87 SWB ..Pearl..

[Sodell]

I got this 87 SWB a few months ago and have been working on her for a bit. So far 350 rebuild motor and kept the TBI. New IAC valve, window motors, windshield ect.. runs great now and the rear end is 3.73 posi. It's been fun (my last project I still have but it is an 88 non square). I have never lowered a truck so I have been looking at these sites trying to figure everything out so I thought I might post some things. So far I lowered the front 4 inches with DJM drop spindles and cut one spring. I replaced all the suspension components including the idler/pitman arm and the control arm bushings. The front end is tight and rides well now. The rear will be next and I think a flip kit would be too much so I am planning a shackle/hanger kit from Western. Again this will be new territory for me, but seems pretty straight forward.
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[Sodell]

Replacing front end parts and lowering. Should have took some better advice, I had to modify the JDM spindles-the brake calipers did not fit well with out it.
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[Sodell]

I am not good at keeping a photo log, so I hope this thread will help with that and give me a little motivation as I go. I built a race car back in the late 80's and I have exactly 3 pictures of the car.

[Sodell]

Got some rallys, cleaned them up and painted them. Eventually went with black. New trim rings. Used 7" on front to clear the spindles and 8" on back.

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Cleaned up with silver paint..

[Sodell]

Tackled the rear drop ..

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I have some POR and will clean up when I take the bed off for paint.

[Sodell]

With wheels and drop complete

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[Sodell]

Cab corners were next.
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[Sodell]

Tons of body work (still not done with cab)



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[Sodell]

Replaced the rear slider with solid glass.
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[Sodell]

Wife purchased a steering wheel for me from foreversharp and I think she picked a good one. I should add that the wrap peeled and I sent them an e-mail, they replaced the wrap for free. Great customer service.
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[Sodell]

I added a stereo. The PO hacked the dash up pretty bad, so I had to get a backer type plate to cover the hole and install the head unit. Made some brackets from old OE brackets. I tried some small boxes for the 6x9's, but the speakers were pushed up against the side of the seats.
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Wired the amp neatly under the seat. Still have some work, but will complete install when I replace the carpet. I made the subwolfer box and used a shallow 10". I can still put the seat all the way back.

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[Sodell]

The PO hacked some holes in the kick panels and I put some 6.5 Alpines and spacers in the hole. I should have taken some photos, but I put some Pella contact rubber behind the speakers.

[Sodell]

Put new LMC upholstery on the seat. Something I have not done, but it was fairly easy. Fortunately the seat foam was in good shape.

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[Sodell]

Cleaned up the dash gauges. Great advice found on this site. Wanted to go with LED's but I want to be able dim the dash. As I get older I like to dim the dash at night when I drive. Painted the bezel and gauge cluster black. Cleaned it up some and gave it a bit of a halo effect. I think it goes with the white of the truck.

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Polished the plastic with a little of this and a buffer.
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[Sodell]

Double post, sorry

[Sodell]

Completed dash. I need a new clock, but man they are pricey. I need to figure out a way to mount a digital clock in it's place.

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[Sodell]

Today I replaced the sway arm bushings. When I ordered all the new parts for the front end, I was not sure about the swing arm size. I used an adjustable wrench to size it but was not sure if it was 1"1/8th or 1"1/16th. I forgot I had a caliper in my old tool box so today I asked for some advice and someone asked me if I had a caliper, old man brain in action..... I was able to paint the mounts, but it's been too cold to do much body work in my garage. Have to take the truck over to my buddies body shop when it's really cold, and I always end up getting involved in whatever project he has going on.
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I am sure there are some things I have missed, but I will try to take some better photos and keep this updated. If you have read this so far, thanks for looking...

[BLUIDVL]

Nice looking Chevy and some good progress too.

Are you going back to white or a different paint scheme?

[Sodell]

I was thinking about a two tone, silver and white. But I have now decided for sure to go back white.

[Sodell]

Purchased a dash cap. Anyone have any advice for install? I plan on cleaning, painting, and fixing the vents.

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[LEEVON]

Nice project, I like your style, looks familiar : )

[Tx Firefighter]

Great build up. I really enjoy working man builds more than budget busters. It's easier to relate.

[Sodell]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Nice project, I like your style, looks familiar : )

I remember your white truck, you sold it right?

[Sodell]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Great build up. I really enjoy working man builds more than budget busters. It's easier to relate.

Thanks, I still have a kid in College and one is getting married next summer....I try to get the best bang for the buck...

[Sodell]

So true to form, went over and helped my buddy finish up the bed of a Dodge we have been working on. He is painting it dirt cheap ($800 total) for a disabled Vietnam vet, so I have been lending a hand. He bought some white paint for the truck and I shot some on the inner fender of my truck. He has some left over, so I guess this color white has been chosen for the project.

I shot this base white and the dark gray base last week, and it was cleared before I arrived today. So color sanding, and buffing was the work for today.

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