86 K10 LWB - Frankie

[silverbear]

After multiple attempts I finally got all of the air out of the clutch hydraulics. Sitting on the floor because I haven't installed the seat yet, I took it for about a 1/2 mile trip down the road and back. Felt good to have it moving on it's own power.

[silverbear]

Been a while since I posted. I got a few things done since then. Exhaust is now hanging from brackets instead of the strap.

[silverbear]

I installed my new windshield. New seal was a bit challenging to fit on the new glass but it turned out well.

[silverbear]

Al's liner HNR down on the floor.

[silverbear]

Got a few more things put back on. Seems like every time I check one item off of the to-do list, I discover two or three more to add to it.

[Greenlee]

Looking good!

[silverbear]

Finally got all the instrument gages working and reinstalled enough components I felt I could take this beast out for a drive. Decided to stick to the back roads so I could just cruise along. I got about half way to my buddy's house (around 4 miles) and I lost power. I
The engine would run but it would not excelerate. Took me almost 40 minutes to chug back home.

New fuel pump installed this afternoon with the addition on a fuel filter and Frankie is terrorising the neighborhood again.

On a different note, is it just me or can any of you remove 3 trucks worth of seat belts, saving all the hardware but when it comes time to install, you can only find enough bolts to install the drivers seat belt???

[silverbear]

It's been a little while since I posted an update about Frankie... well that is because I had not done anything more than drive it. The seat you see in my last set of pictures may look decent but the whole frame is very rusty. I put it in the truck because I did not have anything else to use. I drove it a few time and then the webbing gave way and the cushion sinks through.

While playing around on CL this past weekend I came across a cool find. A few text messages to the seller to work out a trade for some spare parts I have and score... a new seat for Frankie. It may not look the greatest but it sits pretty comfortable and it should clean up real nice.

[silverbear]

I recovered my headliner and painted up the trim pieces. I need to order a few things but I am trying to keep some momentum and get this done a little at a time. Eventually the interior will be two sades of gray and black.

[silverbear]

Progress has been slow but the miles are getting added to the odometer every week. I discovered a few minor issues that I have been addressing along the way. I have plans for a few more upgrades from my current parts. My entire front clip is cheap aftermarket parts that are very rusty on the inside. I have been collecting some good GM parts and now I have everything to replace the front clip. I found a pair of fenders on CL in Jacksonville. I also found a complete core support from an 89 Suburban in Ocala. When I went to pick that up, I also scored a hood. If it stops raining this weekend I will take a few pics and upload them.

[silverbear]

Step 1: Hood replacement. The new one has a couple of scratches and dents but it is RUST FREE!


Core support and fenders will get installed soon.

[bgood70]

Looks good.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by bgood70

Looks good.

Thanks Brad.

[silverbear]

Step 2: Replace core support and grill. these are from a 89 Suburban. Special thanks to GMACHINZ for hooking me up with contacts I needed to convert the connector on the wiring harness.

The grill in not in the greatest shape but it will work for now.

Step 3: Drivers fender replaced. Cheap, rusty aftermarket one gone and a factory (rust free) original in it's place.


Maybe tomorrow, if the weather continues to hold out, I can swap out the passenger's side fender. This may be a small victory but I also now have functional horns.

[y5mgisi]

Subscribed.

[77K10Silverado]

Good amount of work here! Looking good!!!

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by 77K10Silverado

Good amount of work here! Looking good!!!

Thanks. It has been a long project but I have enjoyed being able to use it as I improve it.

[silverbear]

A little diversion from the body work. The before pic. The brush aluminum look was damaged so I wanted to try to dress it up a little.


The after pics. Silver carbon fiber vinyl made a big difference. Nice thing is, I have about $6 in materials and if I get tired of it, it is easy to change out.

[silverbear]

A couple of pics of the dash bezel mocked up in the truck along with the right side trim piece.

[bgood70]

Looks really good Chris. Time to get it installed.

[silverbear]

Originally Posted by bgood70

Looks really good Chris. Time to get it installed.

Thanks Brad. I have a few things to install under the dash before I can finish up the duct work and then the trim pieces. I hope to get the sound deadener install on the firewall this weekend.

[silverbear]

Step 4: Back to the body. I replaced the passenger fender and now that is the last piece I need to replace. I will have a little work to do on the bottom of my doors but I can live with them for now.


While I had the fender off I took opportunity to do some work on my blower motor. And since I was that far into it, I dropped out the heater box and added some sound deadener. Got the passenger side done last Saturday and I worked on the driver's side today. I know I have a lot more floor to cover but the rest will wait until I have the carpet ready to go in.




Next step is to re-install all of the duct work in the dash.

[y5mgisi]

Good stuff!

[silverbear]

More progress on the interior. The PO had painted the dash pad with common gloss black spray paint. You can see it in some of my previous posts. I spent a few evenings this past week to sand and prep it for refinishing.

After sanding and cleaning.

[silverbear]

I chose to use SEM Landau Black for the dash and door panels. I also got some SEM Smoke Gray for the kick panels and upper trim.

The dash now.