Slick Copper's Build Thread

[71Sleeper]

Keep at it, a little at a time and you will get there. I'm down to the frame now trying to get it ready for sand blasting. But only have limited time with kids football practices and games. I need another 8 hours in a day.

[slick copper]

Got a little more done. And don't worry I'm on the laptop so I can hopefully post pics good. Took pics for reference of the SPID tag in the glovebox. I think that's what it's called. I think there's someone on the site that can make new one's. Anyone know who or how to contact so I can get a new one made?
First pics are from Friday and Glovebox tag.

[slick copper]

Anyone know the easiest way to remove the driveshaft on these trucks?

Have your neice who's taking intro to auto in high school do it for you!

[slick copper]

Took forever to figure out how to load these photos good so they're not all flipped sideways! Must be something to do with my phone?

Got quite a bit done. Small things here and there, but every little thing adds up. Had a little help from the niece on Friday night. Got the brake booster/MC removed, heater core box, steering column, glove box door, brake pedal assembly, and as seen above the driveshaft. I got the exhaust out the day before.

Noticed when removing the brake pedal the truck must've been a three speed on the column manual originally. You could see where the clutch pedal was originally and it has a different steering column in it.

[dsraven]

looks like a nice solid truck. one thing I noticed is when you seperated the engine from the trans you left the torque converter on the flex plate. you may want to install that back in the trans to keep any dirt from entering either the trans or the converter and also it is easier to line up the trans pump drive on the converter when it is being installed into the trans by itself. lots of guys have broken pumps when trying to assemble with the converter on the flexplate because it has to line up just right or the pump drive gets busted. just replace the seal on the front of the trans and slide the two parts back together again, turning the converter slowly while pushing it inward lightly until you feel it drop into the pump drive notches. push it in all the way and haywire it in so it can't fall back out. then when you are ready you know it is in the right position for putting the engine and trans back as one piece.

[dsraven]

take lots of pics of the dissassembly process and keep them so when you re-assemble you put the right screws etc back where they are supposed to be.

[slick copper]

Thanks for the tips and kind words. The transmission is getting a full rebuild along with a new torque converter so not too worried about it. And definitely taking a lot of pics!

[slick copper]

Went to take the pitman arm off of the power steering box today, but I have a 1 1/4 socket and 1 1/2 socket and ones to small and ones too big. Anyone know exactly what size socket I need?

Pulled the cheap plastic cover off of my dash pad to reveal the original silver cracked dash pad. I think it'd be cool to go back to that color interior. Especially since I have that color visors already. Anyone know where to get that color seat covers of door panels? Probably have to go custom made.

[knomadd]

Use a tape measure and check the distance across the nut. I think it's probably 1 5/16, but not quite sure.

[slick copper]

So the socket I needed turned out to be a 1 and 5/16" indeed.

Got some work done this past weekend. Was hoping to get the cab removed, but I don't even have my stand built for it yet. Did get the bench seat and gas tank removed. Took a while to siphon the fuel out. All 18 gallons that were still in there! Had a lil help from the wife! Oh and can see where the PO bondo'd over the original chrome trim holes. I'll be reinstalling the chrome. I think.

[71Sleeper]

Lucky you, I can only wish to get my wife to help. She is glad that I'm involving our son in the build but she wants nothing to do with the truck but ride in it once we are done. Plus, she prefers an old beat up truck over restored. She loves the persona and character that comes with all the dents and rattles that an old beat up trucks gives.

Keep at it you are moving along nicely. I would agree I like the trim.

[slick copper]

Didn't get much done. Got the doors off today. Set them aside in the building until I get the cab off and on the stand that is currently in the works. Attempted to scrape some of the old sound deadening material off of the cab floor, but dang that stuff is glued down good. Also got a little something to help me not freeze this fall winter.

[71Sleeper]

Every little bit counts and the heater will surely help once the cold sets in.

[slick copper]

Built a little carrier dolly for the heater so I can maneuver it around the garage easier. Took the wheels off an old creeper I had and some 2x4's. Works good. Now I gotta put some kinda stoppers on it so it won't take off like a rocket car when I turn it on!


Also got a more serious scraper (one on the right) The putty knife wasn't cutting it. Got the rest of the junk scraped off the floorboards with it. Then shopvac'd it clean.

[slick copper]

Hope you all don't mind all these pictures! Got the cab off tonight! Whoop whoop! Built a simple little dolly for it out of 2x4's and a 2x6 and some harbor freight wheels. Tried little bit of everything to get the cab off, even tractor and front loader, but the simplest and easiest was the cherry picker and a couple 2x4's. Was a little nerve racking though.

[slick copper]

Cab resting on dolly. Had to use some blocks to get it up a little higher off the wheels. It's not perfect, but it's working. Just wanted to be able to roll it out of the way. Now gotta get the bed off. Guess I'm gonna have to find somewhere else to put my parts! Couldn't believe how much gunk is built up on that tranny crossmember. Looks like it's an inch thick!

[71Sleeper]

Floor board looks great. Your truck looks to be very solid with minimum rust which puts you way ahead of the game. I also used the cherry picker to remove the cab and I agree it was very interesting to say the least. Oh and keep the pics coming that's why we tune in.

[slick copper]

Well, this is a slow going build for sure, but at least I got one person interested.

[knomadd]

You've got more than one... we don't always reply, but pics definitely help keep more peoples interests. So keep them coming!

[slick copper]

Good to know. Didn't do much today. Cold and rainy. I need better weather to get the bed off and roll the frame outside for cleaning. Hoping to get somewhere on it tomorrow. Supposed to be a little nicer. Did try out the heater. Works great. Just did a little organizing in the garage. Did get my monster energy flag hung. That counts as progress right? Lol.

[slick copper]

Last post was written and pics posted with our new tablet. Much easier on my laptop. Well got the attached garage cleaned up and organized. Managed to get the cab rolled over and tucked in. But shew it was like an all day event just doing that stuff! And it still looks cluttered! Time for a yard sale probably! And trust me the mess in the other garage is driving me nuts, but ran outta energy and time. Couldn't do much in there before anyway with the cab sitting in front of the frame. Also that's the wife's Camaro in case you all were wondering. Got better pics if anyone's interested in seeing.

[mjensen]

Looks like progress is being made! I love that Camaro! I wouldn't mind owning one again.

[slowcpe]

Nice progress. Know the feeling with running out of room. I'm paying to store the boat this winter to free up space.

Post up Camaro pics! I miss my '88 Iroc.

[slick copper]

Haven't gotten anywhere else on Copper, but in the meantime here's a few pics of the wife's 83 Z28.

[slick copper]

I know haven't posted in forever! Still have Copper. We moved a couple years ago and sadly he got put on the back burner. But. I've gotten the itch again and started working on him. Got the bed off finally. Bit of a job there! Now time to get the frame cleaned up!