I've been wanting to build a mini truck for a while. Picked up a 78 courier right after I moved back from Okinawa. It was lowered, 3" blocks in the rear and cut springs in the front. The interior was 'restored' about a year before I got it. That's about all that was done. After 3 weeks of driving it, the engine started knocking. After waiting to find the right engine to swap, I finally said screw it and got one of my 350s out of storage to rebuild and drop in. It's still got a ways to go, but here it is so far. When I picked it up.I started doing a little body work.Picked up one of my engines. Stripped it and took it to the machine shopBored .060 over due to two cylinders getting water in them and rusted. 10-10 grind on the crank.New pistons and reconditioned rods.Bought a WC T5 and a 350-T5 bell housing for a hydraulic clutch. That's where I'm at right now. Heads are going to the machine shop monday and I'm going to pull the engine out and start getting ready to fit the 350.
Not much left on the cab. Still a few things in the dash, the headlights and the wiring for the interior lights.A little rust on both sides. Nothing that goes through.
Looks good man. Can't weight to see it finished. You should go over and make a build thread on MightyRam50.net They have allot of real talented guys on there that would love to see this build. Some of them guys take the words mini-truck to a new level.Keep up the work.
Recent work done.Engine paintedHeads installed. Intake temp installed to lift off the stand and start mocking it up on the frame.