1978 chevy 1500 stepside -

smalltowncowboy · July 14th, 2007, 09:57 PM

to start off this is a slow build. i work way to much overtime at work, have national guards to deal with, and only get like one day a week to do everything i didnt get done that week and work on my truck.

what im starting with.

1978 chevy short box stepside
454, th400, 205, 44/12
4 inch lift
35x14.50x15 swampers
dual exhaust with thick flange headers

the body is so/so theres rust in the bottom rear of the front fenders. a dent in the pasenger rear fender. i pulled the carpet out this last weekend (my weekends are tuesday/wednesday) and found rust in both sides of the floor boards

i have a set of 3/4 ton axles to put under it 44/14FF 4.10 gears with a detroit rear and a trac loc front. the only problem is when i got into the front axle i found a busted tooth. so now im trying to decide if i just want to replace the front and run it or jump upto 4.56 or 4.88. also i have a brand new set of 35x12.50 BFG MT.

also i am planning on installing a 456/205 and have been thinking about installing a TBI 350. yah i know the big block has more power (and boy does it ever have power) but the TBI 350 would let me crawl up over hills without punching the throttle.

so far what ive done.

replaced the starter
replaced the carb
pulled the carpet and bench seat
bedlined the cab floors except the rusted spots
installed a new stereo system
installed bucket seats
in the process of installing RCI 5 point harnesses

well heres a couple pics, let me know what you think.

and i cant seem to sell this thing so im gonna turn the bed and frame into a matching lifted stepside trailer.

**MrK5** · July 14th, 2007, 11:44 PM

Nice looking stepside!

I like you stepside trailer idea.

I don't think it would be that hard to adapt TBI to your 454. I know for sure the injectors are different, but beyond that I don't think the differences are enormous. I'm sure some others could chime in with ideas on that.

Badbowty75 · July 15th, 2007, 02:02 AM

That is a sweet truck. I also have thought about the tbi but just started research. Its a pita when a manual tranny truck keeps dyin on steep inclines. So far from the reading i have done i think i might end up goin with the holly projection or somethin of the sort not really sure yet thats a ways off still.

**cbbr** · July 15th, 2007, 06:56 AM

Great looking truck. That combo is what everyone is looking for. The trailer is going to be sweet.

**gotlabs** · July 15th, 2007, 04:48 PM

Sweet truck! Too bad you are not closer I would take that one off of your hands.

**VegasBruce** · July 15th, 2007, 08:38 PM

Nice project. Looks good so far. The matching trailer idea is cool to, someday I'll finish mine Its being used for storage now.

smalltowncowboy · July 15th, 2007, 09:33 PM

yah ill probably change my mind 50 times on my build but thats how i am lol.

tomorrow im suppose to go put a bumper on a truck for a friend at work and in turn hes letting me use his steam pressure washer to spray down my chassis.

then tuesday i have to pull a 465/205 for walla2k5 and meet up with him.

wednesday i need to start pulling the 350 out of the donor truck and start pulling apart the grey stepside for my trailer.

if anyone is interested in a cab with a title or interior parts, i have plenty for sale.

on the blue one im gonna try to get the stock gauge cluster to work cause it has a factory tach

4x4dudester · July 15th, 2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotlabs

Sweet truck! Too bad you are not closer I would take that one off of your hands.

X2

**cbbr** · July 16th, 2007, 03:39 AM

Sounds like you are plenty busy.