TEXAS 81 swb build 5.3 4l80

[81chevys]

Well guys,

ive been doing alot of reading and no wrenching until here recently. Now its time to get started...

ive had my 81 C10 since my senior year in highschool (back in 03) and now its finally time to really get her back on track.

[81chevys]

here go a few pics of what ive started off with.

i wrecked the truck back in 04 and started changing out body parts to get her back together.

More recently, one of my inlaws wrecked a 00 silverado and completely DEMOLISHED IT. "WINNING" got a complete donor truck for 600 bucks.

I already had a 4l80 laying around so i figured why the hell not?

[81chevys]

here go a few more from different angles.


the truck came with a 305 th350 long tail 12 bolt one wheel wonder 2.56 gears and dual gas tanks.

i stepped up to a 350 with vortec heads and a 274h comp cams with 3 inch exhaust and 2 chamber flows.

ive been getting 10mpg since lol

[81chevys]

heres the rust i havent fixed. did the cab corners after the wreck cause i tore the one on the passenger side up.

other than that im planning on pulling my old setup and going with the 5.3.

heres a teaser photo.

got a lot of inspiration from FRED and ayatola of a rusty hola.

thanks guys.

engine paint, dirty dingos and every thing.

[81chevys]

the pics

[81chevys]

heres a pic of what im going for minus the drop. paint scheme and wheel back space.

this will be a driver so ill lower it a little but it'll still be used to move things so maybe 3/5 drop or 2/4

[81chevys]

yea i know its filthy in the inside. im working on cleaning it up.

[Gordonr1973]

Oh no....please don't let the Ayatolla be your inspiration --- all I want to do this summer is drink beer --- which explains why I'm not doing much on the truck these days!

I like what you are starting with, you have alot of momentum there and looks like lots of good parts. Rust is a PITA but you can definitely do it!

That paint scheme you posted will look AWESOME!!

[81chevys]

on the paint scheme im thinking dr.pepper red on top. i dont know why.... i just like dr pepper. lol

im considering trying to fix the rust myself. i have a little wire feed from hf but im not really satisifed in its performance.

[luifer76]

the paint scheme is gonna look awesome bro .....great project to start truck looks to be in one piece.....

[81chevys]

thanks for the compliments everybody.

its come a long ways.

[mooseknuckles]

nice score on the 5.3

[81chevys]

moose knuckles

you shoulda seen the truck when i got it. he ran into a concrete culvert in a LARGE drainage ditch. the whole truck was inside a hole. he was wearing a seat belt but his hand hit the windshiel soo hard it almost went through and was barely hanging on his hand . the airbag didnt deploy but he hit the steering wheel with enough force to break the colum and snap the steering wheel into 3 pieces.

i was glad he was ok

on another note. here go a few more progress pics of the truck. got the engine and tranny pulled. thanks to my bro in law.

my leg is broke so i can only sit in a chair and work or supervise.


Also here are a few pics of my dormant project i ve had for a while.

i had to learn a little disclipline about trying to do too much at the same time but i still got it.

it s a bare body 68 camaro. i have most of the body pieces and the bare front subrame and thats it.

its covered in crap cause my neighbor had to rebuild his shop and is storing all his stuff in my garage.

a few more weeks and hopefully i can move the truck in the garage and get started cleaning it up and painting the frame at least.

[81chevys]

looked at the crossmember and saw that the exhaust guy cut my crossmember up with a sawzall or something and im missing the top bracket that bolts to the frame onthe passenger side top. do you think i need to find a nother one? i am gonna weld up this hold but what do yall think will happen if i dont get that piece.

i was really pissed when i saw this but i figured he probably did it to run the pipe on top of the crossmember on the pass side. i just wish he would have told me about it.

here are a coulple of more for the cage in the camaro.

ive decided im gonna change this around because i want a back seat and im also not going ladder bars anymore so when the truck is done ill start on that.

[81chevys]

man look at that grease. im shame

[HWS]

WOW!!! Love the front end on ur truck!!! Looks Great! Good Luck with ur build.

[81chevys]

thanks hws

anybody know about the missing piece of the passenger side of the crossmember?? do i really need it or will it be ok? will it cause the frame to twist or something.

[Gordonr1973]

I have it installed in mine but will probably need to take it out to have enough room to rum dual exhausts. I think other people didn't use it either due to clearance. I doubt the frame will twist because it's not there...the cab mounts are right above it anyways to keep things kinda in line.

[81chevys]

cool thanks gordo

[craazy22]

Hey bro, cool build you got going on here. Hey if you ever need some help let me know. I live in Houston as well. I live in the Greenspan area, but I'll go help you if you need help bro. I can't imagine how hard it might be to do some stuff with a broken leg. Either way, props on your build.
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[81chevys]

Originally Posted by craazy22

Hey bro, cool build you got going on here. Hey if you ever need some help let me know. I live in Houston as well. I live in the Greenspan area, but I'll go help you if you need help bro. I can't imagine how hard it might be to do some stuff with a broken leg. Either way, props on your build.
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Hey man i might take you up on that when i get ready to change the body bushings.

Well, my birthday has come and gone and i got a shiney new part and a cool cake.

i know its not a truck but its a chevy so enjoy

[late68]

Progess is progress. Atleast we're not all doin nothin! Build looks good so far.

[luifer76]

nice bday present......

[bbbc10]

nice ups jug...i have one 2 haha

[67_SS396]

Good job on the progress. I'm in your same shoe, I shattered my right leg memorial weekend and then started building mine a few weeks later. The only work I haven't done on mine was drop the engine in. I had a helper give me a hand stabbing the trans, but all the rest I've done myself. I had two helpers that were supposed to be doing the work while I teach them, but they flaked on me. The problem I ran into today is I found out the bones aren't healing, even with the metal rod and screws in place.

Good luck on the truck and the leg!
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