I want my 81 to look a helluva lot older... ideas?

[RockVegas]

I've seen most every (or at least it seems like) pic on this forum but I'm looking for body mods and paint ideas to get my 81 shortbed looking as old as possible. No, not like it drove through a nitroglycerin plant and rolled down a hill, I mean like dropped, old school scallops, pin striping, wide whites, etc. I'd love to have an older truck but this is the one I have and it's got some sentimental value already so ditching it for a classic ride isnt really an option.

Any leads for me jump to your memory?

[bnoon]

Moon disc covers or reversed/inverted Moons
Red steelies with baby moons (with or without beauty rings)
Lake pipes
cab visor
diamond tufted interior

Just trying to remember stuff the old guys did to their old hot rods back in the day...

[frog210]

you can swap out the front end for a 73-80 clip
it will five you the old school front end
drop depends on you how low you want it?
what are you gonna use it for show, daily driver, cruiser...

[gchemist]

Welcome to the site.
First, post a picture of it. From a pic, we can make suggestions on "old schooling" it.

[motornut]

kinda my plan
for me thats for the 79

go round eyes for sure
rear raised and wider tires
front could be lowered,(I plan too)
plain jane white rims,small stock wheel covers (or moons)
I almost have side pipes lol,just hidden and no leg burn
visor

[RockVegas]

I'll get a pic up tomorrow. It's just a plain 81, copper color, body dents here and there so a total repaint is in order along with a lot of dents and dings pulled. No rust though, so I'm lucky there.

The front end swap would be great, but also a good bit of bread.

Looking at a 3/5 drop, matte black paint, visor, some sort of scalloping or pin striping probably. Just keeping it simple at first.

I've stolen some photos from this site, some that are along the same vein.

[79 silverado]

I recall flame kits on the tailpipes, particularly when run straight back out the back under the bumper

[RockVegas]

Well, I've got the lowly 250 so only a single tailpipe, lol

[Edahall]

Turn it into a woodie

[bnoon]

Originally Posted by Edahall

Turn it into a woodie

I find it odd how much I like this idea...

[str8axle55]

Lowered all around, flat black, red steelies w/chrome spider caps. I would also do scallops behind each wheel, maybe some pinstripe work on the front of hood. Shaved handles and 73-80 front clip, chrome sport bumper on the rear.

[KrazyRay]

Slot mags will give it the 70's look.

['79squared]

Flat black with gloss old school flames?

[RockVegas]

Here she is. Just a barebones normal truck. Thanks for all the ideas, it at least gives me something to plan....



Str8axle probably has the most accurate vision, just a **** ton of work. But, I knew it would take a little elbow grease, lol

[rusty76]

Once you get it lowered have somebody pinstripe what you have and rock it. I think you'll be happy with what you got once you get her closer to mother earth. Clean up the interior and have a ball.

[frog210]

put some hids
26's
subs amps, indash
candy paint job
oh wait... lol
i like your truck
its all one color compared to mine lol
maybe sand some parts of the truck and clear over it to give it that patina look
white bumpers like factory
some dice in the mirror

[meter swinger]

Scallops or maybe a stripe running the bodyline down the sides, but in candy. That would look good on satin black.
Scotch brite pads and tranny fluid will get your paint "antiqued"
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[broey]

scallops wont look right on a square, wrong period.

[Your41Plague12]

Lower it, but leave a little rake to it. Leave the original copper color to it, with some white pinstriping. Paint the bumpers white again, and get some whitewalls. Steel wheels of some sort, maybe paint the rally wheels the body color. Shine up the trim rings and center caps, and drive the wheels off of it! That should give it that old-school yet mean look that you're looking for.

[BigBlocksRule]

Let my ex-wife drive it for about a half hour. It'll look like a 40's model after she's had the wheel for a while in traffic.
Get some cotton balls, pull them in half and stick one half in each ear with a lot of the long white hairs sticking out of your ears. Same to your nose, optional. Filthy old cap, old clothes and bib overalls, don't shave for a week or so. Once you look old, the truck will naturally look older wrapped around you.

[RockVegas]

Haha, well that side of the truck is prettier than the other. The other has a good sized bash on the bed where someone who borrowed it backed into one of those yellow pillars that keep you from hitting the fuel pump. There's a few other dents and dings as well. So, should I ever fix the large dent, then the factory paint and it's condition would be hard to match.

[Rich84]

Make it a stepside..LOL They look older.

[RockVegas]

Heh, that is true... but I do need to keep this cheap. (this is my third vehicle currently, lol)