OUR 3-GENERATION 1981 CHEVY K-10
SQUARE BODY PICKUP TRUCK
Today Jan 5th, 2025 marks the final day of planning and restoration of what began in April 2019. The truck has been roadworthy and touring before this final touch is added. It has been a 3- generation project with Grandpa Dave, Dad, Jeff and grandson John, all putting hours of work to bring it to the finished desired look!
What a change from when it was first purchased in 2019. Our grandson John at 7 years old was eager to share the dream of it becoming a roadworthy piece of equipment from its condition at time of purchase. Grandpa and son shared the purchase price and costs along the way. Grandson John supported the dream and excitement. It was stored in Dave’s shop and became a big project in the winter of 2020, 2021 and 2022. I first heard about LMC parts from others who were restoring trucks and from information online.
The following parts all came from LMC… Box sides, cab and box molding, all exterior rubber accessories and tailgate bumpers. Sliding rear window, door and window seals, dash pad, headliner, one-piece MIP floor mat, dash bezel and instrument lens finished our parts order. The ordering process was smooth and the knowledgeable customer service staff readily answered any questions I had.
Along with all the replacement pieces I ordered from LMC, I did my own version of the “Junkyard Crawl” show. Watson’s Farm Equipment and Parts in Inverhaugh became my other go-to place to find valuable missing pieces. Some of those crawls were even through some snowy sunny days as needed parts became obvious during the restoration.
Tires from OK Tire in Elmira, a spray in box liner and mud flaps from C&S Auto Accessories in Drayton helped put on some of the finishing touches. The amazing paint colors were selected by our son Jeff. Thanks to Martin’s customizing for body work and an outstanding paint job! We brought it to the John Deere dealer in Elmira and had the paint ceramic coated.
The final safety check was done at Linwood garage and the truck caught the eye of their photographer and was shown on their Facebook site.
The truck has already created some great memories. Both my wife and I and our son and his wife take it for joy rides and cruise nights. Even the grandkids like to jump in and ride in grandpa’s truck.
This past Sept. 2024 on a motorcycle trip to Montana, I found the last missing piece I was looking for. In Twin Bridges Montana, there was a wrecker who had an original steering column to finish bringing it back to an even more original piece. So tomorrow, Jan 6, 2025, will be the day my grandson and I complete the installation of this steering column to give us the satisfaction of a more complete restoration… From the dirtiest work to John finishing the fine detail of outlining the dash bezel chrome rings.
The highlight of this being a 3-generation project by myself, my son and grandson is that it has created a point of interest for the rest of the family and grandchildren. The truck was a background feature in our latest family pictures. It has created many memories already. I know those memories will live on as my children and grandchildren enjoy it in the years to come.