77 Silverado Build thread

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Just got back to computer after two days.

Got my new sending unit from O'Riellys and got it installed in the new tank. Then spent another couple of hours trying to get the tank to go in right. I put the front bracket on wrong the first time because when I put it up to the frame I found out that the bracket and straps were not centered on the tank and therefore had to take them back off and put it on again.

I wasn't able to finish because the vent/filler hoses ordered from LMC were to short. I double checked all of the part numbers with what I was supposed to have and they all were the same. I guess LMC just stunk at getting right sized filler hoses or something. Anywho I had to go to O'Riellys and get generic hose for the vent hose and had to order a 15" 90 hose that I will have to cut to fit. Dang thing cost $32!

I'm at my dads for the next week so no updates for a while. I was hoping to get my truck running by new years but I guess that's not going to happen.

[grayharville]

Nice gas tank dude
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Teaser

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Since the last day of Christmas break was today I decided to go up to the shop and utilize some free time. I was able to get the seat/carpet/padding out and clean the floorboards. Found a little surface rust on the passenger side that I will have to take care of before I get any mats but that should be simple enough.

Tore out the old stereo and all of the bad wiring that was there. Got the new one in (which required a lot of cutting) and started to get the wiring for the 6 speakers done.

Got the clock rewired. Apparently the dome light, stereo, and clock run on the same fuse. It doesn't keep time well (not that I cared, I just wanted a shiny new clock in the spot). The picture was taken at 2:37 and the clock shows like 2:04.

Was ready to put the "highliner" (headliner with four speakers) in but I'm going to need three people to do that. Tried it with my step-dad and it didn't work.

Besides the 4 4" speakers in the headliner, I snatched my moms old 6x9s out of her 78 trans am. She got some and then bought some more a month later so they were used very little. Picked up some boxes from them and got them set up for wiring (sorry but no pictures of that either).

Also was able to replaced the broken fan clutch with a new one and ended up painting the fan shroud and the top of the radiator (well the plastic thing on top) with some black I had sitting around the shop.

Going to swing by the shop a couple of times this week and replace the door locks and paint the inside of my bezels satin black like the rest of the truck. oh and replace the old drivers side headlight.

Overall I think a VERY productive day.

[grayharville]

Looks good man. Did the same to the 77 I had
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Got the rest of the stereo installed. "Highliner" installed with the 4 4" speakers along with the 2 6x9s.

Fixed the headlights (bad grounds)

Like the new painted headlight buckets? I think they came out sweet.

[grayharville]

Does the radio go boom???
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by grayharville

Does the radio go boom???
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quite well!

[grayharville]

Sweet, gotta love a bumping system man
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

another.

[Vernski]

Hi Michale cool truck you have there, I like the cowl hood and I read your build thread so I'm subscribed. I also wanted to thank you for your reply to my taillight thread I did find some at the parts geek that looked good and at a fair price I may order them if nothing else comes up. Ive always been a smokie & the bandit fan so I like your moms trans am but the chevelle is cool also. Hope everything goes smoothly with your build....Vernski

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Tore into the front brakes today. Rotors, hoses, and calipers good so I won't worry about them for now. Replaced the pads and lubed everything. Get a load of the old pads!

Anywho, found out that I will need a lot of front end work with the control arms. All of the bushings are bad and one on the drivers side isn't in existence anymore.

Gotta start saving some pennies now.....

[Fixwhataintbroke]

Hey how well do you like that Highliner? I've been toying on the idea of purchasing one. Oh and your buckets look great!

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by Fixwhataintbroke

Hey how well do you like that Highliner? I've been toying on the idea of purchasing one. Oh and your buckets look great!

Highliner: great idea that looks good. PITA to install.

Seriously, it pretty cool and sounds good (the 10 watt speakers it comes with are ok for mid-low range but if you listen to the radio loudly they will blow, luckily I don't like really loud music) but I will probably replaced them later on. Fits well, except for the trimming around the sun visor.


Just make sure you have multiple people to help you put it in when you do it.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Little bit of work done today.

-Got my new tailgate band "chevrolet" logo so I reinstalled the band.
-Got a new camo seat cover put on and seat installed
-Think that my new fan clutch is bad because it makes terrible noise when turning and it's not power steering

Also LMC finally got my battery tray, bolts, and clamp in so I will be putting those on sometime soon.

Just happy I can almost drive to school with my own truck (sick of using mom's truck)

[grayharville]

Its gettin there man.
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

AHHA! I finally figured out what was wrong with my fan. While I was taking everything apart to take the fan clutch back to the store I noticed a slight abrasion on the bottom of the fan shroud. Since I had just painted it I knew it was new.

After crawling under I found that the bottom clips were not clipped in all the way and it was raising the shroud a penny width up (I put a penny in and it jammed the fan). After fixing that it was fine.

Word of advice. When installing shroud, get under the truck and make sure the clips are working. It saves trouble down the road.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Pulled out my two drive shafts and carrier bearing today. The U-joints on the front drive shaft had a whole lot of play and that's why it clunked everytime I shifted. Also stripped the rear driveshaft mounting bolts so I got new ones for the re-install.

Apparently I have a "heavy duty" carrier bearing because at the auto parts store the "regular duty" one didn't match mine. The lower section of the carrier bearing (I believe to be the one pressed on) was so tight I had to cut it off with an air grinder.

Really glad I could do this now so no more clunking. Painted driveshafts and going to install sometime this weekend. Also going to be painting the axle, springs, hangers, and wheelwells after I get the driveshafts installed because they are the last things that have surface rust visible from 10 feet away.

[grayharville]

That carrier bearing mount on the crossmember looks kinds homemade to me
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[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by grayharville

That carrier bearing mount on the crossmember looks kinds homemade to me
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Really? That doesn't sound good but with all the stuff the previous owner did I wouldn't doubt it.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Went back up to the shop today and reinstalled the driveshafts. Apparently the carrier bearing I had was the wrong size so I had to go back and get another. Also found out how hard it is to put in a carrier bearing and U-joints without a press.

Painted 3 of the fenderwells but ran out of time and couldn't pain the last one. It's on the 2 do list.

New Oil filter fixed most of the leaking but also discovered that most of the oil pan bolts were loose. After a quick tightening of them the leak is down to two drops from the starter area. I'm thinking it's just run off from leaking valve covers. After changing the oil today my oil pressure doubled. Guess my engine is happy for the first time in a while. Took it up to the Quick Lube for the fourth time to get it inspected but yet again they were closed

Need to fix the battery tray (one bolt is eaten by battery acid so I have to drill it out), install the drop shackles, and paint the axle and I will have most of the short term stuff done for a while.

Door panels and MIP mat are one the list to buy very soon.

[Kerlijah]

Dang dude, you're makin some good progress! Makes me wish I could get more done on my '79! Subscribed!

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Started driving my truck to school Wednesday. It sucks that the first day I drive it, it pours. On the way home the passenger wiper blade flew off so I had to get a new one. Turns out it was just the J-hook that connects to the wiper arm.

Every bump I go over I hear this creaaaaaakkkkk so I think I need to get new shocks. My control arm bushings are bad and I need new ones but I don't think that is the source of the problem. Looking at getting Rancho RS5000's...any input on that?

[grayharville]

worn out bushings will make some weird noises! I dont know anything about the ranchos, I always roll with stock (cheap) stuff

[usa1industries]

Awesome thread and great work, keep it up. Look forward to seeing your progress even more.