Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

I also tried something a little different, and would like to hear your opinions (good or bad). My truck came with a square tube chrome grille, and I absolutely hate these. I really want to put a 73 grille and headlight surrounds on it, but thought I would try a little creative work on what I already have first. Let me know what you think!

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Whoops, forgot the pic...

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Last nights CL score! Everything I need to turn it into a 73!

Only $40!

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Started by polishing the bezels last night

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Installed the brackets, cleaned and reprinted the grille...

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Re painted the bezels.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

And finally, installed everything and gave it a final polish. Even cleaned and polished the turn signal lenses.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

The bow tie looked a little naked, so I filled it in with some carbon fiber print vinyl that I had left over from another project

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

I am so happy with the way this turned out! Looks soooo much better than the 1980 bezels and tube grille.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Now - on to the driveshaft. When I flipped the rear axle, I had to move it to the rearmost position on my perches (they have three holes) just to get the driveshaft to squeeze in. It was so tight, that any large bump could cause the shaft to bottom out in the transmission.

So I took 1.5" out of it.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

All welded up, and ready to go back in!

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

After that, I got hungry and gave up and went inside. Tomorrow I need to shift the rear axle forward, build a throttle cable bracket, and maybe clean up the mess in my shop...

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

One more shot head on

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

The grille looks great. Good job sir. I look forward to seeing more.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

[IMG]http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...pse65bde17.jpg[/IMG]Three holes in perch because its from a Jeep? Interesting. (if im reading right). This build is almost exactly kinda, sorta what Im doing. 'New Old Guy' thread. Bought my 78 for $1,200 6 months ago, thought easy flip for profit. I like to buy and sell. Well, curse or luck I stumbled onto this site. I now wear GMC shirts, hats and my little MH deck is mini C-10 junkyard. Lovin every minute. (never touched a BJ or leaf spring or coil spring my life.) Dove in last week. First extended shackles in 2in hole to level it. (Heavy Half..its high) Thought they would be too much w days later axle flip so back to stock shackles. Now think Ill put extended back using 1in hole. Next day cut 2 coils. If 100 instead of 99 people on this site would have cautionedd against this maybe I would have listenend. Gonna try and get camber right with mass shims but probably back to cut one coil from junkyard 1/2t coil and DJM 3in drops. Thats enough on your thread..too much coff this morn. Son driving after lowering. Tires are all wrong.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

The spring perches I bought are aftermarket (don't remember brand). As with most aftermarket perches, they have three holes for the spring centering pins. Center, and approximately 3/4" front and back from center. Allows for a little fine tuning. In my case, I had to slide the axle back one hole when I flipped it because my driveshaft was too long. Now that I have shortened the shaft, I can put it back on center.

I recognized your truck when I opened this up. I have been watching your build thread also!

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

This is aafter axle flip, sitting on ground. Look alright? Perches I used are Jegs #60195 w only center hole.[IMG]http://i800.photobucket.com/albums/y...ps4514968b.jpg[/IMG]

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Looks about like mine did. How much travel do you have before it bottoms out in the trans?

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Old School Low, I posted in your build thread about lowering stuff. Maybe it will help a bit.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

No one to bounce while I look at the moment, but I have so little travel dont think it could move more than 1/8 in. If thats the case, does it look ok as is? I am back to stock shackles but might go to first hole on extended. I like lowww (but still hoping no notch). Yeah but your exhaust is clean ghetto. I wont even show u mine, but it might be in prev photos. All will be sanitary w engine swap. Next door neighbor is not friend at all but is a mechanic and has agreed to take existing 350 as payment for doing swap. We're outside and snow and freezing for next few days. Can barely see my motor anymore with coats, hats etc hanging all over it.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

I have 5/8 thread left on shim bolt. I want to try using all that up w shims to try and correct camber. Or a solid spacer? (i need to sell something and buy DJM drops for 229.99 huh?)

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Old school - what I'm asking is if you unbolt your joints from the rear diff, how far can you push the driveshaft into the transmission before it bottoms out? In my case, there was barely enough room to actually remove the driveshaft - nod it could only be removed if it was turned "just right"

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Well, dont know at the moment. Does shiny area tell us anything? Looks like 1/2in from bottoming into tranny.

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Got my axle recented this morning, and took it out for a short test drive. Still some minor bugs to sort out, but it's working pretty well,

Re: 1980 Stepside Build... My first build thread
 

Got a pic at the bottom of the hill