1985 K30 Crew Cab Short Bed Build

[wyattearp]

I thought I would keep everyone in the loop on my new build. My Suburban project had to be put on permanent hold due to circumstance out of my control. I was able to pick up a 1985 K30 Crew Cab. I am down to cleaning the frame and it is headed to the paint shop in about 2 weeks. I will post pictures later.

 

[tRustyK5]

<cough> cocktease </cough>

 

[76zimmer]

<cough> cocktease </cough>

Sending the frame out for paint? Have you give thought to trying it yourself?

 

[wyattearp]

I did. I live in the mountains of West Central Idaho. The heater I have is simply not enough to get and keep my shop at a constant 70 degrees fro 4 or 5 days. To rent a bigger heater and the gas is more than what it would cvost me to have my local body shop stick it in the paint booth and paint it.

 

[wyattearp]

A few pics from a couple of weekends ago cutting and welding the frame.

 

[CUCV2]

Done yet ?

 

[Deuling]

i concur

 

[bbru]

Are you reinforcing the frame any? Just curious on how its done

 

[wyattearp]

I am going to reinforce the frame. I have seen a diamond shaped plate over the weld and then using part of the frame that got cut out, use those to reinforce the upper and lower parts of the weld.

I have the outside of the frame cleaned of paint and rust. I have just the inside of the frame to finish and then off to the paint booth. I am hoping to start installing the suspension by the end of February.

 

[wyattearp]

After a rough month at work, finally got back to the project. Going to the painters on Saturday. Then its time to clean out the shop and start work on the axles!

 

[blazerbud64]

love to see the pics, I had a 1990 crew cab that was a custom shortbed, wish I never sold it.

 

[Chevy305]

love the crew cab short beds, subscribed

 

[wyattearp]

Paint Pictures

After a really long month of snow, rain, flooding in McCall and a loss of my Street Superintendent, the frame was finally painted. 2 coats of primer and 3 coats of Eastwood's Ceramic Black Chassis.

Now onto the suspension

 

[stockk5]

sooo clean!!

 

[AaronJen]

That's looking awesome. Finished product will be bad@$$!

 

[folkenheath]

Very nice, keep up the good work.

 

[wyattearp]

Just a quick note to say that work is still progressing on the truck build however slowly. Work has been extremely busy over the past two months. At a decision point. What engine to put in it. Conventional wisdom is a Cummins 12v. Then because of the extra weight do I upgrade my front spring bushings with an ORD FUSH kit. And the list grows. I do have the shackle flip kit installed.