My Red '70 Chevy Stepside

[Tinkermc]

get the estimates but more important is a game plan and a time frame.

[dmw319]

Updates:
-Put a new Edelbrock 1406 carb on, runs a lot smoother and doesnt cut out on me anymore!
-rewired and resprayed a bunch of crud under the hood, looks a lot cleaner
-Purchased Front Disc Conversion kit from ECE, going to install it when it isnt 100+ degrees outside
-Still hunting for an auto column shifter

[dmw319]

Installed some new valve covers over the weekend. Not much but they look nice haha.

[DevilDog Aggie]

[QUOTE=dmw319;5421717]thanks i appreciate it! Here are some more photos:


Great looking truck! And cute pup!!

[dmw319]

thanks Rob! I've done some more since last time I posted. Hopefully will post more pictures soon.

[JRANGER]

I have a question based off your pic....Where does the brake booster hose connect... Is it going into the Breather?

[dmw319]

Originally Posted by JRANGER

I have a question based off your pic....Where does the brake booster hose connect... Is it going into the Breather?

it connects to the back of the carb i believe

[dmw319]

Update on the truck:

I purchased the 1" front / 3" rear drop springs for the truck with some new shocks too. But when I went to install them in the rear of the truck I found that the crossmember shell pieces that attach inbetween the frame and the rear springs were all rusted out. So I got some replacement steel and with the help of my friend and his welder we replaced that section of the frame! Its all patched up now and ready for some black spray paint. I bought a "new" crossmember and connecting shell pieces from a board member.

Now I also have to make the decision about whether to replace the bed wood (10 years old, some is rotted on the sides) and also the cross sills and hardware, strips, etc. Either way, I am ready to get it done! My wife is pregnant and due Jan 28th so I am trying to get the bulk of this part of the project done.


Here are some pics:

[raull]

looking good !!!!!

[dmw319]

Some more pics.

I went to put the new relocation brackets for the rear shocks and found the nuts rusted solid to the u-bolts/brackets that hold the trailing arms to the rear axle. So, I cut the u-bolts and new ones will be installed when they come in next week! Trailing arm ends are splitting a little but hopefully a large vice will close the gap up a bit, could also weld a small bead on the end of it too if needed. Im just ready to finish this suspension stuff!

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by dmw319

Some more pics.

I went to put the new relocation brackets for the rear shocks and found the nuts rusted solid to the u-bolts/brackets that hold the trailing arms to the rear axle. So, I cut the u-bolts and new ones will be installed when they come in next week! Trailing arm ends are splitting a little but hopefully a large vice will close the gap up a bit, could also weld a small bead on the end of it too if needed. Im just ready to finish this suspension stuff!

The u bolts looked like mine. I also just cut them.

[dmw319]

Well I got both u-bolts off in the back and decided to buy a NOS set of trailing arms from another forum member here. Mine were splitting really bad and also rusted through to a 2x4" hole on either side where they mounted to the axle. Hopefully once the u-bolts and new trailing arms come in I can bolt all this stuff back together!

[tsali39]

Originally Posted by dmw319

Well I just got back from a local shop that quoted me anywhere from 6-7k to do all the body work for the truck not including paint. The guy said the rust wasn't "bad" at all but thought that I should just drive the truck as is because it isn't affecting its dirveability or anything and that the truck is solid and rust shouldn't get any worse here in NC. The main areas that have rust are inner fenders, inner/outer rockers, cab corners, small areas in roof of cab and floor boards, and the bedsides. If this were something I wanted to fully restore I wouldn't mind dumping 7 grand into it, but I really just wanted it as a fun weekend cruiser that I could tinker on and do light/medium work to. I feel kinda down though cause I was wanting to keep this truck a long time and slowly do some bodywork to restore it, but he basically told me once you get in doing that kind of work you put in way more than you'll ever get back. The doors also need a little work cause they don't line up quite perfect. He is also getting me quotes for front disc conversion and moving my auto floor shifter to the column. Some of that I could do myself but can't hurt to get an estimate!

But what do yall think? Should I do little parts of the bodywork at a time? A grand here, a grand there or should I save up and do it all down the road? Not worry about it and just drive it as is?

I would run from this shop! Do what you can do, enjoy it and along the way you will likely meet folks who can help you with more difficult tasks.

[gdavis]

Originally Posted by dmw319

Update on the truck:

I purchased the 1" front / 3" rear drop springs for the truck with some new shocks too. But when I went to install them in the rear of the truck I found that the crossmember shell pieces that attach inbetween the frame and the rear springs were all rusted out. So I got some replacement steel and with the help of my friend and his welder we replaced that section of the frame! Its all patched up now and ready for some black spray paint. I bought a "new" crossmember and connecting shell pieces from a board member.

Now I also have to make the decision about whether to replace the bed wood (10 years old, some is rotted on the sides) and also the cross sills and hardware, strips, etc. Either way, I am ready to get it done! My wife is pregnant and due Jan 28th so I am trying to get the bulk of this part of the project done.


Here are some pics:

I had the same problem/ when I took the bed off of my 68 step swb I found the bad section. So I purchassed another frame for 50.00 and it was perfect. My friend has several frames. But now it is good.

[dmw319]

Originally Posted by tsali39

I would run from this shop! Do what you can do, enjoy it and along the way you will likely meet folks who can help you with more difficult tasks.

good advice, thanks!

Originally Posted by gdavis

I had the same problem/ when I took the bed off of my 68 step swb I found the bad section. So I purchassed another frame for 50.00 and it was perfect. My friend has several frames. But now it is good.

yea i had thought about swapping everything onto a new frame but dont really have the time, $, or space. so this will work. and i learned how to weld!

[dmw319]

double post. sorry!

[dmw319]

Some more progress done last night. Got the NOS rear cross member installed, NOS trailing arms installed, new u-bolts for the axle, shock relocation brackets installed, new hardware all around and basically sprayed everything with some semi-gloss black spray paint. All it needs now is springs, shocks, and the bed put back!

[JRANGER]

Looks awesome man!!!

[dmw319]

Shocks and springs are in! Got the wheels back on and remeasured the distance from the ground to the rear wheel well. Looks like it lowered it 2" on either side (still doesnt have the bed in it and front hasnt been lowered yet either)!

[raull]

looking good !!!!!

[RWB-713]

Just found your project man. That's a clean lookin truck ya have there. Absolutley a fun truck to tinker with and cruise around! You'll like that ECE stuff, they make great stuff for exactly the kind of project you've got goin on here. Always good to see people taking on tasks for themselves and learning as they go! That is the same route I took, nothin beats hands on experience!

Keep workin forward man, you're making great progress! Subscribed.

[Xeen]

Depending on where you live Body work can be as cheap as $45 an hour and if the shop is honest they wont charge you 6 or 7 thousand dollars that is a huge RIP OFF but dont take my word for it ask the guys here on the forums.
I like your truck very much, the guy who had it took care of it, lets just hope who ever did his body work did it right and there isnt an inch of bondo under the paint.
Nice work on the repairs, it always brings a smile to my face when someone loves their truck enough to do it right.

[~Whitey~]

Great looking truck!

[dmw319]

Thanks yall! I cant wait to get the front disc conversion and 1" drop finished off so I can drive her again.

[dmw319]

Update with some pictures. Front disc conversion is complete!

Out with the old, in with the new