alright guys, 1st off i want to thank everyone here and my loving wife for allowing me to do this life long awaiting project. this forum is just full of knowledge and helpful people. this is a slow build because i'm doing everything myself and i've been taking autobody and welding classes at night so i can continue to do everything all the way to the paint booth.

now for some quick back ground. this truck was purchased new by my grandfather. 1st thing he did was take a few leafs out of the back and put on the mags. i was brought home from the hosipital when i was born in this truck. my papa drove her for 10 years and sold her to my dad who drove her another 15 years everyday to work. i bought her from my dad about 5 years ago and fixed her up a bit the 1st year and parked her. in december of '08 i started making plans for a frame off and in january i started taking her apart.
heres how she looked...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_0784.jpg
my plans for her are total resto w/ a 5.3 ls motor and 4l60 trans. new generation technology under old school style. my plans may change due to the smog laws out here after reading about the problems acex is having. if thats the case i will use the 350 crate motor my dad had put in back in '93 and back it up w/ a 700r4. i just need to find out if vortec heads and a mild cam will pass smog and get me to my 300hp goal. i'm building more of a weekend cruiser thats in memory of my papa and dedicated to my dad. heres some pics...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4082-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4098-1.jpg

i have a ton more pics up to the point i'm at now but i have to resize them 1st and i got to get to work.

heres a few giant pics...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4144.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4102.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4113.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4138.jpg
bought this baby for the sandblasting...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4201.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4209.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4202.jpg

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4211.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4204.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4207.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4208.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4235.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4212.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4247.jpg

went w/ eastwoods extreme chassis gloss. very good stuff!
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4203.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4249.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4250.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4251.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4252.jpg

i have more but i gotta go. now i'm late for work! LOL

any comments and opinions are welcome and i need all the support i can get. thanks for looking too!! Dennis

What a cool build man! That is very cool that you have had that truck as long as you have, my dad orderd my 78 blazer new so I know what it's like to have somthing like that. Keep us posted and it's looking good!:metal:

Very cool! I'm looking forward to more updates.

thanks travis and evan! i just got home work... heres some more pics of the frame...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4254-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4300-1.jpg
sandblasted a arms and painted. new ball joints, bushings, bump stops, and tie rod ends.
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4259-1.jpg

all new grade 8 bolts, washers, and nuts...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4332.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4333.jpg
front cross member all bolted up...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4335-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4336-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4338-1.jpg

Cool build thread. I love trucks with tradition.

shims and u bolts blasted and painted silver...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4339.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4341.jpg

Cool build thread. I love trucks with tradition.
hey thanks ken. your truck is my screen saver. i dont want to seem like a copy cat but hopefully in the end she looks just like yours but done in burgandy like the original color. (actually a color called red jewel found on the new tbss)

driver side a arms on...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4342-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4343-1.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4345.jpg
and last one for now belltech 1" drop coils (which may change to 2")
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4344.jpg

next on the list is to order 3" drop spindles and brakes. i'm going w/ the stock size rotors and black birds rear disc kit so i can still throw on the mags when i want. just need to find out if they have a drilled rotor that will match the fronts. thanks again for looking guys! its dinner time, Dennis

looks good man, keep up the great work

That is going to be a great truck when you are done. Progress looks great so far.

BTW, AR is making the slots again, in 17". http://www.americanracing.com/browse_vintage.asp

Glad my truck can offer inspiration. Keep up the good work.

next on the list is to order 3" drop spindles and brakes. i'm going w/ the stock size rotors and black birds rear disc kit so i can still throw on the mags when i want. just need to find out if they have a drilled rotor that will match the fronts. thanks again for looking guys! its dinner time, Dennis


I would like to know this too, I am running the black bird kit too..

I would like to know this too, I am running the black bird kit too..
I was thinking about using the Blackbird rear disc kit so I emailed them to ask if I'd be able to replace the discs and pads with local parts store stuff. They said yes, so I assumed that when the kit arrived they would tell me the model and year of vehicle that the parts were sourced from. That way you could just search for slotted rotors for that application. Is that not how it worked?

from what i understand the rear caliper part # matches the fronts. i'll call them about the rotors and post up the info...

wow!! what an awesome guy and company!! i just talked to randy at blackbirds and he said for drilled and slotted rotors it would be extra for them but they can get them to match the front. he also had a good point that its really hard to (find someone) resurface them when the time comes. i'm just going to get the kit and get new stock rotors for the front that way they will match.

great work! good attention to detail!

wow!! what an awesome guy and company!! i just talked to randy at blackbirds and he said for drilled and slotted rotors it would be extra for them but they can get them to match the front. he also had a good point that its really hard to (find someone) resurface them when the time comes. i'm just going to get the kit and get new stock rotors for the front that way they will match.

Good to hear. Did you ask if the rotors match the front as well?

thank you for the comments and link jonboy, flamingbig10, and 69face! evan the fronts will match in looks but not part #'s.

Nice progress menance, that frame looks awesome. Keep up the good work. I'm intrested in the Red Jewel Coat color myself. I have painted a few different reds and burgandy's lately and I can't decide what color I want.

looke great Dennis.

Good work, keep us posted. I cant see all the pictures cause my internet service provider sucks, but i get the picture.

thank you silvereagle07, anthony, and st1! little by little... i have more progress and pics but just have to get them off my camera.

alright, the passenger side a arms are on and the start of the suspension...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4350.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4351.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4352.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4348.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4353.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4346.jpg

Shes looking great....

That's a beautiful truck and even better that it's a family thing. Subscribed!

thanks frenchblue72 and leevon! i ordered my drop spindles today and should have more updates and pics in a couple days.

lookin good. cant wait to see it rollin

Very cool build, im in the middle of that process myself. I was going to put a body from my '82 on a frame I have from an '85 and that quickly turned into a frame off project. That eastwood chassis black looks really good. Did you just match up the old hardware and buy everything individually? Or did you get a hardware kit for the front suspension?

thanks chrub! me too man...

sbtork, for the front suspension i ordered a poly. bushing kit from pst that had everything from control arm bushings to sway bar bushings. the ball joints, tie rods, idler, and pitman arms are from napa. might sound wierd but i am trying to keep all parts made in usa. and napa's suspension parts all had u.s.a. stamped on them. :chevy:

Did the grade 8 bolts come in a kit or did you just check the stockers for size and pick up what you needed?

i just took the old bolts in and matched them up. i was looking for a bolt kit but had no luck. its actually easier than i thought matching up the old bolts, just make sure you keep it all the same. (standard or metric)

Your frame looks amazing. How many cans of that stuff did it take? Did you put down anything like POR15/Chassis Saver first...or just the Chassis Black primer and paint?

thanks corndwg01! i sandblasted it with 30grit sand from lowes and used the eastwoods extreme chassis black primer (3 cans) and extreme high gloss chassis black (also 3 cans). 3 was kinda streching it so i ordered an extra i ended up not using it yet. i highly recommed the chassis black. very happy w/ the results.

i been busy today!! getting ready for the drop spindles... blasted and painted the rest of the suspension, sway bar, ect...

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4371.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4373.jpg

went to napa to find some dust boots for the tierod ends and pull up to the ups guy leaving a heavy present:)
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4376.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4375.jpg
so i got them all cleaned and painted and started putting her together (after i went out for more new bolts)
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4377.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4378.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4379.jpg

i cant believe summit racing! awesome shipping. keep in mind i ordered the spindles yesterday morning at 10am and they were here today by 11am! amazing when just a few hours ago i recieved an email saying they were shipped.LOL

few more pics of the progress...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4381.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4383.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4384.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4385.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4386.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4387.jpg

What are you using for the silver paint?

i knew someone would ask!LOL i'm using napa's self etch primer (#7220) and dupli-color high performance wheel paint (wp101). we'll see how long it lasts kinda wish i'd have clear coated everything but i figured what the heck most of the stuff is replaceable parts anyways. the quality of paint shows when it took 3 days for the frame to dry and just about 10 min. for all the silver stuff!

Looking good man.. Did you get your brake kit yet? You know you better post some pics..;)

thank you travis! i'll order the brakes in the next few weeks and i love pics so there will be plenty!LOL

i still have to get the rear end and leafs all cleaned up... and buy the flipkit, and buy the front rotors and calipers and buy a new quick ratio steering gear box and buy...............on and on.....:lol::chevy:

thank you travis! i'll order the brakes in the next few weeks and i love pics so there will be plenty!LOL

i still have to get the rear end and leafs all cleaned up... and buy the flipkit, and buy the front rotors and calipers and buy a new quick ratio steering gear box and buy...............on and on.....:lol::chevy:

I know how that goes!

Making some great progress! Looking at the photos is like a trip down memory lane!

thank you travis! i'll order the brakes in the next few weeks and i love pics so there will be plenty!LOL

i still have to get the rear end and leafs all cleaned up... and buy the flipkit, and buy the front rotors and calipers and buy a new quick ratio steering gear box and buy...............on and on.....:lol::chevy:

Yeah, I've noticed that the parts list grows everyday. Oh well, it's all worth it and it feels like christmas morning everytime something shows up.:lol:

Looks great dennis,
I see your making some serious progress on your truck.I am gonna go with the same rear disc brake setup as well since i`ll be running 18s in the front and 20s in the rear.. Keep up the great work.. :metal::metal:

thanks
pat

I almost forgot to ask, did you replace the studs that hold the upper control arms on? (between control arm and frame, alingment shims are between them on these studs)

thank you pat!

sbtork, DO NOT ORDER THESE BOLTS FROM LMC. i ordered them and they sent just regular bolts. called them and theres nothing they could do about it because the diagram they have (#11) in their book doesnt show anything special about the bolts but they cost twice as much. and they dont have any info on the bolts except the part #. shipping them back would be $10 more for a $25 refund. i just cleaned the old ones up with thread all and put new nuts and washers on. classic trucks have the right bolts in there book they even have a colored pic that shows the exact bolt. $3-4 a piece. mine cleaned up real nice and the A arm shaft and shims cover most of the bolt threads anyways. hope this helps, Dennis

small update... had knee surgery monday the 8th so the most i can do is order parts now!!:) this was from last sunday.
started sanding and restoring the mags
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4389.jpg
pain in the butt!!
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4390.jpg
im taking them down w/ 120 grit to get all the big knicks and dings out from overtighting the locks.
cant really see them in this pic...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4392.jpg
my little helper and my big mess!LOL
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4393.jpg
got the eyelet bushings out of the leafs and shackles(thanks ken)
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4394.jpg
new ones in...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4395.jpg

more sanding! my finger tips are raw!LOL
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4396.jpg
found my extra leafs in the garage and getting them ready for the blaster...
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4405.jpg
all blasted and painted
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4409.jpg
thought this was cool
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4413.jpg
all new bolts... there starting to get expensive!
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4414.jpg
last one of the passengerside getting the same treatment
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4415.jpg

i ordered a western chassis flip kit and have decided to go w/ 5 leafs in each pack until i see how low shes gonna be. also ordered more paint and hope to start in on the rearend as soon as i can carry it from the side of the house.LOL

looks good man! Yeah those grade 8 bolts add up fast!:thud: :lol:

Nice job,hope your knee is getting better.:chevy:

thank you john and northern. not sure if its getting any better since i'm doing this without pain killers. still hurts like hell.

No need to be a hero. Use the pain pills that's what they are for. Better to take longer to get back healthy, then to get back faster and not be totally healed.

LOL! its part of my past that prevents me from putting anything mind altering in my body. (kind of a promise i made to someone) on october 17th '09 i'll have 6 years clean and sober!!

LOL! its part of my past that prevents me from putting anything mind altering in my body. (kind of a promise i made to someone) on october 17th '09 i'll have 6 years clean and sober!!

that's awesome man, congrats! :metal:


Your progress is coming along great, still using the extreme chassis black on everything?

I remembered seeing something on your bolt woes with LMC, I just wanted to confrim. Knowing that, I will steer clear from them and probably just clean up my stockers, chase threads, etc. Im painting more of my frame this weekend and getting the front crossmember and control arms ready to be sent out to the blaster/powdercoater. Then new hardware, bushings, and reassembly. Then on to the rear end, then bodywork and drivetrain.


BTW....did you use an air chisel on the rear leaf spring bushings?

thank you sbtork. yep still using ew extreme. some of the best stuff i've ever used. for the rear bushings i used a big 1 1/8" socket that i beat to death with a big @ss hammer. it was rough but i couldnt see paying someone $25 per bushing.

what paint did you end up going with?

thank you sbtork. yep still using ew extreme. some of the best stuff i've ever used. for the rear bushings i used a big 1 1/8" socket that i beat to death with a big @ss hammer. it was rough but i couldnt see paying someone $25 per bushing.

what paint did you end up going with?


Im using chassis saver. I have no experience with it prior to this but if it holds up like it should I will be really happy with it. I applied on a well prepped frame with a foam brush. It looks great, ill have to start a build thread once I get some more things inline.

I hear you on the bushing situation. I just took my control arms in to have the bushings pressed out and the ball joints pressed out of the lowers. Im not sure what it'll end up being $$ wise, hopefully not too much. A local speed shop does them here, their rate is $50/hour so hopefully it does not take more than an hour or ill be kicking myself in the butt. I have access to a press at work but I was not sure I could do them, now im pretty sure I can handle it so it feels like im wasting money. Not good, hopefully they don't take me for too much.

ive heard great stuff about chassis saver. almost went that way myself. good luck on the bushings and start a thread!! its good motivation...LOL

LOL! its part of my past that prevents me from putting anything mind altering in my body. (kind of a promise i made to someone) on october 17th '09 i'll have 6 years clean and sober!!

Congrats man!!!!!!:metal:

your truck looks great i liked the look of it before the resto, so i bet i will love the look after the resto. also what are your plan's for the body.

your truck looks great i liked the look of it before the resto, so i bet i will love the look after the resto. also what are your plan's for the body.

thank you! the body is going to stay pretty much the same. all the chrome trim, a GM color called red jewel, and eventually coy 20's all around. keeping it simple and as original as i can on the outside.

lots of work man. i want her to be just like new but better and more comfortable (low buckets, o/d trans. ect). fixing all the half @ssed "fixes" that a family owned truck goes through after 30 years w/ a 10 year old working on her! LOL its kinda funny some of the stuff i did to this truck and my dad and grandpa just watching. kicked myself in the butt more than once these last couple years.:lol:

At least you have that memory. That will add more value to the truck than any mod you do to it. I like the clean and simple look. Some of the best trucks on here are just stock looking simple trucks. It's hard to beat.

thank you! the body is going to stay pretty much the same. all the chrome trim, a GM color called red jewel, and eventually coy 20's all around. keeping it simple and as original as i can on the outside.

lots of work man. i want her to be just like new but better and more comfortable (low buckets, o/d trans. ect). fixing all the half @ssed "fixes" that a family owned truck goes through after 30 years w/ a 10 year old working on her! LOL its kinda funny some of the stuff i did to this truck and my dad and grandpa just watching. kicked myself in the butt more than once these last couple years.:lol:
that will look awsome i love the look of the original trucks with the trim kit. your truck wil be awsome when its done.

also j/w but what did you have in the truck for the lowering kit before the resto. i think you said before but im kinda churious as to like what the front had to lower it and also how many leaf springs were token out. thanks

that will look awsome i love the look of the original trucks with the trim kit. your truck wil be awsome when its done.

also j/w but what did you have in the truck for the lowering kit before the resto. i think you said before but im kinda churious as to like what the front had to lower it and also how many leaf springs were token out. thanks

the rear had 4 leafs per side and the front had 1 coil cut off. thanks man, dennis

tore the rearend apart for new seals and paint
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4416.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4417.jpg
found a few teeth kinda pitted and chewed up
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4418.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4419.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4421.jpg
western chassis 5" flip kit arrived. really nice kit w/ new u bolts. got it half way installed..LOL
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4423.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4424.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff240/menace121978/IMG_4425.jpg

I love it! I really dig a nice, clean, well detailed chassis.

Great job! :metal:

Yeah man that frame looks awesome. It's almost going to be a shame to cover it up with the body. Keep it up man!!!

right on thanks guys! ive run into a problem with my 10 bolt. the spider gears are marred up pretty bad. i'm going to go searching pick and pull and hopefully get lucky w/ either a 12 bolt posi or at least new looking spider gears. any other suggestions on what i should do??