Project Truck - Door lock mechanism and the dash.

The first thing I knew I had to tackle was some driver side door issues I found. The second was to get that damned dash cover off. They are ugly and useless.

Aside from the truck, I have a few other ideas for projects that are brewing around in my head. Once I start them I will be posting about them as well. Some are original ideas that Heather and I have dreamed up, some are fanciful ideas, and some are just plain a good idea that came from someone else and I want to give a try and put my own spin on 'em.

I quickly found out that the driver side door lock mechanism was sticking and at times wasn't working too well. Put the key in, it doesn't turn. Kind of a problem, and easy to fix.

Its was just a matter of taking the door panel off and spraying some lubricant onto the linkage, as well as into the key hole itself. One thing I find aggravating about old trucks and cars, the lock stem (pictured here), they always seem to be broken. Just saying.

The door panel is just a matter of a few screws, taking the power lock and power window switches out and popping the fasteners under the weather strip, easy to come off.

I've also noticed that the power lock on the driver side is sometimes failing to lock the car when pressed. Once I took the door panel off and popped the switch out I was able to see that the copper connecters aren't fully engaging the switch. I think there may be a piece missing? Either way all the switches and wiring will eventually be replaced, so I'm not too concerned at the monent.

Look at this dash. I can see now why the Original Owner had a dash cover. The foam is rotten, it literally fell apart when I touched one of the vents. I can't wait to replace this. Fortunately now the replacement dash pads are far better crafted and last longer.

Another reason I hate dash covers. Dirt.

Split right down the middle.

Two cheap and easy fixes. Not really the meat of the project just yet. But I had to start somewhere, it is my daily driver afterall.

1987 Chevrolet Silverado R20 - Project Truck

This is our truck that we will be restoring over the next few years. It will be the first vehicle that I will put this much work into "My first restoration", so to speak. There are a lot of things that need to be replaced or upgraded. But in the meantime it will function very well as a daily driver. The cool thing about this truck is that the previous owner was the son of the original owner. So for us to buy it and pass it on to our son, is keeping with the cycle. Which is kinda cool.

Here is a more detailed look at the truck, just as we bought it.

The Front end with a broken bug shield. I pulled it off just after this picture was taken. It annoyed me.

These mirrors have got to go. The truck once had a camper attached to the bed, so that explains them.

Nice toolbox. Not sure if it will stay or not.

The Bowtie. Its a good looking front end.

Out dated running boards. These will be upgraded to Nerf bars.

The bed has no rust at all.

Door panels will get an upgrade.

The interior is trashed. Its the first thing that will get an upgrade.

I've never seen this symbol on the trim. I thought it was usually another bowtie. It will be hard to find, I think.

So trashed.

Its a powerful beast. A 7.4L 454ci engine. I'm not too worried about the gas. Not making monthly payments will make up for it. I hope.

I've got a lot planned for this truck. Its going to be a fun build.

My first blog

I've never been much of a blogger. But I figured this would be an easy way to share some of the projects and ideas I have with my family and friends. Also, so that I might document them for my son to see when he's older. One huge project is a 1987 Chevrolet Silverado R20 my future wife and I just bought to restore and eventually hand over to our son, when he's of age.