1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Quick intro and explanation of the name... Belushi, after John who was a Blues Brother, is a blue (shocker) ‘87 R10 2wd swb Fleetside truck I found on the List of Craig on Friday. It read like a super deal and after talking with the owner, I decided to make the 3 hour drive to hopefully close the deal.

Here’s a picture of the add...

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

It was even better than the seller said. Totally rust free, great running 383 TBI with 700r4, p/w, p/l, p/s, p/b and A/C (this is a big deal in the muggy south). I drove it the 160 miles home without issue, running 75 mph down the interstate without a hiccup. Got it home and on the lift to give it a quick once over and all looks great.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Nothing definitive yet, but I want to lower it some, ie spindles/springs and a flip kit with new shocks, flip mount the tires blackwall out and some interior work. Will probably put better wheels on it sooner than later, try to lay hands on the missing Silverado trim and just clean clean clean for now.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I got the stock spindles & springs removed. Front end parts appear to all be in good shape, so I’m going to throw a set of 1” drop springs, CPP 2.5” drop spindles and new shocks. Then a flip kit in the rear and shocks, then align it.

Edit: I decided that I just couldn’t put it back together without at least replacing the upper & lower ball joints, so I got Moogs ordered up. I’ll get them replaced this weekend when I install the new suspension.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

great looking truck you got there Carter!!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Thanks Greg.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I got the upper & lower ball joints out tonight and cleaned up the control arms a little and hit them with a little flat black rustoleum. The new ones won’t be here until Saturday, but I’m ready for them. The uppers were still riveted in, so I feel really good about replacing them since the truck is 32 yrs old. Tomorrow night I’ll start working on getting the rearend loose for the flip kit. I’m done for now..I’ll clean up my mess and head back in the house...it started raining...again!!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I like it!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Thanks Adam, me too :)

I got the rearend loosened up and ready for the flip kit. I’ve got a buddy coming over this Saturday to help put it all back together. Once I get it all put back together, I’ll measure for shocks since the ones on it are WORE OUT!!!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

holy cheap $hit that's a damn nice truck!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Yeah, I’m pretty stoked to have it. I got into it right and it only needs a few small things and, of course, I want it lower. Once I get the things I want done I’ll figure out my next phase.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

My list of ‘to-do’s’ has gone up a little bit but not bad at all. The passenger side p/w motor is weak, so I ordered that up. And the tank selector switch doesn’t work so I ordered a new one first as that’s been the problem on my previous dual tank trucks...if I need to do more, at least I’ll know the switch is good. Otherwise, it seems mighty solid!

My buddy that’s coming this weekend is also going to cut and buff it for me.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

No pictures, but I got the flip kit and new rear shocks installed this morning. I also got the front ball joints in, but didn’t have time to complete the assembly of the front end because we had to go see the kids and granddaughter for Mother’s Day

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I only had about an hour to work last night but I got the front swaybar mount rivets cut out: did I mention how much I hate removing rivets... I’ve cut out 20 of them just to lower the truck. I also got the springs and spindles in. I hope to get it all finalized and back on the ground today. I’ll get some pictures once it’s rolling again.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I got everything together on the Suspension minus the front shocks, they haven’t arrived yet. But I like the stance, and I’m sure the front will come down a touch more once everything settles...

A before & after

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

No pictures of the whole truck, but check out these progressive pics of the roof...

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Front sway bar bushings and new mounts for the lowered stance are here as well as the new front shocks. I had every intention of getting them installed tonight, but home at 20:00 and heading back to work at 04:30 means lazy Eddie. Hopefully I’ll get them done tomorrow night.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Nice find. Can you post up some interior pics?:chevy:

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

The interior is all there (every piece of trim, covers etc), but the dash pad is hammered and the seat cover is worn out. So it’s getting a new seat cover (it’s here) and I ordered a new dash pad from Cheyenne Truck Parts the day after I got it home. Hopefully, it’ll be here in the next week or 2.

EDIT!!! Awwwweeee He777777, looks like I coulda gotten with you about interior pieces!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I got the shocks on, but decided to clean & paint the swaybar, so I’m done for tonight. I also got a shipping confirmation on my new dash pad and it’s supposed to be delivered tomorrow!!! I may have the truck presentable by the end of the weekend...hopefully!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I saw that truck in the "craigslist finds" thread and thought the same thing. WOW... killer deal and clean truck! Congrats!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Thanks Frank!!! I feel the same way.

I got the front swaybar installed with the CPP swaybar perches and Energy Suspension bushings tonight.

But best of all... the dash pad from Cheyenne Truck Parts just showed up and it’s a mighty fine piece

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Let me know how that dash pad fits... I have an aftermarket one and it doesnt fit for crap! It is way off and nothing lines up right. God I miss my 67... things were so much simpler in that truck than my squarebody!

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Frank,

Will do! I know how you feel about the 67... I have a 67 & a 68 and they are certainly ‘simpler’, but I started my truck life in an ‘87 R10, so I have a major affinity for this one.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

I love it when new parts arrive!! That dash pad looks mighty fine indeed :metal:

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Worked on the interior today. Went ahead and pulled the seat (I have a USA1 oe style seat cover going back on it), the cracked up dash, and carpet out. Then did some spring cleaning on all the normally covered up bits. Also pulled the whipped stock speakers and the jankey single din radio out (it didn’t work anyway) and ordered a new Pioneer headunit (with Bluetooth) and speakers, so I can have some sounds. I’m super pleased with how clean everything is looking in all the nook and crannies...no rust at all!

Here’s a few before pictures...won’t get any afters until after the stereo stuff arrives though.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

And, just to prove I’ve made some headway...

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

USA1 Industries has very nice seat covers. One of their older guys, that makes covers for the, he makes my covers for my seat restorations.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

That’s good to know! Wish I had an in on a cover, but it’s all good. I’m not very hip on putting seat covers on, but I watched a few videos and it looks pretty straight forward. I’m going to work on getting it covered and cleaning all the plastic panels up while I wait on the dash speakers. I had one broken spring under the seat, but ‘modified’ it to put back into duty.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

All your springs should be snug. If they aren’t, and they are floppy, then the grid needs tightened up.
Check your foam too. On the bottom, on each end, usually it needs glued back together. The foam splits apart. A foam spray glue will adhere the foam back together.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

^^^ I’ll give it a closer look tomorrow. Thanks for the insight.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Are you doing the dash also?

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Yes I am. If you look back at post #22, you’ll see I got a new dashboard from Cheyenne Truck Parts...it’s a nice piece. As soon as I get the new dash speakers, I’ll put the dash in.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Hey TKCR, I did have a chance to have a closer look at my seat foam and it seams (pun intended) to be in good working order. It just had the one spring in the middle of the d/s seating area. After fixing that, the seat “sits” really well...the little bit of sag is gone.

I didn’t have any extra time to work on the truck today as I had a buddy ask me to assemble a 351W, as he’s in a time crunch, so I spent all day doing that. I’m going to take it to another buddy who has an engine dyno tomorrow after work to get some #’s for him. Should be in the low to mid 400’s.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

:metal:

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Turns out the seat cover had a small tear, so I’m now waiting on a replacement. They were fantastic about it. I also went ahead and ordered new carpet and lower door panel pieces. That’ll finalize the interior.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

They are having to send me a replacement too. Just got an order delivered Saturday. One of the covers had this. Looks like an iron burn.

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Gahhh, that’s bad! Mine was at a seam...guess I should’ve kept my pun to myself:lol:

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

The carpet and related pieces showed up today and the color is MUCH better than the current carpet... Winner

The new Pioneer headunit and dash speakers showed up today too, but I didn’t get far, as I stabbed myself with a pick tool through the thumb and quit for the night. D@mn that was alotta blood from that little hole...almost completely through my thumb :(

And, the battery on the riding mower crapped out too. Shi77y night! I need a :beer:

Re: 1987 R10...aka Belushi
 

Well it was good your parts arrived. But that sucks, stabbing yourself. I hope you didn’t bleed on your new parts, that really would have been BAD!