1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Hi Y'all, I am new to this forum and decided after reading numerous build threads the past few weeks that I should probaby start one myself. I currently have 3 project trucks: 1981 C10 Short Stepside (Bought when I was 14), 1970 C10 Long Bed (Bought from my grandpa-was my great grandpa's truck), and the most recent purchase: a 1962 Chevy C10 Short Step-Side (I bought for my dad-what he had in high school).

Anyway, I bought the '81 when i was 14 with 92K original miles (1 owner truck). I kick myself for never taking photos in high school of my build progress, but it started out silver with maroon body stripes and only one quarter size rust hole in the passenger side floor.

Since then, I have repaired the hole in the floor, installed 90% new interior (need a new dash and updated steering wheel), changed the wood bed to steel dimond plate, put 15X10 American Racing Wheels, billet grill, cowl hood, new windshield, new sliding back window, exhaust, back bumber, painted flat black, and engine tune ups and maintence.

The truck sat for 4 years while I went off to College/Work in California. I have been back in Texas that past year and now wanting to get more serious about getting the truck finished.

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psozvleax4.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psxibvcgxd.jpg

http://i1028.photobucket.com/albums/...psozvleax4.jpg

Hoping the photos work....

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

So the engine in the '81 is a bone stock 305 with 118K original miles on it currently. 2 months ago, I replaced the transmission cooler lines and 3 weeks ago bled the brakes (it was jerking hard to the right). Ever since I have been back and driving it, it just doesnt have the power it used to (aka: I cant do burnouts anymore like I was known for in high school).

So, I think the carb (2 barrel rochester) needs some attention. I bought a rebuild kit and going to attempt my first carb rebuild tonight. I will post try to post photos after. Not real sure how to properly post photos...

Wish me luck.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Photos try 2

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Potential!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well, I started the carb rebuild (first try I remind you). No luck. I ended up break 3 of the 4 small screws within each of the barrals and tried drilling them out and re-tapping but then stripped the tap. I now have a greater appreciate for oters being able to rebuild them. All this said, I plan on upgrading my carb when I get back from my trips.

Should i upgrade to 4 barrel??? Thoughts now are to simply put a 2 barrel on since it is a 305. Or I may take mine to a shop to finish.

In other news, I sold my harley to fund some new parts for the 81. Want to get the body work going again, needs a new radiator and want to lower her!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well, the carb rebuild was a fail. :whine:

After tearing it apart, I broke 3 of the 4 butterfly screws...i guess I should have left those in. I tried drilling out the broken screws and trapping, but I just stripped the tap. aka that all = money down the drain.

So, I went to nationalcarbuerator.com and purchased a rebuilt 2 bbl for $138!!!! It came in the mail (free shipping) the next week. I go to install it last night to find out the base plate is missing the port in the back to hook up to my brakes.

Waiting to hear backfrom the company to send me a new one with the correct base plate.

This all teaches us patience. :chevy:

I am hoping to work on the 1962 c10 this weekend while I wait. I will be starting the tear down of the body as well as rebuilding the heads (block is already finished). Wish me luck!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Yeah, those butterfly screws are not meant to be removed. They smash the threads on them so they won't fall out and get sucked into your engine! But it sounds like you got a good deal on a replacement carb, so all is well.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Yeah I learned that the hard way. Wont make that mistake again.

Sweet ride by the way. I am excited to get some work done on my 1970 soon. I am debating whether to keep her a long bed or convert to short wide or short step (do go along with my other two short steps).

I will post some pics of the other two today!:chevy::chevy:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well, I was rebuilding the heads on the 283 from my 1962 C10 and one of the heads fell on my foot. I had to have my toe nail removed, 2 stitches in my nail bed, 7 stitches to hold the fake nail and cut together. All in all, I learned I should wear shoes when working on the truck.... :waah::bomb:

So, meet FrankenToe.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well this weekend was two great scores for the 1981. I purchased a used OEM front bumper with no dents or scratches for my 81 c10 for $125. Needs a nice polish and she will be good to go.

I also scored a lowering kit. I bought it off a guy who sold his truck before he put it on. So it is a 2.5/4 inch drop kit. Spindles, hangers and shackles. I think I will be replacing my front springs back with stock springs due to that fact that 1) the driver side sags and 2) i dnt want anymore than a 2.5 drop in the front.

I am curious to know thoughts on drop shocks. I need to replace mine all the way around and not sure if the 2.5/4 drop will have an affect. Thoughts?

Also, thoughts are replacing the whole control arm verses rebuilding?

Thanks y'all!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well, it has been a while since I have posted. I did manage to pick up a used front bumper for $125. Mine has a decent dent and crease from the previous owner. The one i picked up used had some over spray on it that i was able to wipe right off with some paint thinner and then she polished up nicely. I will get a photo of the new on on, but here are some with the old one and then without.

I also got the new carb on and headed to get my battery replaced today after work...Sad it is a new battery that went dead. I need to drive that beauty.

I am seeking advice on vent windows: rebuild or buy new? I have a set a bought back in high school that need to weather stripping but are in better shape than the ones on on the truck. I have seen a some guys rebuild with new weather stripping, but hit or miss on the results. And i know they can be pricey to outsource. Thoughts? Sugestions?

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Hey Y'all,

No real update in a while. The truck has been sitting. Hail storms are beginning in Texas and it is time to get her out of the pasture and under cover. I am going to adjust the carb this week and fix the new FS Steering Wheel I purchased. I am having trouble with the horn spring staying in. Any recommendations? Here is how she sits now:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Also, see the "Recreating dad's 62 C10" in the 60-66 projects for the new thread started for the 62 next to the 81. I am excited about the progress on that truck as well!:metal::metal:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Not much progress. Been focusing on selling my 1970 c10 to fund my 1962 c10 project. I did get a new battery for the 81 and hoping to get the ac re-charged this week and steering wheel horn figured out. Installed a FS Steering wheel but cant keep the horn spring in. Keep flying out. Thoughts?

Here is a pic of the 70.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Here is a pic of my FS Steering wheel installed. For the price and look, such a great deal!!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Small update: got new center caps on the truck (pics soon), got the truck register and inspected again. Been nice driving her a bit. Tuesday on my way home from work, my power steering went. I need to find the leak this weekend.

I wanted to get opinions. One of the biggest mistakes I feel I made with this truck was painting over the original paint...it had an awesome patina. I am thinking of unearthing it to go with a patina look for awhile. Thoughts?

I am going to do a test on the rear fender this weekend.

Planning on using 100 grit sand paper. Any other tips?

:chevy:

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Looks like you keep yourself busy. As far as removing the paint...is it rattle can? If so, I have heard of guys getting most of it off with a power washer. I would worry that sanding would be a ton of work for one, and could disturb the patina that you are trying to uncover.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

I did a test run with 150 grit on the rear fender...ate right through. The black is rustoleum that my dad and I used a pray gun to put on. I may borrow a power washer and give that a try. Don't want to loose my silver layer. Thanks for the info!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Small update, I had a horrible power steering leak that was coming from the pressure hose. It was shooting fluid to the underside of the hood and in turn causing fluid to cover the whole engine bay and even the top of the hood and passenger fender.

After spending over an hour trying to get the bolts loose on the lines....I gave up. I appreciate the help on fluids to use in the future to get the bolts loose. I ended up taking it to a shop yesterday. They told me it took over three hours to get it off...well worth the $100 bucks in my opinion.

Now I need to get it to the car wash to wash off the oil.

Also, they gave me a quote on painting my truck. Never had anything painted except the black my dad and I sprayed ourselves. Guy quoted me 3K. Is that good? Just be a single stage silver. Back to original.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Now that the power steering is fixed, next on the to do is to get my air conditioning converted over and get my shocks, shackles, coil springs, and bushings ordered so I can finally install my lowering kit.

Any advice on installing the lowering kit welcomed...never put one on before.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Never lowered one either but am trying to learn as well. If you don't mind post plenty of pics and suggestions

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Project Update: been awhile since i have been on here. Lot has happened. I got married. Sold all my 60's pickups. Bought a 59 swb (will post a thread later, it will be a complete build).

Anyway, i will try to post some photos soon. But...i replaced the steering column in the 81. Re-did vent window seals. drum roll....started the body work again.

My new place has a garage so while the wife naps, i have had lots of time to play with the truck. I will post photos this week. Good to be back on here!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Congrats on the marriage. Be looking forward to seeing more of the ole step.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Glad to hear you're still working on this rig. Sounds like maybe you're going to be doing new body work and paint. But if you were still thinking about stripping the flat black back to the original paint, I was going to recommend that you try mineral spirits on the black. And if that doesn't work then lacquer thinner might help you remove it. If you're going to sand it I would start with something much less aggressive. 1500 would be a good place to start but probably would be slow going. 1000 grit is sometimes is too aggressive and removes paint to quickly so you might find the right grit somewhere in between the two.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

I started looking to go to the original paint, but i forgot how much of it was already gone. Plus, the previous owner bondo was cracking and i wanted to repair that. I am in the process if stripping down to the metal. What a process. I have almost complete both doors and the roof. Found two big dents and tons of hail on the roof...how well. I will repair it over the next year.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

After reading some posts on best ways to strip paint down to metal, I picked up some gater paint and rust wheels for the drill. Gave them a small try last night and think they are going to work well for me.

I know a lot of guys like using paint stripper but i live in an apartment and dont have a great place to do that.

Will post photos soon.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Wanted to show y'all my progress. This is all the hail dents i found on the roof....so far....

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Here is my progress on the doors. After reading a lot of posts the rubber paint and rust removal tool seemed to be a fan favorite. I love it! The one door didnt even use the barely any of the disc and did the whole door in about an hour and half. Not bad i would say. I will finish the rest of the passenger door one night this week.

I plan to finish the roof after that. Then work my way through the front clip then the rear. I also need to order new seals for the windows. I will post photos of my vent windows i rebuilt.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Pics of after i took out the vent window. Also, pics of be starting the rebuild process. I will have to take pics of the finished ones later.

Note - this was my first time rebuilding these. I found youtube very helpful haha

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Well, from the little bit that was left on the passenger door i found two more dents full of bondo. The PO must not have liked the passenger door very much... ha I will try to post some photos soon. I think i can work the dents out though.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Update, spent last night getting my vent windows and window channels put in both doors. Not too bad of a project. I will post some pics once i get some better photos!

Next is more paint removal. haha

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Looking good so far! Its funny what you can uncover when you start stripping back the layers......

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

here are some pics of the doors and all the dent repair from on the passenger door that the P.O. had completed.

Any suggestions on polishing the metal? I want to run bare metal for a while.

Thanks!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

I would just go over the bare metal with a DA to even it out. Up here in the rust belt you can watch bare metal turn to rust while you finish a beer. :)

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

What grid sandpaper for the DA sander? I plan on clear coating it panel by panel. Luckily in texas (and keeping the truck in the garage) i dont have too much flash rust.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Update: The 81 doors have been body worked and in black primer again. Will tackle the roof next. I ordered the rest of my 2.5/4 inch drop kit and hoping to get it on at the end of this summer. I will have to change out the wheels and tires i think. I am currently running 10 inch wide rims....we will see though. Also, dad and I will be taking our trucks to C10 national next week! Who else is going???

Look for the flat black 81 stepside and flat red 62 stepside!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

We'll be watching for sure!

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Nice looking 81'! not many of those around anymore.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Small update, got a new battery for the 81 yesterday (still under warranty so no cost to me), took her for a spin after filling her up with some ATF.....it all leaked out in about 2 hours. Found a leak on my kickdown cable. leaking pretty good I would say. Going to run tot he part store tonight and see if I can get if fixed before C10 nationals tomorrow.

Also, I got some of my lowering kit in...I was dumb and accidently ordered only 1 shock, 1 upper ball joint, and 1 lower ball joint.....so I made a second order today. an only blame myself.

Pics to come of the weekend. Pray the rain holds out.

Re: 1981_c10 Step-Side
 

Little update, I got the remaining lowering kit parts in and I dropped the 82 off at a local shop to get the kickdown cable replaced, emissions removed, AC re-charged, e-brake reconnected, and overall check to make sure the truck is reliable to drive.

Been about 9 years since I have driven the truck reliably. So excited to have it back.

Also, still working out a deal to have the truck painted!