'74 Round Eye Stepside Project

[KAC]

A short story about this 1974 Chevy.

This truck has been in my family since about 1984. My father had gotten it used and he was the 2nd owner. It was a 6cyl 3 on the tree. I have so many great memories of this truck and the time spent in it...When my brother Graduated HS in 91 it was passed on to him.

WELL, in about '94 or '95 it was taken to a "friends" Shop to have some minor work done to it, and over night the guy decided he wanted to leave town, so he did with the engine, tranny, drive shaft, radiator, battery, stereo, rims... he basically left the shell on cinder blocks, he had done that to a few other vehicles that were there also. The guy even took a freshly painted Buick Regal with him....

Sooo... this truck as been sitting like that for a while, except now it has a v-8 in it.... to make matters worse my brother was killed by a Drunk Driver soon after the engine and tranny was installed. (3/8/09) SO i have now Inherited this truck and I want to get started on it!

What i would like to do.. what i think would be the easiest.. is would be get a complete 73-87 SWB and basically switch the Cab, Bed engine and tranny. to get this beauty up and running again...

or would a '90 Jimmy work for this project?

I'll dig up a picture or 2 of what it looked like in its prime and when it was all original before it got painted...

here she is for those who just want pictures....


Please Help!

[mokelife77]

sorry to hear about your brother after all the stuff that happend to the truck. looks like a great project,i have a 78 c10 stepper

[RandyP]

Whatever you do, keep that front end! Beautiful.

[spudz]

The jimmy has a different frame but if it was mine, i would just rebuild what I have. these trucks are pretty basic. I think swapping the bodys would just be a hassle IMHO. I am sorry about your bro and I hope you get the old truck back on the road!

[KAC]

Thanks everyone for you support

Originally Posted by RandyP

Whatever you do, keep that front end! Beautiful.

I am planning on it! IMO round eyes go with step sides!

Originally Posted by spudz

The jimmy has a different frame but if it was mine, i would just rebuild what I have. these trucks are pretty basic. I think swapping the bodys would just be a hassle IMHO. I am sorry about your bro and I hope you get the old truck back on the road!

I kinda figured the Jimmy's frame wouldn't work,
The frame that's on it now is not the original frame (i forgot to mention that) The frame had been cracked (from what I remember) due to having Hydraulics and driving low (it was the cool thing to do at the time) and my brother hit a pothole (may have been driving faster than he should have) and the frame cracked on or near the motormounts? I was young(er) at the time so don't remember the details... BUT the cab and bed swap have already been done. I just remember it took about 6 guys to move the cab...

as far as the "swap" goes I think it would be more cost efficient to get it up and running again rather than doing it piece by piece...

some of the things i know for sure it needs to make it drivable

1) Driveshaft about $100
2) rear end (from what i remember it wobbles when driving)About $200
3) Radiator & hoses/support etc... about $150
4) Windshield (has a big crack through it, and won't pass inspection) about $100
5) Tires depending on if i get a set of used tires between $150 and $650
6) Brakes... (not sure if whats on it is any good anymore)

so I can spend anywhere between $700-$1200 (keep in mind im just estimating prices based on a few visits to the junkyard and browsing online for prices)

or

Buy an already Running (or Semi-Running) '73-'87 Shortbed and do the engine, tranny , cab and bed swap for about the same price range (and I would get extra parts )

Anyone ever done this?

[87 chevy silverado]

it all depends on the room u have to have 2 trucks apart.btw i like the vinal top on the truck. put some ralleys on it it will look perfect.good luck on the project.

[355bullet]

Originally Posted by KAC

Thanks everyone for you support


I am planning on it! IMO round eyes go with step sides!



I kinda figured the Jimmy's frame wouldn't work,
The frame that's on it now is not the original frame (i forgot to mention that) The frame had been cracked (from what I remember) due to having Hydraulics and driving low (it was the cool thing to do at the time) and my brother hit a pothole (may have been driving faster than he should have) and the frame cracked on or near the motormounts? I was young(er) at the time so don't remember the details... BUT the cab and bed swap have already been done. I just remember it took about 6 guys to move the cab...

as far as the "swap" goes I think it would be more cost efficient to get it up and running again rather than doing it piece by piece...

some of the things i know for sure it needs to make it drivable

1) Driveshaft about $100
2) rear end (from what i remember it wobbles when driving)About $200
3) Radiator & hoses/support etc... about $150
4) Windshield (has a big crack through it, and won't pass inspection) about $100
5) Tires depending on if i get a set of used tires between $150 and $650
6) Brakes... (not sure if whats on it is any good anymore)

so I can spend anywhere between $700-$1200 (keep in mind im just estimating prices based on a few visits to the junkyard and browsing online for prices)

or

Buy an already Running (or Semi-Running) '73-'87 Shortbed and do the engine, tranny , cab and bed swap for about the same price range (and I would get extra parts )

Anyone ever done this?

EL PASO?!!!!!
no wonder why that truck looks familiar!!!
Sorry to hear about your brother
Shoot me a txt 915-850-3194...ill go check out your truck

i just finished mine
http://www.southwestdrags.com/forum/...ad.php?t=10034

[KAC]

Originally Posted by 355bullet

EL PASO?!!!!!
no wonder why that truck looks familiar!!!
Sorry to hear about your brother

Where have you seen this truck at? It hasn't been around in about 15 years?
Thanks man.

[KAC]

here's a few pictures of it when I was a youngin' (sorry these are old pictures from the 80's when cameras weren't the greatest)

Does Anyone know what that original color is? Its kinda burnt orange..?

[355bullet]

Originally Posted by KAC

Where have you seen this truck at? It hasn't been around in about 15 years?
Thanks man.

Prolly in the late 80's, when the crusing scene was popular.
I cruzed my nova everywhere..didnt matter where.
Back then it was Ascarate park on sundays, Monopoly's on friday nites.
Monopoly's is closed now, its a china buffet now. Same parking lot where barnes and nobles is...that parking lot held @ least 300 cars! lol!
Friday Nites was Industrial park for illegal drag racing...way later was 54 in the north east.
Low Riders and Low Rider Car Clubs use to hang out in parking lots around North Loop Street and Alameda. I think with business owners permission cuz those clubs were huge.
But now when the gang violence grew, all that came to an end. Then when fast and the furious came out...that really put a nail on the coffin with the crusing. Bad apples ruined it for everyone.

Last but not least Ultra wheels and Phatom tops were a big deal back then (late 80's early 90's).
That top has some funky material, cuz its not vinyl right?
That truck looks like a blast from the past! im glad it survived!

[KAC]

Originally Posted by 355bullet

Last but not least Ultra wheels and Phatom tops were a big deal back then (late 80's early 90's).
That top has some funky material, cuz its not vinyl right?
That truck looks like a blast from the past! im glad it survived!

Yea that material isn't Vinyl its like a denim cloth (im scared to take it off and see a bunch of rust)

Those Ultra rims are off of another truck I used to have they needed tires so i just went ahead and got a new set of rims and tires I'll have to dig up an old picture of when it was a "nice" green and with the 15" Roadsters on it

here's a picture of the old truck those rims came off of... I had bought that truck when i was in the Air Force and sold it to some kid in Clovis, NM.. I wonder if he's on this forum...

[KAC]

Originally Posted by 87 chevy silverado

it all depends on the room u have to have 2 trucks apart.btw i like the vinal top on the truck. put some ralleys on it it will look perfect.good luck on the project.

I have room to do it .. it shouldn't take too long to get it done (at least i don't think so)

[87 chevy silverado]

get some buddy's cuz u will need them.btw love the wire hub caps.lol

[KAC]

Originally Posted by 87 chevy silverado

btw love the wire hub caps.lol

Those wire hub caps were classy in the 80's

[KAC]

I found some pictures of My truck and what it looked like in the early '90's


Lifted in the front and slammed in the back with Hydros

15x7 Chrome Roadster Rims

[355bullet]

wow!!! thats crazy!!

[ERBSIX]

Originally Posted by KAC

BUT the cab and bed swap have already been done. I just remember it took about 6 guys to move the cab...

You just need an engine hoist and a 1 man cab/bed mover.

My thread link for hoist & 1 man lift.

Wooden Cab/Bed Lift

Metal Cab/Bed Lift

[benoit454]

wow a hundred bucks for a driveshaft? I thought $65 was expensive around here that's worse, I think I'd check around more, or maybe ebay or something. Is yours missing or messed up? if it's there you can get it fixed, shortened or lengthend at a local place or find a longer one and have it cut down. I'm sure somebody on here has one their are parting out and is longer or maybe the right length.

Nice truck though I love the round headlight trucks wished I had another one.

[KAC]

Originally Posted by ERBSIX

You just need an engine hoist and a 1 man cab/bed mover.

My thread link for hoist & 1 man lift.

Wooden Cab/Bed Lift

Metal Cab/Bed Lift

Thanks for the info I'm going to have to try one of those options

Originally Posted by benoit454

wow a hundred bucks for a driveshaft? I thought $65 was expensive around here that's worse, I think I'd check around more, or maybe ebay or something. Is yours missing or messed up? if it's there you can get it fixed, shortened or lengthend at a local place or find a longer one and have it cut down. I'm sure somebody on here has one their are parting out and is longer or maybe the right length.

Nice truck though I love the round headlight trucks wished I had another one.

The drive shaft isn't there at all it was taken with the engine/tranny etc. I've briefly looked into getting a longer driveshaft and having it cut down but that would cost nearly the same as getting one that i don't have to cut down. The $100 was from maybe 2 different Junk yards that I've gone to.

I love the round eye trucks especially the round eye shortbed stepside...but maybe it's because i have one

(i did have a '84 SWB tho...)

[benoit454]

we had 2 square eye trucks an 86 4x4 swb fleet and the 84 swb fleet dad has now but did have a 76 swb fleet and loved the round headlight, would love to find me another one. I know other places have different prices, but the local guy we just got one from was $65 and gave us a few days to get it in and make sure it was all working in good shape. I thought it was kinda high, but there's no driveline shops within an hour drive or so from us.

Too bad you aint close man he had a huge stack of driveshafts and I saw about 5-6 81-87's on my way to get the shaft. What trans is going in it?

[KAC]

it has a 305 .30 over with a mild w/Gear drive timing setup I believe the tranny is a 350?

are there any identifying markings on the tranny so i can tell which one it is?

[3r!c84]

Originally Posted by KAC

it has a 305 .30 over with a mild w/Gear drive timing setup I believe the tranny is a 350?

are there any identifying markings on the tranny so i can tell which one it is?

whats the shape of the pan? if its a square with a corner cut out of it shape its a th350 /also can tell if it only have 3 gears

[KAC]

Originally Posted by 3r!c84

whats the shape of the pan? if its a square with a corner cut out of it shape its a th350 /also can tell if it only have 3 gears

I completely forgot about the pan shape! THANKS! I'll check it out later toady.

[355bullet]

dude! i just found this on craigs!
go get the measurements for the drive shaft on this one before it gets sold.
i think its the same frame
http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/1881091244.html

[KAC]

Originally Posted by 355bullet

dude! i just found this on craigs!
go get the measurements for the drive shaft on this one before it gets sold.
i think its the same frame
http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/cto/1881091244.html

Isn't the Driveshaft the same for all the Shortbeds?