Slim's Saweet 16 Ride '83 c2500

[Slim Pickins]

Today my 14 year old son and I really started to dive into his first project, a 1983 GMC c2500 long bed. He purchased the truck about 8 months ago from my brother with a blown transmission and a non-running 350 motor.

I have 5 kids, Slim being the oldest, and I am a Sales Manager for a Sporting Goods Manufacturer so money is tight and automobile knowledge is scarce. That said, we are going to get this old rusty thing running and looking as good as our skill and dollars can afford. Slim turns 16 in a 13 months so we are going to do the best we can to get him a decent high school ride that he can continue to work on in auto mechanics.

Here is where we are now:

Paid $150 for the truck
Traded a leaf blower for used transmission
Removed the old Trans but have not installed the new one yet
Traded welding helmet for two new replacement fenders since the truck had minor front end damage
Got a new aftermarket bumper for $40 from a guy that sold his truck
Sold some tools to buy an old but never used Western Chassis lowering kit. Only paid a couple hundred bucks, has a flip kit with c-notch, lowering shackles, lowering spindles (don't know that they will work) and lowering springs.

We got the bed off a couple days ago but had to cut a bunch of bolts to do so. The salt they use on the winter roads here in Utah, has caused us incredible problems. Many bolts dont even have threads left, just a rusty mess which means snapped bolts when you try and torque the nut off. We removed the passenger gas tank since it had a massive rust hole in through it. We will see if we replace it or just use the drivers side tank.

I don't have the help to get the Trans in yet so we started on the flip kit today. I should mention that Slim has two herniated discs in his back from weight training for football so he is unable to lift much, thus ending his football season before it began. At least I can set him up with a chair and a wire wheel.

We managed to get the passenger side rear flip done today. Who knew leaf springs were so heavy? Our next task is to do the drivers side and get to the c- notches. Oh and the shackles are in. I am hoping we can figure out the front drop since the rear is already looking like a 7-8 inch drop. I know we can put the old shackles back on if needed but as of now, we only have 2 inch lowering springs that will work for sure. Really hoping the spindles work but not counting on it since to says they work for a c1500 or c3500.

I just wanted to add that I would have never tried to do a build without this forum. I've learned so much and appreciate everyone sharing their stories and experience.

No pics from the work today, sun went down on us.
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