Being a New England truck, Pat expected some rust in his 1980 Stepside, but it ended up being worse than he thought.

“Rust never sleeps,” Pat said. 

When Pat moved to Florida and build a garage, he started work on the ‘80 stepside. As he got deeper into the guts of the trucks, so did the rust. Pat ended up building it from a bare frame and cab. He found a replacement cab, and lots of other body parts. 

“The dash was also all chopped up. I had to replace the dash,” Pat said. “Basically, from the ground up we just went right through this truck and built it.”

In 2000, Pat’s Dad lost his job and they needed to sell a vehicle. They decided to sell a 1940 Chevy because it would sell the quickest.

“It broke her heart because it was in my family for a long time,” he said. “I said, ‘Look Ma, I’ll tell you what, let me build the truck (80 Stepside) in inspiration for the 40.’”

Pat did all the work himself and noted that at times it was challenging. He said if he’d had an extra pair of hands he could have completed the build in half the time.

“With Stepsides, it’s a totally different ball game,” Pat said. “It was just so many parts and so tedious to put this thing back together.”

Pat worked on a truck in his 20s but said he didn’t have the resources back then that he does now. For others starting a build he has some advice. 

“Don’t give up on it, is the biggest thing,” he said. “Just keep pushing forward little by little.”

Pat said the truck turns heads, and once a stranger approached his stepdad as he was getting out of the truck and was surprised Pat did most of the work himself. 

“It’s gratifying when you have people appreciate the hard work and determination you put into a vehicle,” he said.

8 Responses

  1. I can somewhat relate to this story. In 1988 I bought a 1969 Chevy C-10. I have basically restored the whole truck from top to bottom except for some body work and a paint job. I might not have needed to do the body and paint if my truck hadn`t been hit 3 times while parked each time. Just about everything is new or replaced on my truck but I just can`t come up with the $4,000 or so that is needed for the paint and body. I will be 75 years young soon and I`m hoping I can accomplish this work before my days are over. Any Ideas? Thank you.

    1. I’d start with something like a junk door or fender. And its all about trial and error. But if you are into it you can PATINA that truck as thats the going thing now. Look up KEVIN TETZ on you tube he can show you how to do that patina look.

    2. Sorry it has been awhile since I last seen it. How much work is needed to make it to your liking? I would ask around like body shops, guys that have been there a long time and ask them if they be willing to lend you a hand on your truck. Bodywork is tedious but rewarding once completed. Don’t give up.

  2. The 80’ stepside is beautiful. You see the love, inspiration, details that was put into the workmanship. “Don’t give up on it” no truer words couldn’t be said. Thanks for sharing your dream.

    1. Again the 80 was not going to sell for alot due to the amount of rust it had. The 40 was going to sell because it was all there except for the wood in the bed. It was sad to see it go but the new owner restored it back to original.

  3. Great story mine 1981 is c10 is the same story. time and money is always an issue. …. Rust never Sleeps. Jersey tony

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