98 w/t rcsb
 

I bought this truck about a month ago when my S-10 started needing more work than I felt it was worth. It is a 98 4.3 auto pretty bare bones except A/C. The truck has 117,000 miles and runs great. It came from Arizona and has been in New England since 2009 so is very rust free for this neck of the woods.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0c430ff2.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps19b99a51.jpg

Pics of truck as first seen in PO yard

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

This truck will be my Daily Driver and will be used to tow my boats and chase parts for my auto repair shop. First I had to clean up the grille that had been painted a couple times with rattle cans without sanding
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7b112e2c.jpg
After a day of wet sanding all the old paint off I sprayed it with Mercedes silver basecoat and clear. I painted the bowtie black and added and emblem from a 30's era Chevy
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps15d8b6ee.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95b98a64.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Next I turned to the rear bumper which was covered with survace rust and bent. I do a lot of boating and go rowing at night sometimes so I first took a hole saw to the bumper and added some tractor lights for launching at night.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psf94db626.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4e83fa9e.jpg
Next some sand blasting and epoxy primer
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8f9be0d1.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psec1e231d.jpg
[URL=http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/BobLister/media/98%20Chevy%20WT/DSC00635_zps3d82cdae.jpg.html]http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3d82cdae.jpg[/U

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psf18736ec.jpg
Then some paint and clearcoat, sorry it is a F--d color left over from a job. and mount and a light test
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7e20865f.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0aa7f635.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psdc20c606.jpg

I decided the truck needed a little color so I sanded and painted the wheels with some left over Mazda red.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I replaced the black center caps with some chrome and picked up some new trim rings

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psf0527136.jpg

I also added some teak boat handrails for bed rails. As you can see the step and tow bumper is to high for my trailor,

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ea3de1a.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

wicked truck, easily my favourite 88-98 truck on here! where did you get the grille emblem?

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

A friend of mine had on his living room and donated it to my 92 S-10 when I sold it I kept the emblem for this truck. It is from a mid 30's Chevy I think I have since cut down a tow hitch from a Wrangler and welded up some brackets for this truck. I also lowered the rear 2" with drop shackles so the small boat tows level now. I will have to get a pic up with it leveled out. Thanks for the positive comments.

Bob

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

More pics !!!
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Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Ok this thread has had no updates for a couple years. I am still driving the truck and it has been one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. At 64 years old that is saying something. I will bring this up to date and show what I am doing now.
I did lower the rear 2" with drop shackles and added a rack to haul lumber for my boat building projects. I have painted the tailgate and replaced the decal with an emblem from a 62 Nova.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps53df185f.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

A neighbor of my mother in law has a 96 W/T long bed and always comments on my truck when I see him. I saw him at the store last week and he told me his frame rusted out and he was gonna scrap his truck if I needed parts let him know. I called the next day and bought the whole truck.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2ykf3mmn.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psaw8qzz4r.jpg

He had bought new wheels and tires a year before as well as new rotors and upper control arms. I swapped my brakes for his and painted his wheels.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pss5vrqk8v.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

His hood was better than mine so I fixed the small dings and painted it too.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pspsuv1nxh.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psojrlbc8k.jpg

Notice it is not white.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I towed my boat to a rowing race about 50 miles away and the truck felt sluggish on the highway. I had been hearing some rattling from the cat so I took a 4" hole saw and opened it up.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psmocv36fn.jpg

I found the rear section of the ceramic had broken and turned sideways across the pipe exiting the cat so I had to remove it.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9gk7q3l8.jpg

Welded the access hole back up and she is running sweet again.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pso99voqss.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I put the new to me wheels and tire on this week . No more red wheels.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps08fjqli2.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psv9riidek.jpg

I am going for an old school look on a new style truck so satnd by for why the wheels and hood are now light blue. Oh and I finally fixed the dent in the left rear lowed bedside that has been there since I bought the truck.

Bob

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

the pickup is looking good bob!

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I have been slacking on updating this but have been working on the truck when time and space in the shop allows. I work alone and have had to figure out ways to do two man jobs alone such as switching hoods. First I securely tied the old hood up to the ceiling beam and the overhead door tracks.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psewdmbfys.jpg

Then unbolt the hood and springs and carefully back the truck out without turning the wheel the foam pads are saved from packaging from new hoods.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pstc1g7aez.jpg

Then just switch the hood and rehang the new hood and pull back in straight and reinstall
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pssavmjg0f.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

yes, working by yourself often creates a necessary evil on creating inventive ways.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

My biggest concern with working alone is safety. Working under a vehicle especially I am very diligent with my jack stands and use steel plates under them when on asphalt as they will sink into hot asphalt.
When changing hoods I took the underhood light off and soaked it in vineger for a couple days to clean up the rust and reinstalled after painting.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pshdvdmd0a.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psofuj8mz7.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

that cleaned up very nice.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

When I got the truck it had a pipe in one of the rack holes at one time that must have hit something or got used to pull something. It was stretched to much to repair without cutting out so I cut a piece from my parts truck. pic is after cutting part out.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pshxo35aqy.jpg

New piece fitted
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psxvzbkevn.jpg

Moved on to fixing minor dings ,welded some holes on top of bed from a previous cap, and cleaning a little surface rust on the lower front fender.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psowljnfig.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psxekuemau.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

The doors on these trucks are some of the heaviest I have dealt with in over 40 years of body work. To remove for hinge rebuild and painting jambs I tied the top of the door to my overhead beam and used my adjustable office chair to allow me to roll it far enough for access.http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6v5b9yk.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5o9iuz2c.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psvizvogiw.jpg

After cleaning sanding masking and painting the jambs except door bottom that is still on the chair I replaced the bushings in the hinges. A socket and bolt makes a mini press to save damaging the bushingshttp://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psjfrlvpmo.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

it's coming along nicely! i will see your bet on the doors and raise you 3rd generation camaro doors...takes a small crane to move those around!

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

So, what stage are you up to now? Its been another day! I want to see what colour combo you have come up with.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Ok I got the rest of the drivers door jambed out and got the drivers side masked and ready for paint.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pslqocafis.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psistews1x.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psycep10we.jpg

Very humid day so I had to crank the heat up to 90 degrees to dry the air in the shop.

Three coats of color and three coats of clear later.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psly6dzk9j.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

After sanding and buffing the drivers side I got the tailgate and bumper filler panel sanded and painted.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psuinmiy18.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psukcr2pts.jpg

Starting to get an idea of what it will look like

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psd18uhvou.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I am working on my truck between customer work so I am doing sections at a time. I also use this as my daily driver and parts chaser. This is how it looked after painting the drivers side.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psd18uhvou.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psx1agza2x.jpg

My brother is a lobster fisherman and has a 3500 HD in his yard with a reefer box for a bait cooler. It has a blown engine and is just there for storage. I swapped my door handles for the pull style and painted them and my mirrors silver as I felt the black was to much contrast.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pslrstyn2a.jpg

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

looks good

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Thanks I am still not sure about leaving the top white or going all blue. I want it to look like a 60's type paint style but not sure if it really works on these trucks. I may paint the other side blue all the way up the door and pillar to compare. The roof will eventually get painted either way as there is a small rust spot at the windshield top edge that needs to be addressed.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

it's definitely tough to do with the body lines. in my opinion, two toned, with white in the middle, would look the best if you are going for a contrast.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I was never a fan of the big band in the middle two tone. I have had many old cars over the years and at least 4 of them had a white roof probably due to no A/C. New England cars seldom had A/C till the 80's as it was an expensive option. Trying for the retro look but without spending a lot of money on wide whites as it is a daily driver work truck and I like soap and water maintainance not polish and scrub. It does get drivin in winter but as little as possible in snow.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

that's what i love about this hobby, not everyone likes the "same" thing!

maybe you could break it apart with some of that "chrome moulding" that goes on the lower part of the body.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Maybe two tone down to the cut line. Have the top rail of bed and either do the fenders down to the line or hod and fenders down to the common line.

Truck looks good! ;metal:

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I am starting on the other side this weekend. I think I may paint blue up the pillars and the complete door on the other side to see how it looks. The roof needs to be painted either way as it has a couple of small rust spots above the windshield. I do like the way the bumper filler looks painted body color as it flows with the fender extensions and outlines the grille.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psiskdjqba.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psglquzrlh.jpg

I am getting a lot of people telling me they like the color.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Ok I have been working on the other side for a couple weeks and have gotten it painted,buffed and assembled.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9jajlasi.jpg
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psisqg777e.jpg

The biggest difference was less dents and no welding needed.
http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psbnna2ahl.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pseal2kzvh.jpg

I removed the passender door and painted the side with the door off instead of jambing and masking jambs. I painted the inside of the door outside between coats.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

The next day I put the truck outside to cut and buff while the door went in to get the outside painted. I did paint the whole door and pillar up to the roof seam blue.

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9kgofrhi.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pso5nxbovw.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...psf0lnpjko.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8sdeyiuv.jpg

http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...pstazaryrw.jpg

Since this is a V6 stock drivetrain truck with a retro theme I added some fitting fender emblems.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Now the question is do I paint he rest all blue or two tone the passenger side to match the other side? I have some other projects to deal with so it will be a couple weeks till it gets more shop time. I am getting more comments from people about the color than I could ever imagine. I stopped at the local Chevy dealership for parts and the sales manager was outside on the lot when I pulled up. I worked there 30 years ago and he was there then so we know each other. He was looking the truck over when I came back out and said it looked like belonged in his showroom. That made me feel like I am going the right direction with this.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

With the way the body lines are, I like the solid color. Do what you like best though! Glad to see you making more progress.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I was going to say full two tone, being a tri5 Chevy man, I did not think that I would say this but...just the white roof with the blue up the pillars, also if something scratches the roof form the headache rack then it is easier to fix.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

Solid baby blue! Probably look good either way, but solid is simpler.

Re: 98 w/t rcsb
 

I think I will paint the tops of the door and pillar drivers side and see how it looks before painting the roof. There is a small rust spot just above the center of the winshield so I plan to have the glass guy pull the shield on a Friday so I can repair and paint the roof over a weekend and have a new windshield put in Monday. Probably be a couple weeks till I am ready. Getting caught up with honey do stuff and yard work.