My new project 86 Silverado
 

Here is my find, was sitting in a field 13 years, had a few trees growing around it. scored it for 1200.00.
it is a 86 Silverado, cruise, tilt, power windows/locks, ac. It has a 305 4bbl, with a swapped in TH400. It currently is sitting with only the cab on it, as I am in the process of doing a frame off. It will have all trim removed, has surface rust only, all panels straight, and will be flat black once it is done. I hope to start a build thread once real warm weather starts here in the mountains:)

Kind regards,

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Welcome naphtali5725, Great looking 86. I like the style truck.
Keep us informed on you progress.

John

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

nice start!!!

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Welcome. I have an 86 Silverado as well, and look forward to hearing more about your build.
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Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Thats a good starter truck .

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

welcome

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

make sure to take plenty of pictures for the build thread, it looks like a nice start!

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Nice start im in the same boat with ya good luck

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

that's the route i'm going, all smooth, no aluminum trim, or any moldings.

good luck with your build, start a thread if you haven't already!

kind regards,

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Well, i have decided to keep the 86 Silverado. I have an Oldsmobile 455 that I got from X-cabsquarebody on c10forum. I was also given a complete engine rebuild kit for it, pistons rings, etc. etc.

I have an engine builder in SC. that donated their machine shop services, and their time to put it together for me. The engine will be a torque monster.

Truck is down to the rolling frame now, and pressure washed, and cleaned as much as possible. I'll attach pics to this thread as soon as I can. I am probably going with the budget build route, and probably will not paint a lot of stuff...that's just how it goes, function over form.

I'm going to follow my buddy X-cabsquarebody's recommendation of leaving the body alone, and keeping the patina finish, and not priming/painting it.
I just got a new cab bushing/bed mount kit from LMC, so I can get the cab/bed back on here in the next few weeks.
I'll be taking apart the front suspension in a few days, and will replace all upper/lower control arm bushings/ball joints etc. I should have those in a couple of weeks as well.

stay tuned...

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Body pics - as you can see, this truck's panels are very straight

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

more body pics

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

rolling frame

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

truck has some really nice options... here's the original build sheet...

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Man I actually kinda like the patina. It's straight as hell. I would lower it and tint the windows and make the inside comfy as hell and a newer style or injected engine underneath
But that's me :metal:

Loom forward to seing how it turns out. Make it yours!
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Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Thanks insidious for the comments

I'll need to have tinted windows anyway, because I am sensitive to the light and it gives me migraines.

As far as the engine, the Olds 455 big block makes tremendous torque with minimal modifications. A bone stock 455 with 10:1 compression and stock camshaft makes 350HP and up close to 450 ft lbs of torque at low rpm, so it's the perfect engine for a heavy truck (plus it was all free) :D

I want to lower it too, but I do not want to cut the frame for a C notch or anything like that, because I want to keep the frame intact. I'd like a nice coil over suspension front/rear though :)

new project 86 Silverado build
 

Talked to my buddy X-cabsquarebody yesterday from c10forum... he gave me lots of advice regarding the procedures for Z'ing the frame, and the steps for lowering the rear of the truck... that guy knows his stuff, and is a good friend because he offered to assist me in any way I needed, and I appreciate it big time.

I don't know which way i'll go yet, so i'm just going to concentrate on rebuilding the front suspension since all of it is worn out or rotten because it sat for 13 years (all ball joints, upper/lower control arm bushings, tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm) have perished.

I have a 12 bolt rear I got from X-cab with 2 inch drop shackles.. not sure if i'll swap out the 10 until i pull the cover and check the gear ratio to determine what would be best for my engine/tranny (TH 400) combo

March 5th i'll be taking the engine to have it machined and assembled. Once complete should put out 450+ HP, and gobs of torque which the Olds 455's are known for.

So that's it for now... stay tuned.

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

1st - nice find; congrats on the "new" truck

2nd - good job coming up with the original invoice. That's a good document to have.

3rd - I was just checking out the VIN and the build timing...Flint built 1986 truck - I may have built your truck. Depends on if it came through on first shift or on second shift.

Hopefully none of those fender bolts were crossthreaded...

;)

K

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

I had a 79 square with a 455 olds in it and man that thing would fry a tire..lol. I would have to show people the motor most would not believe it had a olds motor in it.
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Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

nice project, and thanks for your service...

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Good job on the find. It is nice to see others going through the same process as I go through mine. I will be watching your build. Here is how mine sits today. Putting on a lowering kit and all new steering and suspension parts then its off with the cab and everything to the body shop. Good luck.

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

it's alright man, they are all out now anyway :) If you did build on it, that kicks ass, thanks man!

Re: My project 86 Silverado
 

Well, looks like i'm going to have to wait a bit longer to start on my truck :)

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

Where in NC are you located? I am in Raleigh.

Re: My new project 86 Silverado
 

i lived in Raleigh for a while, worked for IBM in RTP... damn, i hated the beltline and 540
moved to the mountains near asheville