85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett"

[mcbassin]

Excellent work as always Ken! Keep the pictures coming....

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Excellent work as always Ken! Keep the pictures coming....

Thank you sir. I managed to get some shop time in last night. I will have updates later tonight.

[coopdog]

Great work man, truck is looking swell

[N2TRUX]

The past few nights I have been working on restoring the seat. The cover has been recently replaced with a nice quality kit, but it needed some fine tuning. I decided while I was at it that the vinyl color didn't really match anything since I had dyed all the interior plastic Napa red. I also had plans to reconditionthe seat slide tracks.

I pulled the slide tracks and scuffed them down with Scotch Brite, followed by several light coats of satin black. While the slides dried, I cut all the hog rings on the seat back and pulled the cover off. I'm not happy with the way it fits, so I'm working on a plan to make improve the fit.

I masked the cloth cover and prepped the vinyl by cleaning it thoroughly with brake cleaner. I gave it a couple of coats of Bulldog adhesion promotor then several light coats of SEM Napa red.

Here's where I ended things tonight.

[TKCR]

Yeah I wouldn't have like the way the back of the seat looked either. I've been doing some seat re-covering/restoring myself. And like you, I have taken the seat rails off and made them look nicer.

I like seeing that the dye is working out. Can't wait to see it all back together.

[N2TRUX]

My seat project has been slowly moving forward. Last night I got the last pieces painted and dyed. This morning I focused on improving the looks of the back of the seat. I decided to build a panel to insert in the foam recess to give it a ore finished look, and tighten things up a bit.

With that issue resolved it was time to assemble everything. Chris came by and helped me line everything up. We tightened all the bolts and called it done.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Yeah I wouldn't have like the way the back of the seat looked either. I've been doing some seat re-covering/restoring myself. And like you, I have taken the seat rails off and made them nicer

Those look excellent. Did you clean and lubed the slides? It really make a difference.

[N2TRUX]

Countdown to Throwdown! It's about to get quite in here. After a lot of research I decided to change brands of sound deadner to @silentcoat . I really like the results of testing compared to other big name brands, and @silentcoat costs so much less.
After talking to Roy at @silentcoat and Brent at @sculptgarage I was convinced it was the way to go.

[N2TRUX]

Countdown to Throwdown! My shipment of @silentcoat sound deadner arrived yesterday. Today Chris and I did the install. WOW! This stuff is fantastic to work with.
The pre-cut squares have gridlines that make it very easy to lay out and cut.
The foil cuts easily with a utility knife and the lines allow the deadner to expand and mold to contours. The adhesive is unique in that it allows you to lift the sheets and reposition them easily. Once they are rolled flat the adhesion kicks in and the sheets are locked in place. I am confident this is the easiest install we have every done.

We had the cab done from firewall to the back in about 3 hours including a lunch break. Thanks again to Roy with @silentcoat and Brent at @sculptgarage for everything.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Those look excellent. Did you clean and lubed the slides? It really make a difference.

Yes I did, they slide a lot better now.

Wow, that seat turned out great!! Awesome job on the dye.

[N2TRUX]

After lunch we wrapped up the Silent Coat install and worked toward getting the interior back together. We test fit the carpet padding, and carpet. I trimmed the padding so it no longer goes over the step up behind the seat.
The carpet needed to be adjusted and the holes properly cut out for seat brackets and seat belts. We also cut a piece of MDF to go behind the seat. It is the starting point for a storage shelf and amp rack.

[gringoloco]

Looks like a quality product. Do they require you to tape the seams?

[UKNOWME]

Doesn't this drive you nuts? That alone makes me prefer the 73/80 dash.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Looks like a quality product. Do they require you to tape the seams?

No sir, not that I am aware of. This stuff remains very pliable but I don't think seeping will be an issue.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Doesn't this drive you nuts? That alone makes me prefer the 73/80 dash.

Yes it bugs me. Even though it's a GM pad, I'm not impressed with the fit.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Yes it bugs me. Even though it's a GM pad, I'm not impressed with the fit.

Most all the 81-87s look like that to me. The trim and dash pad don't have the same angles

[N2TRUX]

I have an NOS pad that the trim fits better. I paid a premium price for it s I'm keeping it for a truck that needs a replacement.

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Most all the 81-87s look like that to me. The trim and dash pad don't have the same angles

[N2TRUX]

Last night I squeezed a couple of hours of shop time in. Chris had helped me pull the headliner so I focused on making the inner skin acoustically dead. Research tells me it's not necessary to cover the entire panel so I tested that theory.Since the liner board is a tight fit around the perimeter, I concentrated on the center mass areas. I was very pleased with the results.

My thump test reveled that the roof skin now has the same dull thud when tapped with my knuckle as the rest of the truck. I plan to insert a thin foil liner to add additional heat resistance as well.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Last night I squeezed a couple of hours of shop time in. Chris had helped me pull the headliner so I focused on making the inner skin acoustically dead. Research tells me it's not necessary to cover the entire panel so I tested that theory.Since the liner board is a tight fit around the perimeter, I concentrated on the center mass areas. I was very pleased with the results.

My thump test reveled that the roof skin now has the same dull thud when tapped with my knuckle as the rest of the truck. I plan to insert a thin foil liner to add additional heat resistance as well.

I did the same thing with the stuff that I used, FatMat. Used it on the floor, roof, doors and behind the storage panel. I only wish it was the stuff your using, that looks like it was easier to install!! I also put a layer of foil back jute material on the floor.

[TKCR]

You might know this already, but you can get the storage trays that were originally in the trucks. I got one and put the speaker/amp carpeting on it.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by TKCR

I did the same thing with the stuff that I used, FatMat. Used it on the floor, roof, doors and behind the storage panel. I only wish it was the stuff your using, that looks like it was easier to install!! I also put a layer of foil back jute material on the floor.

Based on my experience with other brands I have no doubt my install time was reduced by 40%

Originally Posted by TKCR

You might know this already, but you can get the storage trays that were originally in the trucks. I got one and put the speaker/amp carpeting on it.

I considered that, but had a hard time paying 75.00 plus shipping for a cardboard tray.

[N2TRUX]

I had to work late and do some Christmas shopping last night. When I got home I had a delivery from my buddy Jeff Drew (Bigblock73). He had shipped Scarlett her first Christmas present. For those that dont know Jeff, he runs www.73-87.com a site thats dedicated to the history of our beloved squarebody trucks. Jeff also designed and sells a line of premium quality 73-87 cab corner speaker mounting brackets. He has sets for 67-72 and 47-55 as well.

I did a bit of mocking up last night, and I can tell you these literally fall in place. No doubt that they work exactly as intended.

Scarlett says thank you Jeff, and Merry Christmas.

[LDO]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Doesn't this drive you nuts? That alone makes me prefer the 73/80 dash.

How did you secure the MDF to the back wall?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LDO

How did you secure the MDF to the back wall?

On my 84 build everything fit very tight and we used screws hidden in each corner. I do everything possible to avoid drilling holes that go to the outside. I don't want to encourage leaking or rust.

Jeff Drew had an ingenious idea for installing the back panel. He used Velcro stripped in each recess along the back panel. He says it's solid as can be and no holes drilled. I love that thought process.

[N2TRUX]

Another long day so I got a short stay in the shop. I managed a bit of time early this morning too I do have some progress on share. I marked and drilled the mounting holes for the speaker plates.

This is no easy task for the bottom two screws. I drilled and tapped the top hole, then stood on my head to mark the bottom holes. Trying to use a punch in the tight confines of the cab corner is a test of will too. My suggestion is install these with the seat out. It was raining outside or I would have pulled mine to gain access.

Regardless of how you do it, these brackets fit very well. Thanks for creating such a fantastic solution to mounting speakers in the cab corners Jeff. www.73-87.com

[85/Silverado]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Countdown to Throwdown! It's about to get quite in here. After a lot of research I decided to change brands of sound deadner to @silentcoat . I really like the results of testing compared to other big name brands, and @silentcoat costs so much less.
After talking to Roy at @silentcoat and Brent at @sculptgarage I was convinced it was the way to go.

How many packs did you have to order to do your truck?