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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Cary, NC
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
It's looking awesome Rick. You are so close, your first road trip is in sight!
-Brett |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salado, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
It's a great day!
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Just trying to figure this out... 1970 SWB Step-Side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552980 1970 LWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584499 1970 SWB One Owner Step Side 6.0 LY6/6L90 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617630 Junkyard's 1971 short wide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...86#post7531186 |
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#3 | |||
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Location: Tomball, Texas
Posts: 1,592
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Thanks Brett!
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![]() Yes, it was - thanks! I've already decided that the concrete block is NOT going to provide a reasonable level of comfort for longer trips, so I've already torn down the old bench. I've got upholstery and new foam, but it looks like I'll also need some new springs. BTW, what are the odds that I'd be responding to 3 Brett's in 1 post? ![]()
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#4 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Kind of late getting my update posted, but nothing terribly interesting. Not interesting can be very time consuming though! Spent several hours on a creeper under the truck cleaning up all the wiring for the taillight and fuel harnesses. Final routing now that I know the circuits work, cutting and re-splicing to length, getting the wires into conduit and securing to frame, etc. Hard to get good pics under there, so just a token. Also started connecting everything up for the stereo head unit connection. Got some work to do here still.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Red Lake, ON
Posts: 106
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Fantastic work, I can use these as references for the future when I get this far along. Perhaps I missed it from an earlier post but what did you coat the transmission cover plate with? Keep up with the great non-interesting progress!
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#6 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Thanks for checking in quadzero.
What you see on the transmission hump and the rest of the cab floor is U-Pol Raptor Liner. I'll go over the top of that with whatever sound deadener and heat insulation I come up with - still researching that.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#7 |
It followed me home?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Yup
Posts: 5,751
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
just started following along, looking good!!!
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Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually |
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#8 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Thanks Adam! Only progress on small things last couple of weeks. I'm still trying to decide what products I want to use for insulation and sound deadening. Also, a few months ago I bought foam and upholstery to redo my bench. Come to find out, I've apparently got an 81-87 bench which is not the same as 73-80, so I'm on the hunt for a new bench.
I have done some work shimming the bed and working on getting better fit and alignment on my trim. Repainted the GMC in the tailgate band - came out much better this time. Also working on the stereo. Ended up getting classiccarstereos.com USA-630 so I needed to fix my radio opening. This was kind of a PIA and isn't too pretty but I think it will work. I'll have to do some paint touchup inside now. I didn't realize that the opening for the heat/ac stuck out beyond the dash bezel so far. I guess subconsciously I thought I had that much space when grinding and masking for primer - oops! Also mounted my corner speakers in brackets I got from member BigBlock73. I've made all the connections for the stereo harness, but the head unit isn't powering on so I'll be troubleshooting that this afternoon.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Red Lake, ON
Posts: 106
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Really looking forward to the finished dash. Are you going to run amps as well?
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#10 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Syracuse, Utah
Posts: 1,935
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Very nice!
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Brett ![]() 67 Camaro SS Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=751594 72 Cheyenne/10 Super 115" Fleetside (Waiting it's turn.) 72 Cheyenne/K30 Super 133" DRW SOLD Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645614 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@6dee7-7dee2 |
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#11 | |
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Quote:
Thanks Brett! Well, got the stereo pretty much wrapped up as far as wiring. Like I mentioned, I didn't go with an amp, but I did add a small subwoofer. Without the sound deadeners but also without a bench in the way I'd say it sounds pretty good.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#12 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
I mentioned that I was hunting for a 73-80 bench because the one that came in my truck is apparently 81-87 and I'd bought foam and cover for the 73-80. Well, my better half took it upon herself to stop at a pick-n-pull that she drives by once a week to see if they had one. Traipsed through the mud and weeds to the back of the lot to take pics of a bench in a 79 chevy. Looked like it was right and $50 was ok, so she had the folks there unmount it and load it up for her. To be honest, I was kinda blown away that she did this
![]() Frame was a bit rusty so I had a lot of wire wheel work this weekend. Also had a couple busted springs which I have on order. My big question is how the heck this foam for the seat portion is supposed to work. It doesn't actually look like the foam for either the 73-80 or the 81-87. No way its going to sit on the springs for my seat - as you can see the old foam is carved out to fit over the springs. Maybe I'm supposed to just get rid of the springs??? Any case, frame is reasonably cleaned up and painted.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#13 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Also found an OEM grille. Paint was pretty wore out. I had some of this light driftwood metallic that I thought would look good with my paint color. Also went with black rather than orange/red for the GMC. I'm really not too impressed with the result. My gorilla glue repair of one of the fins turned out good, so effort wasn't a total loss but I need to work on these colors.
I also got my order of sound deadener. A question for you guys. Driver side under dash is pretty busy with wiring, fuse box, pedals, steering column, etc. Would you pull all of that out to try to get sound deadener and insulation on that part of the firewall? Try to fit bits and pieces in between stuff? Ignore it all together? I'm kind of torn on this cause I really don't want to pull all that stuff out of there ![]()
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#14 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salado, Texas
Posts: 1,418
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Dynamat makes a product called dynapad that I have used several times and it works well. Maybe you could use it? It is cut to fit so you can cut what you can fit? Not sure if that helps but that is how my red step side is done and it seems to work well.
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Just trying to figure this out... 1970 SWB Step-Side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552980 1970 LWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584499 1970 SWB One Owner Step Side 6.0 LY6/6L90 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617630 Junkyard's 1971 short wide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...86#post7531186 |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Fairbanks, AK
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Looks good! I recall that was the biggest difference with sound deadener, seat of the pants: good solid thud when you shut the door.
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-Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Syracuse, Utah
Posts: 1,935
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Nice, your truck is really going to be a pleasure to drive! If my wife saw that fountain...
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Brett ![]() 67 Camaro SS Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=751594 72 Cheyenne/10 Super 115" Fleetside (Waiting it's turn.) 72 Cheyenne/K30 Super 133" DRW SOLD Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645614 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@6dee7-7dee2 |
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#17 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Well, I have a new least favorite part of this build - the carpet. Got this cutpile carpet w/ mass backing which looks nice and is molded to fit (more or less). Wish I'd figured out the tricks I know now before I started. They say you learn from your mistakes...
1) totally remove all shift handles, including the short NP205 shifter. You don't want anything to interfere with just sliding the carpet into place. 2) cut slits - DO NOT try to cut out shapes until the whole carpet is laid in, in position, and laying nice and flat. You CANNOT just roll this stiff carpet up to an obstacle and start cutting! I ain't no seamstress, but I think I got enough carpet sewed back in (for both shifters) so that the boot will cover what's left. As much as I'm whining, I think it will turn out looking nice. So carpet mostly done. Decided to mount the seatbelts I got from Julianos. Hard to tell from the pic but this angle bracket needs to be 1" forward or at least 2" taller. The original mounting bolt goes into the floor just ahead of the rear shelf so there isn't room for the seatbelt with cover. Will need to figure out what my options are. Maybe Julianos has a bracket to deal with this, or worse case I'll have to fabricate one. Honestly, I'd rather be patching rust than doing this interior ![]()
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#18 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Syracuse, Utah
Posts: 1,935
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
That's some really nice carpet, it's going to look great!
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Brett ![]() 67 Camaro SS Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=751594 72 Cheyenne/10 Super 115" Fleetside (Waiting it's turn.) 72 Cheyenne/K30 Super 133" DRW SOLD Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645614 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@6dee7-7dee2 |
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#19 |
Senior Member
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
I know its been a couple weeks since I've updated, but I promise I've been busy. Just seems like everything I turn my attention to is hitting a snag.
Joe at Juliano's has been great working with me on my seatbelt mounting issue. Turns out their supplier changed the design of the retractor and the new one doesn't work in my 78. Joe sent me the casing for the style they'd been using and it works fine. Now its back to the supplier to see what they can do to get me the correct style. Running into a little problem with my Vintage Air also. They sent adapters to fit on the back of the ducts, but only 3 out of 4 work. I need to contact them to see if they have a solution. Also, my dash pad from Cheyenne has an issue. The padding where the dash insert mounts is about 1/2" thick. The original dash in that location was 1/8". So, now the posts on the back of the insert don't go through far enough for the nuts to catch when I have the AC duct mounted. This can't be the first time they've run into this issue so I need to call them to see if they have a solution.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#20 |
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Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salado, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
I've used a tooth pick and just dipped it in the paint and then onto the small section I needed paint in. It was time consuming but it worked. Hopefully someone has a better idea.
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Just trying to figure this out... 1970 SWB Step-Side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552980 1970 LWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584499 1970 SWB One Owner Step Side 6.0 LY6/6L90 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617630 Junkyard's 1971 short wide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...86#post7531186 |
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#21 |
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: El Lago, TX
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
If I remember correctly that Vintage Air adaptor you are holding in your hand attaches to the original duct work on the far driver's side. Hopefully, you still have the original duct work because you have to cut and reuse part of it.
I saw a thread on here one time where someone showed how to paint the letters on the shifter. Seems like they did the same thing you are doing and then used some kind of solvent to wipe off the paint outside the indentions. The truck looks great! ![]() Last edited by Greenlee; 04-26-2017 at 08:06 AM. |
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#22 | ||
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Location: Tomball, Texas
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Quote:
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#23 |
Senior Member
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
I got another duct adapter from VA which I was able to make work and got all of the ducting run this weekend. On close inspection, I'm pretty certain that the left driver side duct I have is factory but doesn't look like the one VA expected me to have. I'm thinking it may have to do with the fact my truck is a manual. The clutch pedal has such a deep swing that it has made it a real pain to run wiring and duct tubing so maybe the usual duct wouldn't work. Any case I think that is wrapped up so I'm nearly done under the dash - yay!
On the bench, it turns out that GM had the seat with springs and thin foam in the low-end models and you got the full-foam deluxe bench when you stepped up in truck models. I haven't run across a full foam seat frame yet and was ready for a bench. Plus, I already had the seat cover. I think it turned out looking really good. I'll use it until something better comes along. By the way if you are thinking about doing this yourself (recovering a bench) I advise that you immediately throw away the hog ring pliers that come with the upholstery. I sprang for a $17 set of hog ring pliers from amazon.com and it was night and day. I did this bench in about an hour and would rate the job as easy. Took much more effort getting the frame cleaned up and painted and broken springs replaced.
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Syracuse, Utah
Posts: 1,935
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
Seat looks great Rick!
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Brett ![]() 67 Camaro SS Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=751594 72 Cheyenne/10 Super 115" Fleetside (Waiting it's turn.) 72 Cheyenne/K30 Super 133" DRW SOLD Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645614 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@6dee7-7dee2 |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Salado, Texas
Posts: 1,418
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Re: My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble
This might be a long shot but what about taping off the top of the shifter with a single wide piece of tape and the gently sanding it or scraping it back with a knife to the letters? I think sanding might work best and it will prep your surface all at the same time.
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Just trying to figure this out... 1970 SWB Step-Side http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=552980 1970 LWB http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=584499 1970 SWB One Owner Step Side 6.0 LY6/6L90 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=617630 Junkyard's 1971 short wide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...86#post7531186 |
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