1985 Super Sierra
 

Ok so I dont have a lot of pics to post right now but they will be coming. Here's what I got so far,
1. 2001 8.1 liter Vortec I prefer to call it a 496 BBC
2. 4/6 drop static { needs a c-notch}
3. 17x8 Helo Max 6 wheels

Future plans
1. c-notch
2. sound deadener entire inside of cab--done
3. custom stereo
4. not sure about interior yet
5. 18 in wheels maybe 20s on the rear
6. custom flush fit bed cover
7. custom paint/ Harley colors White hot denim and denim gray 2-tone
8. compressed natural gas injection system
9. once I get all that done I will figure out how to pay for it all

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Got some pics finally. So this is what I'm starting with, which aint a bad start. My work should be pretty easy.Attachment 1050975
This is the big ol' 496.
This is a wheel I have been considering.Attachment 1050977

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Bad ass truck. I vote keeping it white though.
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Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

This is kinda what im thinking Attachment 1051710

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

good looking truck and X2 on keeping it white....

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Don't get me wrong I love the clean white look with the factory trim, but I'm a custom car guy. I can't leave it that way, I will have this body perfectly straight and white just doesn't show that. So here are a few more paint ideas.Attachment 1053407 A little patriotic maybe
Attachment 1053406 Sometimes with two tones putting the dark color on top really makes you stand out from the crowd

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

If you're takin votes for color schemes put mine towards the grey/white one haha. Sweet project!

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Ok here is some actual work done. Got my "rhinomat" from Mrhino. Took a grinder to the very light surface rust in my floor and cleaned off all that factory horse hair insulation. Covered the complete floor and back wall of the cab, most of the inside of the doors and a few peices on the roof. 56sqft kit was perfect Mrhino.[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 1053490[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Since I plan to pull the engine for a little tweaking when I do the paint , I just did a quick wknd clean up on the engine bay. Heres a little before and after.Attachment 1053500

Attachment 1053501

Attachment 1053502

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Thanks for the vote 1980GMC. As long as we voting what do you think about this idea. I did a 83 a few years back shaved everything painted it Prowler copper and put a 59 Impala dash. This time I'm thinking maybe a 64 Impala dash with a Dakota Digital VTX unit. I think if I shave the chrome and add some nice pinstriping it will look cool. If I decide to do it I will also do custom door panels to match.Attachment 1053509

Attachment 1053510

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Here ya go 1980GMC how about a grey topAttachment 1053522
or I could go back to my original ideaAttachment 1053523
I think I need to get off the net and go work on my truck see ya

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Thanks, The truck is looking good. Do you mind if I use your pics?

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

not at all man use whatever you like

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

thanks for the great product

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

So I got some new parts in this week. Shaved door handle kit from autoloc, roll pan and taillight shave panels from LMC, and my favorite new part, a set of Hot Slot flush fit led taillights from Watsons Street Works. Now to get into the shop and get busy.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

WOW. I bet the 496 is bad a$$. I have been thinking about a 6.0l but I bet the big brother would be awesome. What kind of mpg's are you getting out of it in the short bed. I am sure it is a tire roaster.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Not real sure of the mpg as my speedo is not currently working but i guess around 14 to 16. The biggest flaw to the 8.1 is a lack of aftermarket parts and the deep oil pan. Nobody makes an oil pan and with my front bumper only three inches off the ground I only have about five on the oil pan. I drive pretty aggressive and havent hit it yet, but I cant get over speed bumps without dragging hard. There is no doubt its a tire frier and head turner and I wouldnt pull it for nothing.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

I got my taillights installed today. They are flush mounts from Watson Street Works. Once the paint goes down they will not be seen untill they light Attachment 1088167

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

i like blue personally and nice truck. Very solid starting point

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

got my bed off to c-notch and add rear dropped shackles. cleaned and painted the frame while i was at it. decided to replace the leaky seals in my rear end and discovered some strange parts i've never seen before. now should i take this out in favor of a better posi unit or just leave it[ATTACH][ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 1101907[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Long time no update. Life just gets in the way of hot rod building some times. Got the cab back from the bodyshop in primer and just needing final blocking. Going to send the bed next week while I work on installing my Impala dash. Picked up a vintage air kit for a sweet deal so out comes all the factory stuff. Getting the firewall smoothed out. Gotta pull the 8.1 for a good go thru. She runs good but needs cleaning up and new gaskets. Also have to cut 2 inches off the oil pan and modify the pump so I can stop bashing it on the ground. I will put up some pics as soon as I remember how.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

I havent updated this in awhile, mostly because whenever i make a little progress i change my mind. I got a lot of work done on my bed and then decided to go stepside. Anywho I got my 31 gallon tank mounted and the framewrk for my new bed floor done. I raised the floor four inches to clear the tank. I could have gone lower but I dont like being able to see the tank hanging under the truck. Plus if I decide to go lower I wont have to redo the bed. Made some progress on the Impala dash. Its all welded in just needs final bondo work.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Attachment 1357000

Attachment 1357001

Attachment 1357002

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Cant go wrong with a stepside. Nice work and truck

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Narrowed my bumper today. Took 7/8" off each side.


Attachment 1388874after

Attachment 1388873before

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Got the 8.1 cleaned up and painted, new headers installed. Firewall all smooth. New braided fuel and trans lines run. Hope to pick up some new pulleys at the Auto fair this weekend. Maybe some repro stepside fenders.

Attachment 1388882

Attachment 1388883

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Got both bumpers narrowed and flush lights installed. A little more grinding on the rear and fill in the bolt holes and the bumpers will be finished.Attachment 1397373
Attachment 1397374
Attachment 1397375

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Looking good.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Thanks Matt!

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Looking good!! I am not too far from you in Greenwood/Saluda SC, I used to come up to Easley a lot for Hawks 3rd gen.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Hawks did a little tuning on my 8.1 for me.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Been awhile since I last posted. Just moved to a new house with a big beautiful garage. So I havent had a lot of disposable income to blow on the truck. I have collected a few new parts but mostly working on the garage. Hope to have some pics up soon of my finished Impala dash and painted interior and jambs. I did get my firewall done and painted. Im also thinking about doing the 75 Sport stripes on it. The truck will be blue with charcoal stripes.[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 1491601[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

got my trick gas cap fabed up today. Impala dash is guide coated and ready for final sanding.[ATTACH][ATTACH]Attachment 1492790[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Love the gas cap idea. I may have to steal that when I finally start my Willys rat rod project. I really like your slightly modified sport stripes. They fit the truck nicely.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Got my engine back in hopefully for the last time. Now to start painting the interior and door jambs so I can reassemble the truck for final block sanding[ATTACH]Attachment 1502483[/ATTACH]

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Not sure how I missed this one. VERY COOL BUILD!!! Subscribed to see more of this AWESOME TRUCK!!!!!!!!! :gmc2:

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

I love that dash. I want to do a dash swap in mine so badly.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

How did I miss that dash last time I looked at this thread? That thing is really nice in there. Since I obviously wasn't paying attention the last time, I started over from the beginning. I vote for your first color combination posted. I like how the red line gets wider at the back where it turns up. I saw some of your later versions kept it the same width. Beautiful truck...keep up the good work.

Re: 1985 Super Sierra
 

Its been an exciting day. I haven't got to do a lot of work in a while. So when I got out to the shop this morning and was able to lay down some color I was just beside myself. I laid down the first two coats on the dash and door jambs. Now I just need to give it a good going over for imperfections before doing the final coat of color and clear.
Attachment 1542206Love this color

Attachment 1542207

Attachment 1542208

Attachment 1542209The blue looks good with the grey that Im using under the hood and for the stripes on the side