Glamorous Gena

[Hawkerdriver]

While not very Glamorous right now she will be! I just picked up a 52 GMC today. I have been trolling these forums for sometime trying to learn as much as possible before the journey. I am so impressed by all the talent on these forums I am hesitant to post my workmanship. Now Behind the name and Avatar, I am a pilot and have a soft spot for the early aviators and history behind how we are able to have moved the aviation industry forward so quickly.Chuck Yeager flew the Bell-X1 in 1947 to break the speed of sound and the nickname of his craft was Glamours Glennis after his wife. I wanted to do a Orange and Black paint scheme tied with the aviation side of me and my wife being named Gena it has all came together. I nave already acquired the LM7 5.3 and all of its wiring. has been nestled in the garage awaiting its new home for a month ahead of bringing Gena home.

[Coach529]

Subscribed.......good luck and keep us informed on the build!!

[Sim6]

Good luck with the build!

[iowaboynca]

Gotta love those GMCs!

[Hawkerdriver]

Well doesn't look like I've accomplished much but it is still in the single digits here today so I un-thawed it enough to get the hood open and the snow off the floor boards. Supposedly this is a new motor from 2 years ago, oil is clean I think I will try to get it started so I know for sure before I pull it.

[Hawkerdriver]

New motor fired right up on about the 3rd crank and ran great for the amount of fuel I had in the hose and funnel system I had set up. I have the bed removed frame looks good so far. The kids couldn't believe that something that old would start and run:}

[Hawkerdriver]

Well bad news when I bought Gena it was knee deep in snow and with the bed sitting near it I didn't measure the wheels? Anyone guess where this is going? yes the Wheelbase is 8" to long. doesn't matter to me I would have bought it anyway, but makes finding running boards a little difficult! I only have one and its a 6 or 7 out of a 10. I did get the front driver's side inner and outter fender off today no surprises metal is newly welded, and located and secured a ford explorer 8.8 rear with disc's for the swap at $200 bucks. overall productive day.

[ghettoluxury]

Yep, I too have a Long bed 1/2 ton GMC. This was only an option for the GMCs not the Chevys.

[samples45]

Gonna be a good one!

[Hawkerdriver]

Last few days have been productive, front clip removed driveline dropped, the motor is ready to pull tomorrow. Parts have been ordered for the IFS MII front end, Crossmember, and 4 link rear for the explorer rear I just picked up and got home yesterday. This explorer rear has an antilock brake wire harness in the top of the 3rd member anyone have thoughts as to what to do about that? just cut the wires at the sensor and not worry about it? OR????

[Advanced Design]

Good progress! I would clip the wire for abs.

[Hawkerdriver]

Well it was a nice day outside and warm no double layers! I got the motor pulled out, most of the wiring stripped, sprayed down the frame so I can start to pull the suspension for the new parts without constantly being greasy.. I am moving quicker than I anticipated. Hope to have the floor cleaned up tomorrow. Goal is crossmember in and cab and frame go to powder coat by the end of the month. I have been bleeding money so pace may slow a little LOL..

[mikec4193]

Looking good so far from here...

Keep us in the loop as you go along...

MikeC

[Hawkerdriver]

Another warm day. Front suspension is out, exhaust is out, Really tired of punching rivets already!!! Still have 3 that are kicking my butt.

[Hawkerdriver]

Got the cab off today and working on getting rear out from under it. front x member and rear end with frame blasted and powedered by the end of the month is looking like a reality.. I will be waiting on parts in a day or so...

[Advanced Design]

Making great progress!

[Hawkerdriver]

Well all wiring has been removed, brake and fuel lines removed crossmember, motor mounts, 4 link kit, and mustang 2 coil over were ordered but the crossmember finally shipped will be here tuesday everything else is still on back order. but the crossmember will keep me moving forward.

[Hawkerdriver]

Well some parts showed up the majority of the IFS is still on Back Order and the rear 4 link is too. However the Tranny is not done and I just sent the motor in for new valve train and cam!! I have been busy however. New crossmember installed and supports trimmed.

[Advanced Design]

Nice. Are those Chassis Engineering engine mounts and cross member?

[Sim6]

That frame looks pretty darn good. Nice work.

[Hawkerdriver]

Advanced, no those are all speedway components I have a friend that tried them in the past and for the money overall pretty happy. It was the bolt in style and it was harder than I expected. I do think over all it is a pretty stout system. The rest of the IFS kit should be in shortly..I just ordered my 4l60E need the engine and tranny back so I can get the trans support mocked up for the rear end mock up.. ANGLES ANGLES ANGLES....

[Hawkerdriver]

Still waiting on front end parts, engine wiring harness is almost done with the extra 3.5 feet for my behind the seat install. Ordered all new brake pads and rotors for the Explorer rear they showed up today. removed all the hanging metal for the explorer rear need to do a few fill welds and smooth the rearend for paint. Purchased a Bench from an astro van and really like the fit, the middle seat not the rear as it doesn't line up with the column and my butt very well tried both..welded about 20 rivet holes shut and ground those flush. Found some CL specials on Torque thrust rims ready for powder coat for a steal. Picked those up a couple of days ago. Leaving for work for about a week so not much will happen in the next 5 to 7 days. Overall happy with the progress.

[Hawkerdriver]

I got home from my work schedule, cut off the seat frame hooks to lower it 2" so my head isn't rubbing on the ceiling. I've drawn out the plates and mounting for the seat. I'm still waiting on the IFS just a few parts on back order still. I did however take some pics of the seat and the rear end welds from where I cut to deep on the hangar removal. Thinking about removing the spare tire crossmember for the tank relocation do I really need it?

[Hawkerdriver]

Well I filled some more holes in the firewall. Mocked up ride height as best as I could from what I was told the Mustang 2 and 4 link will lower it from what my stock height was. installed motor and tranny for mock up and put the explorer rear in place. Bought a piece of 3.5" PVC for a drive line template and everything clears!! decided to put the cab on and see if the tranny would fit or if I would need to tunnel. about 3/4 inch of trimming and its in without the need for the tunnel.. I'm getting tired of saying this but still waiting on the 4 link kit and the IFS kit.

[Advanced Design]

Good progress, hopefully the parts will arrive soon!