sweet 80s custom short bed!

[LT7A]

Cool find. Totally get the dilemma. It's all opinions on this one so I'll throw in mine. There's a difference between nodding to the 80s and bowing to them. I think you can keep the 80s flavor but integrate it a bit. The 80s details are kinda choppy as they sit. I think what you've done so far is a big improvement. I'm not a huge fan of those body kits but it and the stripes go hand in hand. If you could find the front air dam you would be golden! Think A-team van and the Indy 500 support trucks (Indy Hauler, can Google). From there, I would pull the stainless trim at the fenders and rain gutters. Let the red flow. You could then drop it 2 to 3 inches to make that body kit come alive in the low and wide stance. 8 inch ralleys could fill the bill from there. I do think the Cuisinart wheels deserve a respectful retirement. I got other ideas on the wheels too. PM if you want, won't gum up the thread by making a list. I agree with you that the tube grill fits the era. I think if you got the smooth headlight bezels, without the horizontal band that sticks out, that would help. Knock down the shine on the grill with scotchbrite (brushed look) and it'll all come together. Same treatment beneath the doors on the shiny step strips.

No denying its heritage but not quite so blatant ;-)

[PurdueSD]

^Thanks for the input ltza! Though, I have to say I'm not a fan of converting back to a front air damn bumper -little too Miami vice for this guy, hah!

I have a square burb down my my barn (donor drivetrain for my 51 pu). that I stole these off of.

Feels kinda wrong putting a Chevy grill on my gmc though. Anybody have a gmc grille they would be interested in trading me?

-until just now, I had no idea the light bezels were different Chevy to gmc.

[PurdueSD]

Would love to hear some options about whether to run a chevy grill on my gmc, anybody have one to trade?

On another note, i noticed my passenger side front was missing the wheel well trim so i took the back side off also. Think it cleans it up a bit more, opinions?

With:


Without:

[Chevy3+3]

GMC grill if your fender badges are GMC

[LT7A]

I hear you on the Don Johnson signature edition front air dam. Don't know if you googled Indy Hauler but the bumper stays on. It balances the rear pieces which I actually like on your rig. The Indy ones were a little much. A-Team version was better, ha. But you're gonna be fine without it. Thumbs up on the fender trim removal.

[PurdueSD]

Well, i know some of you said not to run the chebby grill on the gmc. But, I had it laying around and couldn't resist. I stripped the sun checked navy blue vinyl stripe off the center grill bar revealing chrome trim. It was a major PIA but i really like the look!

What do you guys think?

[Sik66]

Heaps better!.....BUT starting to loose the 80's vibe......

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by PurdueSD

Feels kinda wrong putting a Chevy grill on my gmc though.

Well you're already running a Chevy license plate so I think it'll be ok for awhile.

[PurdueSD]

thanks fellas! And @unknowme I didn't put on the Chevy plate with the flame frame, it was on there when I bought the truck It kinda fits now though! The rear plate had a barbed wire chrome license plate frame... it had to go. Hah!

[UKNOWME]

Oh goodness! Lol

[PurdueSD]

Great start to my Saturday! Guy ran a red crossing the highway in front of me. He admitted fault to the sherif and looks to have current ins. I can't wait to deal with the other guys insurance adjuster.... anyone have any experience here? nada says my truck is worth a bit over 5k avereage retail. -not sure I could replace it for that. I'm having a hard time seeing how it could be repaired for less than totaling it out. the graphic is probably mot something that can be repaired/ blended I'm guessing so... it would probably require a total repainted.
sucks...

[PurdueSD]

shoved the fender back into the drivers door also.

[UKNOWME]

Glad you are ok. Good luck with that! Insurance will probably screw you because they will deem it totaled after the adjuster is done and you'll end up with nothing. It's things like that that scare me and remind me I need an agreed value coverage policy.

[TKCR]

Glad your ok, though!! But man that sucks, I just hate seeing this happen, because I know the insurance companies will never pay out what our trucks are really worth. I really hope this turns out well for you. I will keep my fingers crossed for ya!!
Keep us updated.