83 Stepside...Keepin' It Old School

[silvrbreez]

Like most of the other guys, I figured I'd start a thread here to document what's been done on the truck so far and what's to come.

I picked up the truck from the second owner last October. The original owner had swapped out the V6 in favor of the current setup, a 350 w/ TH350, Edelbrock 600cfm carb, and dual Flowmasters. When I did the head's recently I realized the block had been bored 0.040 over since the pistons all had the stamp on top. Don't know if the cam had ever been changed, but I'm guessing that if they went that far then probably so, although it still has the stock 77-80 GM heads, intake, and exhaust manifolds. The last owner stripped decided to primer black over the original brown metallic (bad decision IMHO) leaving it as it sits now. The primer is rough in some spots and is wearing with time and exposure to the elements of Southeast Texas. It's rough and rugged but it does it's job as my current daily driver.

Here's the list of everything that I've done since I picked it up about a year ago...

**Turn Signal Switch & Cancelling Cam
**Window Channel Felt Kit
**Shift Indicator
**Oil Pan Gasket Replaced
**Rear Main Seal Replaced
**Timing Cover Gasket Replaced
**Water Pump Gasket Replaced
**Valve Cover Gasket Replaced
**Manifold Gasket Replaced
**Valve Stem Seals Replaced
**Head Gaskets Replaced
**Heads resurfaced and cleaned
**Differential Cover Gasket Replaced
**Vent Window Assemblies & Handles
**New Door Armrests
**New K&N Air Filter
**Replacement Gas Cap
**New Pittman Arm
**New Idler Arm
**New Power Steering Box and Hoses
**McGaughy's 4.5/6 Lowering Kit
**Belltech Street Performance Shocks
**Repro Grille Assembly
**Rear Bumper Chrome
**Front Bumper Chrome
**Older Stepside Side Marker and Taillamps
**Control Arm Bushing Kit
**Headliner Black Cloth
**Carpet Black
**Custom built (by me) console (needs upholstery)
**Kick Panel Covers
**Door Sills
**New Black Seat Belts w/ Airplane latches
**MOONEYES Spider Caps
**MOONEYES Red Metal Flake Steering Wheel
**Master Cylinder, Front Calipers, Pads, and Brake Hoses
**Headliner Molding Trim Pieces
**Upper and Lower Ball Joints
**Inner and Outer Tie Rod Ends
**Wiper Blades
**Edelbrock Valve Cover Breather
**Replacement Brake Switch
**Replacement Stock Shackles
**Wheel Bearings
**D49 Optional Mirrors
**Exhaust Turndowns
**R134a recharge kit
**Switched back to Electronic temperature sending unit
**Upper and Lower LH Door Hinges & LH Door Spring (S-hook)
**Windshield Wiper Switch
**Windshield Washer Hose
**A/C Clutch Control Switch

Whew! I've been busy this year. Here's how the truck looked when I first picked it up...




And as it sits now...





And a few photoshops of where I might be taking the styling.



I'm sort of partial to the top one (faux patina'd shop truck look) since it would cost nothing but my time. I really like the way my photoshop with the scallops (notice the caddy tails in the rear stake pockets), but I think that look would really need some wide whites (translated $$$) to set off the look. Since I can't afford a decent paint job anytime soon and I'm too impatient to do the famous, or infamous depending on what side you're on, $100 garage Rustoleum paintjob, I'll probably just keep it rough and rodded until I can afford to do the body justice and send it to a shop. At least I'm getting all the mechanics up to par in the meantime.

[Scootin 81 C20]

That is one bad a$$ looking truck. It sounds like you had your hands full the first year. When I bought mine, it had very similar floor mats in it, cept mine said CHEVY on them. BTW, where did you get that steering wheel from? I want to get one like that that has a metallic silver rim on it.

[silvrbreez]

Thanks for the props!

I got that wheel from MOONEYES. I think it's just the same as a Grant Challenger wheel, but MOONEYES carries lots of colors. Not sure if posting outside links is okay, but you can find the wheels here...
http://www.mooneyesusa.com/steering-...-c-188_74.html
I think I got mine for $50 so it looks like the price has crept up.

[menace121978]

nice job man! subscribing!!