Almost ready!

[dieselarmy13]

Slowly, but surely, I've been getting my truck to the point where I'm not embarrased to drive her. It all started last Feb, when I, on total impulse, bought this beauty, sight unseen, off of evilBay. I was deployed at the time, so I couldn't look at it, but he was willing to drive it 250 miles, and my parents house was 237 away, so I hit the good ol Buy It Now! Stupid me! When I got home to see it in December, I realized I hadn't got such a good deal, but at this point was already in too deep. I had already ordered a CPP 2.5 drop/slotted spindle kit and a bunch of other random stuff for it, so when I got home, I got three weeks worth of partying out of my system and worked on the truck for my last few days of leave.
Here's what I started with:


The brakes were a little crusty, but in good shape, but I already had the stuff to change them.




Next came the seat. Randy (teeitup) really came through for me on this one. It's nice having him right down the road! I hated to see the van seats go, but oh well.





Now that brings me to last weekends progress. She was sitting with a real mean redneck rake, so the rear had to go down. After much research, I ordered a DJM flip kit and 8" monster notch from Stylin trucks. I didn't get the notch in time, but the flip kit came. The DJM kit was great! Most flip kits are for 73 and up trucks, and while they work, these are designed for 2-1/4" leaves. I also pulled one leaf. It sits alright for now, but with all of my junk loaded up in the back, she sits real nice (last photo), so I think I'm going to go 2" more, via shackles. She also got a few panels rattle canned!












Right now, the truck is about four hours away from me at my parents, and I only get to run home and work on it every now and then. All in all, I only have about four weekends of true work into her. One more weekend for final alignment and some small stuff, and she should be my DD!

[dieselarmy13]

A few more pics



My "help"



A couple of the flip kit.

[Riveted1]

Nice! What a difference a little "altitude" adjustment can make, huh?

[dieselarmy13]

Yeah, a grand in suspension and $9.00 in spaypaint can go a long ways!

[Boog]

It sure was sitting high for a 2wd. What a difference. Hey have you got a skull or beer tap handle for that floor shifter?

[chevychase]

Way better and it's sitting nice. I would paint the rims the same color as the truck and maybe get some beauty rings and 1/2 caps.

[chevy72blu]

I think it looks bad ass the way it is now, especially the patina on the roof. You rattle canned the body? You are a damn fine spray-painter if I do say so myself.

[dieselarmy13]

Way better and it's sitting nice. I would paint the rims the same color as the truck and maybe get some beauty rings and 1/2 caps.

I already bought these, but I am reallystatring to like the plain steelie with moons and rings. Not sure on that one yet!

It sure was sitting high for a 2wd. What a difference. Hey have you got a skull or beer tap handle for that floor shifter?

I have these, and I plan on extending the shifter handle, but once again I like your ideas.





Only time and money will tell!

[dieselarmy13]

I think it looks bad ass the way it is now, especially the patina on the roof. You rattle canned the body? You are a damn fine spray-painter if I do say so myself

Thanks man! Yeah, we rattle canned the whole thing, but thats not patina on the roof, thats just me and my buddies just being sick of inhaling spray paint, so we quit! The best 2 bucks I ever spent was one of those handle thigies for spray cans at wally world!

[chevy72blu]

I cant get over how cool this fender looks. I love all the belt knicks of people bent over it under the hood. Woulda been great shop truck material IMO.


Would it have been possible to just clear that to prevent it from rusting where it is bare and exposed? Haha... I have so many project ideas for later in life.

[dieselarmy13]

I cant get over how cool this fender looks. I love all the belt knicks of people bent over it under the hood. Woulda been great shop truck material IMO.


Would it have been possible to just clear that to prevent it from rusting where it is bare and exposed? Haha... I have so many project ideas for later in life.

Yeah, I really loved that fender too! I bet I've sanded the surface rust off of that damn thing 10 times! But I finally gave in and painted it. The blue had to go. It was the crappiest paint job I've ever seen!

[HoupPhotography]

Nice dude, it looks badass! even though I'm a little partial to the rat theme.... Are you gonna fill the side markers or replace 'em?


BTW - what the hell does "patina" mean?

[Shane]

redneck rake .... that's great!

[Sinister]

Looking good, that's a great ratrod.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Shoulda kept the rake for a while

Looks great.

[jorgensensc]

where did you get the tribars for the wheels from? I need a set!
Shawn

[dieselarmy13]

where did you get the tribars for the wheels from? I need a set!
Shawn

Picked them up on ebay a while back. Not sure who I got them from, but it's almost like they were designed to go on truck rally centers. Perfect fit.

[jorgensensc]

If you get a chance could you look in your ebay history and find out who you bought them from? I would really appreciate it!!
SHawn

[dieselarmy13]

I couldn't find who I bought them from, it's been well over a year. I did find these, though. They look exactly the same.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-CAR...QQcmdZViewItem

[Yukon Jack]

Nice transformation!

[corn]

Lookin good!