Gator Squared

[sumran]

Hello all. I have enjoyed reading the forum for the last few weeks. I am new to the site and have just started a new project. It is a 1984 GMC Sierra 2WD, 1500. It has the 292 engine, X47,000 miles and an unknown history.

The truck is generally solid. Rusted through on the driver's side rocker and the driver's side cab corner. One damaged fender and other minor stuff, but much more good than bad. Interior is trashed. It runs well (once it is warm) and shifts well. It has a 350 automatic. I really wanted a manual tranny and it may have one before I'm done. I have owned many trucks through the years, but they have never been anything more than functional work vehicles. I expect to have some fun with this one.

I am currently getting the brakes, suspension and steering in good order so I can drive it safely. The front bearings were improperly installed, so they are getting replaced. Front shocks were bad and one of the upper shock pins was so loose it was about to fall out. I will get that back together and see how much the handling is improved. I may have to do some additional front end work before it gets on the road. Once it is roadworthy, I will sell the much newer Dodge to finance the excessive spending on this truck.

This will eventually be a mildly modified restoration with a stock stance, custom paint and custom interior and above average stereo. It will have work weekends on occasion, but will mostly be for fun. The interior and exterior will have a strong Florida Gator flavor.

I will try to get some pictures posted tonight. Not much to see yet. Just endless bland white, including the camper top. It would be invisible in a snowstorm.

[old Rusty C10]

welcome aboard! cant wait to see pictures and to see the progress you make on your project

[sumran]

Thanks!

Just had a good bit of luck. I found a set of bucket seats and a center console and matching seat belts that should bolt right in. Even in the right color. Price and location are right. Probably can't make the run tonight, with it being Valentine's day and all, but tomorrow after work, I'll be rolling with pulling tools to snag them.

[sumran]

Picked up the seats and console last night along with the dash. Hoped to buy some other items, but no such luck.

I plan to finish up the wheel bearings after work. I will get some pictures posted later tonight.

[Big Blue]

Welcome from eastern Pa.
Stay focused and have fun. I had to smile on your comment about not being able to see your truck because it is white and you will not be able to see it cause of the SNOW, then I noticed your in FL. Up here in PA we get the Snow.

Again Welcome, John

[Pop's C-10]

welcome

[N2TRUX]

Welcome to the forum sumran. Get some pics so we can share in your excitement.

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Big Blue

I had to smile on your comment about not being able to see your truck because it is white and you will not be able to see it cause of the SNOW, then I noticed your in FL.

It was a hypothectical in my case.

[sumran]

I'm happy to report that the shocks and front bearings made the steering much better. I don't think it would be confused with a new truck, but it is very usable.

Here are some pictures of the project. The new seats, console and dash are piled in the back.

[sumran]

Some interior pics. Notice the custom speaker install. And yes that is the wallpaper from your grandmother's bathroom that used to give you nightmares when you were a kid. It looks better in the photos than it does in real life!

[sumran]

The body is in good shape. There are some problem spots though. All in all, I have a very good starting point for the project.

[sumran]

Good day at the junkyard yesterday. Picked up a front sway bar including all the mounting brackets. My truck did not come equipped with one. I need to order new bushings from LMC and get some mounting bolts.

Drove to a second yard to look for a hood for our '97 Honda accord. We had to hurry to get there before they closed. The guy said he had one for a '94 which is the same. When I got there, his '94 was a '93 which made it a no-go. As I was leaving (a bit miffed because I had wasted a trip), I asked if he had any wheels for the truck. He had a set of alloy Sierra wheels in great condition, but had lost the center caps. They had mismatched tires that I did not want. He sold them for $120 since the caps were missing and he took off the tires so he could use them later.

Another guy that worked there helped me load in the truck. As we were loading, he commented that he had just mounted the tires a few days ago and laughed about the wasted work. On a whim I asked him if he the center caps were on them when he had mounted the tires and if he knew where they went. "Oh sure," he said. "I put them on the shelf over the tire machine." He gave them to me for no extra charge, since they went with the wheels. I gave him a little extra anyway and told him to treat the crew to a cold one on me after they closed.

So I should be able to improve the handling on the truck and I have the wheels I wanted for the project.

To top the day off, I had the 1984 factory service manual on my porch when I arrived home. 2,700+ pages of goodness along with some additional wiring and vacuum diagrams.

I did not do any work on the truck, but it was a great day for the project!

[mooseknuckles]

the truck looks pretty solid tho....love the dash!

[Toxic Redline]

Looks like your gonna have alot of fun! one word of advice... Don't Loose focus!! Its gonna be a sweet ride

[sumran]

I met with the paint and body guy last night. I have been undecided about the strategy for moving forward on the project. Things are more settled now.

Over the next two or three weeks I will be pulling the engine, tranny, interior, and all exterior attachments to get the truck ready for paint. The truck will be a two-tone color scheme in Gator blue and orange (not classic, but I live in Gainesville and my daughter just got her admission packet to UF). He will also be painting the engine compartment, interior and spraying the bed with Line-X. Because he doesn't have to do much masking and I am doing a lot of the prep work he is giving me a good price. $1,100 for all with two-stage paint. He will also be able to work it in between other jobs and keep the truck for a few weeks, which helps us both.

I will be ordering new rubber for all of the window openings as all of the old stuff is shot. It needs a new windshield (cracked) and the wing pillars, hinges and latches are pitted and frozen. I think some one-piece windows are in my future.

While he is doing the paint and body work, I will be going through the motor and getting the interior ready. I will also get the tranny serviced and have a shift kit installed. I have decided to stay with the T350 tranny. There are more exciting options, but what I have is practical and cost effective for something that will be driven less than 7,500 miles a year.

The big six will be getting the Clifford treatment, although I am not sure to what extent. The carb, intake and headers are definite. If everything in the engine is solid ( I think it is, but have not gone through it yet) that will be it. If it needs head work or rings, it may get more goodies. This will be a mild, fun street truck, not a racer or show truck. It will still need to haul things and fetch firewood, although carefully.

[SeanPaintsFlames]

I was going to build a big mean 292 for mine as well. After spending all that money on the headers, the aluminum 4 barrrel intake, and the Holley 390, it still didn't make much of an improvement. From what I've heard from the inline guys, you have absolutely GOT to rework the head and install the lump ports. All other mods are almost useless until you get the head to breathe better. I would also toss an RV cam in it while you're at it. That, plus the other stuff, should make it a little more fun. I like that it's different!

[sumran]

Originally Posted by SeanPaintsFlames

I was going to build a big mean 292 for mine as well. After spending all that money on the headers, the aluminum 4 barrrel intake, and the Holley 390, it still didn't make much of an improvement. From what I've heard from the inline guys, you have absolutely GOT to rework the head and install the lump ports. All other mods are almost useless until you get the head to breathe better. I would also toss an RV cam in it while you're at it. That, plus the other stuff, should make it a little more fun. I like that it's different!

That is not what I hoped to hear but it is valuable information. What manifold and headers did you use? I have been talking with Larry at Clifford. He is selling the parts, so he is not objective, but I have heard good things about their products. I like the 292 engine and having something off the beaten path would make it more fun.

[sumran]

I just lost 42 cubic inches! I started noticing that none of the catalogs showed a 1500 2WD truck with a 292 in 1984. I decided to check and was surprised and disappointed to find that my truck has a 250. Glad I didn't order any parts.

[lilpoindexter]

DUDE...more pics...

[Restrorob]

Welcome Aboard from 37 miles west of ya !


Looks like a nice project and sounds like ya have a good start on it, Wouldn't mind seeing a Gator square around here at our local car shows !

[sumran]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

DUDE...more pics...

There will be more pics this weekend.

I haven't done anything except talk and think since the last pictures.

[sumran]

Originally Posted by Restrorob

Welcome Aboard from 37 miles west of ya !


Looks like a nice project and sounds like ya have a good start on it, Wouldn't mind seeing a Gator square around here at our local car shows !

I hope to meet you and see your truck soon. Glad to know you are close by. That crate motor thing sounds attractive after last night's discovery. 502 is too much motor for me, but a small block...

I will probably stay with an enhanced version of what I have.

[sumran]

Just talked with a client that has a friend that is selling a well-built 327. Very tempting...

[Restrorob]

Originally Posted by sumran

502 is too much motor for me, but a small block...

It's really not too much if you don't have a heavy foot but it's a knowing ya have that little extra room under the pedal !!!

[motornut]

looks good and solid ...and white(good to see/avoid at night)
We lose trucks all the time up here
and yes the wall paper thought i'd seen it before lol