Yet another GMC build

[OKGMC4]

How are you so fast?!? If it wasn't for bodywork my truck might be done by now. BTW, I finally got the curved Durablock you suggested. Can't wait to try it out.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

How are you so fast?!? If it wasn't for bodywork my truck might be done by now. BTW, I finally got the curved Durablock you suggested. Can't wait to try it out.

lol i get a little excited when it comes to new trucks, expecially a diesel. I've wanted an inferno red 3rd gen common rail dodge for years. She's all downhill from here, its coming along rather nicely. only thing at the moment that is slowing me up is they sent me manual mirrors instead of power tow mirrors like i'm setup for. need to line-x the inside of the bed too. and put in a gooseneck ball.

Those durablocks are awesome. it's the difference in getting one straight and making a very friendly truck (wavy)

[OKGMC4]

front end teasers...engine cover is sitting loose. Still trimming and fitting it.

[yukon ratrod]

trucks looking great! lots of hours invested, but forsure will be hot!

[OKGMC4]

I nabbed a set of tailgate links off an 80's model chevy gate that was going in the trash (mashed in BAD). I had to notch my tailgate, drill a couple holes, and shortened one end of the links by 1.5" but they are on now for a grand total of ZERO dollars. It just makes my day!

[yukon ratrod]

Great Idea for the straps. I was thinking of using tailgate cables off of a ford ranger or something along that line. would love to see what you did to your steering coloum to make it look like that. keep up the good work. Ive got a few jobs im trying to finish up, Im redoing a 48 chevy cab for a friend right now and in the middle of finishing a restoration on my dads 65 fastback mustang that the would like to be driving in the next month or so, so dont know how much time to play with my own. got a baby on the way as well so times running really short, just hope this truck doesnt have to take the back burner for to long! so one of us must keep working!lol if your willing to share I sure would like some imput on that steering coloum though.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by yukon ratrod

if your willing to share I sure would like some imput on that steering coloum though.

I wish I knew more about that. My father in law the all knowing guru of hot rodding did almost all of that one. He made about 5 different tools to disassemble these columns and they come apart in a few dozen parts. I do know the body is 2.25 exhaust pipe and that shaving the keyhole was tricky. He used some kind of epoxy or panel adhesive or something to fill the hole once it was cut down. If you have a spare column to try it on and have the ability to fabricate the special tools to get it apart I'd say try it.

[OKGMC4]

Spent a week on mounting a sanden compressor. Lots of cardboard templates and measuring and then sending it to the machine to be replicated in aluminum. Only a few parts had to be made twice. Had to mount it high because the stock compressor won't clear the Vette steering.

[OKGMC4]

Picked up a set of 99 dodge ram seats and spent WAY too much time making brackets. I have some Sebring convertible seats that also have the built in seat belts but I wanted the bigger cushier seats. For those who don't know, if you do these kind of seats they require a seat belt controller and won't work without it.

[blackdiesel]

glad to see progress. Them seats are HUGE lol

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by blackdiesel

glad to see progress. Them seats are HUGE lol

Ya, the original console between them is 15 inches wide and I have 5 inches between the seats. These trucks are just so narrow compared to late models, it feels like an S10 inside.

BTW what I've read on the net is that the factory GM variable displacement compressor on the 5.3l may or may not be compatible with Vintage Air units. I know you are planning on the stock compressor but you should look into this, black diesel. Shouldn't you be known as red diesel now? lol

[OKGMC4]

I suppose this thread should be moved over to the builds section now? Anybody know?

[JML55]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Picked up a set of 99 dodge ram seats and spent WAY too much time making brackets. I have some Sebring convertible seats that also have the built in seat belts but I wanted the bigger cushier seats. For those who don't know, if you do these kind of seats they require a seat belt controller and won't work without it.

What do you mean with seat belt controller?

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Ya, the original console between them is 15 inches wide and I have 5 inches between the seats. These trucks are just so narrow compared to late models, it feels like an S10 inside.

BTW what I've read on the net is that the factory GM variable displacement compressor on the 5.3l may or may not be compatible with Vintage Air units. I know you are planning on the stock compressor but you should look into this, black diesel. Shouldn't you be known as red diesel now? lol

Funny guy lol. actually my other dodge was white. no one could understand why i picked blackdiesel.... well smoke is black and smoke is also unburnt fuel. so =blackdiesel. i was a smoke-a-holic, i did nearly all of my mods solely for smoke. yeah, yeah, i know... stupid kids...

i am running the stock compressor. and i do have a vintage air.. i'll let you know how it works out haha. if it blows it up good-riddence! that thing sucks you-know-what.

[blackdiesel]

also, on gpas 57. we installed durango full size buckets with a dakota center console. looks o-k. not as good as mine and dad's bench seats... but we have big back glass's and tall headrests look horrible in them

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by JML55

What do you mean with seat belt controller?

The dodge seats with built in belts are controlled with electronics. The "black box" locks or unlocks the seat belts, and it also contains a timer function to reduce battery drain. Google sebring convertible seats and look for a page under corvairkid. He does a really good write up on the wiring and function of these kinds of seats.

[OrrieG]

I'm using 07 Yukon third row seats in mine. Built in mechanical shoulder belts, middle lap belt. I built a frame to keep the tilt forward and easy removal like the Yukon has.

[OKGMC4]

2001. They are leather but have a couple pin holes in them. I'd have to recover them either way and just thought the thicker seat would give a better ride.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Things are getting smoother...didn't like the seam in the cab and even though I'm putting the battery and booster on the firewall it still looks better than when I found it.

Nice touch on filling the seams inside the cab. I did the same with mine on mine and I'm really glade I did. I have seen some really nice trucks and look inside and still see thoughs nasty seam, they just look bad.

[OKGMC4]

What I've been working on for the last couple weeks. Fiberglass is easy but time consuming. I just didn't want to package a cone filter in the corner, I can use that space for other things. But we do have tons of hood clearance and I'm still considering making a fiberglass scoop assembly to attach to the hood that would direct air from the GMC hood hole to the air cleaner. My two favorite cars are the 69 Judge ram air and the 98-02 ram air Trans Ams so it makes sense, but would mean a ton more work for me.

[yukon ratrod]

what year of hood are you going to use?? if you used a 57 hood would you think about using the two bodylines and pehaps mold some exhaust tubing into the hood to use the body lines as vents to feed the intake??!!!??? just a thought!

[blackdiesel]

I think he's using the opening in the GMC hood to feed it, very cool.

[OKGMC4]

Back on eartth for the first time in 1.5 years. The rear sits too high. I got 3/4" lower by shaving the sides of the spring. It was too stiff anyhow, I could jump up and down in the back and it barely moved. I'll get another 1" with longer spring bolts and it should be about right.

[OKGMC4]

Got one taillight bucket mounted. I almost chose 50 pontiac lights because of the shared heritage of GMC and pontiac engines. I got 48 ford lights instead because they look like stock suburban lights turned sideways. I wanted them higher than stock for more visibility and I am so tired of frenched this and that that I actually brought them out of the fender.

['58Patch]

Awesome! Looks great, keep up the good work!

I have heard that if you use the gas shocks designed for the Corvette suspension, on the truck, it will be a really rigid and a rough ride. Coil overs have been recommended to me for this setup. Apparently it makes a huge difference.