New 65 GMC and 84 Jimmy to the forums

[1Bad65GMC]

Hey, been lurking around the forums for quite some time now getting ideas and such for my builds. I recently joined and have been posting and trying to help where I can. Figured I should tell a little about me.

I have been in the auto industry for 20+ years. Started out at the bottom and worked my way up. Though I have always worked bumper to bumper I was primarily a heavy line guy till an injury took me out of that game. I specialized in electrical and a/c after that. Retired from that and taught automotive for 8 1/2 years. Now it is just my own projects to mess with.

My projects.
1965 GMC shortbed stepside. This project is on hold till my Jimmy is a driver but plans are installing a 454 with a Banks Power Pack and 4L80E. I already have them from an old duelly I had that is no longer with us. I am looking to do a disk brake up grade to the front. It is already lowered and I want to keep this stance but need to see how the big block effects it.
1984 GMC Jimmy. This is ongoing now. I am in the middle of swapping out axles. I have a 282 on the stand now to replace the tired 350 in it now. Since I have to put up with California's smog laws it isn't too radical, very streetable and still smog legal. It doesn't have any real rust that I have found so am going to clean it up real good and make this my daily driver.
1990 Suburban. Well I decided I had to many vehicles and since I didn't pay much for this I am taking parts from this to build my Jimmy. I kind of feel bad as it isn't that bad so I will try to sell it as a cheap rolling chassis when done.

Past GM Trucks, I no longer have.
1969 GMC 3/4ton. 305/V6/MT. Learned to drive in this.
1978 Chevy Suburban 3/4 ton 2wd. 454/AT. Fun truck but really missed 4wd.
1978 Chevy 1ton Flatbed. Great truck. 350/AT. Drove it from Ga to Ca.
1979 Chevy K30 4wd. My favorite of all time. It had everything I could have asked for. I had it for years and when I was moving I was talked into selling it and have regretted it ever since. Heard it went back to Al and became a mud bogger.
1989 Chevy 3/4ton 4wd. Was stolen when I first moved to Sacramento.

[Xman62]

Hello Bad65,

I'm new here too...I have also been lurking around these forums since I picked up a 62 C-20 a few months ago and decided this is a cool place hangout at and learn and share. I'm posting my 1st pics tonight.

I bought the truck cause I wanted something cool to do Home Depot runs with as I work on my new house, but now I enjoy tinkering on it!


X

[1Bad65GMC]

See you are from Santa Ana, I moved up here from Orange County almost 7 years ago. What a culture shock. I like it though.

I am building my 65 to be my "Hot Rod", errand runner, weekend warrior. My 84 will end up being my daily driver when I get the motor in.

[Xman62]

Yeah, seems anytime u leave OC for anywhere it's major culture shock!

I wanted a truck to eventually hot rod but ended up with a C20 and don't have the heart to go that route with it. So gonna keep it mostly stock looking with a few nice touches.

[1Bad65GMC]

The last owner did a number on this and then let it sit outside. Anything I do will be a help to it.

[Xman62]

Luckily mine is in pretty good shape. However the PO must have had a camper on it for a while cause it came with an aux battery where the radiator overflow should be, and tons of extra wiring that I'm still removing! Now I'm closing the hole the PO cut to fit the battery. Using hammer and dolly to shape it and will weld it shut to keep road element out.

[1Bad65GMC]

I have been lucky body wise mine is either just plain missing or mechanical.

[1ATony]

Welcome to the site

[1Bad65GMC]

Thanks Tony!