Well guys, here is my 85 Chevy shortwide project. I love these body style trucks. I had a 87 shortwide about a year ago and ended up trading for a newer style truck (Really regret doing) I now have this one and im trying to fix it up myself as much as I can. I just turned 20 and I'm not the best body man (I really need to learn!) but I know the basic mechanics. Anyways, what I started with was a 1985 Chevrolet Shortwide. Power windows, Locks, Etc. Came with a 305 that was rebuilt at some time, but was not enough power for what I wanted so I yanked her out. I plan on staying with a small block and im trying to load her with between 375-400 HP. I am switching from a TH350 to an overdrive 700r. I'am going to redo the whole interior as well as paint. I plan to lower it (not sure yet how much) and I want the newer style suburban front clip. But for now, here is what im working with.. I'll post more pictures and updates as I get things done... This is my first "build" thread so bare with me guys!

Here is the truck the day I got it... Pretty rough

I took off the stock rally's since they had 31" tires I didn't want on them and switched for some 95' model wheels and smaller tires.. Here are some updated pics after i got it home and started getting motor ready to pull

Pics

not a bad looking little truck. im normally not fond of any car or truck newer than 71 but thats not bad. we can get her all sanded down it look to be a good base to start with. and well get her painted up in no time.

cool truck!!!
:cong:

Thanks, it did look alot worse but i got sand paper and some rattle can primer and got it to look like that, started with black but then switched to gray primer.. it still needs lots of work!

Truck looks good man. I'll have to run up someday and look at it. I just bought one Friday. I don't have any pics of it yet, but I'll get some up here too. Mine has the same issues with the 31x10.50 tires on it. However mine has 3" lift springs up front, and lift blocks in the rear. Really destroyed the look of a 2wd truck. I may talk to you about your grill when you get the suburban front clip. I have the 84 grill, and want the 85-87 grill.

Cool truck. When I got my '73, it had 31's on it too. Must've been the thing to do. And my had been lowered.

Sorry for being so slow guys... Motor has been out for a few days I took some pics and will update it after i get off work... I'm still not sure what i want to do motor wise... I either wanna go for the 5.3 swap or put in a pretty beefy carb'd small block... still undecided...

How long have you been working on it?

I have only had the truck 2 weeks

Here are the updated pics.. Got engine/trans out the other day just been too busy to post the pics.. I also finished primering the passenger side fender still need to finish the door and the rest of the body. I also scored a free tailgate band in excellent shape im going to put on when im done (i like how they look) but for now this is all i have done...

Pics

Oh and i also got new headlight trim pieces... but i dont think im going to be using them.... still debating on a newer style suburban front end swap... what do you guys think? Or maybe just do a phantom grille ... or leave it how it is but with new trim pieces... looking for a cowl induction hood as well, going to use that no matter what front end i go with..

Great job HotRod.

You are on a roll.:metal:

Thanks guys :) shes coming together slowly but ill have her all done this summer sometime... I hope...

It's looking good. Like I said before let me know if you don't use your grill. :lol:
I don't think you would go wrong with any of those grill choices. They all look good. What color are you looking at painting it?

I either want a bright redish orange or a fiji blue pearl (we have this color on our '08 honda civic si and it really stands out!) Pm'd you john

+1 if you dont use your grill. i will trade you my billet for your stocker.

Great progress....keep motivated.

keep it up man! i vote for the 5.3 swap. so far so good!

5.3 Swap it is.. I'm going to check out a wrecked 01 Gmc Sierra with the 5.3 only has 70k miles im going to see how it runs and if it runs good enough ill be pulling the motor/trans/harness and computer from it in another week or so.... im sure this is going to be a huge project for me so ill need all the help and support i can get from you guys =)

5.3 Swap it is.. I'm going to check out a wrecked 01 Gmc Sierra with the 5.3 only has 70k miles im going to see how it runs and if it runs good enough ill be pulling the motor/trans/harness and computer from it in another week or so.... im sure this is going to be a huge project for me so ill need all the help and support i can get from you guys =)

I have not done the swap, but I have researched it very well. There are a few websites out there, but the one that i've found most helpful is ls1tech.com in the hybrid/conversion section.

It looks like you have a good start on the body, and looks like it was a good one to start with too. Keep the progress up and as always, take a lot of pictures.

I'll help you with what I can. I think the 5.3 will be a great choice.

the 5.3 is a great choice. your truck will run and ride like a new silerado fuel injection good for gas mileage and today's gas price's.. :ito:

i'm here too buddy so ask away. if i dont know the answer i'll find it. ls1truck.com is another awesome and informative site.

Well yesterday i stripped the interior and added a grant steering wheel that i got from JohnC. I was disappointed to find rust on the drivers side floor pan, but i should have expected it since its a kansas truck. I took a hammer to it and it still seemed fairly solid i didnt break in any holes or anything but im still going to have it patched... the passenger side looks like it has rust too in the pics but it doesnt that is just part of the stuff that was under the carpet... the rest of the floor looks nice and solid.. im debting on if i want to go with bucket seats and a console or if i want to find a new bench seat... i will be adding new carpet and ill have interior painted before i put it all back together. I'm also going to lay down some dynomat under the carpet and behind the door panels (going to pull them next and ditch them they arent in the best shape)

That gauge bezel had the factory "aluminum" overlay i guess you would call it, and i didnt know it just came off so i peeled it off and now its all black :)

You gonna change the color?

Yup going with a redish orange color. Tryin to have a buddy come by tonight and patch that floor for me its just a little spot thats got a hole the rest of it was mainly surface rust and seemed pretty solid still i used some of that stuff that gets rid of rust and turns to primer once i get the floor patched im going to spray down some of that rubberized undercoating and maybe that will help keep the road noise down a little if not ill lay down some dynamat as well...

My door panels are in pretty good shape just need dyed... does anyone know any good dye or spray paint that i can use to save them and probably change the color on them?

Hey man glad you like the steering wheel. I got the stock one put on late last night. You may talk to some interior shops. There is a place just west of downtown OKC called Gipsons. They sell all kinds of interior stuff. They could probably tell you what's the best to use.

I hate it when you pull up carpet and find surprises. That's not that bad though. You may also talk to Captkaos he has some patch panels, that I have heard are pretty good quality.

I'll have to run by and take a look at the truck. You've seen my beast in all it's glory! :lol:

Keep up the good work man it will start coming together really well!

Thanks man =) we both need to get our trucks done by may 30th for the meet at lake dirty bird... your goin right?

My door panels are in pretty good shape just need dyed... does anyone know any good dye or spray paint that i can use to save them and probably change the color on them?

We use that interior spray paint for plastic from o-rileys at work. But I havent used it on my own stuff.

Glad you both are comeing. I hope we over run the place and I have to find a bigger spot for next year.

one of you guys got another stock wheel laying around?

one of you guys got another stock wheel laying around?

When Chris gets me the other wheel I'll have a 81-87 style stock wheel. I got it just to have two different styles. If you need it I can share. :)

great job trucks looking good

I used the Duplicolor vinyl and fabric stuff that they sell at the auto parts stores to do my dash, door panels and other pieces. I was pleased with the results.

Thanks for the info... i like duplicolor products i may give it a try i just dont really want it to look cheesy.. if it doesnt turn out too well i guess i can also have it fixed by an interior shop or have them cover it in some tweed or something

When Chris gets me the other wheel I'll have a 81-87 style stock wheel. I got it just to have two different styles. If you need it I can share. :)


Sweet
:metal:

I did my door panels and dash with Duplicolor stuff. The dash stayed pretty nice. I may have to redo the door panels. After I did them, they stayed in storage in the garage for awhile. We put alot of crap on top of them and it shows. It has a few scratches and what not. I recommend using the glossy dye. Seems to be a little more durable.

That does look pretty good. Especially on the dash.

SEM Color coat is what I use at my shop...and I wouldn't use or recommend anything else...used alot of stuff and there is nothing like the SEMs stuff...they also have a weekend workshop you can goto for free and they teach you how to use all their products and how to prep your item...no other company does the workshop that I know of...try the SEM color coat, you won't be disappointed...I used it in my truck and I have the same dark blue that you have...the color that they have that's close to the original color before it faded is Shadow Blue...you will have to color coat everything inside the truck as it is a touch darker because your interior has faded, but mine turned out perfect...if I remember, I'll take some pics tomorrow for you...

Chuck.

hey thanks man ill look that info up... if you can get pics would be great!

here's the pics....and don't anyone give me any crap about my dusty dash...I have a dirt driveway...:D...anyways, in the pics the front post/a pillar is color coated and the dash and door panels are not...so you can see the difference...the top of the door panels are alittle more faded than the dash, but you get the idea...the new color almost matches and goes really well with the rest of the interior and will look spot on once everything is colorcoated...

Chuck.

Very nice... im going to grab me a few cans and give it a shot... i also picked up a seat last night from kulturekat when i dropped a trans off to him... mine was completely trashed but he gave me a good deal on this other one :metal:

also decided that 5.3 is going to be a no go for now... im going to stick with a carb'd motor on this specific truck...

got the floor patch panel for that drivers side.. going to have my buddy cut it out this weekend and put the new one on then ill try to get pics of the other things ive gotten done to the old truck

Are you working inside or outside? This weekend I hope your inside

Deffinatly not outside this weekend :( going to probably take to his shop depending how bad the weather is when he gets off dont wanna pull trailer out in snow or ice lol might have to delay till next weekend... i hate oklahoma weather!

nouthing wrong with the carbed engine. fuel injection would have been a nice up-grade but hey it is what it is..how's she run right know.

no motor i pulled the 305, gave it to my buddy that has my old 87 short wide and he put his tbi heads and intake on it and i sold the trans to kulturekat really cheap... its still undecideable... in the end its going to cost almost the same because im wanting a nice rebuilt motor not somoene elses motor they beat on ... and the fuel injection will save me in the long run on fuel... i think? i dont know guys one minute i want a carbd motor because i can get cheaper power but then again i think a 5.3 would be bad a$$

Bummer to hear about the 5.3. I know what you mean though. I'm kind of in that same position. So many options where do you start. I'm leaning towards a 350 carb motor. Would be nice to do a LSX, but maybe on the next one! :metal: Yeah like my wife is going to let me sucker her into another project! :lol:

if you going LS, get a 6.0.......... or better yet 8.1:metal:

haha not lookin for 8mpg! if i was i would take the cheap way and just throw a beefy carbd motor in there... i want the lsx swap mainly because of updated performance and reliability and fuel... but then again its a lot easier working with carbd motors than fuel injection with all the sensors etc... but i do still want to do this swap... im just in the air im not sure which i want more

yeah.......?I said do the LS, but instead of the 5.3, go with the 6.0......dunno, but I have heard 20mpg with the 6.0.....

i hear 6.0s suck gas pretty bad.... john didnt you say your 6.0 was pretty bad on fuel? if i do the Ls swap im going to run the 5.3.... my buddy has a nice 68? chevy that was restored in the late 90s that i may pick up too needs motor/trans im debating on if i want to have two projects hehe

Yeah my 03 Sierra 1500HD Crew Cab has a 6.0 in it, but it's also a lot heavier than these single cab SWB trucks are. I get around 12-13 mpg avg. However I do a lot of in town driving. The best I ever got was 14.5 mpg. That was all highway on a trip to Dallas and back. That was also at about 75 mph too. So they don't get the best mpg, but they aren't bad either. Like I told you that day. It gets the same mpg that my 94 ext cab got with the 350 in it, and this one is a lot bigger and heavier.

I'm with you on the LSX swap. The easy and efficient power that they make is awesome, but dealing with all the sensors and stuff can be a pain. There are a lot of kits out there though, that make it a plug and play setup though.

yeah i talked to the guy with the motor trans from the rolled truck he said i can pickup the motor/trans harness and computer with all accessories for $1,250... i can get the harness reworked for about $350
then i would just need to work out the fuel issue and get electric fuel pump etc... still debating... you guys think the 5.3 swap is best way to go? i dont really want a 6.0 sorry guys..

If it's the best deal or not is really up to you. That is really all left up to opinions. I think the 5.3 would be sweet, and it sounds like the price is right. However some would say that a carb motor is better and the argument insues. I think either way would be a good setup. Another advantage that the 5.3 gives you over what you have stated is the fact that when you pop the hood it's not what you expect to see. You get that "Oh cool that's a newer motor in there!" Send a pm to G-old, he has the 5.3 in his. He might give you some info on the swap. Pros and cons after doing it and all.

yeah sounds like decent deal......the LS is the way to go IMO....plenty of power, excellent reliability, and decent mileage.

I would love a 6.0. But every time I pass a camaro of trans am I'm thinking "parts car". An ls1 with a t56 would be awsome.

Heitz has a limited edition all aluminum 454 sitting on the showroom floor that would look good in your engine bay. It's carberated.;)

Mmmmmmm that sounds tasty! How much are they wanting for it? That wouldn't really fit into the economics that you were wanting for gas mileage though! :lol:

Haha yeah.... you know i would LOVE a T56 i want a 6 speed SOOO bad.... i sold my 96 Camaro Z28 to buy this truck and pay off some bills and it had the LT1 and 6 speed man would that puppy run i could break the tires loose doing like 60.... would it be possible for a 6 speed in my 85?

5.3 sounds like a good route to go for the goal that you want.

that would be nice to break them tire's lose now on your truck, at around 60 mph that would be bad a$$.... i beleave you can use a 6 speed in your truck but will require quite a bit of work......

guess i need to update some pics of my truck as it sits now.. ill add them when i get off work today

Yeah we need updated pics, what have you been doing? :lol: Don't ask where the pics for mine are because I haven't done a thing to it!

I Need to get you your stuff and take pics before/after thats a start =)

I bet a lt1 and a 6 speed could get scary in a light short bed truck like that.
Winter driving would suck.

Yeah it would.... im going to do a 5.3 with the 4l60e trans... leave it stock for now and build little at a time... probably do heads/cam beef up trans with stall and shift kit etc... but all that later on or i may just keep the project on hold and do it all while its out and put it all together and leave it alone and just drive it.. either way it wont be done till late summer im not going to make it to the meet in this truck but ill bring out my 73 chevy C20 3/4 ton that im driving untill this truck is done

:lol:No need to rush. Take your time and do it the way you want the first time. Especially since it's not your DD you have time to plan. That's why I am so confused right now with mine. All the time to plan, and don't have one yet!

if you going LS, get a 6.0.......... or better yet 8.1:metal:

8.1 yes the big 496 i bet the best you could get on gas mileage is 5 mpg
i vote on the 6.0 they seem to be everywhere but i cant find one anyone wants to sell