Project Orange to Green

[BACKYARD88]

Alright, I've decided it's time to start my own build thread. It'll be another one of those "slow builds" as I can only work on it as time/funds permit.
Background: I sold my 1988 GMC and decided I needed to lay off of the projects for a while. About a month later A friend of mine took a 1971 Chevy short step as a down payment on a Tahoe he was selling. He knew I wouldn't be able to say no so he offered it up for 1500.00 which I still feel was a good deal. My intention was to fix a few bugs and drive it for a while as it was tagged inspected and streetable but we all know how that goes...
I only have a couple pics before the work started.
1988 GMC


Orange when I got it(crappy cell phone pics)

[BACKYARD88]

I installed some Autometer gauges in the factory dash bezel shortly after getting the truck. The hood had a riveted on fiberglass cowl so I swapped it for what turned out to be a beat up hood without a cowl.

[kbs71]

Wow, at least you got that cool wood steering wheel, and it's only got 32 miles on it. WHAT A STEAL.....

[BACKYARD88]

After driving in the rain for the first time I found out the windshield leaked and dripped on me. I knew there was some rust around the windshield si I decided to pull it out and fix it so I could drive without getting wet. Wrong decision. Once I got the windshield out I found more rust than I thought would be there. One of the POs had filled the drip well with bondo either to fix the rust or create a more sleek/stylish look but all it did was create more rust. This is what I found,



I decided to go ahead and try to repair it, I needed the practice anyhow. I got most of it taken care of and then pulled the rear window , after that I gave up on this cab.



More to come after I fix dinner and eat!

[BACKYARD88]

The truck sat for a few months while I decided what to do with it. Finally I decided to go ahead and prep the frame for air ride. I pulled everything off that wasn't bolted or riveted on. My quick windshield repair ended up looking like this.



Then I got a sweet deal on a cab from shaneschevys so I went to Ft. Worth and picked it up. I couldn't wait so I threw it on the frame for the heck of it.

[BACKYARD88]

I sectioned the crossmember 1 1/4 inches while I was saving for some more parts. I forgot to take pics of that part so I'll post some later. Last week I disassembled the bed so it wouldn't take up as muck space.

[1LoC10]

looking good.. i liked the size of that cowl hood.. why you ditch it?

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by 1LoC10

looking good.. i liked the size of that cowl hood.. why you ditch it?

The size was OK, but it was riveted on. The bondo was cracking and the hood was rusting on the underside where the rivets went through. The hood I swapped for wasn't any better though .

[BACKYARD88]

Now that I've gotten you all caught up (that was a years worth of progress ) heres where I'm at now. I ordered a Thorbecke Brothers four link and two slam RE7s two weeks ago and they are supposed to arrive tomorrow. I went out last night and cut the spring perches off of the axle, removed the shock crossmember, and got the right side of the notch built and started welding it in. I plan to get the rest of the notch built tomorrow and start on the four link Tuesday. I hope the progress from here on out goes faster than the first year . I just realized my phone takes better pics than my camera.

[BACKYARD88]

Made some more progress last night. I was disappointed Monday when all that showed up was the bags so I didn't work on the truck at all, went out to eat instead . Last night I built the other side of the notch and got it welded in(not finished welding yet) and cut out the section under the notch. I called suicidedoors and they say the four link should go out sometime this week. I went by today and picked up a sheet of plate to do some reinforcing and box the frame around the notch. Hopefully I'll get started on that tonight.
Edit: Anyone know how I can add a "T" to project on my title?

[RACINJASON22]

Lookin good man!

[1lowdiesel]

go back to your first post and hit edit then when that comes up hit edit again and you'll be able to change it.

also is it me or does the right side look in more?

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by 1lowdiesel

go back to your first post and hit edit then when that comes up hit edit again and you'll be able to change it.

also is it me or does the right side look in more?

Thanks for the edit info. As far as the right side being in more it looks like that to me in the pic too. I measured over and over from all different angles and it all comes out perfect so I'm hoping it's just the way I was standing when I took the pic. I'm going to measure some more before I finish weld and brace it all up just to make sure though.

[pharcyde05]

looks great
seeing your progress is getting mw more motivated i am going to spen a few hours out at the shop tonight after work

cant wait to see how things go

[gmc1969custom]

I'm sure it will be a sight to behold when its done.

[BACKYARD88]

Finally some progress to report. Saturday I made a trip to Ft Worth through Greenville and Dallas. I picked up a step bed, hood, chrome vent windows, and a frame horn to repair my cracked one. Sunday I welded on some bracing on my notch and boxed the section of frame in front of the notch for a little added security.



Monday my four-link arrived so I went home and bolted the fenders on my newly acquired bed and got it lined up and bolted on. Then I got the rear end all centered up.



Tonight I plan to start getting the four-link put together and installed. I hope to have the rear metal work done by this weekend.

[1lowdiesel]

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by 1lowdiesel

Just realized I can't move the pics to a different sub album without editing the link.

[RACINJASON22]

GR8 progess. I'm tuned in. Look like some bigger wheels would look good on there now. RJ22

[BACKYARD88]

Here's where I'm at so far. Got the four link in and one bag mount welded up. I couldn't mount the bags on the lower bars where I originally wanted them due to clearance issues so I moved them over the axle. Not as much lift but it was the only choice I had. I'm going to do the other bag mount tonight and then it's on to the front.

[OLDIRON69]

NICE, I like that 4-link setup!

[BACKYARD88]

Got the other bracket on last night. I will turn the truck around and start on the Z this weekend!

[BACKYARD88]

A little progress this weekend. First I cleaned up all of the mess/tools from the four link install. Then I pulled the cab for easier access to do the frame Z.

Here's a shot of the 1.25 inch sectioned crossmember.

Next I cleaned the frame and marked for the Z.

Then, I wacked it off with a sawzall and grinder and tacked it back together. I still have to plate the sides.




My body mount kit also came in from GMCPauls so I can get the cab bolted on and see how much I need to drop the cab mounts.

[bowtieride]

Damn you do good work and fast! How many times have you done this?

[BACKYARD88]

Thanks for the compliment. This is the third time I've bagged one of my personal vehicles but I've probably done ten or so total. As far as the speed, I'm glad it seems fast for you cause it seems like it's taking forever for me Right now I only get to work on it for a few hours a week in the evening(hence all of the dark pics) and one day on the weekend(family time the other day).