1974 Stepside Project

[77K10Silverado]

Yes!! Nice big pics and hard work. Subscribed!!!

[chevytrucksforme]

Originally Posted by 77K10Silverado

Yes!! Nice big pics and hard work. Subscribed!!!

Thanks Mike! I'm really liking your build as well. Truck looks good.

Rick

[rusty76]

Man your on a ball.

[chevytrucksforme]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Man your on a ball.

Thanks! Really like reading the story behind your build.

[chevytrucksforme]

Been busy working on getting the right side metal work done. I was able to get the outer rocker mounted as well as the cab corner. I've definitely learned that doing butt welds is a real pain! It takes a lot of patience.

This is some finish welding of the floor pan and under seat patch.





Outer rocker and cab corner going on.








I definitely had the gaps too wide for the butt welds and caused tons of blow through. Had to really work at getting my welder set up right and got a little better as I progressed. I'll have some updated pics later.

[chevytrucksforme]

This is where I am currently. Still have some finish welding and plenty of grinding to do.








Not sure why the new pan had this kick-up on the corner but I'll need to relief cut it to fit properly.

[willem445]

Love the detailed pics of rust repair. I need to do it myself one of these days.

[rusty76]

Originally Posted by chevytrucksforme

Thanks! Really like reading the story behind your build.

Boy I wish I could say I've gotten stuff done. But honestly life has been in the way here lately. Great work on the patching. It looks great.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by chevytrucksforme

Not sure why the new pan had this kick-up on the corner but I'll need to relief cut it to fit properly.

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing myself. Seems odd to come that way...

[Jrgunn5150]

I'm in the middle of all this myself, have any update's? It's nice to find someone who didn't just drop it off at a shop, AND who took pics lol.

[chevytrucksforme]

Hey guys, it has been a little while since I've posted any updates. Just like a lot of you, other things get in the way of working on the project so it's been slow recently.

I did get the frame all stripped down, rust proofed and painted. Not sure why I didn't take pictures of the finished product but I'll get some when I get the garage organized better.

Currently working on the driver's side rust repair. Just like the other side I'm replacing floor, inner rocker, outer rocker, cab support and kick panel. This side isn't as bad but I decided to go ahead and replace everything since I already had the replacement panels.

I turned the cab over with the floor up for starters just to have easier access to the cab support. Added some casters to a pallet and laid the cab on it so I can still move it around.

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A look at the bottom of the passenger side repairs. Not finished yet. I still have some welding and clean up to do.
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Driver's side before cutting things out.

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New support welded in.
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[chevytrucksforme]

Originally Posted by Jrgunn5150

I'm in the middle of all this myself, have any update's? It's nice to find someone who didn't just drop it off at a shop, AND who took pics lol.

Thanks Jr! You motivated me to post an update!!

[daddyjeep]

I am in the middle of the same rust repair myself. A couple things I have learned about but welds....I find it works best to cut through the new steel and through the old steel at the same time with a .040" cut off wheel. This gives you a perfect and consistent gap. I also bought some but weld clamps from Harbor Freight. This made my work much cleaner.

[chevytrucksforme]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I am in the middle of the same rust repair myself. A couple things I have learned about but welds....I find it works best to cut through the new steel and through the old steel at the same time with a .040" cut off wheel. This gives you a perfect and consistent gap. I also bought some but weld clamps from Harbor Freight. This made my work much cleaner.

Thanks, I believe I saw that idea on one of Kevin Tetz's videos as well. I definitely need to try it cause my cuts aren't matching up well at all right now.

I like your truck build. Looking to get a crew cab myself after I get a little further on this one.

[Jrgunn5150]

Originally Posted by chevytrucksforme

Thanks Jr! You motivated me to post an update!!

And I appreciate it! The pics are really helpful, I'm going to be working on mine this weekend.

[chevytrucksforme]

Got the cab back on all fours, finished cutting out the driver's side rockers and rough fit the new inner and outer rockers. Pretty productive weekend even though I was also building some planters for my wife.

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[tinydb84]

Man that is sooooo much work!

[Jrgunn5150]

Did you have to cut the door pillar up past where the nut plate is inside? Because I'm fitting mine and it really seems like it has to go that high, and yours looks like it does also.

[daddyjeep]

Cut the new rocker as high as necessary to get to good metal that you can weld to. It would be way more work than necessary to deal with that plate if you don't have to. I think I cut about an inch or so off my new rocker in that area.

[Jrgunn5150]

Ah I see, you trimmed both to fit. My new outer from Classic Parts is far larger than what I need. Now I'll have to be very careful lol.

[chevytrucksforme]

Originally Posted by Jrgunn5150

Did you have to cut the door pillar up past where the nut plate is inside? Because I'm fitting mine and it really seems like it has to go that high, and yours looks like it does also.

Mine goes up to the point where the brace your referring to is located. I only went to the bottom of it. I agree that trimming yours is the best bet.

[chevytrucksforme]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Man that is sooooo much work!

Yes David, but so worth it!!