83/84 swb stepside long time build

[rip2174]

Well I've been a member of this site for about a year. Very good info on here. Here is my sorry story. Bought my 1st C-10 in my early twenties. 1983 Chevy SWB step side. Started to work on it and found out the frame was twisted. So I found another 83 SWB fleetside. not my dog.

[rip2174]

Married the new frame and cab with the step side box. Then sold old twisted frame to someone. I did tell them about the frame. Worked on the truck over a couple of years. It was my daily driver so everything I did was done on weekends. At the time there wasn't very many people in S. Florida working on these trucks. So all info I had was from mini truck people. Lowered the first time with coil springs and flip kit. Then went to drop spindles, bags and a triangulated rear with bags. Painted frame and the cab. Redone the interior. Had another vehicle at this time. This was around 2000.

[rip2174]

[rip2174]

[rip2174]

[rip2174]

Well found a friend of a friend that had a 96 LT1 and 700R that would install, wire and program for me for pretty good price. Took it to him and left it with him. Then life happened over the next 12 years. Meet my wife, got married, had kids , lost my job, and now life is getting a little easier again. Stayed in contact with the guy with my truck and he was cool. Was storing it till I was able to get started back up. Got back up with him early last year. He said he still had truck and would love to finish it for me. Said he had two other vehicles he had to finish before he could get back to mine. Said about a month. well that was over a year ago. Through many texts and phone calls and nothing but delays. He now don't even answer texts and phone calls. So i've decided to buy another truck. Because over the last year I've purchased full Porterbuilt suspension and Accuair e level with plans to install on my truck. I'm hoping the new truck I bought is just a frame donor for my other truck.

[rip2174]

All good. Going to start work on the rear suspension tomorrow.

[rip2174]

[rip2174]

well I got started on the rear suspension. Stupid little Harbor Freight air compressor wont run my impacts. Had to turn wrenches. Took me awhile to get everything off. Rivets are a pain when you have to grind the heads off.

[rip2174]

Do any of these side holes line up with any holes in the frame?

[rip2174]

Never mind. I found the instructions in my office filing cabinet. The instructions clearly say no factory holes line up on this piece. Also gives a measurement for the center of the bridge.

[rip2174]

Made a little progress today. My air compressor decided it wanted to help out today. Lot easier with air tools.Got both notches and the bridge in. Started to put the bottom caps on and ran into a little alignment issue.

[rip2174]

I pried the bridge all the way up and got nothing. Thinking that I will have to grind the tops og the caps to allow the holes to align. Wanted to make I didn't screw anything up, so I called Porterbuilt to make sure I was making the right call. That's what was recommended.

[rip2174]

Here's a picture the bridge and notches.

[rip2174]

Still have to grind a little more off the front cap.

[rip2174]

I'm really impressed with the quality of Porterbuilt's work.

[rip2174]

Had to get a little creative today. The back support bar didn't want to go in.

[rip2174]

Got all the notch and bridge work done. Hopefully going to get the 4 link installed. Have a few questions. How do I set the pinion to zero? And not really sure all the different size bolts go?

[rip2174]

[rip2174]

Here's the 3 different size bolts I have.

[Hankster]

I would Love to help with the bolt thing... but I have no idea. But I'm sorry about the other truck. Maybe that situation will work out for you!

[rip2174]

Well i think i figured out the bolt thing. And also think I'm just going to align the pinion with the current drive train and tack in place for now. Later when I decide on new drive train I'll weld in place then.

[rip2174]

Got the rear links bolted in place and the brackets ground off the axle. Tomorrow should be able to get brackets tacked in and bags in place and temporarily plumbed.

[rip2174]

[rip2174]

had to see what it was going to look like in place