68' GMC/Chevy "Re"-Build

[ilovnos]

This is my 68' GMC build. I purchased the truck off ebay. Truck looked nice, but I didn't know as much as I should have when I went to buy it. Still wasn't a bad deal because it came with lots of brand new extra parts, but the biggest problem was the front end. The owner was trying to put mid 80's style square headlights in. He gave me an original radiator support so I could change it back to the Chevy single headlight, but he never told me he cut the fenders and grill for the square headlights. So I have to change fenders, grill, and radiator support, to start.

[ilovnos]

For some reason it's not letting me add pictures

[thelonerife]

Congrats on the truck. I hope your leaving it a GMC. They seem to be scarce since most people change to a Chevy grille. You can use photo bucket till you figure out the pics.

[ilovnos]

He gave me the Chevy headlights with it and I like the Chevy single headlight front. But I do agree the GMC's are a lot more unique.

dave

[ilovnos]

Trying to get pictures up.

[ilovnos]

Finally got it to work--anyway, this is when I first bought the truck. Not bad at first glance, but LOTS of hidden surprises! Like this one in the front end. The fenders and grill have been cut to fit vertically mounted square headlights (like mid-80's style trucks).

[ilovnos]

So I changed the radiator support, picked up a grill and some fenders through the forum and also decided to swap the stepside bed for a fleetside. The bed was actually very nice, but too nice for me to use it as a daily "truck". Here are some pics.

[ilovnos]

Also, my motorhead background made me want to change the motor. Nothing radical, just wanted fuel injection and something that looks nice. Here's the old motor I took out.

[ilovnos]

Now working on the "new" motor. Came out of a 1990 Corvette--350 TPI with 700r4 trans.

[ilovnos]

Now 355 c.i., stepped up the cam just a bit to give it some bumpety bump at idle. Mild port and polish to the throttle body and intake runners. Should be somewhere around 350 horsepower. Not looking for radical--going for looks and reliability. Guess I'm getting old.

[ilovnos]

Working on the fleetside bed--going to "smooth" everything out. Plans are to POR the bed floor, remove the side-fill fuel door, smooth the marker lights, then put a bed-rug, flush mount tonneau with linear actuators and some led lights under the bed rails.

[ChevyNewb]

Actually looking to get my '68 to the level of the one you are fixing up,

You have plans for the bed you are taking out? Looking to do exactly that to ours...

[ilovnos]

I actually swapped beds with another member who lived close by and was looking for a stepside bed.

[ilovnos]

I am selling the bench seat out of it with the belts.

[ilovnos]

Been a while since I posted, but I finally finished the motor. Pics aren't the greatest (crappy phone). When it's all in the truck and done I'll take some better pics.

[67cheby]

great project, cant wait to see more !

[Tinkermc]

nice looking project, I see you like to play with an air brush some. Looks good and not seen often also helps make it special 2 you

[jtp67-72]

Glad to meet U this past week.....Hope the hood works for U.....by the way guys .....that's not airbrush....that's a wet film applied.....I need to see that in person.........jim

[VA72C10]

nice build you have going!

[ilovnos]

Thanks guys--good to finally meet you Jim. After seeing your truck in person you got me motivated to get back on mine! And Tinkermc--like Jim said, that's actually hydrodipped. They have many different patterns that are printed on film and basically anything that can be dipped in water can be coated.

[ilovnos]

I sent my stuff to El Paso Powdercoating in Texas. Nice guys who take pride in their work. They're also the only ones who have this particular print right now. I had them paint a blue basecoat as this film is semi-transparent. If you check out their website they have pics with other colors. And here's a little better pic of the valve covers.

[Tinkermc]

still looks very nice