Here we go

I have officially began gutting the truck. Here is some photos. It’s going to be a challenge for sure.

I did the same although mine wasn't quite as bad. Nearing the end of the road, finally.

Good luck brother!

I am on the other side of the road....trying to get things back together.
Amazing what you find under a seat and floor mats.....

Doing just the cab interior? Or gutting the whole truck?

Full do over.....swapped cabs....changed motor.....sound deadening in cab.
Was a rust bucket. Lots of replacement GM sheet metal

I'm doing the floor pans in my 78 Scottsdale 4x4 as we speak. I have to be honest, the hardest part about tearing down a truck to rebuild is all the CLEANING!! Grease and dirt build up on axles and frame for 44 years is just a bear to get rid of. My cordless drill and a wire wheel have become my most used tools. BUT, the re assembly with new clean modern parts makes me feel great. Heim joints have me designing all sorts of cool things now days. And of course the welding and fab continues....

I was intimidated by redoing the interior, just didn’t have any experience. As it turns out, it was much easier than I thought and parts availability are plentiful. Kind of expensive but soooo worth it. The little lady doesn’t complain about the ‘stanky old people’ smell and will ride with me anytime. I redid the dash cover (big mistake, save up and go with an actual replacement), carpet, sound deadening, headliner, seat cover, usb port, new plastic trim, integrated aux fuel tank, and fancy sound system. I also did the heater core while everything was apart so as not to risk a future coolant leak on the new carpet. It’s been an awesome upgrade. I had all my seat and seat belt bolts break off and so I had to drill and retap all the holes, that was the hardest part.

I was intimidated by redoing the interior, just didn’t have any experience. As it turns out, it was much easier than I thought and parts availability are plentiful. Kind of expensive but soooo worth it. The little lady doesn’t complain about the ‘stanky old people’ smell and will ride with me anytime. I redid the dash cover (big mistake, save up and go with an actual replacement), carpet, sound deadening, headliner, seat cover, usb port, new plastic trim, integrated aux fuel tank, and fancy sound system. I also did the heater core while everything was apart so as not to risk a future coolant leak on the new carpet. It’s been an awesome upgrade. I had all my seat and seat belt bolts break off and so I had to drill and retap all the holes, that was the hardest part. Reach out if you have any questions. Be patient and recognize that the finished product will be well worth the effort.

WP29P4A said:

Doing just the cab interior? Or gutting the whole truck?

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Right now it's just the cab. I have big plans for this young lady, but for now I have to bite off only what I can afford band aids for at the moment.

Ken B said:

Full do over.....swapped cabs....changed motor.....sound deadening in cab.
Was a rust bucket. Lots of replacement GM sheet metal

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I would be interested in knowing more about your journey. It seems I am off to a similar path.

Over here in Pa. that would be a good cab n a easy fix.

BMac Attack said:

I was intimidated by redoing the interior, just didn’t have any experience. As it turns out, it was much easier than I thought and parts availability are plentiful. Kind of expensive but soooo worth it. The little lady doesn’t complain about the ‘stanky old people’ smell and will ride with me anytime. I redid the dash cover (big mistake, save up and go with an actual replacement), carpet, sound deadening, headliner, seat cover, usb port, new plastic trim, integrated aux fuel tank, and fancy sound system. I also did the heater core while everything was apart so as not to risk a future coolant leak on the new carpet. It’s been an awesome upgrade. I had all my seat and seat belt bolts break off and so I had to drill and retap all the holes, that was the hardest part.

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I am very interested in what you did exactly. I don't now to much about redoing anything. I am just jumping in head first and knowing I do solid work. But as for cleaning it out and if you purchased that blue paint. Where did you get it or do you remember the paint code.

rusted nuts said:

Over here in Pa. that would be a good cab n a easy fix.

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Sometimes our cabs get so bad the cat craw in to sleep on the seat, Or We avoid Mud holes so the tires don't throw mud on our foreheads.

SpeedyDV said:

I am very interested in what you did exactly. I don't now to much about redoing anything. I am just jumping in head first and knowing I do solid work. But as for cleaning it out and if you purchased that blue paint. Where did you get it or do you remember the paint code.

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Honestly, pulling the interior out and replacing everything is not nearly as complicated as it may seem.
Save for if you encounter rusted stuck seat and seatbelt bolts.
Cost? Yeah…that’s why 90% of anything over 10-20 years old the interior looks like hot garbage. (On another note I have no idea why more people don’t fix the damn drivers seats on vehicles that otherwise look decent inside. Kinda pet peeve of mine but makes for a great negotiation point when you know a few hundo and 3 beers will fix it back to new.)

To doo it right, you’re into 4 figures of cost.
Assuming the dash/cluster is reusable and decent….
Good quality dash pad $400+
Dash trim etc $200
Flooring $200
Seat $300-600
Window and door seals couple hundred.

That’s kind of the minimum/typical stuff. One selling point of the 86 was I could reasonably reuse the cluster, bezel, door panels and seatbelts. That’s hundreds more.
But imo it adds more value that some other bullchit accessorizes or wheels …

SpeedyDV said:

I am very interested in what you did exactly. I don't now to much about redoing anything. I am just jumping in head first and knowing I do solid work. But as for cleaning it out and if you purchased that blue paint. Where did you get it or do you remember the paint code.

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It’s sort of like cleaning out the garage. Get everything completely out so you have a clean slate to work with. Instead of all your junk in the driveway, fill up the truck bed with the interior parts. Then clean it up really good with a vacuum and broom, it will gross you out what’s been under the seat - stay calm. Load the new parts back up. My seat foam was in good shape so I installed a saddle blanket cover but with the seat removed, I was able to secure it really well. I ordered the complete plastic trim set. I also had the paint made but i ended up not using the paint because I liked the black color on the trim. New carpet went in easy, you have to trim a little for it to fit. I glued a crappy but overly expensive ($200 with shipping ) dash cover which looks good from a few feet away but the fit and finish is crummy. I wish I would have ponied up ($400-$500) for a complete dash pad replacement. It takes a while to get everything situated but in the end the results will make you want to spend time in the truck. I’m a huge fan of exterior patina and so that will never get redone but having a brand new interior is very cool.