Cashforclunkers restoration 71' K10 Stepside

[cashforclunkers]

This truck, a 71' K10 was nicknamed 'cashforclunkers' by an old friend.
It was my partner in crime in high school. I've had it for 9 years.

Originally 505 green, it has 4.10 gearing, a 1970 gm 330hp 350 with smog heads (original equipment was a 307), 4 spd, 12 bolt posi rear. It was originally a municipal truck for the state of NH, and had evidence of having a plow.

I started the restoration in 2015 and 'completed' it 2 years ago. Not a perfect job, but the truck definitely earned the attention.

[cashforclunkers]

New 1pc floor, door skins, bottoms, everything stripped and painted. Frame was sandblasted and painted. The truck was always primer black. And just wasn't a green truck to me.

[cashforclunkers]

The truck had 3 cab corners on each side! Which were all removed and replaced, we sanded to bare metal with 36 grit, d.a. 80, primed 3 times, block sanded to 320 and then sprayed single-stage black with a $8 HF spray gun myself.

[special-K]

Nice work. Great to see that short Stepside saved and loved. How long have you been on it? Looks like it's moving along

[cashforclunkers]

Originally Posted by special-K

Nice work. Great to see that short Stepside saved and loved.

Loved it sure is! Thanks.

The grille was reinstalled with a new center and wet sand/cleared original bowtie. Bed was redone with 3/4" ply (I'll regret this later), painted bed strips, and stainless fastners. As well as a pair of new aftermarket bedsides.

Welded little 'nubs' on 80's rally wheels to snap on a set of 73' hubcaps with yellow bowties painted blue (this truck should have had base model white caps I believe) and a fresh set of 35" bfgs...

[Ironhorse]

Coming along nicely, don't see very many 4x4 step sides here locally at all. NICE WORK!

[cashforclunkers]

Some carpet and an LMC seat cover, new dual exhaust kit, switched to factory ram horns, some stainless bits like new trico wipers and gas cap, chrome tailgate chains, new chrome rear bumper, and deluxe markers...

Most of the parts were sourced through a local gm dealer, including all the body panels, for less than any 67-72 vendor plus free shipping. They even stock this stuff and I had it all the same day!

The motor has always run great and is the only part left untouched. The brakes, suspension, and steering were all redone during the process.

[cashforclunkers]

And we're back on the road. The truck is reliable as ever and gets a few thousand miles a year put on it. I drive this truck hundreds of miles from the house on trips without taking any tools. I let a friend borrow it once last summer and he broke down right away haha. The fuel vapor locked..shortly after installing a 600cfm holley and edelbrock intake. I've never had the issue since. It was especially hot that day and there is no insulation under the hood and an open (hot air) air cleaner I can see why.

Thanks everyone for viewing! This is only a fraction of the photos I took so there is some gaps. I am starting a new project today but wanted to post this one up as it its my baby. See you around...Joel

[cashforclunkers]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Coming along nicely, don't see very many 4x4 step sides here locally at all. NICE WORK!

Thank you!

[Ol Blue K20]

Looks great

[Barnfind46]

I love your "Klunker"! One more classic saved!

[cashforclunkers]

Originally Posted by Barnfind46

I love your "Klunker"! One more classic saved!

I see what you did there! I never thought of that Thanks!

[Eric Johnson]

Great story. Nice job!!

[notsolo]

Nice work, your truck looks Great...depending on the plywood, you might be surprised at how well it holds up.

[4carbcorvair]

Nice truck!! Not many left here in Maine.

[gvw5400]

I love to see "real life" owner builds, great job!!
Special Thanks on keeping the 465!
Enjoy your truck.
All The Best, Dirk

[57taskforce]

Nice build!!! You did a fine job!

[68panelman]

Sweet truck, nice build. I have to ask how did you attach hubcaps to Rally's
Trying to figure it out for some time and no one has a solid answer
Thanks, Mike

[custom10nut]

This goes without saying, but that truck looks AMAZING!

[cashforclunkers]

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone!

The 465 is OK, I figure you only have to shift it twice to get where you're going.

Mike,

I just built up three strategic beads of weld on the wheel. They really snap on. Haven't lost one yet. I tried bolting on clips all a few other things before that. Its tricky to get them centered.

[bill3rail]

Great Job! Enjoy that truck.

Bill

[bubbasimms]

Love the truck, nice work. Did you get all your sheet metal from your local Chevy dealership? Is that really possible? New floor and all?

[cashforclunkers]

Originally Posted by bubbasimms

Love the truck, nice work. Did you get all your sheet metal from your local Chevy dealership? Is that really possible? New floor and all?

Yes I did. There is actually enough demand for the 67-72 parts they are stocking them since there were a few people doing restorations in the area. This dealership has an entire oe and aftermarket parts division with outside sales reps and delivery trucks. Its worth looking into in your area for sure.

Since it is local there is no shipping costs and they offer auto body shops discounted pricing so I got a deal through a friends shop on all of it.

I plan on using them for my new project as well.

[webfoot]

Sweet truck!

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by cashforclunkers

And we're back on the road. The truck is reliable as ever and gets a few thousand miles a year put on it. I drive this truck hundreds of miles from the house on trips without taking any tools. I let a friend borrow it once last summer and he broke down right away haha. The fuel vapor locked..shortly after installing a 600cfm holley and edelbrock intake. I've never had the issue since. It was especially hot that day and there is no insulation under the hood and an open (hot air) air cleaner I can see why.

Thanks everyone for viewing! This is only a fraction of the photos I took so there is some gaps. I am starting a new project today but wanted to post this one up as it its my baby. See you around...Joel

beautiful truck!!