1986 GMC Sierra Classic - Flatline

[Flatline454]

Hello everyone,

Let me introduce the proud new member of the family my 1986 GMC Sierra Classic, 454, Turbo 400, 32 spline NP205, Dana 60, Corp 14 bolt. blah blah blah...

Below are the photos right before I purchased the vehicle and I have already made a few improvements.

I will get an updated picture when I get home and show some of the new goodies that are going on her shortly.

The truck is dubbed "Flatline" because my wife said its almost dead, and I hope to bring her back to a nice daily driver.

Dave

[Mr.Chevy4x4]

I love it. Nice score! Those trucks are hard to find.

Mike

[Flatline454]

Attached are some pictures of the truck as it currently sits.

I was able to score four BFG All-terrains in 285/75/16's for $150.00, that is when I decided to sand down the stock wheels and paint them black. The hubcaps are from a friend that has an over abundance of square body parts.

Hopefully, soon I can find the correct GMC covers and run them.

[Flatline454]

Attached are the new parts that I have for Flatline. I have a whole new front clip assembly and two more doors. I also scored a new professional products intake for 50 bucks and a set of Jeg's headers for 130 bucks both of which are brand new.

The idea with the truck is to help her breathe a little better, dump the emission garbage, and get the body work moving in the right direction so it doesn't look like swiss cheese. haha

I have ordered almost all of the sheet metal except for the bed, so as time allows I will start tearing into the body work, which I dislike greatly....

[daddyjeep]

I have been eyeballing that front clip for a while. I guess you beat me to it.

[jbailly]

I'm assuming that is NOT a PA truck due to little to no major rust. I am officially jealous, I've been looking for a similar truck for some time and had little luck.

[Flatline454]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I have been eyeballing that front clip for a while. I guess you beat me to it.

I got the clip a while back, its sitting outside my house now just waiting. I think I have found a bed, so I can start the tear down process.

[Flatline454]

Originally Posted by jbailly

I'm assuming that is NOT a PA truck due to little to no major rust. I am officially jealous, I've been looking for a similar truck for some time and had little luck.

The legit one tons are hard to find and if I do find them they are always DRW. I actually picked up this truck in Mill Hall, PA. The guy that had it was going to steal the NP205 because it is the 32 spline model and stuff it into a variety of Jeeps he had.

[Hewfil1]

Cool build, as a fellow Pennsylvanian, I'm in!

[jbailly]

I've been looking for a one ton prefer dually, but could be single wheel for quite some time and have only physically looked at one so far, which might not seem bad, but I've been looking for probably 4 years now. Oh well the right one will come along. If not I'll convert a 2wd.

[Flatline454]

So I was able to get some work completed on Flatline. Things are pretty busy right now with the children in sports, so it cuts down on any real free time.

I found a spot on the frame that I didn't like so I added a patch panel, before coating the frame with KBS coatings.

Two things: 1. Don't buy any color other than black. 2. This coating really is a quality coating, but my recommendation would be to spray it rather than brush it on. It does lay flat and no brush strokes can be seen, but if you are really particular on your build, spraying it would be the better choice.

[Flatline454]

While the frame was drying in between coats, I decided that the emission garbage needed to make a swift exit.

My intentions are to yank both smog pumps, all the various plumbing, the stock manifolds with vent tubes, and finally pull any unnecessary electrical wires. This will allow me to run the new intake, headers, and finally clean up the engine bay.

[Flatline454]

Below is the carnage, let me tell you those exhaust manifolds put up a fight. I only broke one bolt and one spark plug. This poor truck hasn't received much love in a long time.

After I finish hanging both new headers, I will finish the exhaust and move onto the intake and various wiring.

The next mod will be the cam while I am in there with new lifters, springs, seals, retainers, timing chain, and a new one piece metal oil pump shaft.

[daddyjeep]

I saw that you moved it inside. I have been waiting for an update. Are you going to pull the cab so you can finish coating the frame?

[Flatline454]

Below are the predicted numbers with my setup after I toss the cam in. The truck is still running the stock peanut ports and will for quite some time. This should help motivate the truck down the road better and hopefully, not destroy any drive train parts.

[Flatline454]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

I saw that you moved it inside. I have been waiting for an update. Are you going to pull the cab so you can finish coating the frame?

Not at the moment. However, contingent on what rust I find, I may. haha

[daddyjeep]

Originally Posted by Flatline454

Not at the moment. However, contingent on what rust I find, I may. haha

I wish I could pull my cab, but it will have to wait till next winter. Mine is just like yours at the moment...all clean and shiny in the back and old and crusty up front.

[jbailly]

I have 3/4 or 1 ton GMC caps for the rear that you can have for the ride if you're interested.
Let me know.
Jon

[LT7A]

I like the truck a lot. I wouldn't be able to resist if I could get one with those colors and keep the exterior stock appearing (with the bigger tires). Funny how the ladies see something almost dead and we see something with so much potential. Flatline is a cooler name than Potential though.

[RUN GMC]

I like your build....that one of the best paint schemes GM ever put on their trucks ever...my painter has a K5 in that paint scheme......good luck on you build.....

[Flatline454]

Originally Posted by jbailly

I have 3/4 or 1 ton GMC caps for the rear that you can have for the ride if you're interested.
Let me know.
Jon

Yes sir, I enjoy a good road trip. I can PM my info if that works for you?

[Flatline454]

I fell in love with the paint scheme when I first saw it. The truck is still on the stock springs, the biggest I want to go at the moment is a 34 or 35" tall tire but I would like to be 13.50 or 14.50 wide. I love these square bodies with wide tires.

The tires that are onmit are just 285/75/16 ATM.

[Flatline454]

This is the paint/decal that will be on the bed of the truck whenever I get it painted. The idea ties in with the truck being dead, and coming back to life; thus the flatline then a pulse.

[Flatline454]

Those of us fortunate enough to be riddled with emissions crap, vacuum lines, and endless connections of stupid stuff. I think everyone will enjoy the before and after, below.
I have to get some pictures of the installed intake tonight, I may even set the bed on the truck.

[Flatline454]

In tearing everything apart, we have made a discovery. Originally, I thought the truck had 157,000 miles on it. After tearing into the internals, it differs from my original thoughts. The truck appears to have only 57,000 original miles on it.

All gaskets are original, the head gaskets are still metal. The distributor and intake valley are stupid clean. The cam looks great from the topside, etc. I guess it's better to be lucky rather than good!

While I'm in here, the truck will be getting a new thermostat, vacuum hoses, and probably radiator hoses. Here's to hearing her fire soon.