77 k10 short box winter beater build

[400/400]

Nice work, the truck's looking good!

[jott_06]

You mentioned going back to the flatbed plan if your stock floor is to bad. Since you already bought bedsides is there any reason you couldnt fab some crossmembers to go between the bedsides and just put a wood floor in it like the earlier trucks used to have? Seems like you could bolt angle iron to the bedsides where the factory floor bolted and weld square tube cross members to the angle.

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by jott_06

You mentioned going back to the flatbed plan if your stock floor is to bad. Since you already bought bedsides is there any reason you couldnt fab some crossmembers to go between the bedsides and just put a wood floor in it like the earlier trucks used to have? Seems like you could bolt angle iron to the bedsides where the factory floor bolted and weld square tube cross members to the angle.

I think I'll be able to fix the bed floor, I think it's moer a matter of how much more time to put into it. It would be pretty quick to build a nice custom flatbed. I think I'll fix the floor though, I'll save the flat bed idea for another truck. I am plugging away at getting the interior put together today, the more stuff I put back on, the less I have to trip over. The dash is cracked, I think I'll put one of those carpet covers on it. Door panels are a little faded, but cleaned up pretty good. The 77 wood grain in this truck is super nice though. I kinda hate to cut a sterio into the bezel, it's pretty dam nice, I have to cut some speaker holes in the doors, as the holes are already in the carpet. I was going to freshen up the door panels, and other plastics, but it appears that SEM discontinued the color I need.

[MTCK]

I've been contemplating one of those modern shaft style receivers for my plow truck. The kick panels that a member sells on here worked well in my crew but if you were going to avoid cutting the doors you would need new carpet. Can't wait to hear how the truck does for you once on the road.

[Jaysonb]

I have a pair of the 6x9 brackets the guy on the forum here makes in my 80. They are awesome, but the way the seatbelts mount in this 77 won't allow me to use them on this truck. The modern shaft radios seem to have pretty mixed reviews, and I still use cd's. I have a pretty nice am/fm/8 track/cb that was thinking of using. I'll have to see if I can find a stock looking fender mount cb antenna.

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

I have a pretty nice am/fm/8 track/cb that was thinking of using. I'll have to see if I can find a stock looking fender mount cb antenna.

Extra cool points to use the old combo radio w CB. Although I don't know how to tell ya to convert from CD to 8 track, ha. I have an old GM AM/FM/CB to put in my GMC and like the relics from that era.

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Extra cool points to use the old combo radio w CB. Although I don't know how to tell ya to convert from CD to 8 track, ha. I have an old GM AM/FM/CB to put in my GMC and like the relics from that era.

I'm having a tough time finding the kind of antenna I want. The antenna that was on the truck I took the radio out of was the kind I'm looking for, it was shot though. Looks like a regular antenna, mounted on top of the fender, with a small round base, a small swivel ball, a spring, then a stainless whip. Not a real tall whip, looked like a old school am/fm antenna.

[Jaysonb]

Well, I got the hood, and lower valance painted tonight. What a nightmare! I took the hood down to bare metal because the old paint looked like it had small fish eyes covering it. Scrubbed it down good with wax and grease remover, let it flash off good, and I still got a bunch of fish eyes!!! They kinda flowed over after the 2nd coat, that's when the water filter on my gun started spitting water drops all over the hood. So I dabbed them up with the corner of a paper towel, and after the next coat it looks good enough....

[Jaysonb]

The next step is getting the rear spring hangers swapped out, finish up the leaf spring bushings, install drip rails, I got the tie rod changed, but still have the drag link to change, then align, then put the shocks on, slam the hood on, then it can sit outside so I can get on the box.

[Half Assed]

I'm liking this build so far.

I was planning on using an amplifier like this on my truck when I get around to working on the audio system. I think the remote would fit in the dash without cutting, but it's bluetooth or line-in only. No am/fm. Smartphone required.
https://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-Compa.../dp/B00UTXQL74

[Jaysonb]

Got the front spring bushings done, and the front shocks installed. 2 of the 6 rear suspension bolts will come out, I guess I'll need more Sawzall blades. Started putting the front end together. Did I mention that doing leaf spring bushings suck!!!

[MTCK]

Paint looks good. I feel your pain on the bushings.

[rusty76]

Your using rustolem right? I was thinking that's what you are using. Either way it looks great

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Your using rustolem right? I was thinking that's what you are using. Either way it looks great

Thanks, yes it's rustolieum. It's turning the floor in the corner of my shop I paint blue. I'll have to live with it till spring now, then I'll try some kind of concrete cleaner, or acid.

[Jaysonb]

Got a nice chunk of stuff done today. Finished the spring and shackle bushings, used energy suspension, got the rear spring hangers replaced, shocks installed, steering stabilizer installed, did a quick alignment, installed the drip rails, and front bumper, and hood, and ran the front lighting harness. I also gave my sunroof a liberal dose of silicone to keep it sealed up. I then got the box on the work platform. The box floor will be a challenge, all the flanges where it bolts to the sides, and wheel houses are rusted out, I'll have to bend up, and weld in some new ones. We also have to figure out a rear fuel filler for the blazer tank, I'm planning on moving a stock filler to the rear to make it look stock. I have new bed sides, a new tailgate, new wheel houses, and I'm going to order a rear cross member.

[MTCK]

Nice work. I'm looking forward to seeing a stock looking rear fuel fill door.

[jott_06]

you will have to show this to the person you bought it from when its done.

[rusty76]

Awesome.

[1970SWB]

Truck looks great! Beaters seem to be more fun to build. This is my winter beater/plow truck. Turned out nicer than I anticipated, now I wish I would have spent more time and made it nicer yet. But I also know if I did that, I would probably still be working on it instead of driving it

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by 1970SWB

Truck looks great! Beaters seem to be more fun to build. This is my winter beater/plow truck. Turned out nicer than I anticipated, now I wish I would have spent more time and made it nicer yet. But I also know if I did that, I would probably still be working on it instead of driving it

Thank you Sir! I'll be happy if my truck turns out half as nice as yours looks. I agree, it is fun building a beater, and it seems that when you're having fun, things turn out nicer.

[Jaysonb]

Got the box taken apart today, got the rusted rear cross member out, and working on cutting out and replacing the rusted flanges for the wheel houses.

[Jaysonb]

Got the flanges welded in, now to test fit everything, and start welding in floor patches!

[MTCK]

Nice work, that's going quickly.

[Jaysonb]

Well, it's not pretty, but it's patched up.

[jott_06]

looks good for a beater. Are you going to blast the bed floor?