ninjakris
Newbie
I've gained a ton of knowledge on this forum, so I figured I'd start a build thread.
I picked up this RUST FREE 1997 SCSB around April of 2017. I've always had a soft spot for the single cab trucks and wanted to get my feet wet with on a semi-restoration project that wouldn't break the bank. I paid $3500 for the truck. It has right at 152K miles on it. From 1999-2017, it belonged to the same owner. That makes me the 3rd owner. Clean title. No accident history. The biggest reason for picking this truck, it was 100% original. No modifications at all other than a stupid set of wheels. From intake to exhaust, nothing has been messed with. The blue is a one-year only color, which I found out later on. Its the Silverado package and has power windows/locks. Powertrain is a 5.7 with an auto transmission. I have been looking off and on for a couple years and rarely ever see a 96-98 loaded single cab with the large V8 for sale. I wanted the 96-98 for the upgraded dash. 95 has a 1-year only transmission which scared me, hence 96-98. I'm doing most of the work myself if at all possible. I am fairly mechanically inclined even though I sit at a desk for a day job (active duty Air Force).
The plans for the truck are to create a stock'ish looking truck that has everything refreshed that needs to be. The engine purrs and shifts fine, so for now, I'm leaving the drive train alone.
Suspension: She will get a 2/4 drop with a nice set of 20s eventually. All new UCA/LCA, steering parts, ball joints.. basically new everything. Already picked up a steering rag joint eliminator.
Paint and body: The two tone will go away and the truck will be completely OEM blue. New front/rear bumpers and grill will be blue. I stripped the factor rubber strips along the body as well as the Chevrolet panel on the tailgate. I also ditched the chrome wheel arches, bug protector, and tailgate cap.
Interior: New carpet, headliner/visors, door panels, restore/replace any buttons that show wear, new speakers, sound deaden everything, new door gaskets. All plastic trim has a fresh coat of paint.
This is the day I got her home.
Other than a crack in the dash, the interior was complete and everything worked like it should. There is a thick layer of dirt and grime, but it's 20 years old and to be expected.
I've put some epoxy to stop further damage and put a dash pad on it, but here is the crack mentioned above.
Here is the before and after door panels. New interior door handles since the passenger side was starting to stick a little from being warped. I already had the panels off anyways, so it was easy to knock out. The upper part is a velvet technically, but it feels like suede. Lower is a darker than OEM grey. Its a little more fuzzy than I like and might change it down the road, but its on there for the time being.
The next few is the progression on the interior. I did everything myself other than the door panels and headliner. I learned that putting carpet in can be a pain in the ass. I also learned that the plastic trim piece with the dome light has hidden screws. I broke that thing. Thankfully someone was parting out a similar truck local. The replacement piece was the wrong color, but a little SEM medium Grey got it looking as good as new.
I replaced the door pins and gave the door some love with a jack and 2x4's to put it back in its rightful place in the world. It was a little nerve racking putting that much pressure on the door to bend it back in place, but I took my time and over several attempts, got it where it needed to be.
I couldn't handle the late 90's wide wheels that came on the truck, so I sold them and picked up a set of OEM wheels. Tires are basically shot, but they are good enough for a drive around the block once every few months.
I picked up this RUST FREE 1997 SCSB around April of 2017. I've always had a soft spot for the single cab trucks and wanted to get my feet wet with on a semi-restoration project that wouldn't break the bank. I paid $3500 for the truck. It has right at 152K miles on it. From 1999-2017, it belonged to the same owner. That makes me the 3rd owner. Clean title. No accident history. The biggest reason for picking this truck, it was 100% original. No modifications at all other than a stupid set of wheels. From intake to exhaust, nothing has been messed with. The blue is a one-year only color, which I found out later on. Its the Silverado package and has power windows/locks. Powertrain is a 5.7 with an auto transmission. I have been looking off and on for a couple years and rarely ever see a 96-98 loaded single cab with the large V8 for sale. I wanted the 96-98 for the upgraded dash. 95 has a 1-year only transmission which scared me, hence 96-98. I'm doing most of the work myself if at all possible. I am fairly mechanically inclined even though I sit at a desk for a day job (active duty Air Force).
The plans for the truck are to create a stock'ish looking truck that has everything refreshed that needs to be. The engine purrs and shifts fine, so for now, I'm leaving the drive train alone.
Suspension: She will get a 2/4 drop with a nice set of 20s eventually. All new UCA/LCA, steering parts, ball joints.. basically new everything. Already picked up a steering rag joint eliminator.
Paint and body: The two tone will go away and the truck will be completely OEM blue. New front/rear bumpers and grill will be blue. I stripped the factor rubber strips along the body as well as the Chevrolet panel on the tailgate. I also ditched the chrome wheel arches, bug protector, and tailgate cap.
Interior: New carpet, headliner/visors, door panels, restore/replace any buttons that show wear, new speakers, sound deaden everything, new door gaskets. All plastic trim has a fresh coat of paint.
This is the day I got her home.
You must be registered for see images attach
Other than a crack in the dash, the interior was complete and everything worked like it should. There is a thick layer of dirt and grime, but it's 20 years old and to be expected.
You must be registered for see images attach
I've put some epoxy to stop further damage and put a dash pad on it, but here is the crack mentioned above.
You must be registered for see images attach
Here is the before and after door panels. New interior door handles since the passenger side was starting to stick a little from being warped. I already had the panels off anyways, so it was easy to knock out. The upper part is a velvet technically, but it feels like suede. Lower is a darker than OEM grey. Its a little more fuzzy than I like and might change it down the road, but its on there for the time being.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
The next few is the progression on the interior. I did everything myself other than the door panels and headliner. I learned that putting carpet in can be a pain in the ass. I also learned that the plastic trim piece with the dome light has hidden screws. I broke that thing. Thankfully someone was parting out a similar truck local. The replacement piece was the wrong color, but a little SEM medium Grey got it looking as good as new.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
I replaced the door pins and gave the door some love with a jack and 2x4's to put it back in its rightful place in the world. It was a little nerve racking putting that much pressure on the door to bend it back in place, but I took my time and over several attempts, got it where it needed to be.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
I couldn't handle the late 90's wide wheels that came on the truck, so I sold them and picked up a set of OEM wheels. Tires are basically shot, but they are good enough for a drive around the block once every few months.
You must be registered for see images attach
