Rebuild Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

85/Silverado · 11-17-2011, 11:59 PM

I got this 85 silverado from the original owner a few months ago, It has a new 350/350HP motor with 20k miles on it. The body is free of rust and dents. Never been repainted so I need to have that done.

Should I sand it all down myself? If so how much would I save?

Both bumpers have to be replaced since they been bumped and twisted a little, do you think they can be repaired?
I need to replace all the door rubber and the drivers vent window since I tried to open it a few days ago and the bottom mount snapped off. Someone said it was hard to repair. So I don't know If I should just get a new door.

What other year doors will fit on the 85 Chevy?

All the gauges work like new, The clock keeps better time than my watch.
I got the truck for $3000.oo,, not sure If I paid too much but we need a truck to carry stuff from the big city 35 miles.

Thanks For Having Me.

bakerboys · 11-18-2011, 12:24 AM

be readdy to drop some money haha

check out LMC and Brothers

DREAMER1 · 11-18-2011, 12:41 AM

That's a nice truck. Paint--unless you paint it yourself or a buddy paints it, when you take it to a shop the shop will resand it anyways to make sure it's done properly. Vent windows are hard to repair, and expensive. You'd be better off trying to replace the door. Bumpers---post more pics so we can see the damage...may be fixable...may not. Welcome to the addiction
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**78 Big10 454** · 11-18-2011, 02:37 AM

That's a sweet ride. I don't believe you overpaid for it by a longshot.

I'd rather lay out the cash for new bumpers than attempt to have the existing ones repaired and rechromed. You may find out that the cost will be the same.

The door rubber is readily available and relatively inexpensive to purchase and not a difficult installation.

I would attempt to repair the vent window rather than seek out a replacement door. Yes, it is a pain to repair but if that is all that is wrong with the door, I'd keep the original. FYI, you can replace the door with one from 77 to 87. However, to match your interior, you should stick to 81 through 87 models.

I agree with Dreamer1 about DYI sanding. If it's going to a body shop, let them do it.

sumran · 11-18-2011, 08:59 AM

Very nice truck. If you take it to a body shop make sure you have a contract that includes a completion date. The back burner is a bad place to park your truck. Mine has been at the body shop since March.

THE "10" SILVERADO · 11-18-2011, 09:41 AM

Vent window assemblies are worth their weight in gold according to some of the parts carriers. Might want to look for a new door.

Robert8096 · 11-18-2011, 01:10 PM

If there is no other damage to the door and the paint looks as good as in your picture I would go to salvage yard or look on Craigs list for a vent window. Replacement of the complete vent assembly is not that hard. Here is video that shows you how.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGMKPuS1NJQ&feature...

rs72z · 11-18-2011, 01:16 PM

Look for a 88-91 suburban to get the vent window out of. They have the new style seals where they seal around the door, much quiter.

85/Silverado · 11-18-2011, 05:31 PM

Here are a few more photo's of the Truck, you can see how both bumpers are twisted. The interior is pretty straight just a little faded. Red & Black Interior, came with the tool box too. It does need a new set of tires they were new in 06. It won't hold freon in the systen for the air so I have to replace the condensor motor.

85/Silverado · 11-19-2011, 02:36 PM

Here are a couple better shots of the bumpers.
So do you think I should just replace them or do you think they can be fixed?

Is This is the front replacement bumper? Or is this just a cheap skin for a bumper?
http://www.discountbodyparts.com/cat...Ntt=%20bumpers

**PRattenbury** · 11-19-2011, 05:56 PM

Nice truck! I would see if the paint will buff out before going to the expense of a paint job. Might save you some Benjamins. I'd replace the bumpers if they bother you. They don't look too bad. I'd repair or replace the vent window as needed. Good doors are hard to find. And newaftermarket ones just aren't as good as OEM stuff. Oh, and if someone is trying to tell you they need to replace your condensor motor, RUN. There is no such thing. Have someone dye test your system, or sniffer test it, to find out where your freon is going, and have the proper parts replaced.

11-17-2011, 11:59 PM	#1
85/Silverado Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Port St. Joe Fl. Posts: 494	Rebuild Questions I got this 85 silverado from the original owner a few months ago, It has a new 350/350HP motor with 20k miles on it. The body is free of rust and dents. Never been repainted so I need to have that done. Should I sand it all down myself? If so how much would I save? Both bumpers have to be replaced since they been bumped and twisted a little, do you think they can be repaired? I need to replace all the door rubber and the drivers vent window since I tried to open it a few days ago and the bottom mount snapped off. Someone said it was hard to repair. So I don't know If I should just get a new door. What other year doors will fit on the 85 Chevy? All the gauges work like new, The clock keeps better time than my watch. I got the truck for $3000.oo,, not sure If I paid too much but we need a truck to carry stuff from the big city 35 miles. Thanks For Having Me. Attached Images

11-18-2011, 12:24 AM	#2
bakerboys Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Pikeville NC Posts: 239	Re: Rebuild Questions be readdy to drop some money haha check out LMC and Brothers

11-18-2011, 12:41 AM	#3
DREAMER1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: baytown, texas Posts: 310	Re: Rebuild Questions That's a nice truck. Paint--unless you paint it yourself or a buddy paints it, when you take it to a shop the shop will resand it anyways to make sure it's done properly. Vent windows are hard to repair, and expensive. You'd be better off trying to replace the door. Bumpers---post more pics so we can see the damage...may be fixable...may not. Welcome to the addiction Posted via Mobile Device

11-18-2011, 02:37 AM	#4
78 Big10 454 78 Big10 454 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 839	Re: Rebuild Questions That's a sweet ride. I don't believe you overpaid for it by a longshot. I'd rather lay out the cash for new bumpers than attempt to have the existing ones repaired and rechromed. You may find out that the cost will be the same. The door rubber is readily available and relatively inexpensive to purchase and not a difficult installation. I would attempt to repair the vent window rather than seek out a replacement door. Yes, it is a pain to repair but if that is all that is wrong with the door, I'd keep the original. FYI, you can replace the door with one from 77 to 87. However, to match your interior, you should stick to 81 through 87 models. I agree with Dreamer1 about DYI sanding. If it's going to a body shop, let them do it. __________________ 1978 Chevy SWB C-10 2WD 454/400

11-18-2011, 08:59 AM	#5
sumran Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 406	Re: Rebuild Questions Very nice truck. If you take it to a body shop make sure you have a contract that includes a completion date. The back burner is a bad place to park your truck. Mine has been at the body shop since March. __________________ Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737

11-18-2011, 09:41 AM	#6
THE "10" SILVERADO Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Marble Falls, TX Posts: 1,575	Re: Rebuild Questions Vent window assemblies are worth their weight in gold according to some of the parts carriers. Might want to look for a new door. __________________ Michael Re-starting the neglected '77...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=425464&page=9

11-18-2011, 01:16 PM	#8
rs72z Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Emory TX Posts: 900	Re: Rebuild Questions Look for a 88-91 suburban to get the vent window out of. They have the new style seals where they seal around the door, much quiter.

11-18-2011, 05:31 PM	#9
85/Silverado Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Port St. Joe Fl. Posts: 494	Re: Rebuild Questions Here are a few more photo's of the Truck, you can see how both bumpers are twisted. The interior is pretty straight just a little faded. Red & Black Interior, came with the tool box too. It does need a new set of tires they were new in 06. It won't hold freon in the systen for the air so I have to replace the condensor motor. Attached Images

11-19-2011, 02:36 PM	#10
85/Silverado Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Port St. Joe Fl. Posts: 494	Re: Rebuild Questions Here are a couple better shots of the bumpers. So do you think I should just replace them or do you think they can be fixed? Is This is the front replacement bumper? Or is this just a cheap skin for a bumper? http://www.discountbodyparts.com/cat...Ntt=%20bumpers Attached Images

11-19-2011, 05:56 PM	#11
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: Rebuild Questions Nice truck! I would see if the paint will buff out before going to the expense of a paint job. Might save you some Benjamins. I'd replace the bumpers if they bother you. They don't look too bad. I'd repair or replace the vent window as needed. Good doors are hard to find. And newaftermarket ones just aren't as good as OEM stuff. Oh, and if someone is trying to tell you they need to replace your condensor motor, RUN. There is no such thing. Have someone dye test your system, or sniffer test it, to find out where your freon is going, and have the proper parts replaced.



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