1978 chevy stepside build

[smalltowncowboy]

i thought i had started a build thread here but i guess not lol. this truck was pulled into the shop over a year ago and started to get torn apart. since then it has basicly sat with sporatic times of being worked on.

the specs when i got it:
1978 stepside shortbox
3-4" lift
454/th400/np205
44/12 (posi)
35x14.50 swampers

the build plan has changed several times since it was brought in but this is where its going now.
454/th400/np205
44, 4.10, trac loc/14FF 4.10 detroit, disc brakes
35x12.50 BFG muds with inner airlocks double beadlocks
4-6" lift 52" up front and shackle flip rear
full rollcage
5 point harnesses, bucket seats
blazer fuel tank in bed
ORD high clearance cross member
WFO crossover steering
99 chevy van brake mc
summit brand mojave heater

well onto the pics

floor rust

seats mounted first go round

sheetmetal removal

axle swap

14FF disc brakes

for some reason i had to jack up the front of the cab to get to the bell housing bolts

got the engine out finally

and the genius previous owner decided to weld everything and he could not weld lol. he also welded the bottom of the motor mounts (crappily).

and the master piece behind the steering box

and i have started drilling rivets

i am going to grind the welds off the frame for the steering box and see what i have to work with and go from there. finish the 52" swap, rebuild the front axle, reseal the 454, and start putting her back together.

it feels so close yet so far from being done.

 

[smalltowncowboy]

also when i drop the 454 back in i have a dual filtration relocation kit from AMSOIL to help out the engine.

 

[offroadblazer764x4]

i love the stepsides it looks like you have some work ahead of you im gonna watch this one good luck

_________________________
76 k5

 

[scrappyk5]

Looks great. I kinda have the same thing with my 1978 stepside, definatly a show on some things the p/o did to it.

On a side note, electric fuel pumps are better pushers than pullers. You might want to move it closer to the tank.

 

[smalltowncowboy]

yah I didn't put it there. the fuel pump went out at the dealership and they put that there.
when I put the tank in the bed, the fuel pump is getting moved by the tank. also the air tank for york compressor will be there. im going to build a cover for it all.

 

[smalltowncowboy]

well im at a decision point right now. I ground off some of the weld on the frame at the steering box and from their welds they would have been better off using JB weld. minimal to no penetration on the whole thing. the frame under it has tons of cracks looking like a spider web almost.do I try to repair it or do I just swap everything to a good frame I have sitting there? its just gonna be fun swapping the cab but I could build the frame up from the ground.only real issue is its already been torn apart for ayear in my buddies shop. if it was in my shop id of torn it all the way down already lol.

 

[Chevy305]

i have to subscribe to a stepside build

 

[smalltowncowboy]

well she is going full frame off rebuild now. im going to build up the other frame I have and then swap the bodys.

 

[Chevy305]

was your truck a stick back in the day? I see the rod boot for the clutch pedal, the small brake pedal, and a nice patch panel over floor pan.

 

[smalltowncowboy]

yah it was originally a 4 speed with a 305 engine, when I picked it up it had the 454 and th400. the other frame im using is also setup with a 465/205.I've been debating engine/tranny combos. I can go with a 454/th400 or454/465 or 350/465 or 350/th400.with fuel prices I've been debating throwing the 350 in therebut then again its not my daily driver.

 

[Chevy305]

454/465

 

[tomford]

454/465

i love the old round head light stepsides. hell i love stepsides in general

Tom