jveik

this summer im restoring my rusted out 73 cheyenne. i have all new metal for the front except i might keep the old hood. the box sides will be replaced too. however i have a few questions

1) cab corners - how should i install them? they are zinc coated and i dont want to risk having them rust out like the originals. however, do i have to grind the coating of zinc off where i put the tack welds? can i just fiberglass it in there and avoid breaking the zinc seal?

2) rewiring - i have really old wiring in this truck in fact i think its probably original for the most part. is it worth rewiring the truck? the wiring is kinda crappy like someone tried it before maybe and for instance there is no accessory power you have to put the ignition in run to listen to the radio and the fan stays on automatically unless i let the high blower fuse blow out then i put the fan speed on high and it shuts off lol. (yeah im a redneck)

3) glass - should i bother taking the rear window out? im completely repainting the inside and the outside and i know i need to take the windshield out because its cracked through the antenna but i dunno about the rear one...

4) rust proofing - should i pay 300 for ziebart or should i take a few cans of propane thrusted tar to the underside and call it good.

5) engine - it smokes when revving down, maybe bad rings in addition to valve seals, should i just get a valve job or should i get a 1000 dollar goodwrench engine?

many more things i need to know but post would be too long lol... thanks

J-Ri

1. I would weld the corners in. Fiberglass may work, but it may not.
2. I would rewire the truck. If you have it all apart, it'll be a lot easier than doing it down the road.
3. I would take the window out, you'll have to mask it off anyway, and if you take it out, you can paint under/replace the seal.
4. I'd go with ziebart, they rustproof the inside too, which woud be hard to do yourself.
5. I would replace the engine, if one part's worn, chances are another is worn too.

I guess I could have just said "go all out" and left it at that, but I've typed too much to hit backspace. Good luck with the restoration.

__________________
'04 Cavalier coupe M/T 2.2 Ecotec
Supercharged 14 PSI boost, charge air cooler, 42# injectors
Tuned with HP Tuners

'86 3/4 ton Silverado
350 V8, 4x4, 4" lift, 1 ton axles swapped, converted to 4 wheel disc
35" BFG Mud Terrain T/As
Shortened to 109.5" wheelbase for those tight trails

http://www.boycottpepsico.com/default.aspx

You see "Fresh oil, loose gravel"; I see "Free undercoating"