Maxxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

This is my truck and its build.
it is an 1981 chevy c10 regular cab shortwide bed.
i bought it for $600 plus auction fees at an auction.

looks like bed/frame is bent but it is not. the motor is siting on one side causing the bed to flex.
this is pictures from the day i got it.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/041.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/042.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/043.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/047.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/048.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/049.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/044.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/045.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Smoking deal...:)

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

pulled off bed
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/022.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/021.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/020.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...berry/0002.jpg
removed bag over axle brackets. will do a bag on bar wishbone setup
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/010.jpg
removed front notch reinforcement. will replace later
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/016.jpg
cut 1 inch out of notch
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/015.jpg
this is the current stance. i really like it
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/005.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

nice score. Can't wait to see what you do to it.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

i am about to build a wishbone link setup out of 2x2 1/8" tube. i ordered my rod ends/bushings from ***************** on sunday july 11th. its been 6 business days and they've yet to come in >:( lol

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

nice man!
that is one heck of a deal!
what auction was that?

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

:c2: keeping an eye on this one ;)

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Glad to see you started a build thread. Looks like a good start to the project!

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

nice score!

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Nice score!! But looking at the grille and the headlight/marker light, that's not an 81. Unless some changed out the grill, rad support and bumper, it's an 83 or >. What is the last 8 digits of the VIN?

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

thanks guys. i got it at dealers auto actiom in okc.
you really think thats an 83 and newer front? the last 8 in the vin is BS151210 Which i thought that B meant 81.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

It's an 81 then, but that is not an 81-82 front end. This is what the 81-82's look like. Note the marker lights are in the bumper.

Single headlight option:

http://ruddscars.com/147740__81_chev...op_640x480.jpg

Dual headlight option:

http://www.theautolog.com/uploads/ch...sdale-6656.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Looks like a nice project and sweet price too! following along.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Cool build. I probably should have kept my 73 and done this intead of dreaming big about a 52 gmc lol.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

finally got my rod ends in! (after 2 weeks in what was said to be 3 days)
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/008.jpg

i welded some 3/4" all thread to some to make them adjustable
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/009.jpg

i removed the front leaf spring perches and front support thingy to make room. :)
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...eberry/007.jpg

and i welded in my own "support thingy". lol
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...y/006-Copy.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

I am totally gona be watching this build, this is exactly what I want to do with my suspension next summer! Keep up the great work!

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

I like your detailed explanations of what you are doing. "Support Thingy" :haha:

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Cool truck is that dealers auto auction? i always wanted a bagged truck but never had one lol i had a few chances at dealers auto auction just don't like buying other peoples projects to many bad experience lol cool truck though

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

That's where it looks like.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Nice!
I'm just curious what strength rating the all thread has. Most all of it I've seen is low or no grade, pretty weak stuff. Just trying to err on the cautious side ;)

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Most all thread is grade 2. Which is soft.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Nice score, already has flip handle and k5 tailgate band.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

yeah dealers auto auction is correct. i normally would be hesitant on someone elses project but for the price and with as little things they couldve screwed it up beyond repair, i couldn't pass it up. and 99% of the body work is done too.
the guy at atwoods (who seemed to know what he was talking about) told me all thread as big as 3/4" should bea able to hold up to most anything i throw at it.

i was getting sick if the copper on the back of the cab so layed down some primer.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...y/9968be91.jpg

i added extra support to the support thingys. im pretty sure thats what they called it at the factory right? haha
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...y/0f4c0422.jpg
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...y/46205be7.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Yeah!!! its pretty sweet project i think

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

what do you guys think of an 88-98 door handle on my 81. i kinda did a photoshop in paint.
http://i901.photobucket.com/albums/a...ry/c10door.jpg

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

I am pretty certain your drive shaft isn't going to clear those support thingies.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

i agree about the driveshaft hitting the support thingys, it looks close. might have to build a different style of thingy.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

The support had more clearance than the stock support had and it seems everything will clear, but I figure if when it's aired out and it doesn't clear, I'll just remove the brackets and notch the support

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

I like the newer door handles on these trucks.

If your going with a bright colorful paint, i'd use the early model handles because their smooth and paintable. my '95 has the textured black ones and i hate them. just my .02.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Only bad thing I have seen about the 88-98 handles on the 73-87 trucks is that you have to put them lower in the door, and after awhile they tend to want to pull out. A guy I know did it, and after awhile he wished he would have just shaved them all together. My uncle has shaved doors on his 85, and a keyless remote that works the poppers. That's the way I would go.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Knowing all the door handles on cars and trucks over the years, and seeing how they all react while frozen, I'm sort of amazed GM went away from the push button type like the squares have. I never really remember replacing outside handles very frequently until the 88's came out. Since then, during winter I'll try to keep a drivers outside handle in stock for modern trucks. Frozen handle, and a deep desire to gain entry with force, equals breakage these days. :haha:

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Yeah the door handles on my 03 aren't very strong at all. I know 3 or 4 people that have broken theirs due to the door being stuck with the colder weather. I make sure I'm extra gentle with mine due to it.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Here my 2cents about shaved doors. They look great on a weekend cruiser/ show truck but for a DD they can cause problems when the popper gets stuck or the doors get frozen shut. I had both things happen to me on my shaved door burb about 10yrs ago. I was stuck with no way to get into the truck.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

When laid out your drive shaft will be much higher. You WILL need to notch the cross member you built so I wouldn't weld it in solid just yet.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

I had shaved doors on my Nova and drove it daily for several years with no issues. Of course it doesn't get as cold down here in Texas ;)

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

Sweet truck! I would kill to get a truck that cheep for what it has already done to it!

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

I have had shave doors on more car,trucks then I can remember, if they are set up right and have a good back up you will have no problems... I let some talk me out of shaving my burb... wish I would have done it now...

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

You guys in the southern states don't have ice storms or 6ft of snow. So shave away those mirrors and door handles. :)
Mine was done when I bought in the middle of summer. When its 100* I wasn't thinking about winter time until mid december I went out to go to work and my door poppers wouldnt open.

Re: maxxy's 81 bagged c10 build
 

LOL...you mean it gets colder then 50?....