pwradder's new ride, '80 swb silverado

[pwradder]

the crew cab was getting a bit expensive to run at about $100 a week back and forth to work, so i decided a little more fuel economy was in order. since i refuse to be crammed into some rice burning econo-box, this is my alternative. now keep in mind this is a before picture i know its rough-but i have done more with less before, so its in good hands. as i get rolling on it with some pics and progress i'll set up a build thread, but for now-the specs:
original 350 with a 700r4 trans, a/c, p/w, p/l, p/b, p/s, tilt, cruise, dual tanks, factory slider, am/fm, cab lights and full trim package(shaved by p.o), 133k mile north carolina truck i bought last week with a blown up th350. plans for now are: body work and paint-might do the same color combo as my crew cab as a mini-me, 2'' lower all around, 4'' cowl hood, window tint, possibly wheels (cragers?), swap to the 73-79 heablights and bezels, long tube headers, edelbrock intake, holley carb, flowmaster exhaust.
i probably wont stop here, we'll see how much i can hold back lol. thoughts and opinions welcome.

[frog210]

i want those bezels lol
i like those compared to the round eyes

[rs74]

I think if you got the side trim back on and give it a repaint with the brown and maybe a tan in the middle with the rallies and roof top painted tan as well. Kind of like this one except 73-79 style. JMO. Looks like a good start.

[pwradder]

that's a good looking truck, i'm just not much for the color combo. so far it's a tossup between grey, grey-black, straight black, or hot rod black. who knows, silver might be a contender as well. picked up some parts today, getting ready to go put some work in-so i should have some pics and a progress report soon!

[pwradder]

goodies!
picked up a good used fender, some headlights and bezels and a one piece rear window to replace my leaking factory slider- it's got a/c anyway! the edelbrock intake came from a friend of mine in a barter for the labor on rebuilding his tilt column, and some window tint. i'm no tinter- in fact i cant stand it, but i am cheap! lol.

[pwradder]

set some time aside for the intake change-kinda necessary because of the leaking thermostat housing. i tried changing the gasket but, the housing bolts were locked in the intake- meaning i would've had to torch them and with the fuel line being where it is, that made it a project. i decided to just swap out the whole boat anchor. some before, during, and after pics- i was surprized how clean the lifter valley was!

[pwradder]

now that i have most of the major issues sorted out, next on deck is the body work. think i'll start the body work and primer on the spare 73-79 front valance i had and the fender tomorrow.

[rs74]

Then after body work is that two tone brown and tan paint job right?

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by rs74

Then after body work is that two tone brown and tan paint job right?

i'm starting to warm up to it...lol. it will be two toned for a while though, i usually do the body work and primer on one or two panels at a time on my driver's, but eventually- all primer black. after that, i'm not sure yet.

[rs74]

Originally Posted by pwradder

i'm starting to warm up to it...lol. it will be two toned for a while though, i usually do the body work and primer on one or two panels at a time on my driver's, but eventually- all primer black. after that, i'm not sure yet.

I am sure what ever you end up with will look good.

[nheller76]

My 2 cents, for all its worth, if your gona paint it give it something that will make it not look like its straight out of the 70's! If u like the stock look then brown and tan it us but if not then give it a blast of your favorite color!
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[pwradder]

could'nt agree more! the cool thing about these trucks, and this board is that with so many different tastes and styles-there are a lot of good looks for them. i may keep it flat black. or silver. maybe copper. candy red? ehhhh i dunno. how about some 15'' slotted mags? always been a fan of that look!

[meatwagon83]

btw your shorty is the same color im painting my dually!

[pwradder]

got a little work done lately, rear window is tinted and installed, side windows are also tinted, straightened the front bumper out a bit-i'll try to get more out of it when i pull it off for paint. got the used fender and front valance fixed, primed and installed-also got the headlights and bezels swapped out for the early ones. next up is the pass. fender patch panels now that those came in, then the hood etc. speaking of the hood- i've been thinking about adding a 4'' cowl scoop and i'd like to get you're opinions on it.....

[rs74]

Hey I like the headlight bezel swap. Never been a fan of the 80 front. Looks good. Keep pluggin away.

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by rs74

Hey I like the headlight bezel swap. Never been a fan of the 80 front. Looks good. Keep pluggin away.

thanks- i knew i wanted to swap the lights from the moment i saw it, not a fan of the sguare lights either. time is kinda hard to come by but i can manage an hour before work and a couple hours after. thoughts on a 4'' cowl?

[rs74]

Are you talking about just adding a cowl to the existing hood or an actual cowl hood. I like cowl hoods. I have a harwood fiberglass hood with either a 3 or 4" cowl that I am thinking of putting on my truck. I guess it just depends on the overall look you are going for. My thoughts are if you want that hood then you should be considering dropping the truck a bit. If not then I would stick with the factory hood. JMO. What is your expectations of the truck in the end?

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by rs74

Are you talking about just adding a cowl to the existing hood or an actual cowl hood. I like cowl hoods. I have a harwood fiberglass hood with either a 3 or 4" cowl that I am thinking of putting on my truck. I guess it just depends on the overall look you are going for. My thoughts are if you want that hood then you should be considering dropping the truck a bit. If not then I would stick with the factory hood. JMO. What is your expectations of the truck in the end?

i'd like to lower it about 2'' all around.this is a daily driver that i'm gonna have some fun with-i'm thinking a blazer rear bumper and a wheel swap to some period 15's (cragers or slotted mags) i've always liked cowl hoods but, i'm too cheap to buy a new one for this truck so i'm thinking about adding one to the existing hood-just havent been able to find a picture of one done that way, i'm not sure how smooth the transiton in the front would be with out some fab work. anyone seen this done?

[meatwagon83]

4 inch hood would look great!

[jitteryguy]

looks good, for the look your talk'n about I vote for the slot's and stock hood.

your crew cab must get pretty bad milage if this what ya bought to save gas !

[rs74]

This is too far away to be feasible but here is a cowl hood for sale. http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/3633625993.html

[83swb]

I saw this truck on craigslist a little while back! I think the guy selling it was a little clueless as to what he had.

[silvereagle07]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

looks good, for the look your talk'n about I vote for the slot's and stock hood.

your crew cab must get pretty bad milage if this what ya bought to save gas !

I'm with jitterguy! Slot's and a stock hood. Or white steelies with dog dish caps and lower to the earth. I would add white bumpers if you go that route.

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by jitteryguy

looks good, for the look your talk'n about I vote for the slot's and stock hood.

your crew cab must get pretty bad milage if this what ya bought to save gas !

i'm leaning that way-it's a timeless bad@$$ look!
yea, it does get pretty bad milage-but i dont blame it, 4x4, aprox 9000 lbs, .30 over 396, 10.5:1 comp, big comp cam, hooker longtubes,2 1/2 flowmaster 40's, and a driver with a heavy right foot that loves all that wonderfull noise!
this little shorty uses half the fuel, and its a cool driver!

[pwradder]

Originally Posted by rs74

This is too far away to be feasible but here is a cowl hood for sale. http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/pts/3633625993.html

awwww man, i'd be all over that-if i could figure out a way to make it worth it...thanks anyway though.