1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

This is gonna be a pretty slow build thread, since I don't have all too much money coming in to work with xD. But here we go. I got this truck about 2 years ago from my dad. He got it from my grandpa to fix up for my brother, but then traded my brother for a 94 extended cab. He then passed the truck down to me. It was a PIECE when my dad got it. He pumped about $8000 into it, and I think it would look so much better if we would have had $8000 to spend on a halfway decent truck. It has a 350 with headers and a larger than stock cam. I want to build a 383 stroker in the near future and put that in there. Maybe along with a 3.73 posi. Anyway, Since I have gotten the truck I have added a bigger cam, rebuilt carburetor, new grille and headlight bezels, new door panels, new dash pad, and have sanded on it to get it ready to paint in the fall. I have done more than this I'm sure, but it's late and I can't think of what I've done to it atm. :lol:

Here are some pictures that represent what it looked like when I first got the truck:

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here are some pictures with the new grille and headlight bezels:

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here is a picture of how the interior used to look(it was bad!):

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here is the old dash that just got replaced today:

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Newer door panels:

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here are some pictures of how the interior sits now with the new dash pad and billet trim pieces:

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here are some pictures of how the exterior sits right now. I want to lower it, I'm thinking maybe 2/4? The back has already been dropped a little to even it out with the front. Let me know your opinion on how low.

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here's one of my truck and my cousin's 83, mine's the one on the left:

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Looks nice! I would say 4 in the front and then drop the rear to match. Unless it's not gonna be a DD then slam it to the ground!

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Unfortunately it is my DD. I wish that I had another vehicle to drive so I could tear this one all apart and do a full resto :P

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

i like it wat made u do body work?

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

The paint was really fading, and starting to turn a slightly purple color... It wasn't painted with base coat clear coat, and my Dad was the one who painted it. I decided I want to get it painted professionally with base coat clear coat. It looked a lot worse before I started sanding than it did in the first couple of pictures. It rapidly started to fade, I think he didn't get enough paint on certain places.

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

ohh i see... good luck

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Here's a picture when it started to go bad. It got worse than this. Notice the lines running down below the mirrors =\. We tried buffing and waxing it, didn't help :(

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Thanks

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

yea i see wat u mean u going back the same color.. btw what are the seats out of other pics or them?

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Yeah I'm going back the same color. It's that color of blue with metal flake in it.

My dad ordered them from somewhere new... I think they are just aftermarket seats. I'll ask him where he got them from. I'll go get some pictures of them today.

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Nice truck..i say go 4 in tha front & 2 in tha back..that sould give you a slight rake..

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Thanks

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Sorry I forgot to add the pictures of the seats, there they are. Sad part is, my dad doesn't remember where he ordered them from. :( All he knows is that they are from a company in California, and that he had ALOT of trouble getting them here... Took about 3+ weeks.

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

you know that gives me an idea i can get to bucket backs and mount them to my bench bottom :) kool idea

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Been a while since I've updated the thread. Haven't done much... engine has been giving me a little trouble lately. I've basically only done sanding since the last update. Here is a picture of how it sits now.

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Coming along nicely, I'd still lower it just a couple more inches. But that's just my .02$

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

Got a new update: Scored a 400 Small block for only 300 dollars! It came with a 350 crank to make it a 377, and a kit with a lot of the parts needed to build! We need: 350 rods(i think), heads(thinking of either going with vortec 350 or 2.02 heads), Intake(RPM air gap if we do vortec 350), and a carburetor(Holley 650 double pumper is what we're thinking). Here are some pictures.

Re: 1983 Chevy lwb slow build
 

The guy threw in a 700r4 transmission for only 50 bucks. Needs to be rebuilt. Might go in the truck someday.