1979 Stepside Sport

[chrismoore701]

Ok this is my first time here, so this is my test run, I have a few questions, the biggest is, I have a 1979 Stepside Sport, I have only seen 2 trucks like mine, does anybody have any information on this. Second question, I am looking for a good magazine, I give up on Truckin, all it has is $50,000+ trucks in there with stuff us everyday people couldn't afford, needless to say any trucks we would want, everything seems new, lets take a $45,000 Cadilac SUV and trick it out. Not my style, so I am looking for a little help in this catagory. Last question, I want to do a 3" - 4" drop, what is the best and most affordable way to do this? fill me in if you can, thanks

Chris

[Slonaker]

http://www.73-87.com/Special_Edition...l_Editions.htm

I have not seen any magazines that appeal to me. All of the truck magazines are just for high end flashy stuff that I would never have.

Best way to drop the front is to start with drop spindles (2.5 inch with 15" wheels, 3" with anything above 15"). If it needs to go lower, then buy lowering springs to make up the difference. Springs by themselves will be cheapest, but the lower you go with the springs, the worse your ride gets.

On the back, you can use hangers and shackles to get the desired amount of drop, variable up to about 4 inches, or go with drop leaves (usually 4" drop). You can also mount your axle above the leaves. That is probably the cheapest, but may be more drop than you want.

Slonaker

[bigblock73]

1. Check out this page on my site, I have a "Sport" page as well as some road test articles that mat also have a Sport in them too.

2. I like Custom Classic Trucks and Classic Trucks, check either of them out. One of them does not feature 73 and newer trucks, but i can't remember which. Regardless, they are both awesome magazines.

3. For your front drop, go with spindles for the front, and a shackle/hanger kit for the rear. I did this on mine and used Bell Tech components...love it to death.

Welcome to the board, now lets see some pics of your truck.

*EDIT - Slonaker must be a faster typer than I am.

[chrismoore701]

I will try to get some picks up tomorrow, thanks for the reply

[Slonaker]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

*EDIT - Slonaker must be a faster typer than I am.

You must type with just one finger, then, because I only type with two.

Slonaker

[ElGracho]

I have a page dedicated to the Chevy Sport trucks on my page too.

[Blue Beard]

Welcome to the board from SW Washington State....we use all 10 fingers

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

..... I am looking for a good magazine, I give up on Truckin......

Try these magazines- Classic trucks and Custom Classic trucks
They are just starting to go beyond the previous 72 cut off date. I think you will start to see at least one 73+ truck in almost evey issue soon....

[TrainD5115]

Welcome from a fellow 79 lover. (round headlights rule!) We use the hunt and peck method here.

[chrismoore701]

Ok I tried to attach the one picture I have of my truck here at work, see if it worked. I plan to start rebuilding the truck this year, as soon as I can save enough money, which not that easy. I do need some help, does anybody know how many of these were built, and where I can find the Chevy Sport badge for the hood. Thanks

Chris
1979 Chevy Sport
1963 Corvette belongs to dads work in progress

[bigblock73]

Ahh, very cool truck! Can you tell us more about the options it has? Does it have buckets or bench, tach, stuff like that.

I am not sure on the numbers, but rest assured it isn't too many.

[chrismoore701]

Round headlights do RULE!!!!

Here is everything I know about my truck, and what I plan to do.

Engine; came with a 250 straight 6, currently has a miner 350, high 17’s, and plan to drop a 400+ HP 383 Stroker in it.
Front bumper was color matched with a rubber bump strip, replaced that with a chrome one,
Interior pretty much standard, has non-functioning air, this will be fixed, no tach, no tilt, will put both in, has bench seat, and my wife wants me to keep it that way, but I might put a 60-40 split bench in, has normal gages, dual gas tanks, that is going to be fun when I replace the rear fenders.
Exterior, need to replace floor pans, front fenders, rear fenders, maybe new hood, and new doors, plan to install a possi rear-end if I can afford it, I plan to paint it 1994 Chevy Cavalier Z-24 Metallic Blue, with some very miner art work, the rims were Chevy truck rally rims, now I have old American Racing Aluminum rims. And I need to rebuild the wood bed, also plan to do a 3”-4” drop. I think that is about it.

Do you guys think I am over my head? Tell me what you think, this website is great, never did a message board before but you guys are great. Thanks again

Chris

[bigblock73]

I think all your ideas sound good, its definately going to be a lot of work! My advice...tackle it one project at a time, and don't feel overwhelmed...that is the biggest reason projects never get finished and builders tend to lose interest.

If I may add one more thing...

I personally would try and keep the exterior mostly stock, with the exception of the drop and wheels/tires. Why? Because you don't see sports all the time, and being different is definately good IMO. Some people think these graphics packages GM offered in the 70's look goofy today, but I think thy look neat and retro.

[75stepside]

if you want to see how that truck may look blue... check out my site... lol! i quickly found out it takes a lotta cash to get all that work done... BELIEVE ME!!!

i agree w/ BigBlock73 "I personally would try and keep the exterior mostly stock, with the exception of the drop and wheels/tires. Why? Because you don't see sports all the time, and being different is definately good IMO"