1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread

[Low Elco]

Great lookin interior!

[ECU PIRATE]

Originally Posted by ChevDog1

Thanks - I'm probably going to have to re-dye the door panels as the "light saddle" door panels do not match the seat, or the light saddle dye that I bought. I was attempting to have all of the interior light saddle except for the dash pad, but as of right now I have three different shades of brown in the cab, and it's just not working for me. Going to put the kick panels in tonight and see how it all looks before I decide what to do.

Have your tried the SEM Camel color yet? It's what I used on the last console that I restored. I can take a picture of the can with the part # later if you need it. Personally, I am a big fan of the camel color. Only if my truck was black....................

[ChevDog1]

Got it outside for the first time since August!

[ChevDog1]

It was cloudy, but decent light for a few photos

[ChevDog1]

Now I just need to get rid of the white letters on the tires. Was going to turn me around, until I found a bunch of cracks in the side walls. Looks like I need front tires now.

[ChevDog1]

Originally Posted by ECU PIRATE

Have your tried the SEM Camel color yet? It's what I used on the last console that I restored. I can take a picture of the can with the part # later if you need it. Personally, I am a big fan of the camel color. Only if my truck was black....................

I would love to get the part number for the camel. I'm looking for anything that will be a close match to my seat

[ChevDog1]

Got a few steps closer to completion tonight (no pics, they would have been boring). Fixed my gas gauge - the wire was pinched under the trans crossmember and grounded out. Bumped up my timing and removed some vacuum lines and got it running better. Most of the bog is gone now. And I got started on the alignment. Caste was at 1.0 and 1.5 degrees positive after the dropped springs and spindles. Removed a bunch of shims and got it down to 1.0 and 0.7 degrees negative. Just need to set the toe again tomorrow night and give it a test drive.

Also need to get the mirror glued back onto the windshield. Tried that last weekend, but the damn thing just popped back off when I installed the mirror the next night. Any of you guys have any luck making the button stick to the glass? I fought this for oaths on my jeep, and I still don't know what I did differently the final time when it actually stuck.

Hoping to drive it to work next week!

[Low Elco]

Really lookin' good!

I have the same problem in my square. Three rounds so far. This last time, I razored off and cleaned with alcohol then their stuff. Good so far, but it's been up at my dad's, away from the 14 and 12 year old abuse.

What do you use to set your caster?

[ChevDog1]

It was tracking straight before, so i just removed an equal number of shims from the front and rear of the control arm. I'll take it for a spin tonight after I set the toe and see if it's still ok. If not, I may have to get technical and use the formulas to calculate caster by measuring camber at full lock left and right.

[ChevDog1]

Spent some more time yesterday working on the carb. Raised the float level about 1/8" and now the bog is almost completely gone. Floored it from a dead stop in the rain, and it spun 1 tire through first and second gear! Goes pretty good for a little six. If I have time this afternoon before family shows up (we start Christmas today...) I'm going to try and fine tune the alignment a bit, so I can drive it to work tomorrow!

[ChevDog1]

I got a bunch of last minute details worked out in his afternoon. It is now up in my garage awaiting tomorrow mornings commute!

Wish me luck.....

[green72s]

Truck is looking great! Sounds like it's running great too. You should have a perfect commute.

[ChevDog1]

Made the 32 mile commute just fine this morning. The speedo cable must have a bit of a bend in it, as it is making a scraping sound at low speeds and the needle bounces in time with the noise. I need new shocks and a bit more tweaking on the alignment, but the drive went pretty smoothly for it's first real shakedown run.

[tinydb84]

Gorgeous truck! I don't know if I missed it but is this the first time you painted? It looks great!

[ChevDog1]

Thank you!

It's not the first time I've painted, but it has been quite a while since I did it last. I did my 72 Blazer back in about 1993, and my 72 GMC in 1997. Comes back surprisingly easy after 17 years. I spent a lot of time worrying and putting it off because I was afraid that I'd screw it up. I have never shot an interior before, and planning that out concerned me.

The pictures make it look a bit better than it actually is. Turns out I can spray pretty decent, but my bodywork skills are a bit lacking. I'm hoping that it gets a bit better after I cut and buff. wasn't trying for show quality (I just don't have the patience for that...), and it looks pretty decent for an old driver.

[tinydb84]

I saw the first build thread title and was thinking...damn everyone is so good at this ****!
lol

[ChevDog1]

Not my first build.... my first build THREAD!

[3drburb]

Your truck came out very nice, you did an awesome job on it and nailed the stance.

I see that you are Banks OR., I picked up a 63 Nova wagon from there about 10 years ago, it was the wildest tow I have ever done but it's was beautiful and quite down there.

[68Timber]

Too cool, especially with the 6.

[ChevDog1]

Thanks for the kind words. Yesterday's drive was a bit of a shakedown run, and I found a few things that still need work. Going to try and get some of the details wrapped up this weekend, as I have four days off for Christmas.

Hopefully I will be driving it full time after the holidays.

[68Timber]

I'd be curious to hear what kind of mpg you get on a commute that long once you get it sorted.

[ChevDog1]

I think it's going to need overdrive if I am to get decent mileage out of it. I drove it about 70 miles yesterday, and the fuel gauge dropped 1/4 tank, which should be 4 gallons. I would estimate at this point that it is getting 15-17 mpg. My commute is mostly highway, but always involves a traffic jam both ways. For reference, my BMW M3 gets 21mpg on my commute, and will usually pull down 26mpg highway.

I think (have not checked yet) that the truck has 3.73 gears, or at least 3.42's - the engine is spinning pretty good at 60mph.

I will be sure to report mileage once I start driving it regularly.

[ChevDog1]

Sitting at Americas tire waiting for my new front tires to be installed. Also picked up a new steering idler arm to install when I get home. Getting closer to daily driver status!

[bh86]

I really like this truck. Two thumbs up from me!

[UKNOWME]

Sub'd