Something to tinker with...
 

Figured I should start a build thread on my next project, a 1992 Chevy 1500 W/T.

Picked it up a week ago, previous owner said it had "no compression" and was a non-runner. Pretty solid and rust-free body with only a few dents and dings.

Has been in some degree of a fender bender as it has a wrecking yard hood and a wrinkle in the top of the core support. I think the "damn-it" on the front of the fender is unrelated to what wrinkled the core support and cracked the grille, but can't say for sure.

The non-running condition has been identified as either blown head gasket(s) or cracked head(s). It still turns over, so was not overheated to the point of seizing-up the 4.3, but it will have a V-8 in some point down the road.

Here are some pictures to give an idea of what I am starting out with and other than the V-8 swap, the only real plan or direction at the moment is to shrink it from a long bed to a shorty.

I know that is going to bring out the nay-sayers, the "just buy a short-bedders" and such...but around here they are not cheap when they can be found or are 4x4's and I want a 2WD.

And, having less than $600.00 invested, which includes UHaul rental, fuel and title transfer, it is more than a cheap enough starting point to give this a go.

Here are some pictures of what I have accumulated this week. Will be a very slow project as I have lots of other commitments that will push this back, but sadly, that is how life goes...at least I am still in it!!

Re: Something to tinker with...
 

Few more:

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Some more:

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Picked-up a pretty decent and rust-free short bed yesterday:

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Also got a replacement fender, under the primer, it is the same factory color as the truck, but that will be changed later as well...

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Looks like a great project. I even like it as a lwb, but then I'm biased when it comes to that.

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Thanks, I think it will be fun. The only solid plan at the moment is the short bed conversion. Not sure what I want the end style of it to be, but have my work cut out on it for the time being, so plenty of time to check out different options for later.

To be honest, with this body style of trucks, I do prefere the LWB on the 4x4 trucks, but the LWB just looks "nose heavy" to me on the 2WD's.

And where a LWB 4x4 looks perfectly proportioned, a SWB 4x4 looks top heavy.

Still on the fence with this generation's step-sides though, don't love'em...but don't hate'em either!

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I've often wondered how a square body stepside box would look on the GMT400 trucks. Or maybe a 67-72 wood bed stepper.

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Would probably look okay, seems the newer ones look good on the 1967-72's because of the little bit of roundness in the truck's cabs.

I would think the 1973 up style would probably be good as well since they are simiular to the prior generation style.

Tried a couple google searches to see if I could find some already done, but came-up short, so having a hard time picturing it.

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Picked up a parts truck, was too cheap not to.

1993 1500 W/T 2WD, 4.3L & 5 speed, runs and drives but has a knock in the lower end.

Picture from the craigslist ad just to give an idea of condition.

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Spent a little time today getting the 92 ready to pull the bed.

Removed the spare tire, unhooked and removed the tailgate and taillights and tried to remove the trailer hitch so I could get to the rear bed bolts...who or what put that thing on back in 92 did not know it's own strength!!

Tried a cheater bar, heat from my propane torch, soaked in penetrating oil, nothing could get those bolts to move. I don't have an impact, so had to step-up to the next level.

No bolt or nut in the world will remain tight if you turn it to liquid!!!

:devil:

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Been awhile since anything has happened except for the grass growing...:lol:

But couple days ago I picked-up a late 60's 350 SBC. Need to look into the stamped & casting numbers to narrow it down more.

When I get time will flip it over and look at the bottom end, going to redo all the gaskets anyway, so might as well look it over inside & out.

Have to do a little more research into it's history, the heads appear to have recently been done, so have to check the head's casting numbers to see if they are worth keeping or need replaced.

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Also pulled the long bed off...

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That was a clean looking truck to start with, especially the interior. Looking forward to seeing you build it.

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Thanks!

It really is (aside from the dead 4.3L which wasn't going to be staying anyway), other than the standard bad paint.

Last several projects had varying amounts of rust-through, and since I have moved here, I don't have access to some of the equipment I had at my old place, so wanted to start out with something a bit more solid.

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Spent a little time on the truck this afternoon. My inside shop is basically a one-car sized area, and depth-wise, the truck is too long to fit front to back if complete.

While the weather is great for outside working now, come fall it will not be. So working on that aspect for the time being.

Pulled the rear bumper, spare tire lift & cable assembly, dropped the gas tank and called the back end done for now.

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Moved to the front and started dismantling the nose. I knew it had been in a front end fender bender at one time because of the wrecking yard hood and the dinged fender and core support.

Got a better look at the damage once it was exposed. Just glad I got a parts truck with no front end damage, so is just a matter of a little parts swapping when the time comes.

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wow nice

btw i have the 1994 brochure the v8 is not that bigger in power to much and torque really ,the v6 is not a bad motor at all specially if u have manual gearing like mine, says in brochure here it was the biggest v6 on the road back in 1994.

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Thanks!

I am just doing away with the 4.3L altogether. The parts truck has one as well, it runs & drives but has a bad bottom-end knock.

Am just planning at this point to go backwards a little and drop a carbed, V-8 and either a TH350 or 400 auto, or am also kicking around the idea of the 5 speed manual in the parts truck.

But I am a long way off from drive train decisions, so nothing set in stone yet.

Finished up the front end by pulling the bumper and brackets off, then called it due to it being so hot and no shade, can't even call myself a shade-tree mechanic for the time being... :devil:

Re: Something to tinker with...
 

well done

the shade idea buy a temp tent when working over u and a big box fan, harbor frieght

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The way it seems that it works in Washington is, as soon as I do that it will start raining.....

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Well, just TALKING about it yesterday brought in a thunderstorm and rain last night!!

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Mississippi is not much better, plus it's like 400 degrees hot too. :rolleyes:

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Humm...

Re: Something to tinker with...
 

lol:lol: