Cart
Checkout Secure

Call us to order a book!

1-800-551-4754

Monday-Friday 8-4:30 CST

  • Image of How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987
  • Image of How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987

How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987

Your Price:
$32.95
Availability: In Stock
Product Code: SA331
Quantity
 
Checkout Secure

How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987

Your Price:
$32.95
Currently out of stock

Whether your 1973-1987 Chevy truck is a regular, super, or crew cab with a short or long box, this restoration guide provides the pertinent information and instruction to restore your squarebody truck to original condition.

Seasoned truck magazine writer Kevin Whipps explains real-world techniques for restoring classic Chevrolet and GMC trucks at home. In How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987, you are shown how to comprehensively inspect, properly assess, and accurately budget your restoration project. You are also guided through each major portion of truck restoration, including the engine, suspension, chassis, bodywork, paint, brakes, steering, transmission, driveline, electrical system, interior, and more. Special coverage is dedicated to the replacement of body panels and repair of the box, cab, and other body parts. When pro-caliber bodywork has been performed, you have an excellent foundation for the paint, and in turn, you’re shown how to prep, shoot, and buff the paint job. As an on- and off-road utility vehicle, Chevy/GMC trucks have been towing, hauling, and operating in a variety of conditions. After all of these years of hard use and exposure to harsh conditions, many of these extensively used trucks are in desperate need of restoration.

When Chevy released its third-generation C/K pickup trucks, the stout and sturdy performers captured the attention of Chevy and GMC truck enthusiasts. As a result, millions were sold during their 18-year production run. The new cab design featured rounded windshield corners, a rounded cab roof, and sloped and rounded doors, so they were called the “rounded-line” trucks by General Motors. Enthusiasts, however, didn’t agree. Because of the overall squarer appearance of the trucks, they were soon called the “squarebody” by enthusiasts and journalists alike. Although the older Chevy/GMC pickups are more exclusive, the third-generation pickups are plentiful, increasing in collector value, and, fortunately, they have parts that are readily available.

Chevy/GMC trucks are extremely popular as stock restorations, fast street trucks, and off-road-duty trucks. But before you can build a specialty truck, you need to have a solid, reliable, restored truck. This book provides the invaluable information and step-by-step instruction to return these trucks to their original glory. An authoritative and comprehensive restoration guide for the 1973-1987 Chevy/GMC trucks has not been available until now.

Your links and content here....

Whether your 1973-1987 Chevy truck is a regular, super, or crew cab with a short or long box, this restoration guide provides the pertinent information and instruction to restore your squarebody truck to original condition.

Seasoned truck magazine writer Kevin Whipps explains real-world techniques for restoring classic Chevrolet and GMC trucks at home. In How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987, you are shown how to comprehensively inspect, properly assess, and accurately budget your restoration project. You are also guided through each major portion of truck restoration, including the engine, suspension, chassis, bodywork, paint, brakes, steering, transmission, driveline, electrical system, interior, and more. Special coverage is dedicated to the replacement of body panels and repair of the box, cab, and other body parts. When pro-caliber bodywork has been performed, you have an excellent foundation for the paint, and in turn, you’re shown how to prep, shoot, and buff the paint job. As an on- and off-road utility vehicle, Chevy/GMC trucks have been towing, hauling, and operating in a variety of conditions. After all of these years of hard use and exposure to harsh conditions, many of these extensively used trucks are in desperate need of restoration.

When Chevy released its third-generation C/K pickup trucks, the stout and sturdy performers captured the attention of Chevy and GMC truck enthusiasts. As a result, millions were sold during their 18-year production run. The new cab design featured rounded windshield corners, a rounded cab roof, and sloped and rounded doors, so they were called the “rounded-line” trucks by General Motors. Enthusiasts, however, didn’t agree. Because of the overall squarer appearance of the trucks, they were soon called the “squarebody” by enthusiasts and journalists alike. Although the older Chevy/GMC pickups are more exclusive, the third-generation pickups are plentiful, increasing in collector value, and, fortunately, they have parts that are readily available.

Chevy/GMC trucks are extremely popular as stock restorations, fast street trucks, and off-road-duty trucks. But before you can build a specialty truck, you need to have a solid, reliable, restored truck. This book provides the invaluable information and step-by-step instruction to return these trucks to their original glory. An authoritative and comprehensive restoration guide for the 1973-1987 Chevy/GMC trucks has not been available until now.

Pages : 176
Size : 8.5 X 11 (inches)
Format : Paperback / softback
Illustrations : 505 color photos
Publisher : CarTech
ISBN : 9781613251997
Product Code : SA331

Acknowledgments

Introduction 

 

Chapter 1: Finding a Project Squarebody

Overview of the 1973–1987 Chevrolet Pickup

Year-by-Year Changes

Trim Levels

Special Editions

VIN Decoding

The Right Truck for You

Ownership Documents

Customized Versus Stock Trucks

Rust Versus No Rust

Engine and Transmission

Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes

Beater Options

Determining Your Skill Level

 

Chapter 2: Getting Started 

Organizing Your Process

Choosing the Level of Restoration

Setting a Budget

Preparing Your Workspace

NOS Versus Reproduction Versus Aftermarket Parts

Purchasing a Parts Vehicle

Organizing and Cataloging Your Parts

Tools and Equipment

Welding and Metalwork

Consumable Materials and Supplies

Making Your Own Tools

 

Chapter 3: Bodywork 

Installing New Cab Mounts

Body Trim

Stripping the Finish

Inspecting for Rust

Panel Replacement Procedures

Repairing Bed Rust Damage

Repairing Cab Rust Damage

Repairing Dents and Dings

Applying Body Filler

Gapping the Panels

Fixing Factory Issues

Prep for Paint

 

Chapter 4: Paint 

DIY Versus Paying a Professional

Equipment

Paint Types

Paint Colors

Priming

Sealing

Painting Basics

 

Chapter 5: Engine 

Analysis of Work Required

Engine Removal

Engine Installation

Rebuilding Basics

 

Chapter 6: Transmission 

Transmission Types

Tools and Equipment

Removing the Transmission

Disassembling the Transmission

Rebuilding Basics

 

Chapter 7: Drivetrain 

Axle Identification

Gearing

Rebuilding an Axle

 

Chapter 8: Brakes

Remove or Replace

Brake Lines

Front Disc Brakes

Wheel Bearings

Rear Drum Brakes

Bleeding the Brakes

 

Chapter 9: Suspension 

DIY Versus Paying a Professional

Removal and Installation

Rebuilding Basics

 

Chapter 10: Electrics 

Tools and Equipment

Full-Chassis Harness

 

Chapter 11: Interior 

DIY Versus Paying a Professional

Trim Removal

Interior Disassembly

Interior Reassembly and Refurbishment

 

Chapter 12: Miscellaneous Mechanicals 

Fuel System

Badge and Emblems

Long-Bed to Short-Bed Conversion

 

Source Guide 

How to Restore Your Chevy Truck: 1973-1987

$32.95

Added to cart!
Note our Christmas Delivery Deadlines! You must choose UPS Ground to help ensure your order arrives before Christmas. Our warehouse is closed Good Friday, March 29. Any orders placed after 10 am (CST) March 28 will not ship until Monday, April 1. You Have Achieved Free Shipping