41DegreesSouth Build Thread

[1985-GMC]

I finally got around to updating my thread, you asked so I figured I'd let you know. Idk if your subscribed to it or not.

[Billhilly]

Originally Posted by aussiejohn

Billhilly,

Just found this post today and have read most every entry. I like it a lot. I have a '67 GMC pickup but intend to leave it stock for now. One thing I'd like to do is relocate the fusebox to the inside of the glove box for ease of inspection/replacement. The old bones groan when I have to go under the dash for anything!!! I'd like to contact the company that supplied your wiring loom and see if they'd make one for my application. Who are they?

BTW, I am the Australian distributor for the Borgeson product range and although I don't stock anywhere near the range of U joints that are available from the manufacturer, I do carry a few of the popular sizes if you need anything in the future. Look me up at www.pro-steer.com.au. I also have LHD integral power steering boxes for any of your mates who want to stay left hook.

Keep up the good work and,

Regards from Down Under.

aussiejohn

Hey John, Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. Thanks for the compliments. The firm I worked with was American Auto Wire http://www.americanautowire.com/ I talked to their guys in R&D. Let me know how you get on. If I need any more Borgeson bits I'll be sure to look you up!

Originally Posted by Moto Moto

Very cool build.

Thanks! I've got a feeling you might be finished before me....

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

I finally got around to updating my thread, you asked so I figured I'd let you know. Idk if your subscribed to it or not.

Jealous! A painted cab! Looks good.

[Billhilly]

I'm looking for excuse's as to why I haven't updated this build in over eighteen months.... Life huh. About the time of the last post here I got quite ill. Been a battle back to full health but am definitely winning now. Work has been good too. So I am determined to get back on track here.
I am still picking away at the last of the 'chassis' work, and now need to push on with final panel alignment, and then dismantle for final cab work and paint prep.
I had bought air bags for air bag assist in the rear end years ago, but they were to limiting in travel to be used. I then started reading about a company selling a 'bucket' that the bottom of the bag could sit in in normal condition's, but just lift out of when the rear end articulated. I then saw a guy just using a pad (for the bottom mount) successfully so copied him! Should work fine.

[Billhilly]

As I had said earlier, when I bought the bed in, I filled it with rims and tyres. Wheel Vintiques 16X8 rims, and 285 75 16 Goodyear Duratrac's. Painted the rims a couple of weeks ago and got the tyres put on a few days ago. The front right hand (repro) guard was a good line from the top down to the body line but then tipped in about 7mm. So I cut the guard support and pulled it out and welded it back up. You can kinda see in the third photo the improvement.

[Billhilly]

The hood had a small amount of rust and the tailgate needed some minor panel work. I have a good friend who builds hot rods and does restoration work, so I got them both sand blasted and took them up to him. But not before spending a few hours straightening my 'yeah it's straight' tailgate I had bought! Fun times, but came out good. And with the hood off I could finally get around to dismantling the worn out hinges. Sand blasted them, welded up the slogged out holes, then zinc plated them. Next is paint and reassembly with all new rivets. I'll let you know how I go!

[swamp rat]

Glad your feelin better! Welcome back Billhilly!

[Billhilly]

Thanks Swamp!!

[Palf70Step]

Glad you are back at it and doing better!

[mjensen]

Good to see you back at it!!! The progress is looking great!

[Billhilly]

Thank you guys! Can't believe there is so many worn out parts on this truck! Little bit closer to driving with every bit fixed huh. I must show a better attitude this winter....

[sharpmark]

hi-found your other thread and replied to it and then found this one--very interesting!
you certainly had your work cut out and good on ya for seeing it thru-alot of people chuck in the towel and sell their projects.
looking forward to seeing the finished truck
mark

[Billhilly]

Very interesting all right. It's very interesting how complicated I can make things! I too am looking forward to seeing it finished! My teenage daughters are well over 'it'll be done by Christmas'! My youngest is much blunter now, so 'which' Christmas! Smart kid.

[Billhilly]

Spent a few more nights in the shop. Cowl was the next job. I've learnt two things over the last two nights. Cowls are pretty thin, and my tig welding skills (and vision) aren't improving! Anyway, I'm well on the way with it now-

[swamp rat]

That looked like a pita! I don't know if i could have done that at all. For what its worth i have been schooled on this body welding myself, easy to get frustrated and in a hurry.

[Billhilly]

Sure is a pain Swamp rat. I don't plan on doing another RHD conversion anytime soon!
Been doing a few nights again. Got the hood hinges painted and reassembled Thursday night. Who knew you had to dismantle and rebuild hood hinges?!! I wish one of you guys woulda said something! Anyway they went together really well. I used Willie Wilson's rivets. Cleaned up the hood latch and added my version of a locking latch, then had it zinc plated.
Had my auto electrician out this morning just to have a look at how my planing is going. He's pretty happy with things so that's great. Finished up tonight by finishing the welding on the cowl conversion.
Hood and tailgate are etch primed so will hopefully get them back and installed this week so we can start on final panel alignment.

[swamp rat]

I had no idea you could rebuild hood hinges, found them on line.. Thanks!

[Billhilly]

There isn't alot of parts for these trucks that can't be found somewhere or other! Willie was super helpful. Sent down spare rivets, but didn't end up needing any. 'Old truck syndrome' my panel guy tells me. Every part worn out!!
Another couple of pieces of the puzzle done...

[1985-GMC]

It's good to see you're still going at it, everything looks great as usual!

[Billhilly]

Been working towards final panel alignment, ready for dismantling, sand blasting and paint. Got into my friends panel shop and spent three days last week working with Rowen on all the final details. Personally, I think we had a great run. Worked on all sorts of issues (including panel alignment) and am now ready to tear it apart!
Big fat girl was nearly to big for the roll back! Couldn't get the ramps back up properly. Near enough!

Was battling hood to guard alignment issues, and the cowl fit was just ugly. Kept working away at it and am really pleased with how things came out. (No I didn't do the patch on the antenna hole!).

[Billhilly]

One of the interesting bits was this 'factory finish' of the windscreen to bottom of the A pillar deal. It was sitting nearly a full 1/2" out of alignment, and the cowl was hard up against it as well. With some cutting and persuasion the window rubber will fit good, and the gap to the cowl was recreated. Win win. The whole right side of the cowl basically didn't fit or line up anywhere, but we persevered and got it looking pretty good.

[Billhilly]

The last (and worst fit) bit we did was grill and eyebrows. The guards are both reproductions, so I don't know if this is part of the problem or not. Anywho, this is as good as we could get the the gap where they join. We've got a real nice line between the back edge of the eyebrow and the guard. The fenders are stuffed inwards as far as the radiator support will allow. We've severely talked to the grill mounts to narrow them up as well. I wanted a chrome grill, but this one is just too beat up, so I'll have to clean it back and paint it silver.
You GMC guy's, how do your's look? Did mine get hit with the ugly stick? Pretty much at this stage, it's done. Gotta draw the line somewhere. Time and money. Tempted to brush a coat of paint on it and drive the wheels off it! A big part of me still wants a flat grey (primer look) finish, but I know I should finish it off properly!

[swamp rat]

I am assuming you have a GMC (K2500) MY 72 doesn't have the grill seams you have pictured so I'm of no help to you on that but the truck is taking shape nicely!

[1985-GMC]

Wow you're almost there, nice work! I bet you can't wait to be driving it!

[sharpmark]

looking good mate.
you are spending way more time on your gaps then I did and it looks better for it.
I just didn't have the patience !!
shame about the grille gap - can't help you with a solution.


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[DeadheadNM]

Late to the party but subscribed. Strong work!