Huck's 85 GMC shorty

[TotallyHucked]

All done. We decided to put some logos on to show off at shows as well






And it was also right around this time that I backed into a pole Was backing into a spot at lunch one day and this lady in a POS Altima that all beat to hell is speeding through the lot, up my isle, not yielding to me at all. So I goosed it to get out of her way, not realizing I was in a spot where there was one of those light poles with the giant concrete base. BAM. Thankfully, it only got the bumper. The new bumper had been on maybe 6mo at this point. Sigh.




It was also around this time that I discovered that my very expensive United Pacific LED/sequential tail lights had shattered. These were only on there ~6 weeks at this point. That turned into a nightmare. I'd ordered through Summit Racing, so I went through them for a replacement. At this point, they were on national backorder, so I had to wait for replacements. This was July of '21 and they predicted it would be Jan/Feb of '22 before they got more. So I taped these up with packing tape and waited.





I'll go ahead and fast forward this little bit of the story. Jan '22 rolls around, I hear nothing. So I contact Summit in Feb and they tell me it'll be March. Then we got busy and I forgot about it. June of '22 rolls around and I realize I hadn't heard anything so I contact them again. They'd closed my claim without reaching out to me! Needless to say I'm pissed at this point But the rep I was dealing with this time got me taken care of and got a new set sent out 2 days later. So I install the new ones, take pictures of the whole process and send the old ones back.

The truck hardly moves for 4mo, it was down with failed power windows (one up and one down) and a leaking water pump. Get all that fixed and on the first trip, they shatter again. Contact Summit again and every rep I talk to is an arrogant a$$ so I say F you guys, I'm going to Dino's Git Down in November anyway so I'll talk to UP directly. So again, I tape them up.

[rodstored-72]

huck.. thanks for the reply. I have the same fuel setup (minus the Whalbro pump(s). I have purchased a wix (real wix) new FP/reg. (still need to install) to see if (hopefully) that "fixes" my FP issue?? I thought that you indicated that you worked or was associated with AMD (a very cool co. too) I probably saw you at Dino's... I did stop by the booth.

[TotallyHucked]

Here they are, fresh out the package





So like I said, I taped them back up to mostly keep water out but mainly to keep pieces from falling off and making things worse.

We get to Dino's Git Down in Glendale, AZ and I talk to their R&D guy directly (one of my coworkers knows him and told him I'd be coming to see him). I explain the issue and let him know that I do R&D for AMD and would like to help resolve the issue and get a good replacement set. I'm not out to make anyone look bad, I just want to help. At this point, I haven't posted anything about it anywhere and had not spoken poorly of UP at all. Anyone that mentioned my lights, I just told them it must've been a fluke and I was waiting on a replacement set. No big deal.

Dude at UP gives me his card and tells me to shoot him an email with all of the details and pictures, shakes my hand and thanks me and we're on our way. Get back home from Dino's and decide to measure different aspects of these lights vs some good originals we have at work. I found the issue, the arch of their lens is wrong, it's spread out too far.

So I email him my story, pictures and findings. Got crickets. Absolutely nothing. Emailed a couple times, tried to call. Nothing. So I started posting about it and tagging them on social media. Still nothing. So now I've gotta figure out who's lights I'm gonna try next. Still running around with the taped up UP's because they're still brighter than OE replacements.

[TotallyHucked]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

huck.. thanks for the reply. I have the same fuel setup (minus the Whalbro pump(s). I have purchased a wix (real wix) new FP/reg. (still need to install) to see if (hopefully) that "fixes" my FP issue?? I thought that you indicated that you worked or was associated with AMD (a very cool co. too) I probably saw you at Dino's... I did stop by the booth.

Yessir, I've been with AMD going on 11yrs now. I was the guy with the long red beard in the straw hat lol

[TotallyHucked]

Like I said in part of my tail light story, the truck was down for a while with dead windows and a leaking water pump. I was in the middle of trying to get the AC to work when I blew a line and said F-it, it'll go to SETN without it. Got all loaded up, was backing out of the shop and realized one window was stuck down and the other up. So I parked it for a while.

Bit the bullet and ordered up one of NuRelic's power window kits. These replace the motors, wiring and regulators. The only thing that stays is the OE tracks. They're not cheap, but well worth it over messing with junk parts store motors and whatnot.

[TotallyHucked]

Started by taping the windows up and removing the door panel





Then taking out the bolts for the stock regulator





And maneuvering it out of the door

[TotallyHucked]

Then started pulling out all the factory wiring and the LMC heavy duty harness that I'd added prior





Once I had the old wiring out, I replaced the original switches with the new ones. I just got their OE replacements, they do offer nicer metal switches but they were quite a bit more money





Next we add some lube...

[TotallyHucked]

Getting the initial wiring fed through and mocking up the new regulator. Thats roughly how it'll fit inside the door



Their new harness and getting it through the door/kick panel





Laying it out to plan for the pass side

[TotallyHucked]

I took better pictures on the passenger side, I used the driver's side to figure out the process



You have drill 2 holes to mount the regulator/motor combo



The only thing I don't care for is the motor is just hanging out down at the bottom. You can feel/hear it shake every time you shut the door. I think I'm going to make a small bracket to attach that somehow



Threw the support rods back in and door panels on, hooked up the wires and good to go





These things are awesome. Before, the truck needed to be running to get the windows all the way up. With the key off, forget it. And either way, I had to help the driver's side. Now they work like a modern car! If you just have the key on, they work quickly and quietly. With the engine running, you could chop a finger off. I highly recommend this kit

[rodstored-72]

Originally Posted by TotallyHucked

Yessir, I've been with AMD going on 11yrs now. I was the guy with the long red beard in the straw hat lol

... yuuuppp... I remember seeing you I am sorry to hear the misadventures with UP, I "kinda" had a similar situation as well. they were offering a show discount (Dino's) and I was trying to purchase a set of door handles... the rep set me up & when I went to check out they only had one door handle available! they were trying to get me to pay for both & the would ship the other one on monday... I was like "nope!" that will just turn into a fluster cluck, so I asked if the sale price could be applied online too? they said yes. I get home and proceeded to buy the handles at the discounted price (shown on site). when I received the email (on monday) of the order the total DID NOT include the discounted price. I eventually called & got the OG show deal, but it took a couple of calls monday and some frustration on my end. it was my first purchase with them. I won't say they are bad dealers, but the costumer support and communication between depts is for sure lacking. anyways enough bashing, not meant to be. I am glad that you got the window situation figured out... you are right though.. the kit is pricey! ... I too just "went thru" a factory refresh on my windows too & they do lack modern power and speed!! thanks for sharing

[hewittca]

Nice work on this one! I love the painted underside of the cab. it really makes everything look so clean. That's one thing I should have done when I had my cab off.

[TotallyHucked]

Originally Posted by hewittca

Nice work on this one! I love the painted underside of the cab. it really makes everything look so clean. That's one thing I should have done when I had my cab off.

Thanks man! That was something I knew I'd do while everything was out. I've seen it done on TV and in person and it makes the bottom side look so good and easy to maintain. Other than a few spots where I've scratched it with tools or the transmission, it still looks great, even after 3yrs and 35k miles

[TotallyHucked]

Picking up from the NuRelics install, it was around this time that we hired a new marketing guy. He has connects all over the place and wanted to use my truck, his '59 and our marketing director's '66 C10s as in-house builds.

We started talking ultimate goals for my truck. I told him the goal the whole time has been a true Pro Touring build. Horsepower, a manual trans, full coilover suspension/chassis, Forgeline or similar wheels but full interior/AC/sound system/comforts. Not full on race truck. So he started reaching out to see who we could get on board. But first, I needed to get a rendering done. Cue Rendered Rides

I got on Forgeline's website to pick out some wheels. Decided on these web style ones, then get him to render them in light and dark grey







Settled on the lighter grey cuz it pops better and ties in with the bright trim on the truck

[TotallyHucked]

Like I mentioned earlier, the truck was down with a failed water pump while I did the NuRelics install. I took that opportunity to change over to an L99 Camaro pump instead of the truck pump. That gains me a much cleaner upper hose routing and makes the engine bay look much better.

I never did take a good picture without the CAI in the way, but you can see my cheap Ebay CAI here and that ridiculous upper hose for an NBS truck.



You can see where the truck water pump spout comes out, that's why that long upper hose is needed



Fresh L99 Camaro pump



So first thing was stripping off the front accessories. Part of this process will be modifying the alternator/PS bracket to make way for the spout and ICT idler relocation kit

[TotallyHucked]

Gotta cut an ear off that PS/Alt bracket





Then just grind it smooth





Water pump test fit

[TotallyHucked]

That spout is the reason for the trim and the ICT idler relocation





While I was there, I finally built a new CAI out of some leftover 4" diesel exhaust tubing I had





Ended up painting it blue but regretted that. I'll prob repaint it black, just looks goofy with the couplers and so little metal showing

[rodstored-72]

huck I was wondering if you have any front tire rubbing issues?? if so, what do you think you will try to fix the rubbing? if not what did you do to not have any rubbing or ?????

thanks!!

[TotallyHucked]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

huck I was wondering if you have any front tire rubbing issues?? if so, what do you think you will try to fix the rubbing? if not what did you do to not have any rubbing or ?????

thanks!!

I did when I originally dropped the truck to where it sits now but I got some SloshTubz Mild AC Tubz and that fixed my rubbing. I've got tons of room now

[rodstored-72]

huck, thanks!! I knew about the tubz, and have looked into them, I know him from being on here. I was looking into maybe finding a less expensive route...maybe? thanks!!

Jake (rodstored-72)

[TotallyHucked]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

huck, thanks!! I knew about the tubz, and have looked into them, I know him from being on here. I was looking into maybe finding a less expensive route...maybe? thanks!!

Jake (rodstored-72)

Yeah, they're pricey but worth every penny. Plus Mike is a super nice guy to deal with. Are you having issues with clearance on your '72? Or is this another truck? There's fewer options for '67-72 guys since the OE tubs were so big to start with. Other than SloshTubz, I have seen a few guys cut and section/raise their inner structure of their fender to bring the tub mounting up some. Doesn't cost anything but some time and paint.

[rodstored-72]

huck , it is for my current daily driver (wanna be) it's a '86 C10 with a GEN IV 5.3 - fact. harness, fuse box and is AZ emmisions compatable. the corvette yellow '72 is long been sold and I miss it alot... LOL!! The front tires are 245 50 20 with BT static drop (spindles), it rubs pretty good, so just looking into ways to stop the rubbing. I have a build thread here if you ever feel like scanning thru on your "often free time" ..LOL!!!
... I believe I have been told that early models (73-79ish) have wider inners and might solve the issue????

P.S. agree mike is a super nice guy! while at the reunion show here in chandler I talked to him about the truck board and then my issue & he told me to take a set home get them installed & then just pay him the show fee in a few days!!! I kick myself for not taking him up on it!!!

... I have read in here..... "a poor man buys it twice!" aaaaannnnddd hhooowwww

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

huck , it is for my current daily driver (wanna be) it's a '86 C10 with a GEN IV 5.3 - fact. harness, fuse box and is AZ emmisions compatable. the corvette yellow '72 is long been sold and I miss it alot... LOL!! The front tires are 245 50 20 with BT static drop (spindles), it rubs pretty good, so just looking into ways to stop the rubbing. I have a build thread here if you ever feel like scanning thru on your "often free time" ..LOL!!!
... I believe I have been told that early models (73-79ish) have wider inners and might solve the issue????

P.S. agree mike is a super nice guy! while at the reunion show here in chandler I talked to him about the truck board and then my issue & he told me to take a set home get them installed & then just pay him the show fee in a few days!!! I kick myself for not taking him up on it!!!

... I have read in here..... "a poor man buys it twice!" aaaaannnnddd hhooowwww

At 29.7", that's a seriously tall tire for the front of a 1/2 ton 2wd truck; especially one that is lowered.
A 245/45 would yield a more friendly 28.6" or even better the common dropped truck size of 245/40 @ 27.7".

[TotallyHucked]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

huck , it is for my current daily driver (wanna be) it's a '86 C10 with a GEN IV 5.3 - fact. harness, fuse box and is AZ emmisions compatable. the corvette yellow '72 is long been sold and I miss it alot... LOL!! The front tires are 245 50 20 with BT static drop (spindles), it rubs pretty good, so just looking into ways to stop the rubbing. I have a build thread here if you ever feel like scanning thru on your "often free time" ..LOL!!!
... I believe I have been told that early models (73-79ish) have wider inners and might solve the issue????

P.S. agree mike is a super nice guy! while at the reunion show here in chandler I talked to him about the truck board and then my issue & he told me to take a set home get them installed & then just pay him the show fee in a few days!!! I kick myself for not taking him up on it!!!

... I have read in here..... "a poor man buys it twice!" aaaaannnnddd hhooowwww

Like SCOTI said, that's an extremely tall tire, I'd put smaller tires on it before I did anything else. But yes, '73-80 trucks have a much more "bulbous" inner fender that gaines you a good bit of room compared to the '81-up trucks.

Our friends at Harrison's Rod Shop did an article with Classic Truck Performance about retrofitting the earlier inner fenders into a later truck for more clearance:

https://digital.classictruckperforma...nder-retrofit/

[rodstored-72]

thanks guys!! much appreciated. I read the article & that is something that I could do. I am mulling over idea on just getting the recommended smaller tires in the front... just not a fan of the "rubberband" tires (for daily drivers) anyways..... thanks again for help & time!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

thanks guys!! much appreciated. I read the article & that is something that I could do. I am mulling over idea on just getting the recommended smaller tires in the front... just not a fan of the "rubberband" tires (for daily drivers) anyways..... thanks again for help & time!

A 255/40-20 has a 4.01" sidewall height so it yields a ~28" tall front height & is a common dropped 'sport truck' front tire size. Four inches is a decent sidewall height for surviving city streets in a truck.