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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Gator Squared
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. Last edited by sumran; 04-06-2011 at 01:53 PM. |
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#2 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,287
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Re: New member, new project.
welcome aboard! cant wait to see pictures and to see the progress you make on your project
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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.
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Northeast--Bethlehem, Pennslyvania
Posts: 642
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Re: New member, new project.
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
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Big Blue ( John ) 79 Chevy Pick up.....My Dailey STILL Working on a frame up: 1987 Truck body on a 78 Blazer frame. Need cab blasted to start project. Got the cab BLASTED, Now Prep and Paint. Started to lay SOME BONDO and primer. Done, Ordering paint. Got paint, Stuff painted,Cab,Fenders, Hood more later. 9/7/2015 Got the clear coat on,now time to take one off. Started to put things back (What a nightmare) like the heating and AC stuff,inside wire harness, outside AC unit and booster, still more. May 2016, still working on the inside. Got duck work in,heating and AC. Radio (stock) in dash with after market in console later, Speaker are hooked up, Steering column is in. Getting ready to drop the cab onto the frame, Working on engine now since I have the room. Well here it is 2018, got the engine in and it runs, now I need to get the exhaust system in so I can adjust the lifters, to loud right now. Got the exhaust on now I am waiting for the break parts to come in. |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: memphis
Posts: 2,537
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Re: New member, new project.
welcome
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#7 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
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Re: New member, new project.
Welcome to the forum sumran. Get some pics so we can share in your excitement.
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Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
Quote:
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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.
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 Last edited by sumran; 02-16-2011 at 09:10 PM. |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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!
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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.
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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!
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ottawa,canada
Posts: 4,550
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Re: New member, new project.
the truck looks pretty solid tho....love the dash!
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my build threads '86 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415628 '67 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635078 '63 GMC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=674682 |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ogden, Utah
Posts: 219
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Re: New member, new project.
Looks like your gonna have alot of fun!
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84 K20 Long Box W.I.P ![]() 78 Burb - parts now [Rolled] ![]() 68 c20 dump bed ![]() WHEN IN DOUBT--- FLOOR IT ![]() |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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 ![]() 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.
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Buford, Ga.
Posts: 339
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Re: New member, new project.
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!
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My 68 cougar restomod build:HERE |
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#17 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
Quote:
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
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.
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: los angeles
Posts: 1,132
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Re: New member, new project.
DUDE...more pics...
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#20 |
The One And Only !!!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hole in the woods Florida
Posts: 4,567
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Re: New member, new project.
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 ! ![]()
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93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! ![]() The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. "Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
There will be more pics this weekend.
I haven't done anything except talk ![]()
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
Quote:
I will probably stay with an enhanced version of what I have.
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Gainesville, FL
Posts: 406
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Re: New member, new project.
Just talked with a client that has a friend that is selling a well-built 327. Very tempting...
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Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737 |
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#24 |
The One And Only !!!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hole in the woods Florida
Posts: 4,567
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Re: New member, new project.
It's really not too much if you don't have a heavy foot but it's a
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93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! ![]() The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. "Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!
Last edited by Restrorob; 02-25-2011 at 02:18 PM. |
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#25 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: New member, new project.
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
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 Last edited by motornut; 02-26-2011 at 09:13 AM. |
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