1974 Chevy Stepside

I picked this truck up back in 2005 with the intention of just building me a tow/hauling truck for shop projects, but once I started looking through some on-line information, it became more of a challenge build. What could I do to make this truck perform, haul, and simply out shine those others...

Once I was able to roll the truck in the garage I began by seperating the doghouse from the cab and frame. For being a southern truck, it looks like it may have been abused. The truck has an original 64,200 on the clock and the owner documented all the work over its 22 year history on the road up to 1996!

Atleast the cab firewall is in good shape, we'll need the extra time to focus on that suspension!

Well, I stripped the cab and found that the floor is in suprisingly great shape! However around the windshield could be alot better. These are a common rust area on these year truks because of the windshield and weatherstripping. I removed the windshield, however I decided to set it back in whilc I was sandblasting the frame.

Now its starting to come together, 900lbs of sandblasting to get her looking pretty, It also showed me a few things that will need attention once we lift the cab to change the bushings and paint/undercoat the cab. The cab corners will need to be replaced and the inner rockers. The cab mounts and floor braces were still in great shape, so I'm going to leave those alone.

Well, After a few nice says I was able to start the notch in the rear frame. I'm, not placing an air ride system under this truck, atleast not anytime soon, but we will be lowering the truck using McGauheys lowering / suspension kit and some HD air shocks as we will be using this to tow the other toys to some shows and in case a friend is in need.

Here is a picture of the notch in, shocks on and the front firewall and frame painted. Black of course

Now lets play with the suspension. I will be installing a set of aftermarket upper and lower arms, which I will be powdercoating a silver color, New springs, 2" drop spindles, shocks, slotted rotors, new callipers and brakes, and of course the hoses.

Out with the OLD!

In with the NEW!

Heres a teaser pic of the new rims and wheels, I had to see how they looked under the fenders! It will be a Boyd Coddington Smoothie 2 series 18/20 combo with Falken rubber made for street and towing performance!

Heres my power plant, Its a 78 4bolt 350 that I am going to stroke out to a 383 and I'm going to hook it up to a 350 auto tranny. I will be putting some performance Edelbrock set up on the truck as well.

Heres the finished product and the motor is now in the truck looking very good with a bunch of billet goodies top show it off at the shows. The long headers really compliment the truck!