1981_c10 Step-Side

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by 1981_c10

Here is where i stopped, and my worn out shocks. Driver side wouldn't even let out haha

I also have a sway bar i will be installing. This truck didnt originally have one so any tips are welcome!

Mine didn't have one either. I found a factory sway bar, then I got the brackets ( LMC TRuck Front SwayBar Brackets (2) #34-1383) and bushings off ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...72.m2749.l2658

The holes are all there from the factory, so it is no issue to hook it up to the lower a-arms and frame.

If you can do it, find a bar from a 3/4 ton or 1-ton for the heavy/thicker diameter bar. I think mine was the standard 1/2 ton bar, but it made a heck of a difference. One day I'll probably do the drop spindles with stock springs and shocks also.

[1981_c10]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Mine didn't have one either. I found a factory sway bar, then I got the brackets ( LMC TRuck Front SwayBar Brackets (2) #34-1383) and bushings off ebay.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_n...72.m2749.l2658

The holes are all there from the factory, so it is no issue to hook it up to the lower a-arms and frame.

If you can do it, find a bar from a 3/4 ton or 1-ton for the heavy/thicker diameter bar. I think mine was the standard 1/2 ton bar, but it made a heck of a difference. One day I'll probably do the drop spindles with stock springs and shocks also.

So i already have a heavy duty sway bar. Just need to install it! I will post pics soon. I got the sway bar for free so need to make sure i have all the hardware...

[1981_c10]

Updated: Sold my 1959 apache to fun painting the 81. Got the truck over to my dad's friend who is going to do the work. Thinking of using subaru silver and taking the interior to maroon again. Thoughts??

Will take the bed off next week and send to the painter then tear the rest of the truck part to get ready.

This week though I have to clean the garage to make space for the tear down!

promise i will post about all this, just really didnt have any updates in a while.

[1981_c10]

Also while the bed is off i am looking at moving the fuel take to the bed. Any recommendations on this? I eventually want to put a ls motor in it but i am probably a year away. I hate my small 16 gallon take so for sure want a tank in the bed.

What have y'all done for this?

[1981_c10]

Here are pics of taking the bed off and apart. Plan is to media blast it then paint. There is no rust on my bed or dents. So should be pretty simple. I did have to cut 3 stuck bolts but not a big deal.

[1981_c10]

Pic

[1981_c10]

Now, the plan is to get the truck from my parents house and pull the hood, front bumper, grill, rad support (changing it to dual headlight), and start pulling interior.

Also have the rear lowering kit to install and figure out what i want to do with the gas tank. Any recommendations? I have the 16 gallon tank but would like a bigger one.

[1981_c10]

More updates. Got the truck back to my house from my parents...it was an adventure. My parents live about 40 miles north of me so my plan was to drive it. Since i took the bed off, i needed to rig up some lights. That was easy. stock lights mounted to the frame. With the bed off, the tired 305 finally would do a burn out haha

Anyway, 15 miles into my drive...pass my first cop on the highway. I remembered i forgot my drivers license, phone (which has my insurance), and drum roll....i forgot to put the licence plate on the truck. Thankfully i didnt get pulled over but i was sweating.

20 miles into the drive...AC belt broke and threw the alternator belt on 35W right infront of Texas Motor Speedway. Got the truck to Buccee's and put the Alternator belt back on and got the truck home.

Then was pulling into my neighborhood, rear view mirror fell off the windshield, then backing the truck in i clipped my side mirror on the garage. Was beer thirty after that

[1981_c10]

I did have a few wins though yesterday. I got all but one seat belt, dash, carpet and seat removed from the interior. Also pull the side mirrors and marker lights.

I will pull the dash today.

[Katrina/10]

Glad you made it. I've been to TMS several times for the swap meet.

[1981_c10]

Thanks! and i enjoy the Pate Swap meet. Hopefully we will get to go in a couple weeks.

[Katrina/10]

Over the years, I have found some good buys at the swap meet. I thought it was canceled for this year, but I see they have rescheduled. Not sure if I am going or not.

As for the gas tank, I just purchased a new stock tank for mine from Rock Auto. I'm not a big fan of tanks in the bed, but if you want a bigger one, that's not a bad idea. You do have to drag the fuel hose over the bed to fill it, though.

At one time, I added another stock tank on the other side of the truck. They are made for dual tanks, so this is pretty easy to do. I don't drive long distances any more, and the tank got rusty, so I took it out and went back to the single tank.

[1981_c10]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Over the years, I have found some good buys at the swap meet. I thought it was canceled for this year, but I see they have rescheduled. Not sure if I am going or not.

As for the gas tank, I just purchased a new stock tank for mine from Rock Auto. I'm not a big fan of tanks in the bed, but if you want a bigger one, that's not a bad idea. You do have to drag the fuel hose over the bed to fill it, though.

At one time, I added another stock tank on the other side of the truck. They are made for dual tanks, so this is pretty easy to do. I don't drive long distances any more, and the tank got rusty, so I took it out and went back to the single tank.

I was wrong on the swap meet it...got moved to April 2021.

Good advice on the tank. I think i will stay with the single side tank for now.

[1981_c10]

Here is some progress i made over the weekend. Got my shackles, hangers and lowering shocks installed. 4 inch drop. Hard to tell without the bed. Plan to clean/paint the rear of the frame next.

Also, finished pulling carpet, seat and all glass.

[1981_c10]

More pics

[1981_c10]

Also, need some help on paint color...

Truck is originally silver and i just dont love the color...but i dont ever see silver ones so i like the idea of different.

Blues and greens are ones i am leaning toward. What do y'all think??

[Katrina/10]

Thanks for letting me know about the swap meet, I'd like to go next year. My truck was originally silver also, I liked it but single stage silver died quickly in the hot sun.

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by 1981_c10

Also, need some help on paint color...

Truck is originally silver and i just dont love the color...but i dont ever see silver ones so i like the idea of different.

Blues and greens are ones i am leaning toward. What do y'all think??

You don't see many Silver ones for sure. A two tone with silver would be cool.

[The Ohioian]

Silver for sure

[1981_c10]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

You don't see many Silver ones for sure. A two tone with silver would be cool.

I have thought of silver with burgundy stripes on the hood.

[1981_c10]

Originally Posted by The Ohioian

Silver for sure

Sounds like 2 votes for silver.

Any other thoughts y'all?

Just let you know, my wife says whatever will make me happy, but she hates silver lol

[1981_c10]

Spoke with the painter today. he thinks silver too. Plan as of now is silver with burgundy stripes on the hood to match the interior.

His booth opens to me in November so still going to coat the frame and get the inside prepared. I will post pics of the frame cleaning when i start next week.

[Rich84]

I'm partial to Silver too...

[1981_c10]

Originally Posted by Rich84

I'm partial to Silver too...
Attachment 2050294

nice ride! I am planning to go back rally wheels too!

Have a pic of the front??

[LT7A]

Lots of progress, looks good. You mentioned a Subaru silver and I actually thought that it's too bad there wasn't a stock silver you could use instead of an offshore color. That's how rare they are, I don't recall ever seeing a silver one. I was also thinking today that I've had two vehicles repainted in a a color different than original. If I was doing them over, I would paint them the original color. Also, for what it's worth, I think stripes and stuff like that can be cool if done well, but I would recommend doing them in vinyl. Probably something you can do yourself and save on the painting costs. With mine, I figure when I want to go back to a stock looking rig, all I have to do is warm it up with a hair dryer and peel away.