Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Definitely not a beater any longer!

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Well I have all rge front sheet metal test fit. As expected with aftermarket parts, the fit is not perfect. The doors fit in the opening, but the shape of the doors is a little off, the hood to fender gaps are a little big, one of the fenders I had to cut the spot welds on the door edge of the fender, and shim out the skin so it lines up with the door better. All pretty normal stuff to deal with when using aftermarket parts. With a little extra work though, the parts fit pretty good!

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

I got the front end fitment done, finished drilling the front sheet metal for trim, and got the windshield installed. I started installing the leaf spring bushings, that's on hold now till I round up some 9/16" bolts. I also got my hands on some rear spring hangers. Hoping to have the front end painted and put together in the next week and a half.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Looking good.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Real good progress! Those bushings are a PITA.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Yesir, the bushings sucks bad. All I've got done so far are the rear of the front springd, and the ones in the frame. The front bolts are stuck to the bushings, I'm guessing all the bolts on the rear springs will be rusted to the sleeves as well. To my surprise none of my local hardware stores carry 9/16 bolts.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Were you able to save the original trim? Is there a trick to removing it?

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

The trim is pretty easy to remove. The front fenders have studs with "speed nuts", and a couple of screws. The doors have a screw on one end, a stud on the other, and in the center there are adhesive mounting pads. I just ran a sharp putty knife under the trim to loosen up the old adhesive. The box trim is the same.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Cool. Thanks.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Got the doors and fenders primed, and the white shot on them. The door hinges, and some interior parts primed, and painted blue.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Need to build some fixtures to hang doors and fenders for painting. If anyone has any ideas, please share. I have 3 more trucks to paint after this one is done, so I better take the time and build something decent.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Do you have your own body shop? Wish I had the space and more importantly skills to do my own body work and paint.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

No body shop, it's just a hobby for me. The trucks I need to paint will be over the corse of the next couple of years. I'm trying to slam this winter truck together pretty quick, my "good" truck is a 80 k10, and it's starting to get some rust from the last few winters of salt. When this one is done, no more salt for the 80.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Well, it's not fancy, but it holds the parts.:smoke:

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

There you go! Creative!

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Doors and fenders are done. They turned out pretty good! I can't wait to get this truck done enough to pull out. The shop has been a huge disaster since I started this project. It will be deep cleaning time!!!

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Man you work fast!

This is far from a beater. Looks great man. I love the color.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Thanks man! It's not turning out as beater as I thought it would, but it does look a little better in the pictures than it does in person though. It's pretty fun doing a low budget build.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Small tripod mirrors, or dumbo mirrors??? Leaning towards the small tripod mirrors. Any suggestions???

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Sweet truck! :metal: Very nice work.

I agree with everyone else. It's too nice now to be a winter beater. :lol:

I'll put in a vote for the dumbo mirrors.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Are the tripod mirrors like the ones on my plow truck? Going white or chrome? I'll withhold judgment until you say which finish.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

I am not a fan of the tripod mirrors, but I kinda think they would look right on your truck with that color scheme. They would have to be white.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

They look like they are the same ones you have on the plow truck. They are stainless. They were on the 80 stepside when I got it. I saved them because they were not huge, looked pretty good, but we're very effective as far as mirrors go. I have sport mirrors on my 80 k10, I can't believe they even let those trucks leave the factory with such worthless mirrors. Here is a picture of the tripods I have.

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Had a few minutes in the shop this morning. I got 1 door hung, the paint lines even line up!

Re: 77 k10 short box winter beater build
 

Any reason you shot the white first and the blue over it? I got the impression from the overspray on my truck that they shot the white over the base color in the factory. (I could be wrong)