1987

[lownuff]

This truck sort of fell into my lap. I wasn't really looking for a project but a guy at work needed to get rid of it and he even delivered it so here we are.

Trucks a 1987 Silverado package, all the fancy stuff. It's a long bed and the left side of the body has seen better days.

It's got a TBI 350 in it, it's supposed to run but haven't messed with yet. The trans is supposed to be bad but again haven't messed with it.

I bought a mexican short bed and I'll be picking that up tonight. Also grabbed a fender and a short bed tank.

As you can see it's gonna be quite a bit of work. I think the windshield sticker nails it.








Here's the damage on the left side.




Here's the bed, interesting looking but the price was right and not too common so why not?

[Greenlee]

Nice project! You will have people scratching their heads wondering about that bed. I used to go to Mexico a lot and remember seeing those, but haven’t seen one in years.

[Hammered 77]

Nice, I'm in the need for a short bed and would consider one like it also.

Rick

[lownuff]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

Nice project! You will have people scratching their heads wondering about that bed. I used to go to Mexico a lot and remember seeing those, but haven’t seen one in years.

I don't know if I like it yet or not but it's growing on me.

Originally Posted by Hammered 77

Nice, I'm in the need for a short bed and would consider one like it also.

Rick

Honestly, if this wouldn't have popped up for what I paid, I wouldn't have got it.

Side note: This thing is incredibly heavy. Had a buddy help me pick it up last night.

[lownuff]

Got the bed home. Time to pull the long bed off.

[lownuff]

Ready to come off. Dog wanted to pose with it I guess.

Got the bed off and it looks shorter already.

Had to move the truck around to where I wanted it.

Then I removed the driveshaft and gas tank and started cleaning up the frame.

[lownuff]

Found some cool stuff while taking stuff apart.

Can't weld an exhaust? No problem!



Who needs drop shackles?

[Hammered 77]

Who needs drop shackles?

[/QUOTE]

That's how we did it back in the day before we had companies making everything for us. I still have a set out in the shop.

[Matt Man]

Originally Posted by lownuff

Found some cool stuff while taking stuff apart.


Who needs drop shackles?

Wow.... glad to see you caught that. Hopefully you inspect the rest of the truck carefully. Looking forward to more progress.

[lownuff]

Originally Posted by Hammered 77

That's how we did it back in the day before we had companies making everything for us. I still have a set out in the shop.

At least the welds looked ok.

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Wow.... glad to see you caught that. Hopefully you inspect the rest of the truck carefully. Looking forward to more progress.

Yeah you can tell there's been quite a few previous owners, some gave a **** others not so much.

[Hammered 77]

We at least used C channel to make the extension.

[Dads79GMC]

Oh boy!

[Palf70Step]

Nice work! Looking forward to seeing more.

[Rich84]

Cool project..Ill hang around too..

[lownuff]

Small update,

Got the truck fired up, sounds much much better than I thought it would.

Now I'm on the hunt for a 700r4 or rebuild this one.

[lownuff]

Another update.

Found a 700r4 for stupid cheap, supposed to have been rebuilt but you know how that goes. Picked it up in the shop truck(CRV )



Also don't use plastic sawhorses to hold up anything, they blew apart. So much for trying to sell this bed, I think I'll cut it up into a bench, anyone wanna buy one?

[lownuff]

Started prepping to do the shortening.

[lownuff]

Welded on some stands.

[lownuff]

Cut it. Too late to turn back now.

[lownuff]

Butted it up and did my welding attempt.

[lownuff]

Threw a diamond in there. I read that this helps with strength so whatever, I made one.

[1967KaiserM715]

Originally Posted by lownuff

Threw a diamond in there. I read that this helps with strength so whatever, I made one.

While there are many terms, I've always heard it referred to as "Fish Plating"; please check with your local laws, sometimes they require both sides welded, and both sides plated. A local frame shop may know the requirements as well.

Awesome truck by the way, short step sides look so much better, although the Mexican bed is pretty clean looking, but you may have run into an issue with the year and the side-marker lights-again local laws may vary.

[lownuff]

Originally Posted by 1967KaiserM715

While there are many terms, I've always heard it referred to as "Fish Plating"; please check with your local laws, sometimes they require both sides welded, and both sides plated. A local frame shop may know the requirements as well.

Awesome truck by the way, short step sides look so much better, although the Mexican bed is pretty clean looking, but you may have run into an issue with the year and the side-marker lights-again local laws may vary.

You’re right, fish plating. I welded both sides just in case.

Thanks, it’s rough right now but half the fun is on polishing the turds.

[lownuff]

And the end result. Still need to to do a lot of stuff before the bed goes on. But hey I have a short bed now.

[lownuff]

After the bed fell, couldn't even give it away so I made a bench out of it.


I also shortened the driveshaft, and almost finished installing the fuel tank. Still need to sort out the wiring for it as it was jimmy'd up together pretty good.

Also got the trans in, anyone have any photos of the shifter linkage? It doesn't seem correct to me and feels sloppy.