83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well I've been a member of this site for about a year. Very good info on here. Here is my sorry story. Bought my 1st C-10 in my early twenties. 1983 Chevy SWB step side. Started to work on it and found out the frame was twisted. So I found another 83 SWB fleetside. Attachment 1236789 not my dog.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Married the new frame and cab with the step side box. Then sold old twisted frame to someone. I did tell them about the frame. Worked on the truck over a couple of years. It was my daily driver so everything I did was done on weekends. At the time there wasn't very many people in S. Florida working on these trucks. So all info I had was from mini truck people. Lowered the first time with coil springs and flip kit. Then went to drop spindles, bags and a triangulated rear with bags. Painted frame and the cab. Redone the interior. Had another vehicle at this time. This was around 2000.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well found a friend of a friend that had a 96 LT1 and 700R that would install, wire and program for me for pretty good price. Took it to him and left it with him. Then life happened over the next 12 years. Meet my wife, got married, had kids , lost my job, and now life is getting a little easier again. Stayed in contact with the guy with my truck and he was cool. Was storing it till I was able to get started back up. Got back up with him early last year. He said he still had truck and would love to finish it for me. Said he had two other vehicles he had to finish before he could get back to mine. Said about a month. well that was over a year ago. Through many texts and phone calls and nothing but delays. He now don't even answer texts and phone calls. So i've decided to buy another truck. Because over the last year I've purchased full Porterbuilt suspension and Accuair e level with plans to install on my truck. I'm hoping the new truck I bought is just a frame donor for my other truck.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Picked this 84 up the other day. Hoping it's just a donor frame I can redo the suspension and paint the frame for my other truck that has a new intrior.Attachment 1236807

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got this truck pretty cheap and it is in pretty decent shape. Not much rust at all. Got started pulling it aprt. Need to hurry up and get it the garage before the HOA jumps all over me.Attachment 1236814

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Well the HOA sent me a warning. Had to clean up the garage a little and make room for the truck. Attachment 1241098

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

All good. Going to start work on the rear suspension tomorrow.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

well I got started on the rear suspension. Stupid little Harbor Freight air compressor wont run my impacts. Had to turn wrenches. Took me awhile to get everything off. Rivets are a pain when you have to grind the heads off.Attachment 1241517

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Do any of these side holes line up with any holes in the frame?Attachment 1241521

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Never mind. I found the instructions in my office filing cabinet. The instructions clearly say no factory holes line up on this piece. Also gives a measurement for the center of the bridge.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Made a little progress today. My air compressor decided it wanted to help out today. Lot easier with air tools.Got both notches and the bridge in. Started to put the bottom caps on and ran into a little alignment issue.Attachment 1242375

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

I pried the bridge all the way up and got nothing. Thinking that I will have to grind the tops og the caps to allow the holes to align. Wanted to make I didn't screw anything up, so I called Porterbuilt to make sure I was making the right call. That's what was recommended.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Attachment 1242376Here's a picture the bridge and notches.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Still have to grind a little more off the front cap.Attachment 1242378

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

I'm really impressed with the quality of Porterbuilt's work.

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Had to get a little creative today. The back support bar didn't want to go in.Attachment 1242834

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build
 

Got all the notch and bridge work done. Hopefully going to get the 4 link installed. Have a few questions. How do I set the pinion to zero? And not really sure all the different size bolts go?

Re: 83/84 swb stepside long time build