The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php)
-   Heavy Haulers (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=239)
-   -   1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=799079)

UPNADM 04-26-2020 12:44 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdually (Post 8653864)
One thing I discovered nearly immediately was that with a rear end ratio of 6.17, it was really humming at 45-50. I knew a gear swap was in order and I began the search. I ended up settling on a remanufactured differential geared at 4.63. Cruising at 70 MPH is now possible and the truck is altogether more fun to drive, though a gear between 3rd and 4th would be nice. The SM465 is pretty wide in ratio.

Where did you get that rear? I would love to get rid of the 6:17's in my yellow truck...

Bigdually 04-26-2020 03:06 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by UPNADM (Post 8726108)
Where did you get that rear? I would love to get rid of the 6:17's in my yellow truck...

There is a company called Pro Gear and Transmission in Florida, I purchased a fully remanufactured center section for my differential from them. It was a little pricey, but worth it over buying a junkyard differential with unknown miles and problems for only a little less. I'm happy with the gear ratio, it ended up just about right. I would love to swap in a non OD 5 speed though.

Bigdually 05-25-2020 03:42 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
1 Attachment(s)
Happy Memorial Day!

Today I used the big girl for her real purpose besides cruising, I put her to work towing. I loaded the trailer pretty tongue heavy and the truck only squatted a very small amount. I only had to go less than 10 miles each way, but overall for the first time I've towed with it I'm pretty happy!

Bigdually 06-14-2020 12:55 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
2 Attachment(s)
Worked on the truck a little and drove it a good bit yesterday (Saturday). I washed it in the morning and got it ready to swing by a local cruise in. Nothing fancy just a bunch of cool rides, some really high dollar and high HP rods and muscle cars, a few rat rods, lots of works in progress, and lots of hanging out and talking to some really nice folks. It was a good time, got lots of people, especially the younger folks, asking about the truck and really into it. Saw a few I really was digging on myself :metal:

Installed a beautiful and perfectly functional AM/FM Delco unit before going that I got from Jeff (1774btcrew). I had a top of the line Delco ETR unit installed at one point, but it decided to quit on me and I haven't yet sent it off for repair, finding someone who knows those units is getting hard. This basic AM/FM unit works great though and pulls in the stations well. I'm excited to have music in the truck again that comes from a source other than the exhaust :lol:

LT7A 08-04-2020 03:11 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Good grab on the radio. I used to be so eager to swap away the factory radio in a car and now I get excited when I come across one I can use. I really like this truck and I'm glad that you're keeping it going. I think a traditional two-tone paint job would be really cool if you decide to do it. It might kind of help blend the big truck more into the pickup theme. Regardless, it's cool as it is now. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

Bigdually 08-07-2020 12:00 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
3 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by LT7A (Post 8787049)
Good grab on the radio. I used to be so eager to swap away the factory radio in a car and now I get excited when I come across one I can use. I really like this truck and I'm glad that you're keeping it going. I think a traditional two-tone paint job would be really cool if you decide to do it. It might kind of help blend the big truck more into the pickup theme. Regardless, it's cool as it is now. Thanks for keeping us up to date.

Thanks for the compliments! The plan is still so far a two tone job, just don't know how soon I'll get that done. I was hoping for this year but I went and bought a toy. My JK Rubicon is too big to go where I want it to, and a side by side just isn't my thing. A Mahindra Roxor fits my needs perfectly. Diesel, 5 speed, nearly indestructible chassis and suspension setup, and the same width as the big side by sides now days. Plus they can be made road legal here now. So as for the truck, I did get to use the truck to haul the Roxor home but it kinda hurts the funds for paint work :waah:

Pvmt-Pndr 08-08-2020 04:14 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
It looks good doing work! I've looked at those roxors before and they look like a lot of fun. The radio looks great also.

Bigdually 08-13-2020 11:44 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pvmt-Pndr (Post 8788672)
It looks good doing work! I've looked at those roxors before and they look like a lot of fun. The radio looks great also.

Thanks! I'm happy with the radio and the Roxor both, had way too much fun lately exploring some trails I haven't run for years.

My future father in law bought a new tractor, and the dealership wanted a crazy delivery fee. I picked it up for him and towed it about 30 miles home. The truck did just fine towed like a champ. The need for either a) more power or b) closer transmission ratios is easier to see the more I tow, but for as heavy as the tractor was with the attachments I was pretty happy with how it did.

STPETEBLUE 11-05-2020 09:10 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Really love your build. I have wanted one of these for a long time. I do not have the skills, equipment, or space to do this kind of thing, so I contacted Mike at Big Ass Trucks. Neither of the trucks he had for sale or in progress had A/C, very important, down here, so he went on the hunt for one. On his site, under SOLD is my truck. It is the 1989 TopKick Ex-Ryder truck.

He left it for me to finish the little things, and I am curious. Where did you get the step bumper? Also, what is your source for the bed lights? I have only found one source for the fender clearance lights.

I would also like to know about the Christmas lights. Were they 12 volt or did you use a power inverter for 110volt? I'm assuming they are LED.

Thanks, and enjoy the ride. I know I am.

Bigdually 11-06-2020 12:05 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by STPETEBLUE (Post 8832063)
Really love your build. I have wanted one of these for a long time. I do not have the skills, equipment, or space to do this kind of thing, so I contacted Mike at Big Ass Trucks. Neither of the trucks he had for sale or in progress had A/C, very important, down here, so he went on the hunt for one. On his site, under SOLD is my truck. It is the 1989 TopKick Ex-Ryder truck.

He left it for me to finish the little things, and I am curious. Where did you get the step bumper? Also, what is your source for the bed lights? I have only found one source for the fender clearance lights.

I would also like to know about the Christmas lights. Were they 12 volt or did you use a power inverter for 110volt? I'm assuming they are LED.

Thanks, and enjoy the ride. I know I am.


Great looking truck! There's a TON of potential there, I really like it. I talked to Mike when I was beginning to build mine, he clued me in on a few things I'd run into and what height above the frame I would have to mount the bed to get it to line up. He was quite helpful and really knows these trucks inside out.

The step bumper was tricky, I hunted EVERYWHERE for a long time and could find nobody who had one or makes one for a square body anymore. I was out of town for a week and one popped up for sale on Facebook. My girlfriend's dad drove two hours one way to go get it for me. The fender clearance lights came from USA1 Industries. They were backordered forever but I did finally get them.

My Christmas setup was actually all incandescent lights, I ran them on a 2000 watt quiet Honda generator in the bed, you couldn't even hear it over the truck idling. I could have ran way more lights and this year hopefully I can.

Looking forward to more pics and a build thread on yours!

STPETEBLUE 11-06-2020 01:19 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdually (Post 8832327)
Great looking truck! There's a TON of potential there, I really like it. I talked to Mike when I was beginning to build mine, he clued me in on a few things I'd run into and what height above the frame I would have to mount the bed to get it to line up. He was quite helpful and really knows these trucks inside out.

Mike is a straight shooter. He was a fleet manager for Waste Management for 35 years, so yes, he really knows these trucks. He was in communication with me throughout the build, suggesting various things, along the way. He really kept me in the loop while he was building the truck.
Quote:

The step bumper was tricky, I hunted EVERYWHERE for a long time and could find nobody who had one or makes one for a square body anymore. I was out of town for a week and one popped up for sale on Facebook. My girlfriend's dad drove two hours one way to go get it for me.
I don't mind the roll pan, but I think a step bumper would look even beefier, and I have always liked the style you have. Trouble is, I can't finish out the rear of the truck with a hitch until I get and mount the step bumper. Until then everyone behind me is looking up my ass end.:hm:
Did the bumper brackets line up with the frame rails pretty good?
Quote:

The fender clearance lights came from USA1 Industries. They were backordered forever but I did finally get them.
I think that is where I saw them, too. The only set I could find has the chrome around them. I have always liked the simpler looking lenses without the bling, but I need a GMC tailgate band to cover the word "CHEVROLET", and all the trucks that came with the band had the bling light lenses, so . . .
Quote:

My Christmas setup was actually all incandescent lights, I ran them on a 2000 watt quiet Honda generator in the bed, you couldn't even hear it over the truck idling. I could have ran way more lights and this year hopefully I can.
Well, I have that very genny so I guess I have that covered. I just didn't know if if there was something else out there that I should consider. The genny didn't tip over or anything?
Quote:

Looking forward to more pics and a build thread on yours!
I don't really have a build thread, but I did post up a "progression", if you will, on my Facebook page. You can find it HERE.

Thanks for all the questions answered.

Bigdually 11-08-2020 12:08 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by STPETEBLUE (Post 8832361)

I don't mind the roll pan, but I think a step bumper would look even beefier, and I have always liked the style you have. Trouble is, I can't finish out the rear of the truck with a hitch until I get and mount the step bumper. Until then everyone behind me is looking up my ass end.:hm:
Did the bumper brackets line up with the frame rails pretty good?

That is exactly the same issue I had, I wanted a drop bumper to really finish out the rear end the way I wanted it to look. The bumper brackets actually lined up really well with the 6" channel sub frame I had to make to raise the bed high enough (7"). I believe your truck has a larger "lift" on the bed. My hitch is mounted directly to the truck frame and ended up coming out just below the bumper like a regular pickup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by STPETEBLUE (Post 8832361)
Well, I have that very genny so I guess I have that covered. I just didn't know if if there was something else out there that I should consider. The genny didn't tip over or anything?

That setup worked really well for me, the unit was pretty stable even at road speed, and especially at parade speed never offered to tip. I had the hardest time keeping the huge inflatable snowman from blowing over :lol:

sweetk30 11-08-2020 02:08 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
easy to make the step bumper but it just wont be chrome unless you spend crazy money to do it or get it super close with powder coat .

look here for pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=755514

post # 31 is the start on making it . then 40 / 43-46 and 48 .

STPETEBLUE 11-08-2020 06:11 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdually (Post 8654169)
Also around this time my amazing girlfriend bought me a bedmat for the truck for my birthday. She's definitely a keeper!!

Where did she get the bed mat? LMC? Does it have the cutout for the fuel filler housings on both sides?

Bigdually 11-09-2020 07:17 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by STPETEBLUE (Post 8833300)
Where did she get the bed mat? LMC? Does it have the cutout for the fuel filler housings on both sides?

The mat came from a local custom trucks place, they sell toppers and tonneau covers and ANY other accessories you can even think of. Basically a walk-in JC Whitney :lol: I forget the brand but it is very good quality and thick rubber, and it does have both cutouts for the fuel filler necks.

STPETEBLUE 06-12-2021 07:57 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetk30 (Post 8655158)
here you boys go for a little big truck action .

i look his pics over from time to time .

https://bigasstrux.com/

He built my truck (1989 TOPKICK EX-RYDER under the SOLD link).

LynnB 11-23-2021 10:41 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
I love these c60 and c70 trucks built into pick ups. They used to look HUGE. But now, it seems it is barely bigger than the giant half tons everyone builds.

cnntnsxty@aol.com 11-29-2021 05:13 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Very nice! I have a 75 buts it's going to stay a dump truck, the 14 ft bed comes in handy. That 366 will definitely run better with the edelbrock just watch your revs the 366 redlines around 4000 the old holleys were part of the governor system.
:gmc2:

LT7A 03-11-2022 11:34 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
I hope you're still having fun with this. I think you can get frost white from touch up paint dot com. You could go around it rattle canning, panel by panel to get it all one color for cheap it you wanted to. Kinda the rough and ready look for now. Regardless, I think it looks cool now and came together really well.

TKDanYoung 03-12-2022 06:43 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Just creepin on the various build threads on the forum for a bit, I normally stick to the 67-72 C10 stuff. But man, I am glad I clicked on this! Such an awesome build! Great work!

truckfan 03-17-2022 10:13 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Love the build! Thanks for letting us watch!

Bigdually 01-18-2023 09:35 PM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
4 Attachment(s)
Life sure has a way of getting busy and next thing you know a couple years have gone by with no progress on your projects. I did get married and we moved into a nice home with a metal building separate from the garage that has tall enough doors for the truck to fit in! That's where it spent all of 2022 except one small outing. Fuel was sky high and my normal summer cruising at 8-10 mpg just wasn't feasible. I do keep the old girl started and moved around some though, and last week I started it and noticed a fuel fitting before the filter at the carb was leaking, I'll have to fix that.

As far as my next steps, I have found this old fire truck somewhat locally about to come up for sale (potentially) and if I can snag it for the right price the low mile 427/Allison AT combo would be SWEET in my truck. Time will tell...

Darkrider 05-13-2024 11:52 AM

Re: 1989 GMC 6000 Pickup/Toy Conversion
 
Any Updates?


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:36 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com