af_1132 : 1977 Chevrolet Cheyenne C10 Stepside

[af_1132]

Introducing the infamous family heirloom truck, acquired when we got married: her estranged father's Cheyenne C10 Stepside that sat for 6 years and would not start due to fouled plugs. The goal is to get this thing running and smogged ASAP, then slowly pour restoration money into it in order to use it as the tow vehicle for the soon to be street illegal CB7. That did not end up happening, but she left us in a state of better health than when we got her:



Here she is the day we started seriously working on her.



Engine:
Goodwrench 350 swapped in during the '90s (not sure if this is a run of the mill crate 350 or an older one from the
Crap welded exhaust that looks like crap
NEW OE grade fuel tank and sending unit
NEW Autolite plugs
NEW plug wires
NEW cap and rotor
NEW fuel filter
NEW Alternator
NEW PS/Alt belt
NEW trans and oil pan gaskets

Suspension:
stock and bad

Exterior:
Replaced driver's door
Replaced diver's side mirror

Interior:
Replaced seat belts
Replaced sun visors
Replaced door panels
Replaced door handles
Replaced rear view mirror

I think you get the idea. This thing was neglected before my wife got it, and it will take some serious time and money to make it respectable again. Nevertheless, it was a blast to drive once we got it running.

Stupid crap replacement door when we got it:



Completely dry-rotted Cheyenne wood that we took out:





The bed needed to come off to replace the JB Weld treated gas tank, yeah forget that!



Crap wood removed:



Crap tank removed:



Don't judge, we were waiting for the new tank to come in



New tank and fuel sending unit:



After all these mods were put in, we used a bad battery to try and start her. That, combined with the fact that the carburetor needs to be rebuilt, we fried the starter solenoid and need a new starter. So...until money comes, updates TBD!

[af_1132]

The engine bay after a little cleaning up.

[Accrdwgnguy]

I like this...

Get a 73-74 grill, best looking of this era.

[af_1132]

You mean like this?

[Accrdwgnguy]

Yes.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=455926

It's a bit of work to put one on a 77, but I think it's worth it for the look. I'm passively looking for a 73/74 Suburban, or parts to convert a later front end if I find the right truck.

[AccordWarrior]

Two things.

1. Please, please keep the blue plates...looks so period appropriate.
2. This is screaming for Jon's paint scheme from CHiPs with a color matched rollbar and a set of the GM truck rally wheels. Doo eet!

[Grumpys93]

Redneck ingenuity right there with that there gas tank! Looks like you'll have a lot of fun with this.

[af_1132]

Two things.

1. Please, please keep the blue plates...looks so period appropriate.
2. This is screaming for Jon's paint scheme from CHiPs with a color matched rollbar and a set of the GM truck rally wheels. Doo eet!

Oh, we are definitely keeping the blue plates, no question about that.



I don't know, man. I do like the tires, though.

Redneck ingenuity right there with that there gas tank! Looks like you'll have a lot of fun with this.

That was the redneck special right there! Luckily, the new tank is installed and working properly. Now, onto the starter issue and transmission leak.

[sonikaccord]

Why do I imagine this being primer black in the near future...

[af_1132]

Why do I imagine this being primer black in the near future...

She likes the original grey color, so we will eventually, and I mean eventually, prep for paint and have a professional gloss or metallic grey job done, after replacing the hood, driver's door, and wood for the bed. I, however, am not looking forward to spend more on paint for this than I have total on my CB.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Until then get yourself a gallon of Blitz Black at your local John Deere dealer and squirt it on. I get compliments all the time on my truck, its silly. I just say, it's good for $50 paint lol.

[af_1132]

Until then get yourself a gallon of Blitz Black at your local John Deere dealer and squirt it on. I get compliments all the time on my truck, its silly. I just say, it's good for $50 paint lol.

I went through your MRT for your truck, and I must say that you are correct about the look. That should tide her over for a few years while the money is saved.

Also, I helped a friend finish up an LR3 Swap from a Yukon into his '67 stepside. It runs great and he was able to pull a 15.999 with stock suspension, weight, and tire profile. The only modification he had to make to get that motor in there was to the exhaust manifolds. They had to be traded out for headers.

[af_1132]

Progress:



I have to figure this thing out. That won't pass smog.

[F22Chris]

What the hell is that? A golf tee?

When I got my Bimmer, the PO blocked off the heater control valves with a clamped wine cork.

What's it failing smog wise?

[Accrdwgnguy]

Yikes couldn't deal with California smog. It's silly with so few older cars like this on the road that you have to maintain factory smog from almost 40 years ago.

Anyways, here's a link with factory service manuals in PDF form for all years 1973-1991. 1977 light truck manual is on the list, should be diagrams in there.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545416