Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

WOW, you're not only making it look good, you're making it look easy! The best part of this is that I will be tackling exactly these same probs with my truck because I have exactly the same patterns of cancer. Honestly, these photos sure do make me feel so much better.

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Best of luck with your future work. I've received a lot of advice and tracked several builds on this site. Jaysonb, who posted just prior to you, has several build links in his signature block, goes great detail on these types of repairs, especially the 77 4x4 he did last winter: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=716884

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Good progress in a few hours late this afternoon and a couple hours after supper. Received some parts from Summit today and a delivery from my Classic Industry distributor (free shipping). From summit I received a new master cylinder, front rubber brake lines and the extraction kit for the rear end retainer bolt that broke off inside the carrier. From Classic Industry I received a full-set of OER exterior trim and the correct dash bezel, looks good! I then cleaned up the passenger side floor, trimmed it to where I wanted it, then traced the new floor from the bottom......Etc.

Pictures:
1. Broke retainer bolt (whatever it's called)
2. Extracted bolt end; way easier than I thought it would be.
3. Cleaned up the floor opening, grinned the areas for the plug welds
4. Test fit floor panel
5. Tacked in the floor. Need to fix a few places where the gap will need patching.

I'm certainly ready to get this thing off the frame so that I can take a brake from the cab for a week or so and work on the frame.

Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Kind of a task hopping day! I did some welding on the cab; one little weld after another - I got bored with that so I started in on the completion of tearing down the front suspension. When I completed the front end, I started in on getting the firewall cleaned up. The firewall overall is surprisingly clean except for down by the AC opening, that'll need a patch...blah! I uncovered some factory marking on the firewall, that was kind of neat. Also took a wire brush to the frame for a few minutes??? That's about it.

Pictures:
1. PITA getting this out!
2. Pile of good and bad!
3. Factory markings??? Russet Neutral - 4 IDK Russet is the base color of the truck
4. Dang rust
5. Done for the day!!!

Now it's finally time to get the cab off the frame!!

Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Excellent progress Sir! Now you need to slow down a little, your making some of us look like slow pokes!!

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

LOL, he's making me look like a slowpoke ... because I AM a slowpoke!

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

You've got a lot done. Good job Mike!

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

I'm in a race to get it "rolling" before the GMC comes back from MN!!!! I'll have to send JaysonB some curve balls in order to slow him down a bit. Jayson received my Series 62 Wheel Vintique wheels last week, so, I can slow him down by having him paint those frost white. :jest:

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Today I started out by preparing the rust on the firewall by the Heat/AC rectangle, then I propped up the cab after disconnecting it from the frame. I then lowered the frame and slide it out of the garage. I have a dolly that I built years ago that was upstairs in the garage attic so I had to drag that down and put it together before slowly lowing the cab onto it. Kind of nerve wracking by yourself. Did some garage cleaning then did a little work on the frame.

Pictures:
1. Cut piece for patch duplication
2. Test fitting patch
3. Tacked-in patch
4. First step of taking cab of frame
5. Finally, separated

More to follow from today.

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

So, turned my attention to the "Built by Brooks" LWB to SWB conversion brackets. First I cleaned frame on the inside of the brackets (cut line) and then put about 10 good tacks along the vertical cut in the frame and then a good bead of weld along the horizontal cuts at the top and bottom of the frame. After doing both side, I then removed the passenger bracket (I had not put in the inner bracket, so it was easy to accomplish), cleaned the cut line on the outside then welded the cut. After grinding it smooth, I put the bracket back on check it for fitment, no change, fit perfect and holes lined up. After work tomorrow, I'll weld the inner cut completely, then test fit the whole bracket system, both inner and out brackets together, then take it apart, again. I plan on leaving the bracket off while I clean the overall frame, then bolt in the brackets and weld the outer perimeter of outside bracket. Should be more than good!!

Time to get after this frame and get this thing rolling!!!!!

Pictures:
1. Welded frame.
2. Outside Built-by-Brooks Bracket w/out bolts, holes line up.
3. Bolts pushed through holes, snug.

That's it. Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

UPDATE, CHANGE 1 (right)!!!

I just posted this on the "Dads 79 GMC Build Thread" below:

Jayson is doing some smoke'n hot work on my Dad's 79 GMC. The other night while I was traveling to Fargo, ND from Des Moines, IA late at night Jayson and I were talking about this project and my 78' build (Addiction). During the conversation, it was decided to take all the original parts (350/350, rear end with drum brakes) and put Dad's 79 GMC back to stock, except of course for the drop and that it's about 14/6" inches shorter. Will maintain the rally wheels, 8's in the back and 7's up front with white walls all the way around (Jayson didn't know that part, he's asleep right now). Matter of fact, I just ordered the tires last night. So, I've temporarily put a halt on the 78 while I work on gathering all the parts that are needed to put this 79 back to "ALMOST" all stock.

This also means that all the LS/4L603, fuel system, cooling system, disc brakes in the rear etc will go into the 78 after we make the swap in a few weeks.

Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Some nice work going on here. I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Thanks Silvertoneguedevil! Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Wow, that is a bit of change. Looking forward to see the out come of both projects.

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Sounds like a good plan! ;)

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Mike has been busy rounding up the parts for "Dads79gmc", so the wheels for this truck made a pit stop here to get a coat of frost white paint! They will look nice with some skinny white walls, and some nice clean hub caps.:metal:

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Sorry for the confusion, I moved this and the next post from my Dads79GMC build thread. Didn't want to intermix this post with what Jayson is doing with my Dad's 79 GMC.

*******

Like most of you, I live in a somewhat normal neighborhood. I do have a second detached garage (24x30) with an enclosed staircase going upstairs. So, I've been thinking about how do I not upset my neighbors, when, at some point I do more that just rattle-can painting (or harm myself)? By no means will I ever paint a whole vehicle at one time....I will do cab, or do a fender or two at a time, spread over a long period etc. I decided to utilize the space under my stairs to assist in my attempt to cut-down on vapors heading outside. I got a hold a 1600 CFM fan that I mounted on the exterior wall, installed a solid exterior door with a threshold and created a space for the 20x20 filters. I need to finish drywalling the interior and sealing the room from within. More work to do. Hopefully it works. I will frame in a temporary booth when needed that will include intake filters. I'm using 20x20 Paint Pocket Aerators. I guess it'll be better than nothing!!! ?

Pictures:
1. After installation of exterior door and removal of drywall
2. Had to cut a couple 2x4" studs (not load bearing)
3. Replaced Drywall and cut openings
4. Exterior shot of exhaust fan
5. Framed in 20x20" in opening. I build some inner frames for the Paint Pockets exhaust filters.

Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Here's a couple more shots of the closet and filter banks. Again, I still need to mud and seal the room from the outside. The staircase going upstairs also has an exterior door at the bottom of the steps, so it's basically air tight as well. What I really need to do is tape and mud the garage area, especially the area within the temporary booth and existing wall. Last night I turned on the fan and it sucked the insulation out between the studs and pulled the front door open because it wasn't latched. That's about it. Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Some serious metal work good progress :ito:

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Thanks smokedat!

There aren't a lot of real good solid trucks here in the salt-belt. In order to save one from the grave you have to really dig into it to get rot out. :lol:

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

ohhhhhhh damn, nice! I'm going to have to do a more portable setup but have a similar plans!

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

tonight I painted five 7" rally wheels; two coats of satin black and two coats of gray/silver on the front for Dads' 79 GMC build. The 3 20x20 filter bank did an awesome job. The closet behind the filters where the fan exits outside, didn't even smell of paint. I also made several trips to the back of the garage and smelled nothing. We'll see how it does when I start epoxying cab etc?? Mike

Pictures
1. Filters catching overspray. I put a towl down on my shop stool and place each rally on the stool for painting, worked great as I painted and rotated the wheel.
2. More on filters. I'm very happy with the results.

Thanks Mike

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

The setup you have there looks like it's working awesome Mike! Nice work!

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

In fact, your not that far from me, maybe you would be interested in doing some rust repair, and a paint job on my 85 gmc???

Re: Sparky's 1978 Silverado Build "Addiction"
 

Hahahaha ha ha! I’ll screw up the 78 first!