My 1980 restomod project
 

Hey everyone,
although i signed up last year i decided to come on and be a member of the forum here to show you my project.It started life as a 1980 chevy c10 w/a 350 th350 12 bolt 3.73 rearend.It use to tow our 25 foot tagalong camper very easily.Well the folks sold the camper and kept the truck.I wanted to redo it so bad but i finally got my shop up and built in 2006 and decided to tear into this truck finally and seen alot i wasnt really looking to repair.It had massive frame rot and the cab was trashed as well as the body.Well i yanked the drivetrain and kept what i thought was saveable and cut the frame up and the body and threw it all in the scrapyard.I went out and found a 77 frame and then a 85 cab and the rebuilding began.I painted the frame, rebuilt the entire front suspension, and rebuilt the entire rear suspension.I used the original 3.73 rearend and im going to use the original motor from the 1st stepside.Since then i`picked up alot of NOS pieces and had them all powdercoated, and the cab well thats another story.I removed the corners and got another 73-80 cab sections and modified the cab to accept these and coated the inside of the end caps with KBS coating.It had some rust holes in the firewall so i repaired the rust spots, welded the entire seam and removed the small areas where the washer jets once was on the 85 cab.I replaced the cab corners but the floors and rockers and inner rockers are rock solid.I removed the metal dash and bought a dash from a 76 as the 85 didnt have the washer switch and i needed to remove it to repair a rust hole so it was a good time to put the 76 dash in.Right now i`m still working on the cab, i just welded up the side areas where the door wiring once was and i shaved the drip rails off.I am going to mini tub the bed sides and use a set of inner fenders i got from another fellow 73-87 enthusiast.But here are some pics of it and i hope to keep you all impressed on my work.I been at it for 3 years now and im hoping to have the body done by tihis winter as i`m very picky on my work.I`m also going to use a rollpan and modify some cadillac taillights and turn them verticially on each side of the licence plate holder.I`m going to paint the truck a porsche blue called iris blue metallic.

thanks
pat
The start:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/stepside.jpg
then:
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...guy/truck1.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...IMGP0115-1.jpg
firewall modification http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b.../corner1-1.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0119.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/DSCN0281.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/DSCN0283.jpg

I also like to add i put on a bell tech 4 inch lowering kit on the rear and put 2 1/2 inch drop coils and westin 2 inch lowering spindels on the front along with a factory swaybar,slotted rotors,shocks,braided lines,billett aluminum rearend cover.I`m going to be adding a polished fuel cell in the rear very shortly.

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Here is a few more of the cab and the frame.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b.../firewall5.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b.../firewall3.jpg

Sorry bout the dusty frame i been working alot on the cab and needto hose it down and cover it:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0433.jpg

Aclean underside of the cab,`i`m going to herculine the bottom side before i put the cab on fir the last time.

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0436.jpg.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Sorry folks, here is a video if you like to check it out here as well.

thanks
pat


I was going to do a 454 but i got a nice 350 which is plenty of power for this truck...

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

nice project

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Thanks,
i seen your truck on another forum and it look
s real clean. Within a ayear mine should be in paint. I`m gonna probably shoot it myself as i paint for a living.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

sweet build:metal:. and you mentioned a 454 in the video is that what you plan on putting in it.

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

I was going to build a 454 for it but the deal fell thru and i`m going to go with a 350 i got sitting in the corner thats got a radical cam in it.It came out of the truck originally but it needs a good cleaning and i`m gonna paint the motor the same color as the truck, put a polished serpantine setup on it, and paint the 700r4 a silver and bolt it in.I`m hoping by summer to have that done and installed.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

thanks, the blue metallic going to look sick

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

I was going to do it subaru WRX blue but someone already has that on their truck so i am going to go a different color.I always wanted to do my 83 blazer that blue in 1994 but i never did.Its a long overdue time to do a project in that color so this is that project lol.... Thanks for the compliment it will be a nasty looking truck once done.The woodin the bed i`m goingto try and go for like a maple wood or a cedar with like 10 coats of clear.Im going to try n get it painted next year for sure.I got alot of new parts and NOS doorskins to put on the doors i got so i`m saving alot of time there instead of repairing old metal.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Sounds like it's going to be a slick truck. Can't wait to follow the progress. Keep us updated.

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Thanks john,
im hoping it will be.Its actually my 1st ever stepside i ever built and to be honest i never put as much work into a vehicle as i have this 1 here.Oh this forum as well as yourself will be seeing alot of the progress as well as completion and some burnouts once she is completed :metal:

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

hey pat! looking good man... nice progress on the cab and i love the video. this is where ive been hanging out the last few months. this is an awesome forum. lots of great people and loads of knowledge! i'm glad you started a build here. i'm getting ready to blast my frame hopefully by next week and start my own build thread. keep us posted. take care, Dennis

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Hey dennis,
thanks for the great welcoming.I just got done sanding the filler on the roof.Man when you think you got all the dents out you run your hand over the filler and feel another dent right next to the one you just fixed.Never fails i tell ya.Well i am happy i got the roof done but ran out of filler and poleyster glazing putty.But keep us posted on your build as well.I am glad to be a part of this great forum and you all will get to see its completion here.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Hows it going everyone?
Well today i got back into doing some bodywork on the cab.I will say if you are looking for a cab to replace 1 you got .Try n look for a good 1 i realized solid floors doesn`t always mean its the best.I paid 600.00 for this cab in `06 and i`m still working on the dimples,dents,rust issues it has had. Here are some pics of the roof and the pass side i am working on.I just got some more supplies so i can get back to work.I will be hoping to have this done within the time i leave for ocean city maryland next month for the 4 day car cruise event.I been going for the past 3 years and hanging out with my maryland buddies.1 has a 71 SS nova 355 another 1 has a 68 rs camaro w/a 502, a 67 chevelle w/ a warmed 350, a 69 dart GT 340 and a 71 dodge dart w/a 340 also. Id take my 1970 cougar vert up there but its a long haul so i`m flying and hopefully in 2012 the truck will be up there at the show.:metal:.
thanks
pat

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0468.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0469.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0470.jpg

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

It's looking good Pat!

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Doing a good job man.. One question your not from FL are you? You got that up state voice going on..;)

Keep it up..

Trav

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Your good TV your right im not from florida.I`m originally from rhode island i moved to florida in 2002. Lived in rhode island for 28 1/2 years .Although i like florida i love rhode island always have always will.I moved cause i had no strings attached so my moved with the folks and i bought my home here, and had a 40x40 steel building built in the back yard.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Here is a clip of the cab bodywork. Thank god its done as far as bodywork FINALLY!!!!!!

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

you live in fl but got a new england accent...it kinda threw me...anyways, that cab looks awesome...the attention to detail in amazing...nice build...

Chuck.

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

You are correct i am originally from new england. Rhode island to be exact :lol: .I hope all the work i do to this thing is well worth it.It has been a long process to get it this far.I find something else wrong while i`m working on it i have to just go the extra mile to get it done. Today i`m gonna pick up the cab, rest it on 4 sawhorses and put blankets under it so i can herculine the underside of the floors this week.Then for the last time put it on its resting place of the frame.

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Hows it going everyone,
I havent posted much here as i been working on the truck and been on another forum.But the truck is commin along nicely, i just put some door skins on these doors listed below.I bought a NOS doorskin and a door handle support for the 1 skin and a aftermarket skin from a great source for our trucks. I herculined the interior of both doors and fixed a couple of small rust issues with 1 of the doors.But by the end of the month i`m going to have the bodywork from the cab forward complete.And i`m hoping by next month to have the truck sent out to get primed, blocked ,reprimed and have the firewall and the interior of the panels and the cab painted.That way i can have them hang the doors and i can set the motor and tranny in and hang the front clip and get to work on the bed and have it done in time before i go on my trip to my hometown state of rhode island in september... Here are some pics of the herculined cab and the doors.

thanks
pat

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0648.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0649.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0651.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0637.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0638.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0650.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0655.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0656.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0657.jpg

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Here are some pics of the cab w/o the floor coating and after a well as the metal dash

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0485.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0483.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0481.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0494.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0492.jpg
The underside of the cab
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0472.jpg
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0473.jpg

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

hey there he is! was just thinking about you yesterday... nice progress man!! and i love the time line you have. cant wait till im at that point... looking good!

oh yea, check out my build "finally silvers build thread" and let me know what ya think. always open for suggestions! take care, Dennis

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Afew more pics of the truck before i put the cab on for the last time.. And the rollpan i modified to work for the cadillac taillights. And a video of the truck as well..

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0476.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0474.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0479.jpg

Before the bodywork:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0493.jpg

After:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...y/IMGP0496.jpg

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Hi everyone,
i know its been about 6 months since the last time i replied on the project.Alot has happened since then, i got the truck in paint.I had a guy do some work n took me to the cleaners and ripped me off.I got the truck back and painted it myself,came out better then i thought.I got the motor in and the tranny, got the body all buffed out.Got the bed pre assembled, got all my parts powdercoated,and got the engine to the way i want it.I also got my fuel cell done and ready to bolt in between the frame rails in the back.I also got my coys wheels on and looking sweet.I am now going to cool it for this upcomming year as far as spending as i spent way to much as i wanted.But i`m hoping by the end of 2010 to have it just about done as far as mechanical and electrical.Here are some pics and the video i made before i got the cab all done..

thanks
pat

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...guy/paint8.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...guy/paint7.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...tguy/prep2.jpgG]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...tguy/prep1.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...uy/PAINT17.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...uy/paint18.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...nerfenders.jpg

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

And the video: sorry bout the language but you`ll understand the kind of temper i was in during all of this going on..

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

80stepsideguy,

How did you get all the factory "rubbery-goop" off the firewall? I try to scrape that stuff off and all I do is push it around.

Thanks Mike

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

I used the 3M dotco Scotch brite discs.I went thru alot of them but it worked very well. Use the heavy abrasive ones you can get .I think there green in color. Whatever you use afterwards like lacquer thinner can wipe off some from the surface.I will say this though it took awhile so be patient..

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Beautiful! nice job on the paint Pat... getting closer man!!

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Dennis,
its getting there yes, i just got the fuel cell all set and ready to go in.I just gotta get some hardware, and some round tubing so i can level it out between the framerails in the rear.Question i hate to ask you since i know you did a complete step process with your truck but where did you get your rear disc brake setup from?? I am gonna go that route with the rears so i need to know where you got it from..

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

nice work i really like that color

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Thanks 77shortstep

I went overboard with the spending this year on it. I am gonna chill out and do very minimal spending next year as i need to replenish my funds. I am trying to get the heavy spending parts out of the way but realize i still got a little bit of that to go. But it looks pretty good right now i still need to finish up and install the rear window and rear disc conversion before getting the bed back on...

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

very Nice!!
I love that color :metal:

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Thanks for the compliments, :metal:
im gonna push as hard as i can this year to get this close to being done.. I got alot to do but of course money is tight as i put alot into it last year.So i`ll keep everyone posted on its progress...

thanks
pat

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

You have got to post some new pics of your truck...

The color looked beautiful when it was in pieces.

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Wow---That is some great work! I LOVE that color!

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Great looking project! I really like that blue paint! What color code is that? I'll be watching this one for sure! I need to make a cab dolly like yours for the cab that I bought for my truck. Do you happen to have the dimensions, or a diagram or something of yours? It would be nice to be able to move my cab around the garage since it's sitting directly on the floor and I can't move it right now. ...Joe

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Sorry guys i been very busy as of late.
I`ll post some updated pics and the paint code is 39N .I`ll get the dolly dimensions as well for you joe.Right now i`m having a 12 bolt built for the truck.I got the housing powdercoated and now i bought a EATON setup and a set of 3.73 gears.Once its done i already bought my rotors and calipers for them and i`ll install them soon once the rearend comes back.I also doing a belle tech 2 inch c notch and flip kit and a belle tech 4 inch lowering kit for the leaf springs.SO it should look wicked once done.Been doing alot to it as of late but here are some updated pics of it:

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...rtguy/bed4.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...rtguy/bed3.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...enginebay3.jpg

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...enginebay1.jpg

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

WOW! looking fantastic Pat! nice progress buddy:metal:

Re: My 1980 restomod project
 

Looks really really good man. Love that color.