Project "You thought yours was bad!" '78 C10 Stepside

[Jrgunn5150]

Originally Posted by willem445

Yep, I looked at chassis saver as well but the price difference between the two has me leaning heavily towards the rusoleum. Ive had good luck with rusoleum spray paint on other projects so I figure this would be no different.

Everyone post pics of POR 15 and Chassis Saver wet then that's the end of it lol. I'd like to know what it looks like after 5 years lol.

Because if it need's to be reapplied, ever in life, Rustoleum is the way to go. I'll find out I guess

[Nick_R_23]

Everything is dry in my pictures, but you definitely have to let things dry completely untouched for 24 hours. 48 or longer is even better. It stays pretty shiny. At least it's easy to repaint.

[daddyjeep]

POR 15 requires a top coat because it is not UV stable so the 5 year endurance test is more relevant to the top coat. I tell you, that stuff really has a nice gloss when it dries. It still looks wet. One good test that I did (on purpose...yea right) was when I put my Jeep tub back on there was brake fluid dripping on the frame for a couple days before I noticed. It had absolutely no effect on the POR15.

[Nick_R_23]

Here we go! Picked up a parts truck to rob the cab/front clip/front suspension/transmission out of for the stepside up in Fairbanks this weekend and made a day trip out of it. 595 miles round trip, averaged 11 MPG with the 6.0L, on very crappy/hilly terrain. This was the first major trip since I've gotten the crew cab, and it performed flawlessly.

I wanted to stick with the 73-78 style front clip, but since this 86 is in such good shape (and complete!), and this being a budget build, I want to save money everywhere I can. So for now at least, I will be using the complete 86 cab and front clip off this truck. I love picking up Fairbanks trucks as they are always rust free. This particular truck will have plenty that I can salvage to either sell or use for my build. The bed is nice with the exception of the dent seen in the picture, tailgate is flawless, it has a sport bumper on the rear. Whole truck only has 87k, and someone swapped out the stock 305 for a 350 (doesn't currently run). Brand new starter, battery, and tires. Not a bad score for $1k! I'm hoping I can sell the parts off it that I don't use and recoup most if not all of my money for it.

[rusty76]

I say just keep the round eye front end and covert this one over. But either way the donor truck does look good.

[jott_06]

you could always post the front sheet metal for sale and if someone buys it before your ready for it then you can use the money to get the older sheet metal that you want. You already have the older hood that you bought.

[Nick_R_23]

I considered that, but for ease on install and a price standpoint, this makes more sense right now. I may still change it down the line, but the plug and play of the current front end is what I'm going with right now.

[jott_06]

Understandable. I did the same when I built my suburban. Used what I had or what would make the build easier/quicker.

[Nick_R_23]

Getting prepped for the cab swap! I'm going to paint the front half of the frame while I'm waiting for the lift to open up.

Removing the front sheet metal. Which wasn't hard, I "pulled" the core support many years ago and the rest of the fenders nearly rusted clean off the cab! I also threw the 6 bolt rear axle back under momentarily, I sold the painted 3.42 rear end as this white truck has the 3.73 that I wanted!!



Had to make room in the driveway to pull this one out and lift the cab off with the front end loader. So if I park on the lawn, I can fit four more trucks in my driveway! (Which one is not like the others...)



Also picked up this monster Tahoe over the weekend, as you can see in the lineup. Traded a jetski for it that I only had about $800 into!



Truck is outside, everything is ready to pull



I wasn't able to get a picture pulling the cab off the frame, as I had my hands full guiding the loader, but the cab is off and "the truck" is back in the garage ready for some more work!

[Nick_R_23]

Originally Posted by jott_06

Understandable. I did the same when I built my suburban. Used what I had or what would make the build easier/quicker.

Exactly, if I was doing a ground up resto this thing would be exactly the way I wanted it. This is just a cheap/quickie build to see what I can make with a minimal amount of time and money being invested.

[thelonerife]

Good job. I like your step bed too.

[Nick_R_23]

Originally Posted by thelonerife

Good job. I like your step bed too.

Thank you!

I got the rest of the frame painted. Things like the front suspension, crossmember, steering, aren't being painted as I will likely use all these off my parts truck as they are lower mileage and in better shape.

[Nick_R_23]

I picked up a stock grille in good shape for $20, and traded the Tach gauges out of the '78 cab for this nearly new set of ceramic coated long tube headers!



Also picked up a little TIG welder for $300. Been wanting to give aluminum a try, we'll see how it goes once I get this one all set up.

[Nick_R_23]

Also sold the engine out of the longbed truck today, $500! Recouped half my cost of the truck right there. I think between the bed, tailgate, and bumper I should get the other $500 back easily. Also have a buyer interested in the longbed frame once I'm done.

[tommys72]

Nice progress so far

[Nick_R_23]

Thank you!

My Vortec-to-Carb intake showed up today, it'll be fun to run the Vortec motor in this truck!



Also got my wheels back from powdercoating and the tires mounted and balanced. They look great!







Total investment into this truck so far is $1,885. We're looking good so far!

[rusty76]

Awesome

[Nick_R_23]

The lift opened up so I was able to get started on the actual cab swap today! Had the longbed towed up and got the cab and front clip removed from the chassis.

Starting off!



First order of business, pull the trans out



All harnesses and lines disconnected, cab starting to come off




Easiest lift kit ever



Shanty got low loww lowww lowwww...







I'll be bringing up the shortbed chassis and setting the cab onto it tomorrow!

[Nick_R_23]

Finally the major setback is finished!

Loaded up the shortbed chassis this morning





New Energy Suspension body mounts installed.



Rolling the chassis under



Just add 44's!



Cab set on, doing final alignment checks







All loaded up and headed back home for even more fun!

[Jrgunn5150]

SWeet! Are you going to keep the newer front clip?

[Nick_R_23]

Yeah, the 86 clip will be staying on. I want to say "at least for now" as I'd love to have the '78 clip back on here, but realistically I'll probably just keep the newer clip because it's in great shape, everything already lines up, and it's not costing me any money to do as it's already on there. It's a budget build and I just want to drive it!

[Jrgunn5150]

Trust me, I definitely understand project creep lol. Kudos to you for not succumbing! I started to change my heater core last fall and haven't drove mine since lol.

[Marshy]

Nice build. What are you planning for the motor build, got those details worked out yet?

[Nick_R_23]

Originally Posted by Jrgunn5150

Trust me, I definitely understand project creep lol. Kudos to you for not succumbing! I started to change my heater core last fall and haven't drove mine since lol.

The big thing keeping this project realistic is that I have a '67 Camaro that I'm restoring as well, and that one is getting all the money and nice (spendy) parts. Better get on yours and finish it!

Originally Posted by Marshy

Nice build. What are you planning for the motor build, got those details worked out yet?

Thanks! The engine will be a '97 Vortec 350, somewhat mild build. It'll have a Weiand carb conversion intake, Holley 650 DP, long tube headers, cam (haven't decided on the specs yet), and possibly flat top pistons. Nothing too radical, but it should be fun. I'll be reusing the 700R4 from the white longbed, installing a shift kit and anything I can to help it live, and a mild stall to match the cam.

[joe231]

Hey!
I recognize you from Ak4x4network!

Nice project you have going here!!