1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Figured Id put up some pictures an some progress on my 78 big 10. I call her Mighty Whitey!
Bought her in Albuquerque NM, me and my boys bought 1 way tickets and drove her back almost 900 miles.
Owner had just installed a crate engine on Thursday and when we showed up on Saturday it had a total of 80 miles on engine and 300 miles on transmission. Needless to say I was nervous about the long trip on an unproved engine.
Took off and stopped on Lubbock for an oil change to get rid of the break in oil and continued home. Took us almost 14 hrs to get back home but so worth it! Not a single problem driving 55-75 MPH.. varying speeds on the rebuilt engine.
These are some of the pics he sent me before i decided to buy the one way tickets. I can honestly say there is 0 rust on this truck.
March 7

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Pics of the trip back to Houston.. Last pic is at the house on Sunday March 8th

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

March 9
Removed old door pins and door strikers. As you can see they really needed to get replaced. Also installed new cab mounts. I did have to add a small 1/4" spacer to the driver side mount. Even with the new mounts the body line would not match up.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

March 13
I then replaced the cab to door seals and installed kill mat sound deadening.
Like I said ZERO rust.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

March 18
Replaced the glove box liner and started on the doors. Owner had put silicone on the vent windows to try and fix the noise problem that was coming from the bad door pins.
Vent windows are a PAIN!

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Didn't like the steering wheel PO had put on there so found me a stock wheel and installed it. Haven't done much to it other than fine tune the carb. Found that the dizzy was loose and timing was way off. It did feel sluggish, just had not had time to investigate.
My sons 2dr tahoe has these US Mags 20/22 on it I decided to just see how it would look. didn't like it to much and would need bigger tires out back to fit right so put the 18's back on. Was not feeling the 20/22 look.
Been enjoying the truck as much as i can during this whole corona deal. Drove out to a parking lot by the house with my neighbor and took some pics. His is a 72 with 67 clip on bags.
I did buy a short bed chassis.. still haven't decided weather to cut the frame or swap over to short chassis.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Looks great with either set of wheels! If it were me id cut the current chassis. Could be driving it again same weekend. A lot more involved obviously to swap frames, but cool to have an oe swb frame. Either way it will be a killer truck.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Those other wheels look cool too. Maybe a different offset, but the gray spokes are neat. Any thought of keeping it a long bed? i definitely understand the short bed draw, but since it's a Big 10, it might be cool to work within that package. Plus your paint looks to be in good condition and is such a cool combo with the tan interior. I find that the long beds look good with taller wheel/tire packages and a taller sidewall than on a short bed. Help them to be proportional. Just thoughts, your truck. I'm interested to watch.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Yeah Im headed more towards the cut frame route and make this chassis real nice then swap over.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Was never a plan to keep it long. When looking i was looking at both long and short. I knew if i couldn't find a short bed I would cut a long bed. Ive done it before a couple times. If this was short I would not have been able to afford it honestly. This clean with 0 rust would have been in the mid teens.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

April 6
More work done over the weekend.
Truck already had drop spindles so I added MOOG 6454 coils and cut 1.5 coils. From what I have read and Scotty's (owner of Tejas SteelWorks) recommendation, this is way better than any drop spring out there. Also the rear drop was achieved by taking leafs out and adding 2" shackles. I added the leafs back and did a flip kit. Keeping the 2" drop shackle. Just finished last night so still haven't driven her.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Had to take a torch to the bushing sleeve on both the LCA's, quick work though.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Found me a 70's Coleman cooler that goes with the theme of the truck! Original box and all
Decided to name the truck Butternut

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Didn't' get a pic of the rear frame painted but here is the result. Went out for a trip around the block. Still front needs to settle out a bit.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Love the new stance! Looks perfect. How does the front end feel over bumps with the cut springs?

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

Drove it yesterday for about 60 miles and it does feel stiffer and more planted
to the ground than before. These springs are stock C20 3/4 ton springs. I,m sure they will get a little softer as they "break in". I am impressed honestly.. I was a "never cut springs" guy but so many people had good things to say about cutting these particular springs.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

I'm lucky to have a neighbor that owns his own machine shop. I bought some 1.5" spacers and they were a bit to big. He took them and saved off .150" and they fit perfect. I don't like the offset on the wheels but they will have to do for now.

Re: 1978 Big 10 restore-ish
 

theres a local here with one identical to that except its a shortbed, im not a tan color truck guy but the square makes any color look good, nice truck you got!