1980 short box build

[blazinfab]

Hey guys first off id like to introduce myself since this is the first time posting online, I've been reading lots of other peoples builds. My name is Eric Johnson i live up in the great north! So i used to be into JDM/Drift cars before so i actually acquired this truck by trading a fully built Nissan Silvia, it was a straight across trade. I was actually looking for a 60-72 c10 but this just worked out so i went for it.

Now for some info on the truck, picked it up off a young guy that said it was family owned for last 20 years, it has a mild rebuild roller cam, some head work, bored .30 over, high rise intake, 750 carb and performance headers and exhaust. Not looking to do to much to the engine I'm still on the fence around finishing it and keeping it as a daily during the summer or if i should go full accuser/porterbuilt and bagger.

It already has been dropped 2.5" in the front on drop spindles and 3" shackles in the rear, 10 bolt posi 3:73 . Unfortunately only the rpm gauge works, guy claimed he didn't have time to finish wiring them in but i guess i will see when i take them all out, currently planning on getting the Autometer Cruiser style gauges, like the old school look of them. ( If anyone has used them, let me know how you liked them ).

Plan for right now is ; New gauges, get the bench re-upholstered and get the carpet redone properly. Not really a fan of how the interior is right now. Ill see where that takes me and ill probably make my decision after that on where i plan on going with the truck.

Cheers!!

Eric

[amberkalvin]

Looks like a fun little truck.

[Sodell]

Nice start, the paint looks fairly good in the pictures. I don't think I have ever seen speakers in that spot.

[E.D.75GMC]

LOL everybody around here takes pics in the Northland parkade!

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by Sodell

Nice start, the paint looks fairly good in the pictures. I don't think I have ever seen speakers in that spot.

Yeah i know tell me about it. Not a fan just haven't had time to see what i can do about finding some replacement panels.

Originally Posted by E.D.75GMC

LOL everybody around here takes pics in the Northland parkade!

Haha thats awesome dude. Nice to meet a fellow Calgary member!

[Sodell]

Should be able to find some fairly easy. You have manual windows, you can put speakers in the door, up to 6x9.

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by Sodell

Should be able to find some fairly easy. You have manual windows, you can put speakers in the door, up to 6x9.

Do you know any websites that sell a OEM replacement one?

[Sodell]

Not sure about shipping up there, but I have bought most of my parts from LMC. There are a few other good sites as well. Brothers and some others. I think most of them sell the same exact parts.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=136

http://www.classicparts.com/1973-198.../#.UoBWKnm9Kc0

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/catalog-request.asp

http://www.classicindustries.com/truck/catalog.html

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by Sodell

Not sure about shipping up there, but I have bought most of my parts from LMC. There are a few other good sites as well. Brothers and some others. I think most of them sell the same exact parts.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=136

http://www.classicparts.com/1973-198.../#.UoBWKnm9Kc0

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/catalog-request.asp

http://www.classicindustries.com/truck/catalog.html

Sweet thanks a lot dude, i think I'm just going to get a good size order made up from LMC so i don't have to pay shipping on a bunch of small orders.

[rusty76]

Good looking truck.

[blazinfab]

Ordered up a new Tach as well as Speedometer, Ordered the auto meter cruiser style ones like that pictures.

Also on the verge of ordering some side mirrors and a new billet dash panel. Just deciding if i really want to pay 100$ shipping from LMC for those two items.. Bit pricey

[Big Rat]

Welcome Eric. Looks to me like you traded up! Ha ha. Great lookin truck. 73-87 is a great place to start if you ask me. They are so super simple to wrench on. I've had mine since high school(1998), and now its a bare frame sitting on my garage floor.

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by Big Rat

Welcome Eric. Looks to me like you traded up! Ha ha. Great lookin truck. 73-87 is a great place to start if you ask me. They are so super simple to wrench on. I've had mine since high school(1998), and now its a bare frame sitting on my garage floor.

Well get it at man!


Im currently just pricing out all the parts i want for this build.. damn it isn't going to be a cheap one thats for sure. haha

[blazinfab]

Been busy working on my friends jeep but i finally got around to getting the dash off and figuring out what kind of mess was under there... oh man. Pictures will show you haha, all the wiring came out was useless and just extremely poorly done.

Bad news - The gauges i ordered are just a tiny bit too small to go into the stock gauge panel. So ill have to fabricate one unless you guys know of any bolt in ones? Also when i was putting in the new clock spring i figured out the retainer spring for holding the shift lever in place was broken, after tracking one down and paying 15$ for it from the dealership i got one.


Also does anyone know who makes those kick panels or if they make one for a 1980 ? Id really be interested!

[melks]

Welcome and nice to see you swap over from the JDM world. Can't go wrong with a good ol pickup!

[Gordonr1973]

LMC makes them. I have a set I'm not sure I'm going to use.

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by melks

Welcome and nice to see you swap over from the JDM world. Can't go wrong with a good ol pickup!

thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

LMC makes them. I have a set I'm not sure I'm going to use.

If your in calgary, id take them off your hands. PM me?

[blazinfab]

Hey guys, Merry Christmas to everyone!

I just got a few questions and was wondering if anyone has ever used these radios before? i like the style of new age technology with old school looks.

Its the RetroSound Model 2 , heres a link and a picture.

http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/304

[Sodell]

Getting back at it, good to see...

[blazinfab]

Hey guys, just a quick just update. Not really truck related but just some new tools and plans for the car. Been busy over Christmas Break and spent alot to much of money but managed to pick up a compressor, it was long overdue I've needed one for a long time!

I really plan on getting into painting and doing my own paint jobs but i don't really have the slightest clue on what I'm doing with it, if anyone has any sites or anything with a ton of information i could go read up on or wants to shoot me PM and give me some help, would be fantastic and id really appreciate it! I am looking to getting 3 guns, (primer, paint, clear)

Also went to take off the hacked up door panels and went to take off the window lever and i guess the previous owner had them off and instead of re-using the pin to keep it on they decided to use some type of glue... joy.


Ive been really looking into what route i want to go with this truck, weather its Prostreet or Bagged, either way i really want to run a Porterbuilt Dropmember in the front so that will probably be my next purchase either way.

Hope everyone had a good christmas and a happy new year!

[blazinfab]

Decided to work on the truck a little this afternoon, got a few things done on it. Funny story to add to hack job things done to your truck by previous owners. I get under the box to take the bolts out, after i realize there is only 3 left, i put the rachet on to take it off... hand tight.... turns out, all 3 of them were just hand tight. So it only took me about 10 minutes to get the box off. Here are some pictures.

talking to a Porterbuilt dealer, going to try and pick up the rear drop member within a few weeks hopefully.

[92GMCDriver]

Ah yes i know this truck, the kid that owned it before delivers parts to the shop i work at. Its a nice rig but the interior work is pretty bad lol good luck with the build.

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by 92GMCDriver

Ah yes i know this truck, the kid that owned it before delivers parts to the shop i work at. Its a nice rig but the interior work is pretty bad lol good luck with the build.

Yeapp, everything done on the truck isn't the greatest. Interior was terrible though

Also just finding out now that the frame is bent. Joy.. so either now i look for a new frame or i completely take this down to the frame get it set off and fixed and build it up from the ground up.

[Sodell]

That compressor is nice, if you are going to paint you will need a moisture separator. They have some that have the pressure regulator on them, but looks like you have one. There are some good videos on YouTube (some bad ones too) that teach painting techniques. It's something you have to practice, maybe see if one of your buddies have painted before. The three gun technique is sound for sure. If you start out with prep and spraying 2k primer it's ok if you mess up because you just sand and prime and sand and prime anyway.

How do you know the frame is bent?

[blazinfab]

Originally Posted by Sodell

That compressor is nice, if you are going to paint you will need a moisture separator. They have some that have the pressure regulator on them, but looks like you have one. There are some good videos on YouTube (some bad ones too) that teach painting techniques. It's something you have to practice, maybe see if one of your buddies have painted before. The three gun technique is sound for sure. If you start out with prep and spraying 2k primer it's ok if you mess up because you just sand and prime and sand and prime anyway.

How do you know the frame is bent?

Yeah i have a friend who is going to go over it with me, looking at the Sata guns but that was before i figured out frame is bent.. So money will be going to this instead.
Found previous owners build thread, he straight up said it had a little bit but for some odd reason he failed to mention that when i bought the truck.. go figure.

Plan on taking front clip off tomorrow so i guess ill know how bad it is than.