Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

No big deal to swap axles later down the road. Do some soul searching and try to figure out exactly how you will be using these vehicles in real life. Not how you imagine or would like to, but how you will really use them in reality. Mostly city driving? 4.10s and nv4500. Cruising? 3.07 and 465.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yep, have 3. They are 28, 29 and 30 years old.

Well, mostly it will be used for my 16 mile drive to work, which is about 2/3 50mph and the rest waiting at lights. Would like it to be good for highway which are mostly 75mph around here once you get out of the Houston area.

BTW, your truck is looking good in primer!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

My 3.07 work well with a 6.0 2x4 but I would imagine the 4.10 would be more "fun" but may take the practicality out of driving it every day.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Geesh that's a tough one. What would be perfect is the nv4500 and a set of 3.73s and 33s. I kinda think if it was me I would just stick with the 3.07s and 465 in the gmc and do the 4.10s and nv4500 in the other truck as long as you are for sure going to get to the other truck project fairly soon. If the other truck won't be on the road for a few years still, I would stick the nv4500 in the gmc with the 3.07s and save up for a 3.73 gear swap. Or even just a used set of 3.73 axles that you could freshen up and toss under it.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I guess I'm kinda thinking of it this way, the nv4500 in od with the 4.10 will be roughly the same as the 465 and 3.07s for highway cruising. The difference being the around town stop and go kind of stuff. Taking off with the 3.07s will be a lame lug fest from every light. The flip side is with the nv4500 and 4.10s, I don't know that there will be a perfect "1st" gear for taking off from stop lights with it either.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Appreciate the feedback guys. you've hit on my dilemna. I have had a truck with 4.10 but auto and it was great in town or on the road. But I think I am leaning toward just sticking with what's in there until I have a chance to drive it a while. But I know I will kick myself later if I decide I'd rather have the overdrive and could have swapped now when it would be much easier.

Next dilemna. Need to put chassis on stands, pull wheels, remove tires and paint rims. Chassis would be in the way of setting up paint booth while on stands. Do that before or after painting the rest of the truck? Will be a disappointing look to see those maroon rims when i reassemble the painted truck, but a couple week delay (at my rate of progress) on getting started with painting the truck if I do wheels first. I'd hate to have a "meh" reaction to seeing my truck going together with color, so I'm thinking I'll take the delay and do the rims first.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I have the same problem with the wheels. But I have decided to just accept that it will look a little poopy until I get the new wheels and tires after the first of the year. Also saves me from having to worry about getting any paint on them in the mean time!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Also, because this is my first paint job, I'm willing to accept a slightly meh outcome as long as I learn a good bit along the way so that each subsequent paint job will turn out better and better.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I think we are both going to be very satisfied with our first paint jobs y5mgisi (I always have to go back to make sure I got your username right :lol:) because we've both taken the time to do our research and we'll be making a real effort to get it right. Still not sure about assembling a brown truck with maroon wheels though :lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I'm envious. I wish i would have painted mine. I am sure you'll be pleased with
your own work. Besides, not waiting on a body shop, being told lies, delayed, not knowing if they did it right and on and on and on and on are things you don't have to worry about.

Good luck to ya on laying down some color. I can't wait to see it.
Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Well, a bit of an update. Did not make it to the paint shop this weekend, so pulled the wheels. Took them to town and got the tires removed. Then blasted them with Black Diamond from TSC. Had not tried this stuff before and I think what I got was a bit too coarse. It doesn't create much dust and is supposed to be safer than sand from the standpoint of what you might inhale. Worked ok, but the dang stuff ricochets everywhere and cleanup took quite a while. They did have another stack of bags that was probably the finer grit, but what did I know? Any case, boring picture of the truck ralley's before and after blasting. They will still need some final sanding and cleanup.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

But a bit more interesting update as well. Tonight, I did get off work early enough to make it to the paint store. Got some epoxy primer/sealer and a couple ounces of my base color to sample. Also got the top of the line clear coat with the best UV protection (from what I was told) so that the paint job would last. Sprayed the paint card when I got home, but it was too late to get a good look in the sunlight. I did see the color on the inside of the lid in sunlight and I think that it is just what I was expecting. Obviously need to figure out how to dial in the gun for paint as that looks pretty grainy on the card.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Looking forward to the color chapter! Keeper up, almost there.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Me likey!

Pardon me if you already said this, but are you going to make a booth to do the spraying? can't wait to see some color.

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks bilfman and Chris! It shouldn't be long now, but since I pulled the wheels I've got to get them painted and rubber on them to make my chassis a roller again. It is right in the way of where I'd have to put together a booth. I've also got to wire a couple more lights in that space so I can see what I'm doing. So, other than the wheels, it may still be a few weeks before I can put color on the sheet metal. Slowly but surely though...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Well, I'm convinced I picked the hardest part of the truck to try painting first. Getting even coverage down deep in the wheels was a little tough, but I think that they came out real well. I just painted them on the floor in the open garage doorway, and was losing my natural light by the time I was trying to finish the outside of the wheels. Looked at them on my way out to work this morning and don't see any bare spots, runs, sags, bugs or even dust nibs. But it's overcast and I'll reserve judgement until I can see them in full daylight. I also can't wait to see this color in full sunlight! Looks great in the artificial light. Anyway, most of the weekend getting the wheels ready for paint, then epoxy primer/sealer, couple coats of color and a couple coats of clear. I think flat panels will be easy compared to these.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

The wheels look really good. The hard part is mounting tires on painted wheels. Hope you have a good shop near you. I thinking about painting my wheel too.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks dwilber. These had already been painted before. I liked having the body color on the wheels, so that's what I'm doing here. I am hoping that mounting the tires doesn't cause any damage that the chrome beauty rings won't hide.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

The beauty rings should hide any damage that may occur!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Loving that color. What did you ultimately choose? It's a lot easier to see than mine.

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Looks nice!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks guys. Chris, this is the 1980 GM Dark Camel color, but I asked the guy mixing the paint to add a little more of the copper flecks to make it a bit brighter. Hoping that it will pop in the sunlight.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Really diggin' the color, great job laying out the paint on the rims.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Well, if the wheels are any indication, you have hit the mark my friend. That is going to be one nice rich color. Leaves room for contrast either direction. You could accent with a darker color/interior or lighter if you choose. You could also go lighter or darker with a two tone-setup or pinstriping at a later date of so desired.

Chris

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks Bomp! The way you're knocking out your metalwork, you'll be mixing paint in no time yourself.

Thanks Chris! That's one of the reasons I like this color. Trim and accessories should look great with it in either black or chrome. I do plan to go with all the original side trim, badges, etc. For the interior, I'm currently planning tan. I think that should look pretty nice.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Dang right it should! Can't wait to see it with all the shiny chrome and nice tan interior!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Dang, getting way ahead of me! I'm still at the "can't wait to see it all in color" stage, and you're ready to see it done:lol:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Got some BFG AT's in 33x10.5 mounted up. Beauty rings and 4x4 decals on the back center caps are new, but the center caps themselves, and lug nuts were cleaned up with steel wool. Really liking that body color on the wheels with all that chrome!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

The wheels look great! And the tires are great to. I have the same but 12.50s on mine

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Also decided to install a steering box brace I got from ORD while the chassis is bare. Went on reasonably easy, but the longer rear brace was 1/2" from the crossmember. Had to find a spacer and a longer bolt than came in the kit. Hoping I actually installed it right, but it looked like the only way it could go.

Got a wedding this afternoon, so at best I can start cleaning out my shop and hang a couple more lights, but no more color this weekend. Hope to start doing some more spraying next weekend.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Nice brace, wonder if they make one for a 72? Might have to check into that someday.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Yep they make one for a 67-72.

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/ste...ing_box_brace:

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Loving it Rick! Your truck is coming along nicely!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Nice job on the wheels!

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks for the info, i do however think i have the straight brace but will have to check into that.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Thanks guys! Got some more lights wired up, so hope to be spraying more paint this weekend.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Here's something I learned the hard way on my paint job... First off, if you are going to wear one of those tyvek type suits, tape your cuffs to your gloves to prevent sweat dripping out the cuffs. Also, if yours is like mine, the suit has a sewn seam. Sweat can also drip out of there! So keep a rag or old t shirt near by and each time you refill the pot on the gun, give your arms and chest and such a good pat down. Also, depending on what you're doing for eye protection, know that the fog from the clear will ruin safety glass post haste! I went through 3 or 4 pairs...

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

Well, you aren't kidding about how hot it is in those paint suits. So I spent Saturday finishing up sanding areas I could not reach with the truck assembled. Sunday morning cleaning the shop better than its been in years, washing the cab, bed and tailgate inside and out, wax&grease remover on same parts. Then sprayed epoxy sealer/primer on all outer surfaces that I'd been blocking (remember the leopard spots :-). The sealer went on a little grainy and the gun was apparently spitting a little. I'm thinking it was too hot at 90 degrees F to do this without reducer? Anyway, sprayed color anyway. Came out OK. Still see some light areas. Ran out of time to do clearcoat because a) working in that suit in 90 degrees all afternoon knocked me out, and b) I did not actually create a paint booth so swarms of mosquitoes came in at dusk. So, I'll have a little sanding and probably another color coat before I can do clear. Any case, this update is probably picture worthy even if the parts don't look great yet. Not going to be able to get back to this for a couple weeks so I'll need to research what I have to do to ensure the clear will still adhere well to the color.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

So this weekend was really just creating more work for myself. I should have sprayed the sealer on a test panel and gotten it worked out before spraying on the truck. And I should not have sprayed color on top of that. Really needed to be more patient considering how much work I have put into bodywork and blocking, but I knew I was running out of time and only have a couple days window before covering that epoxy primer/sealer.

Will be a while before my next update, but before I go on I will be sanding the cab, bed, tailgate smooth again. Another coat of color at least and then clear. Guess it took a night or two to convince me that coming out "OK" is not good enough for the investment I've put into this project. Guess that is why I called this a "practice" project in the first place.

Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
 

I know it is a little rough going right now but you will appreciate doing it the right way when it is done. Hang in there. I am happy to see some color though!!