1982 K30 build

[Lang's K30]

Well I figure I may as well start a build thread. This will probably be a fairly slow build/ restoration. So here's a little back story. After missing out on a really nice 1989 crew cab locally I continued to search for a decent candidate. My Wife, kids and I made a 3 day 2400 mile round trip from Colorado to Washington state to pick up this beast. The price was right. Originally I was just looking for a good solid work/ hunting truck to beat around in with my boy but now we have decided to do a full restoration/ build on this. When I bought it it had a bone stock rebuilt 350/rebuilt th350/np205. New drive line in the rear and rebuilt rear end with a new grizzly locker and 4.10 gears.
My build plans include
Full repaint and new cloth interior
2.5" Procomp lift kit
swap in a 454 and 700r4 trans

So far since I bought the truck I have made the following upgrades and repairs to get the truck drivable and dependable.
Replaced the qjet and cast intake with an Edlebrock Performer intake and carb.
Accel coil and 8mm wires
New thermostat and radiator flush (radiator was new when I bought the truck)
New calipers, brakes on the front. New soft lines front and rear, Repack and replace front wheel bearings.Rebuild front drive shaft
Added a tach
Added a weather guard tool box
When i bought it it had Brand new Toyo open Country MT 285/75/16 tires,



A few shots of the interior


Worst rust that I have to fix

Engine bay before paint

After

[walkerb]

Soild truck man, nice.

[Lang's K30]

Well went into town today and found a new shop with a heck of nice owner. talked with him for a while and got an estimate for the paint job. Wow!!! that's gonna hurt $6000-7000. but we are talking a top quality paint restoration. While I was there I score a 3 inch lift and new steering column and late model Chevy wheel for $250.00 Jack pot.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by Lang's K30

Well went into town today and found a new shop with a heck of nice owner. talked with him for a while and got an estimate for the paint job. Wow!!! that's gonna hurt $6000-7000. but we are talking a top quality paint restoration. While I was there I score a 3 inch lift and new steering column and late model Chevy wheel for $250.00 Jack pot.

You definitely pay for what you get on a paint job. It's very labor intensive to do a good quality paint job. At that price, you can expect all the trim, bumpers and windows to be removed. You can also expect the existing paint to be stripped down to bare metal and epoxy primed afterwards. It sounds like a lot of effort and expense but the difference is that the paint job will last. If you have time and want to save a lot of money, you could always do all the prep work yourself and then get someone to paint it.

That said, I just got done painting my Suburban and it took me 2 months from start to finish working on it full time. People may laugh at me for spending that much time on an old Suburban but I plan on keeping it for a long time so it deserves a good paint job.

To bad you couldn't use that NP205 transfer case. They're real stout. That's also the same shifter as in my 72 Chevy pickup.

Did the truck originally come with a 454?

[Lang's K30]

Originally Posted by Edahall

You definitely pay for what you get on a paint job. It's very labor intensive to do a good quality paint job. At that price, you can expect all the trim, bumpers and windows to be removed. You can also expect the existing paint to be stripped down to bare metal and epoxy primed afterwards. It sounds like a lot of effort and expense but the difference is that the paint job will last. If you have time and want to save a lot of money, you could always do all the prep work yourself and then get someone to paint it.

That said, I just got done painting my Suburban and it took me 2 months from start to finish working on it full time. People may laugh at me for spending that much time on an old Suburban but I plan on keeping it for a long time so it deserves a good paint job.

To bad you couldn't use that NP205 transfer case. They're real stout. That's also the same shifter as in my 72 Chevy pickup.

Did the truck originally come with a 454?

I agree on the paint. I dont have an issue with the price, just suprised me i was figuring 3-4K but hey you get what you pay for. The guy I had give me quote is well worth the money and the truck is rae enough that i can justify spending the cash on it.

As for the 454 not it was originally a 350 truck.

Thanks for the compliments guys. I really appeciate it. I really like this old monster. Heck I drive it more than my diesel Excursion. Go figure.

[72longhornTX]

Truck looks real solid. Not much looks like it needs done to it.
Have you thought about putting a diesel in it or are you set on the 454? Both are good options, the 454 can tow just about anything but it might hurt the wallet on gas.

Looking forward to see it make it's restoration.

[Lang's K30]

Originally Posted by 72longhornTX

Truck looks real solid. Not much looks like it needs done to it.
Have you thought about putting a diesel in it or are you set on the 454? Both are good options, the 454 can tow just about anything but it might hurt the wallet on gas.

Looking forward to see it make it's restoration.

Thought about doing the Cummins conversion but right now its just not in the budget. Plus today i scored a rebuilt 700r4 and a Brand new NP208 and all the needed parts to install it. So with that I am thinking the 454 might be a reasonable option as i should get decent mileage I hope. Got my new steering column installed ans well as my lift kit. It turned out pretty sweet. I will post pics tomorrow when I can take some.

[72longhornTX]

Originally Posted by Lang's K30

Thought about doing the Cummins conversion but right now its just not in the budget. Plus today i scored a rebuilt 700r4 and a Brand new NP208 and all the needed parts to install it. So with that I am thinking the 454 might be a reasonable option as i should get decent mileage I hope. Got my new steering column installed ans well as my lift kit. It turned out pretty sweet. I will post pics tomorrow when I can take some.

Oh yeah I completely understand the budget part. I have been collecting parts for mine going on a year and every time I see how much I have spent I loose interest in it.
With the 454 and 700r4 you should get decent mileage. Just make sure it all shifts fine and goes into overdrive.

What is different about the new steering column?

[Lang's K30]

Originally Posted by 72longhornTX

Oh yeah I completely understand the budget part. I have been collecting parts for mine going on a year and every time I see how much I have spent I loose interest in it.
With the 454 and 700r4 you should get decent mileage. Just make sure it all shifts fine and goes into overdrive.

What is different about the new steering column?

The tilt in my column was SHOT. the wheel would just flop around about 6" so I used replacment factory column and added a later model factory steering wheel. As for the tranny yeah it runs fine and shifts great. I have 100% confidence in the shop I got it from so it should work pretty good. Plus at $450 for a the rebuilt tranny and Brand new t case I couldn't do any better.

[my4by2]

Very nice man! Solid starting point & a lot like mine!!! Got the original running 454 out of my truck with ALL of the accessories & equipment still on it out at the shop in CA - PM if your interested.

[Wrecked1982]

what kind of shifter is this for the 4x4 i really like it?

[Lang's K30]

Originally Posted by Wrecked1982

what kind of shifter is this for the 4x4 i really like it?

From what i understand its a factory shifter from a 67-72ish suburban. It looks like the previous owner of my truck might have taken the original drive train out for his project and put this drive train in it to sell it. i was a little pissed when i figured it out but its ok because soon it will have complete new set up

[Lang's K30]

Heres a pic of the lift kit installed.

[rocking chevy]

looks like a nice pickup, I like what you've done so far.

[Wrecked1982]

it that 72-earlier 4x4 shifter for the np205 ? does it bolt right up?

[spudz]

Very nice truck, I like it and your plans! too bad your not closer, I am in the market for a good th350 trans.

[Edahall]

I suspect a large part of the cost is due to having to strip off the old paint. Has the truck been painted before? Is the paint chipping or living off in some areas? My 1990 Suburban still had its original paint job but it was heavily oxidized. Painting over the old oxidized paint would have lasted just long enough to sell the truck if that was what I was interested in.

[Lang's K30]

Well a little update but no pic. Found a nice complete running 454 for $850. Picking it up tomorrow so i pretty much have the drive train complete. So with any luck I will begin pulling the old 350/TH350/205 in the next two weeks. That the 350 /th350 with be going in my 82 scrambler to give it a little more umph.

[Lang's K30]

Well Its funny how things change. Went to work today and came home with a new crew cab. Ended up buying my buddy's 1990 crew cab that he was restoring as well. Couldn't pass up the deal he made me. All it needs is the cab and rear doors painted and it will be completely done with an awesome black paint job. I will post up some pics as soon as i can.