Newbie With Questions

[lkt1954]

I posted this in the welcome area first and it was suggested that I post here, so here goes.

Well here I am another "newbie" from Texas. I just purchased a 69 GMC short wide pick-up and am looking to finish what someone else had started. I have spent several days reading various post and have a few questions to bounce off you'll, but first let me give you some details of the pick-up;

350 crate with a 144 B & M blower (which is going) 800 cmf holley carb, bored .30 over and a cam to match the blower (forgot the size), th400 with a 2800 stall converter (think I am right-information at work, not here at home), 455 positive track rear end (yes its going to a 373), fuel cell in the bed, very nice rear roll pan. Paint is burnt orange, the body looks to be straight and rust free (a good soda blast will tell the truth). Like any project there are several items I would have done different and several that I want to do to make this truck cool. So here goes some questions:

1) in reading post on bucket seats, several recommend newer style seats to convert bench to bucket.. I would like the seats to stay at or below the rear window line, so what year bucket seats would you'll recommend that I look for?

2) on to relocating the fuel tank-- I do not want to go back behind the seat, with a rear roll pan I do not want one in the rear end. So my question here is can a fuel tank be mounted in this model truck like the late 70's and up models had (between the frame and body in front of the rear wheel) and put the filler door and cap in the side panel? I realize these were small tanks (if my memory serves me right), but it is not like this will ever be used for long trips.

3) converting from steel to wooded bed. What can I expect to pay to do the job right (my labor is cheap)for all the necessary items to do a 1st class job?


Sorry for the long post, kinda got carried away and hope I have not asked any dumb questions. Any ideas, suggestions or directions will be appreciated.

Thanks
Larry

[bowtieboy93]

welcome!
for your questions

1) i would recommend 95-99 yukon/truck/suburban seats with removed headrests

2)yes, a fuel cell can be mounted in the frame behind your rear wheels but not in front, by using a 69-72 blazer tank.this is very popular and many board members have them in their trucks

3)as for a steel to wood floor, its not hard to do yourself but getting someone else to do it will work to (no idea on labour cost)

[PanelDeland]

Welcome from a misplaced homie.I'm from Amarillo so Dumas has been on my list of places I've been to for a few years.I think you probably have the best of the info above.In the late 90's there were some fellows in Dumas or Dalhart(a suburb) doing back halves on these trucks.I think their goal was to build a kit for the commercial market.They may also have been selling restoration parts.I have no idea the name or if they are still around.Good luck with your project and keep us posted.

BTW "Anyone born north of the Canadian River is a Damn Yankee!"

[Slammed70]

Originally Posted by lkt1954

you'll

Y'all

Im noobish too, but here goes....

1: If you want to do bucket seats, I would do Bonneville seats from 98 and newer. Thats what Im doing, the head rests can be romoved quite easily. Plus if you got some spare 14ga wire lying around, you can make all the creature comforts (power/heated seats) work like the originals.

2: No much options apprently when it comes to tanks from what Ive read. Either stock or below the ass end of the bed. There was a post some time ago about someone asking the same question, and he got "flamed" because everyone told him is was a stupid idea of GM in the first place, because side impacts prove more fatal with that set up. Im not saying it cant be done, just saying you might not like the responses that ensue...why dont you want it in the rear if you dont mind me asking? Theres some kits out there($$$) that tuck up real well and cant be seen unless you look for it.

3: Hit up Mar-K for anything bed related, put in an order, I can PM you my address and you can send me your steel floor and we will both be happy.

MItch-

[lkt1954]

Thanks for the advise guys, it will help. PanelDeland- well at least I am still in Texas.....hahaha..lol. Slammed70- I know about the issues with the side tanks and with a roll pan in the rear I don't want a rear mounted tank. GM must have done something to improve this issue, cause all the new tanks are mounted on the sides, but inside the frame rails (and that is where I would like to mount one). The bed floor appears to be good (has been sprayed with liner) will know more when we take the liner off. Will know more later on it.

In the mean time thanks for the advise.

Larry

[lkt1954]

Here are some pictures that were taken when we bought it. A few changes like a smooth tail gate, molded mirrors, bucket seats,wooden bed and add a/c and it will be sweet. Get rid of the blower and few other items.

Larry

[Slammed70]

Let me have your wheels too along with the bed floor.

[OLDIRON69]

If you go with a smooth gate you can get some good $ for the one you have. Nice truck. I like the blower!

[OrangeCrush1970]

That truck is bad a$$.

[72BlckButy]