought here...High mileage LM7...

My son's White Trash:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDk5_k9MOE0

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yeah I'm not going to shy away from one, but I'm also hoping to make my money back on the parts car so lower mileage might even end up costing me less. We'll see what the auction has in store for me this week.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

mzsigler - I understand where you are coming from on that. That engine came out of a wrecked z71 that I picked up for $800. By the time I got that truck parted out, I had about $400 in the engine, trans, PCM and wire harness. Probable could have had less, but I ended up giving away the last parts just to get it out of my yard.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

For sure, that's the way to do it.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Finally got to work on the truck a little. Decided it would be a good idea to install my window regulator so my driver side window rolls up. Here's what I started with.

http://i.imgur.com/LljuzVnh.jpg

I took roughly 1848729373 little phillips head screws out, removing all of them except one. This one. The very last screw. The one toward the rear of the door inside the little arm rest pad.

http://i.imgur.com/SN3Mrk8h.jpg

I tried to drill it out and the drill bit snapped off in the screw without hesitation. I decided to poke around by pulling the door panel back and noticed I could get it off if I took off the two 11mm bolts holding this metal bracket on. So that's what I did.

http://i.imgur.com/YmeY51Ah.jpg

I'll deal with that bastard screw later.

Neat, part numbers!

http://i.imgur.com/cv7aUfah.jpg

That got me to here:

http://i.imgur.com/5muOJ1qh.jpg

I taped up the window so it wouldn't fall and started taking more bolts out.

http://i.imgur.com/cx3Zfmjh.jpg

I took @gregski's advice and test fitted my new crank on my new regulator, thankfully it fits perfectly. SHINY!

http://i.imgur.com/4vid8sBh.jpg

One of the mechanics that works for me used to do automotive glass install, he's likely the reason I got it pulled out without breaking anything.

http://i.imgur.com/UTaCMX1h.jpg

Old vs New

http://i.imgur.com/2FBFTIfh.jpg

Old

http://i.imgur.com/BNqLKqUh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/9rxVhvOh.jpg

New

http://i.imgur.com/Ps6WZKZh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7lT0iCBh.jpg

You remember 11 seconds ago when I said I didn't break anything? That's not exactly true. The window channel inside the door frame was super duper dry and brittle and snapped like a twig. It was actually already broken off about halfway up the window opening, I just never noticed it because the window was stuck about an inch from the top and I guess the wind noise covered the sound of the glass rattling. I ordered what I hope is the correct replacement part.

http://i.imgur.com/RrbZX8Lh.png

Since I doubt I'll see those parts before the thanksgiving holiday, this is how it sits for now:

http://i.imgur.com/64bvaZQh.jpg

I plan to take the opportunity to try and clean up that door panel before I decide if it's going to just be replaced. Going back to my first picture, does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning up this door panel other than "Throw it away and order a set of door panels"? Here's a link to the full size so you can see the details:

http://imgur.com/LljuzVn

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yes, finally some pics of you doing some work, ha ha, wonderful job man, great pics, documentation and feedback. 11mm bolt you said, those pesky metrics came into the picture, I am so glad my truck is pure standard size nuts and bolts, hee hee

as far as the panels, well, mine were all plastic so I painted them using special vinyl paint, not perfect but turned out ok, (give yours the finger nail scratch test if you can scratch off powdery stuff under your finger nails they are too far gun, if you can't then stain/paint the plastic) yours have fuzz on them (aka much fancier) so donno, maybe steam clean them, or get some new fuzz and have your window guy replace those sections, shouldn't be too difficult looks like a flat piece

Dupli-Color Vinyl and Fabric Paint their Desert Sand Vinyl & Fabric Coating 11 oz. Aerosol looks pretty close

top tip, shop vac the bottom of the inside of the doors, to prevent old hardened rubber and plastic and god knows what else from rattlin' in there and clocking up the bottom drain vents / openings / cracks

also its a good time to take out the door latch/lock mechanism and clean it up real good and re grease it, you'll thank me later it is probably super rusty and crusty in there

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I'm actually glad mine is metric, this is the first thing I've owned that's old enough to be even mixed, even my 87 Grand National was mostly metric :o

It looks like the little fuzzy patches are just screwed on, I might pull them off since I have some time and see if my girlfriend can cover them in some vinyl, I honestly dislike all the carpeting on the door. That part I could take or leave but the carpeting at the bottom is gonna have to go. I just have to figure out how to do it without making it look terrible.

I'll get in there and vacuum those doors out tomorrow and clean and lube the latch tomorrow, that's an excellent idea, especially considering it's going to be taken apart for a few days no matter what.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Huh a silverado model with crank windows? Awesome! Never liked the power windows in squares, my 86 dually had them. I did have to replace the driver side regulator in my 81, I figured after 35 years of use with a non AC truck was enough to kill it. Looking forward to more of your build.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Yeah this truck has some weird options. Silverado package but manual locks and windows. LITERALLY EVERYTHING both inside and out in the light tan color "Almond".

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I know you are replacing it, but show us your engine please?

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

I'll snap a shot tomorrow. I just ordered a pressure washer on Amazon to clean up the rear suspension and chassis. I plan to do the engine bay as well. I have a massive transmission leak I need to hunt down and it's impossible right now because everything is covered in crap. I plan on replacing it, but it's nice for the truck to be able to move under it's own power. Plus it would be nice to be able to sell the drivetrain to offset the cost of the swap donor.

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Soon to be former engine. It's supposed to be a 350 from a newer model. I haven't done any research on it yet to determine exactly what it is.

http://i.imgur.com/9yjjcY3h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FSfbKZbh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xqeBDoVh.jpg

Pretty soon I'll use this and get some part numbers that might give me some clues.

http://i.imgur.com/mw5Nbba.png

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

Based on the "scratch test" the door panels seem pretty far gone. They basically react like chalk.

http://i.imgur.com/lPtwfYdh.jpg

Guess I'll give the LMC door panels a shot.

Does anyone know where to get the latch for this or if they even sell it separate from the window frame?

http://i.imgur.com/oGoWuXBh.jpg

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

My parts from LMC just shipped, I'm passing the time cleaning the inside of my door.

http://i.imgur.com/E4V6GK2h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yGHxf9fh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/wMSDBGrh.jpg

Re: 82 Silverado restomod - turbo LSx build
 

That looks like it may be a roller cam engine with a single piece rear main seal. Pop a valve cover off and hover over it Superman style with a flashlight in your teeth while holding yourself up with your arms (ha ha) and see if you can spot the numbers in between the rockers there should be a long number with maybe 9 digits in it. You may need to wipe things down with a paper towel to read them. Share it with us, you may have some good flowing factory Vortec cylinder heads.