1968 GMC - Ol' Blue

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by Jolin

MDpotter was there much effort need to get those headlight to fit? Did you upgrade the harness? thanks

They were pretty easy to install. I didn't do the headlight relay upgrade - I'm running the factory setup. The plugs on these headlights are a little large and connectors/wiring on the the inner (high beams) headlights are pushed up against the core support. Not ideal, but seem to be okay. There isn't a hole behind the high and low beam buckets in my core support, but it would be better to drill a hole behind the high beams in the core support for clearance on those connectors. Other than that, they fit the buckets and trim rings just fine and the wiring was easy.

A tip: run your wires the way you want them to run and have them sticking out through the buckets and then install the connectors. If you don't, you'll find out that the connector won't fit between the bucket and the core support.

[Jolin]

Thanks, My build is real similar to your. A little darker blue LQ4 4L80E, Coil springs, the same Tanks tank (hopefully I will not have any leaks my bed is on). I am in the process of wiring, I may be bugging you some more. thanks for your help.

[rodstored-72]

md,
very nice job on the fans and the CFM verification. I purchased my radi/fan setup from summit. supposedly the fans indicate that their CFM is equal to what the factory fans did for my engine. I will also wire mine up to do the same as you indicated - first fan on full until temp/ac comp. kicks on and then kick the 2nd fan on. thanks for the build updates!!

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

md,
very nice job on the fans and the CFM verification. I purchased my radi/fan setup from summit. supposedly the fans indicate that their CFM is equal to what the factory fans did for my engine. I will also wire mine up to do the same as you indicated - first fan on full until temp/ac comp. kicks on and then kick the 2nd fan on. thanks for the build updates!!

Thanks. It's probably the safest bet. If you can find the wattage on your fans that will tell you about how much CFM they pull.

[clay68c10]

Nice progress, you'll be ready for summer.
How do you like that fuse/relay box? It looks like the same one I bought off Amazon.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by clay68c10

Nice progress, you'll be ready for summer.
How do you like that fuse/relay box? It looks like the same one I bought off Amazon.

Thanks! The bed is taking longer than I anticipated, but it should be on the road in June.

The fuse box is good, I'm happy with it. I've used 10ga wire on the connectors; it's not easy, but it can be done. I solder all the connections too. Just make sure you get the seals on the right way (the relay gaskets can be put in upside down). You can slide the gasket over the wires and then make up your connectors, but it's also possible to stretch the gasket around the connectors (easiest if you have another person to stretch it while the other pushes the connector through). I couldn't figure out how to pull the connectors out of the fuse slots without breaking a little plastic tab off, so that's why you see a couple slots between fuses. Once that plastic tab in the housing is broken off, the connector won't stay in.

I looked at the Bussman center as well since it's so cool and commercial-looking, but you end up having to buy like 50 or 100 minimum of the connectors and gaskets and there are different sizes for different size wires so you end up spending like $150 on the center, connectors, and gaskets and only using a few so I decided to go with this one since it comes with all those for a lot cheaper.

[clay68c10]

I thought the same about that Bussman. If the terminals weren’t an issue it would be a solid choice.
Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully I’ll be doing some wiring this summer.

[MDPotter]

I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel on the bed. I sanded the bedsides, the tubs, and the floor with 180 and then sprayed 2 coats of epoxy.

[MDPotter]

The next day, I sprayed two coats of Raptor Liner on the floor. It's hard to get it to look even with such a small pattern on the Raptor gun, but by the end of the day it had flashed off and you could hardly see the lines. The tailgate and front panel are nice and smooth from the factory so I won't need to do anything prior to paint on them.

1st coat:


2nd coat (right after spraying):


After drying about 6 hours:

[cornerstone]

The raptor liner really looks good, and I’d bet after it gets just a little bit of use you won’t be able to see any spray lines. Is raptor liner different that a standard bed liner or just another brand?

Did you add any filler to the bedside that arrived dented? It looks too straight to only have popped out the dent, or are you just very good with a hammer and dolly?

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

The raptor liner really looks good, and I’d bet after it gets just a little bit of use you won’t be able to see any spray lines. Is raptor liner different that a standard bed liner or just another brand?

Did you add any filler to the bedside that arrived dented? It looks too straight to only have popped out the dent, or are you just very good with a hammer and dolly?

I've only used two different bed liner products. The first one I used, years ago, was a roll on Herculiner and it sucks. It rolls on and is paper thin. This Raptor Liner is a spray product and goes on thicker and I'm really happy with it so far. Raptor Liner seems to have a great reputation and is widely used from what I've seen on here and the SPI forum.

I did apply some filler to the damaged bedside, along with the shaved stake pockets and the inner bedrail edge to cover up spot welds. The picture I took is of the good bedside. I'm far from very good with a hammer and dolly.

[Camaroguy]

Are you planning to top coat the raptor lining with body color or leave it black? Looks good, and you're way ahead of us.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by Camaroguy

Are you planning to top coat the raptor lining with body color or leave it black? Looks good, and you're way ahead of us.

I'm just leaving it black. I thought about tinting it, but wanted a little contrast.

[Camaroguy]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

I'm just leaving it black. I thought about tinting it, but wanted a little contrast.

I'll admit, I am not up to speed on this stuff but would be concerned about it fading. I am sure it will look nice either way. Again, good job on the truck.

[1971Stepside]

I'm having this shot on the inside of my rear fenders and front inner fenders to keep the rock dings and stars down. Looks like good stuff.

[Putzer]

I had the same issue with my rear view mirror from GMCPauls but really cranked down on the screw and it seemed to tighten up and doesn’t fall down anymore.

[1971Stepside]

Great work as always! You are getting yours done fast.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

Great work as always! You are getting yours done fast.

I'm very self-motivated. I want it done so I can drive it!

[cornerstone]

You may have mentioned this earlier and I didn’t notice, but I gotta ask the question... how is it that you have so much time in a legit spray booth?

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

You may have mentioned this earlier and I didn’t notice, but I gotta ask the question... how is it that you have so much time in a legit spray booth?

Well I appreciate the compliment on the spray booth! Haha but it is by no means legit. It's just a wood framed room with lots of light, intake filters, and exhaust to the exterior. But it is nice to have a room dedicated to spraying. I probably spent about $1500 on it. But we had lights, ceiling joists, and an old swamp cooler from a building we dismantled. So I bought the 2x material, OSB, paint, and furnace filters and it works pretty well. I need more CFM though, it gets cloudy quick if you're spraying much clear.

[cornerstone]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

Well I appreciate the compliment on the spray booth! Haha but it is by no means legit. It's just a wood framed room with lots of light, intake filters, and exhaust to the exterior. But it is nice to have a room dedicated to spraying. I probably spent about $1500 on it. But we had lights, ceiling joists, and an old swamp cooler from a building we dismantled. So I bought the 2x material, OSB, paint, and furnace filters and it works pretty well. I need more CFM though, it gets cloudy quick if you're spraying much clear.

Wow. in some of the pics it looks quite large, what are the dimensions inside the spray room? What all can you fit in there to spray at once? I'm working on building a 40x40 right now and would like to incorporate the same thing, maybe a couple of retractable walls?

[TA_C10]

Nice work Potter! Been a while since I checked in. I have same extra LMC mirror I'm not using if you want it.

When you shaved your bed stakes did you also remove the boxes underneath as well?

.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by TA_C10

Nice work Potter! Been a while since I checked in. I have same extra LMC mirror I'm not using if you want it.

When you shaved your bed stakes did you also remove the boxes underneath as well?

.

Appreciate the offer, I'll let you know if I get tired of staring at my stock mirror.

And no, I didn't go that far. Just filled the hole in the bedrail.

[1971Stepside]

Looks like you had a more productive weekend than I did. Can't wait to see the bed on it.

[MDPotter]

This thing is really coming down the home stretch. We had such a fun day yesterday putting the bed together, installing the lighting, and the bumper. Also got a few small interior parts done. This has been a lot of fun, but I'm looking forward to having it done so I can drive it and also work on a couple home projects before starting on the next vehicle.

At this point, it needs a hood, Vintage Air, alignment, and a few small items and it'll be done.