The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

Sorry for the low resolution photos but these are mostly from his craigslist ad, besides the bottom picture. I bought the fiberglass fenders and then he just started handed me things - he wanted it GONE! I brought some interior pieces and the door panels as well. I probably should have grabbed more and regret not doing so.

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

Now that we've taken the scenic detour there for a moment, back onto my blue truck. After doing some research on different sound deadening material I went with a cheap solution off ebay but made sure that the material was butyl instead of asphalt or whatever else they use. The company I used is called GT Mat, it was really easy stuff to apply and I took my time with it. I laid down a few sheets a day over the course of a week. The difference only one sheet made was pretty phenomenal. I cleaned up the edges with some 3M insulation tape.

After I got that project completed I took some leftover speaker wire from a different project and laid out how I wanted my speaker wires to run.

[STOCKISH]

Looking great. Those fenders look like they fit amazing

[TKCR]

Awesome work as always. I remember that truck, the scenic route truck. You did score on a lot of good parts.
Now, if I may add. I would add a layer of foil backed jute on top of what you have put down already. And again, use your foil tape to finish it off. Maybe your already planning on putting it down. But if not, I would highly suggest it. You can order it by the roll from Home Depot online. It's a lot cheaper than the truck places. Then your carpet can go right over all of it.
Here's a pic of mine, you can barely see the FatMat under the foiled jute. There on the edge where your side sills go, I would not put any jute. It will make it harder to get the side sills on.

[HunterRotten]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Awesome work as always. I remember that truck, the scenic route truck. You did score on a lot of good parts.
Now, if I may add. I would add a layer of foil backed jute on top of what you have put down already. And again, use your foil tape to finish it off. Maybe your already planning on putting it down. But if not, I would highly suggest it. You can order it by the roll from Home Depot online. It's a lot cheaper than the truck places. Then your carpet can go right over all of it.
Here's a pic of mine, you can barely see the FatMat under the foiled jute. There on the edge where your side sills go, I would not put any jute. It will make it harder to get the side sills on.

Didn't really think about that, my vinyl floor mat came with jute and it's just hanging out under there and doesn't cover much.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by HunterRotten

Didn't really think about that, my vinyl floor mat came with jute and it's just hanging out under there and doesn't cover much.

My carpet had jute attached to the back also. The foil backed jute from Home Depot isn't very thick. It can be thought of as helping with heat from under the truck and sound. It isn't too much that it will I interfere with the carpet or vinyl.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building...dfZ48tZ1z114ri

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

Time for a little picture dump, this is of the installation of the vintage air unit. Since the truck isn't fully together just yet, the installation is only half finished as of right now.

I had most of the plates and hardware painted to match the color of the truck, and then they were bolted on to the firewall with some silicone to keep my cab water tight.

This unit is really cool and cleans up the engine side of the firewall. You do loose a lot of glovebox space as a result but it doesn't seem like there's really any foot well loss as it's tucked under the dash. I will say that getting it up in there is a battle. It doesn't want to go.

[HunterRotten]

Originally Posted by STOCKISH

Looking great. Those fenders look like they fit amazing

Thanks for looking!

[Odaroloc]

Dude! I just read through that all! Great build so far! Im also 20 and have had a 78 GMC 3/4 4x4 350/4-speed LWB and a 77 Chevy 1/2 4x4 350/4-speed SWB but unfortunatly i dont have either of them anymore, joined the Air Force so all my toys had to go But i do still have my 71 GMC 2wd LWB that im trying to start building but its still up in Alaska where i used to live and im down in North Dakota. Just too far away haha, but im excited to see how this turns out! Ill definitly be watching this closely! Keep it up man!

[HunterRotten]

Originally Posted by Odaroloc

Dude! I just read through that all! Great build so far! Im also 20 and have had a 78 GMC 3/4 4x4 350/4-speed LWB and a 77 Chevy 1/2 4x4 350/4-speed SWB but unfortunatly i dont have either of them anymore, joined the Air Force so all my toys had to go But i do still have my 71 GMC 2wd LWB that im trying to start building but its still up in Alaska where i used to live and im down in North Dakota. Just too far away haha, but im excited to see how this turns out! Ill definitly be watching this closely! Keep it up man!

That's a lot of trucks! Hurry up and bring that 71 home! (Or go home to it)

[TKCR]

It's coming along!! Hunter, you and your Dad, do great work.

[TKCR]

Your original bezel: I believe LDO started a thread, where he made his look new again. I'll look around, see if I can find it.

Here it is:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=732238

[HunterRotten]

Originally Posted by TKCR

It's coming along!! Hunter, you and your Dad, do great work.

Thanks! I still have some more updates to post. We're working on the seat right now and a solution to mounting it.

[Country705]

Love this build. I've just read through the entire project... Keep the updates coming

[HunterRotten]

Originally Posted by papsoldblue72

Lookin good.....

Originally Posted by Country705

Love this build. I've just read through the entire project... Keep the updates coming

Thanks, guys! I'll have more to share soon.

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

Here's a some pictures of that black vinyl floor. Stuff is pretty thick, we installed it in December I think, so it wasn't the easiest to get in cause it was a wee bit COLD! I got it from stock interiors, it's actually the ACC brand which I hear is the best. I could have gotten a better deal from rockauto, ALWAYS CHECK ROCK AUTO!

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

Not sure if anyone noticed but on that last one I used a little big larger photos, maybe a little bit too big? I couldn't decide so I'll be following up with my original size.

So, I don't know if anyone reading remembers but I have the 60/40 bench out of like a 90's model chevy truck to put in mine. The floors on those trucks are flat because theres not gas tank under the cab, so the brackets are massive. It took some talking with my dad and we are actually still working on this bracket today a little here and there to make it fit JUST RIGHT but here's the basics of it.

We bought some steel here locally and ended up with enough to make two of these things. I'm sure we'll find something to do with the extra bits later! We (my dad) drew up and created a bracket to bolt up to the original seat mounting locations and then we planned (and did so successfully) to cut the 60/40 seat rails to fit.

After looking at all of these, I think we need better lighting in the garage! Or, better yet.. IT NEEDS TO GET WARM! That way we can open the doors and let that sweet natural light in. I also think we need more rags. I apparently cleaned up the metal with a dirty rag so the paint did some funky stuff, but hey.. it's under the seat. whatever.

Also, that dash in the last two pics is AN ORIGINAL DASH! It's pretty cool! It was in a camper conversion that had curtains pulled all around the glass. I got the door panels, kicks, and seatbelts too. It's all mint! I'll share pics of that next, I think. My dad got me the steering wheel for christmas.

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

I thought about it for a minute.. I think I'll tease you all with the door panels and belts until I get my doors on! Here's a little sneak at the panels wrapped up from shipment and my dash.

[Palf70Step]

The truck is looking real good.

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

The truck is looking real good.

Thanks!

Here's a little update on the bed.

[HunterRotten]

White letters in or out...

I never gave it much thought and I'm on my way out the door to get them mounted.

[rgunlock]

If I recall you are going for retro look, so white letters out.

[HunterRotten]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

If I recall you are going for retro look, so white letters out.

Yuuuup. That's what I ended up doing. Had a bit of a problem with some weight clearance on one of the four but everything's good now, I think!

[HunterRotten]

Hunter's 1978 GMC Build

No idea how glad I am to have these cragars out of the box, they've been taking up space in my room for a good while! They look awesome.

[Palf70Step]

Very, Very NICE!!!