New to the Board

[Thundarr]

I've been lurking and learning from the masters for a few months and I just purchased this 71 GMC Sierra Grande. It was formerly a long bed and a PO cut it down and replaced with a short bed.

It's got a good running 8-10 year old GM Goodwrench 350 crate motor that I'll massage for a few more horses. It needs body work and a good paint job with little rust.

Questions:

• The battery box and inner fender well is pretty well disintegrated from old batteries. What is the best approach to dealing with this. Weld in replacements or is it possible to change parts.
• Parts Suppliers? I am in the Dallas area and have ordered stuff from Brothers and Classic Industries. They were fine but Id rather not pay the shipping and it takes forever for delivery. Is there a more local option in the DFW area?

Thanks for all the inspiration. I look forward to learning more about these awesome vehicles.

[truckster]

Welcome to the board. That's a good looking truck you've got there.

[original-71]

welcome, good looking truck. as far as parts you can also try LMC but i hear what you are saying on shipping prices, sorry i dont know of any place in your area but someone else on here might. good luck in the future

[Bomp]

Welcome to the forum.

On ordering parts I found a place a town over from me that if your willing to wait they lump all the orders together so shipping charges are eliminated.
There might be places around you that does that.


Nice looking truck.

[Lee H]

Great looking truck! Welcome to the board. The battery box and the inner fenders are easy to replace. I'd be looking for original equipment for the inner fenders, they will fit better, however with a little wrestling the after markets ones will work.

[Thundarr]

Until I get my signature and avatar set up. Here is a shot of my other "toy".

Austin Healey Replica - 350 LT1 MPFI with Tremec-5 and 9" Ford Positrac Rear-End

[big mike71]

Nice car and truck. Are you going to paint your truck to match your car?

[Thundarr]

I'm not into the matching look. Right now, I think I may go with a brilliant silver and more classic style Centerline CRS1 wheels.

[CC69Rat]

Welcome to the board! I have a 70 GMC SG, .. you have a great looking truck man. Glad to see another GMC join us.

[1972SUPERSB]

Nice looking truck! Welcome from Texas!
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[ChainGang]

Nice truck. Southwest classics in Arlington Texas might have the parts you need.

[Thundarr]

CC69RAT, after seeing the first few pages, I'm definitely going to need to study the series and subscribe to the updates. Lot's to like in there.

ChainGang, thanks so much for the suggestion. Great to have local parts supply!

I've owned lots of vehicle and mostly classic convertibles in the past, but this is my first truck. I cant wait to dive into this project and see where it takes me. It all starts with a great forum and Ive definitely found that.

Best regards.

[vegadesign]

welcome!

[CC69Rat]

Let me know if I can help you in any way.. looking for parts, etc. Happy to help.

Later
Chad

[gvw5400]

Welcome from Colorado, nice truck, you will have a lot of fun with this build!
This board and the folks on it are a "Gold mine" of information and encouragement.

[Thundarr]

Thanks guys. It's going to be tough to get any work done now that I've seen what you all have been up to.

I may need to put the Healey on blocks for a bit cause I can tell this is going to get interesting.

[CC69Rat]

If you have ideas in your head, let me know and I can put some Photoshop work together for you.

I really like white with red or black interior. Is your truck a wood bed or metal?
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[Thundarr]

It's a metal bed but I will definitely convert to wood whenever I get to the body work and paint done. I'm an engineer and love to tinker but I have a manufacturing business to run so I don't have long stretches of time to devote. I'll leave the bigger jobs to the pros.

Other than parts to upgrade or refresh, here are few other things I want to ultimately do:
• Convert the gas tank to an under the bed style and move the filler to inside the bed.
• Customize the bench seat to include a flip down storage/cupholder console and some low rise head rests with 3 point seat belts. Not sure if I'll start with a newer model donor and reupholster to look classic or modify existing.
• Switch to 18" wheels. I want to go a little more classic than hotrod. I just saw your Newstalgia wheels and they are awesome. I'm going to take serious look at those when the time comes.

I appreciate any help and advice. As for photoshop, I would love to see my GMC in brilliant silver and 18" Newstalgia wheels. I think a wood bed, wood steering wheel and a few other accents would give a nice classic pop against a silver and chrome background.
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[big mike71]

Here's a nice silver GMC for you.

[Thundarr]

Oh yeah. Beautiful. I'll ride higher but I love that look.
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[Tinkermc]

Welcome to the forum, nice lookin toys ya have there.

[CC69Rat]

^ yeah, that's awesome. I'm a big fan of silver too.

My wheels are Billet Specialties 'Heritage'. Newstalgia is the place where I got them mounted but they sell them too, as well as other brands. Budnik Muroc III is another wheel that looks really similar to mine.

Take a look at Billet Specialties 'Bonneville'. Those are freak in awesome too and they can powder coat the inserts in grey. They're sick..

Take your time on your truck man. Its all about the details brother !
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[extxj]

Southwest Classics in Arlington has a bunch of parts, they are on Cooper St north of I-20. Phone numbers is 682-323-4812. I have gotten most of my parts from them, good people to work with...Brian

[CC69Rat]

... Just curious. What is this exactly? Spare tire mount maybe? Mine doesn't have that.

I wish mine was an air conditioned cab too.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

... Just curious. What is this exactly? Spare tire mount maybe? Mine doesn't have that.

I wish mine was an air conditioned cab too.

Yes, that is exactly what it is and if you have one that is not rotted, keep it. They are getting hard to find, well where I am from anyway. I believe that in the bed style was used only in 1967/1968. In 1969 they started mounting under the bed.

Correct me if I am wrong on this, anyone!!