86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hossjoe · 01-13-2010, 03:30 AM

I'm just in the beginning stages of reworking this 1986 stepside. The old man bought it new and I've been after it ever since (I was after his 73 El Camino he had before the Silverado too). He passed last Sept, so this will be a tribute build...a daily driver custom that dad would be proud of...
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THE PLAN
Initially I will just be getting this truck caught up with some needed TLC. Pops kept his truck in good order, as you can see, but it's still 1986 technology...a funky half OBD1 and half OBD2...half electronic and half mechanical. Anyway, phase one will be to remove, clean and simplify as much as possible. Already have the interior out and working on a custom dash.

Phase Two will be a full late model donor conversion. I'm tossing around the idea of a SS or Escalade concept. I'll probably keep the small block, but fuel injection and super charger will be included. Haven't decided on conventional or air bag suspension yet, but I'm leading rear 4 link with bags and conventional (LASA) front with rack and pinion conversion.

RussAwana · 01-13-2010, 04:02 AM

Nice truck project! I too am about a third of the way through my 86 stepside rebuild. My brother ordered it new back in 86 and had it till he passed away three years ago. My sister in-law gave me the truck last year and I needed to replace the windshield. There was some rust around the edges so I had that fixed. Long story made short, I found more rust than you could tell from just looking at the surface, and I ended up stripping most of the paint off sanding to bare metal and repainting the entire truck. Now that I got the top all nice.........maybe I should re-do the frame? Not sure yet! But i can't wait to put in an all new wood bed with polished stainless steel hardware.

I like your idea about your project as being a "tribute build" for your old man. I don't think I would put this much effort into my own Chevy Truck but to keep my brothers truck going.........yeah! Good luck on your project! Aloha!

Hossjoe · 01-14-2010, 11:27 PM

Mahalo brother...sounds like you have a tribute build of your own. If you are keeping it stock, I may have parts for you down the road. This truck has always been in California and my pops toke good care of it. Many of the interior and trim pieces will not be re-used but are in great shape...figured I will have a eBay sell of at some point.

I know what you mean about the wood. I'm thinking of milling the wood myself out of walnut with the strips coated with charcoal gray Linex...think it would look good against the blue.

Good luck with your build.

Ash

pcwillsie · 01-15-2010, 11:45 AM

I dig your truck. My first pickup was a grey 86 2x4 stepside that i kick myself all the time for selling. (19 years ago) I hope you post lots of pics on this build.

menace121978 · 01-16-2010, 08:06 AM

nice truck! what part of sac are you in??

JohnC · 01-16-2010, 09:16 AM

Looks like a nice truck. Good luck on the build, and I look forward to seeing the progress. What all are your plans for it?

79gmc5.3 · 01-18-2010, 10:12 PM

Nice Truck!! 2x on your plans. Step sides are a great looking truck. Keep the Pics coming!!!!! I restored my dads 79 Sierra and money can't buy it. Make your dad proud!

Driveway Dreams · 01-18-2010, 10:44 PM

Ahh, tribute builds. I love the idea. Just always keep him in mind as you build the truck, as it sounds like you do. Looks like a very solid truck as would be expected. Also curious about the plans for it.

Hossjoe · 01-22-2010, 03:24 AM

Amazing what some wet sanding, a bit of detailing, and getting air into the engine will do. Need to sort the suspension out soon, long trips are getting rough...

Do I build my own or go with Air-Ride? Hmm...I keep hearing my welding instructor's lecture about buying bolt-on parts. I swear I'll fabricate as much as possible Mr. Calhoun.

Hossjoe · 01-22-2010, 03:38 AM

Why...you aren't looking for parts at the Midnight Auto Supply are you?

Hossjoe · 04-02-2010, 07:24 PM

Tear down began yesterday...interior and most of the trim has already been removed. It was really hard to start ripping into such a clean truck...but it must be done. Now I'm wrestling whether or not to use a donor dash, and if so from what? A trip to Pick-a-Part maybe in order...weee.

menace121978 · 04-02-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hossjoe

Why...you aren't looking for parts at the Midnight Auto Supply are you?

01-13-2010, 03:30 AM	#1
Hossjoe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 7	86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck I'm just in the beginning stages of reworking this 1986 stepside. The old man bought it new and I've been after it ever since (I was after his 73 El Camino he had before the Silverado too). He passed last Sept, so this will be a tribute build...a daily driver custom that dad would be proud of... THE PLAN Initially I will just be getting this truck caught up with some needed TLC. Pops kept his truck in good order, as you can see, but it's still 1986 technology...a funky half OBD1 and half OBD2...half electronic and half mechanical. Anyway, phase one will be to remove, clean and simplify as much as possible. Already have the interior out and working on a custom dash. Phase Two will be a full late model donor conversion. I'm tossing around the idea of a SS or Escalade concept. I'll probably keep the small block, but fuel injection and super charger will be included. Haven't decided on conventional or air bag suspension yet, but I'm leading rear 4 link with bags and conventional (LASA) front with rack and pinion conversion. Last edited by Hossjoe; 01-22-2010 at 03:57 AM. Reason: Plan info

01-13-2010, 04:02 AM	#2
RussAwana Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kailua, Hawaii Posts: 8	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Nice truck project! I too am about a third of the way through my 86 stepside rebuild. My brother ordered it new back in 86 and had it till he passed away three years ago. My sister in-law gave me the truck last year and I needed to replace the windshield. There was some rust around the edges so I had that fixed. Long story made short, I found more rust than you could tell from just looking at the surface, and I ended up stripping most of the paint off sanding to bare metal and repainting the entire truck. Now that I got the top all nice.........maybe I should re-do the frame? Not sure yet! But i can't wait to put in an all new wood bed with polished stainless steel hardware. I like your idea about your project as being a "tribute build" for your old man. I don't think I would put this much effort into my own Chevy Truck but to keep my brothers truck going.........yeah! Good luck on your project! Aloha!

01-14-2010, 11:27 PM	#3
Hossjoe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 7	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Mahalo brother...sounds like you have a tribute build of your own. If you are keeping it stock, I may have parts for you down the road. This truck has always been in California and my pops toke good care of it. Many of the interior and trim pieces will not be re-used but are in great shape...figured I will have a eBay sell of at some point. I know what you mean about the wood. I'm thinking of milling the wood myself out of walnut with the strips coated with charcoal gray Linex...think it would look good against the blue. Good luck with your build. Ash

01-15-2010, 11:45 AM	#4
pcwillsie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: oklahoma Posts: 118	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck I dig your truck. My first pickup was a grey 86 2x4 stepside that i kick myself all the time for selling. (19 years ago) I hope you post lots of pics on this build.

01-16-2010, 08:06 AM	#5
menace121978 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: orangevale, ca Posts: 3,626	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck nice truck! what part of sac are you in?? __________________ "Dennis the Menace" 1978 Silverado (2wd, 1/2 ton, short bed)complete nut & bolt frame off restomod LQ9/4L80E MY LS SWAP/FRAME OFF BUILD BOOK 2006 TBSS way too much to list

01-16-2010, 09:16 AM	#6
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Looks like a nice truck. Good luck on the build, and I look forward to seeing the progress. What all are your plans for it?

01-18-2010, 10:12 PM	#7
79gmc5.3 6.0L power......... Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Acworth GA Posts: 292	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Nice Truck!! 2x on your plans. Step sides are a great looking truck. Keep the Pics coming!!!!! I restored my dads 79 Sierra and money can't buy it. Make your dad proud! __________________ What ever the mind of man can conceive......... he can achieve! My built thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=375914 1979 GMC Sierra 6.0 L 4L60E 1995 Mustang GT 347

01-18-2010, 10:44 PM	#8
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Ahh, tribute builds. I love the idea. Just always keep him in mind as you build the truck, as it sounds like you do. Looks like a very solid truck as would be expected. Also curious about the plans for it. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

01-22-2010, 03:24 AM	#9
Hossjoe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 7	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Amazing what some wet sanding, a bit of detailing, and getting air into the engine will do. Need to sort the suspension out soon, long trips are getting rough... Do I build my own or go with Air-Ride? Hmm...I keep hearing my welding instructor's lecture about buying bolt-on parts. I swear I'll fabricate as much as possible Mr. Calhoun. Attached Images

01-22-2010, 03:38 AM	#10
Hossjoe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 7	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Why...you aren't looking for parts at the Midnight Auto Supply are you? Last edited by Hossjoe; 04-02-2010 at 07:25 PM. Reason: Mistake, want to delete

04-02-2010, 07:24 PM	#11
Hossjoe Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 7	Re: 86 Stepside Project - The Old Man's Truck Tear down began yesterday...interior and most of the trim has already been removed. It was really hard to start ripping into such a clean truck...but it must be done. Now I'm wrestling whether or not to use a donor dash, and if so from what? A trip to Pick-a-Part maybe in order...weee.



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