Irish's Stepside build.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Just got back from my trip so i figured i'd upload some pics and start this build thread from day one. well technically two cause i just drove a little over 2000 miles in in 48 hours. From Wisconsin to Texas and back. to pickup my new truck. parts... first pics are the new truck. the last is my parts truck on the right.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Friday the work on the frame will be started. getting it cleaned and scuffed for paint.

[BGRAFX]

Looks like alot of work. good Luck!

[wheels67]

Looks like some fun times are ahead. Ive been unemployed for 3 months and my 76 stepside is finally getting odds and ends done......saves my sanity. lol.

[Irish's_79_Step]

well i got the to furthest rear supports welded in today being that i dont have a giant rivet gun and that they were cut out by the p.o. so tomorrow pull all suspension and lines to prepare for paint.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Well on hold. found the very front most of the frame is bent. not majorly but enough so now have to send it in to be repaired. but some pictures while i was there

[Irish's_79_Step]

Dropped off the frame today to get pulled. pretty good price for around me. being that there are two shops that do it, $300-350. Fun getting it there. as the picture displays. Should have it back in a week or two. then welding in a mount for a ladder bar. then to powder coat.

[scottsdaleowner75]

Looks good. Funny how the frame looks bigger than that S-10

[menace121978]

nice progress... subscribing!

[Irish's_79_Step]

i think its about the same size. it was a pain getting it up there and almost took out my sunroof. and did manage to smash my head a few times. thats a lot of metal when it hits you. but should have it back next week to figure out what kind of rear suspension mod to fix any traction issue to go with. ie ladder bars, traction bars, four link. i'm leaning away from the four link just because this is my first build i figured i'd keep it simple and put a ladder bar on it.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Got the frame back yesterday. The whole thing is within a millimeter of where its supposed to be. Cant wait till i can box it out and get it coated. Also that truck is crazy to drive.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Well started boxing out the frame.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Well the frame is boxed out. i have cleaned and painted the k-member. will have pictures soon.

[russgt]

keep up the good work! Its good to see someone else from wisconsin here

[Irish's_79_Step]

just what i have gotten done recently and my ultra safe method of getting the bottom of the frame.

[Irish's_79_Step]

got a full coat of primer on it today. also have a line on a built 454 or possibly a 502. probably going to go with the 454 if its cheap enough the 502 is out of my price range for sure. will have pics of the frame with some black on it next weekend.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Ok so it has been... FoREVER. I have gotten a little work done recently. its taken me forever to get the front coil springs back in. being that there was no weight on the bare frame i had nothing to use to help compress the lower control arm in there. but after "acquiring" some threaded rod from work and welding up my own spring compressor i just compressed the spring into the lower control arm and that worked like a charm. So with a little luck the bed will be getting close to back on this weekend. i'll get pictures this weekend as well.

[Irish's_79_Step]

No pictures as of yet as my camera is broken. Need to get a new one cause i know how much you all hate not having pictures. But i did get the bed corner where the tail gate mounts fixed (was crushed in when i got it). Its not perfect but it functions. right now were just going for function over form, because otherwise i'll never get it going. I'll try to get to the store today and get a new camera.

[stepside83]

looking good cant wait to see more of this build, for im also buliding a stepside mine is an 83, keep up the good work

[Irish's_79_Step]

Thanks, I'm kinda being a failure at the moment. Every time i start getting some stuff done on it. I get called back to work. I'll try to get a few shots of it this weekend.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Alright was just informed yesterday that at the end of this year I'm losing my shop area. So I have until then to get the truck done. I recently had the bed sandblasted and I got a coat of primer on it. I'll be buying the paint tomorrow and hopefully getting that on in the next week or so. I have been really slow going on this for far to long. Time to get on it and get it done.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Got the cab to my garage from my shop which are now located about 35 miles apart. Have to replace the cab corners then off to get a nice sand bath. After that paint!

[Irish's_79_Step]

Alright started on the cab corners. I have to take a little more metal off to get it where i would like it but its a start. I wanted to start small and see how it went so I had the least possibility of screwing it up royally. I see a lot of people when I search through older posts are really nervous about starting this. I was as well but once I started I realized how simple it really is. If you have any welding experience (being a Steamfitter I have quite a bit) it is a no brainer almost. Also found some parts of the floor that need replacing. will tackle that after both corners are done.

[Irish's_79_Step]

Alright got a little more work done today. Almost ready for some tacks. I think it's looking ok. Anyone see differently? Still have to take it back off and finish cleaning up the rust behind it. Only surface rust there though.

[Irish's_79_Step]

I went out today determined to get the cab corner welded up. So I finished sanding it down so it fit nicely, got the last bit of rust i could reach cleaned up, and got all my holes for the plug welds drilled. After that I grabbed my 100 ft. of 220 extention cord and headed inside where my stove was plugged in but the plugs were different so i can't plug in there. So I think to myself no big deal the clothes dryer is 220 as well. I'll plug in there. Go down stairs. Same plug... No welding today...