"Crewcab Jake" the 84 to 74 conversion

[N2TRUX]

Last year I installed a set of LWB springs to get me rolling until I could do the coilover conversion. Fortunately I had removed all of the rivets from the original suspension when I installed the C10 components. This allowed us to move through the install at a decent speed, stopping frequently to pose or stage a pic.

[N2TRUX]

My focus for the day was to have it back on tires so they could shoot the finished product. I didnt slow down to take construction shots as I usually do, so these "semi" completed pics will have to suffice for now.

[aggie91]

Nice work Ken! It was probably a nice break to let someone else take the "action" shots and allow you and Christian to focus on the task at hand.

I think I have asked this in the past, but about how big is the area of your shop that you have Jake sitting in for doing this work?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Nice work Ken! It was probably a nice break to let someone else take the "action" shots and allow you and Christian to focus on the task at hand.

I think I have asked this in the past, but about how big is the area of your shop that you have Jake sitting in for doing this work?

It was nice to have someone in my shop that didn't impeded progress. Joseph has been doing this for decades and he knows how to assist, or stand clear. He is teaching his son to do the same. The day went very smooth with minimal interruptions.

If I recall my shop is 32'x42'. Technically its a three car garage that's double deep. I keep my daily driver parked where Jake is at in the pics. That allows me space for two more and the ability to work around them.

[STOCKISH]

Truck is looking good man. I cant wait to see it finished!

[N2TRUX]

Just like everyone else, things got a bit crazy around the holidays for me. its a busy time at work so I have to squeeze 5 days in to 4 or my accounts dont get serviced and I looses income.

I conferred with Aaron on what was an achievable goal and we decided to get the panels aligned on the cab and clip. Chris and I mocked them up initially, and Aaron spent some time improving. Now its time to close the gaps.

They plan to get another round of blocking done then top it off with Tamco K2 epoxy primer. That semi gloss finish will stay till we have adequate time to blow it apart for final paint.

[N2TRUX]

With a limited amount of time left to get ready for Lonestar Throwdown, I started playing with options. Since I plan to keep the semi gloss exterior for now, I decided it needed something to make it pop. I have always loved the GM stripe packages so I layed out some of my own to see if I liked then.

I happen to have a roll of bright cherry red dust tape in my tool box so I laid down some lines in various widths.

[N2TRUX]

I liked the way it looked so I took it a step further. Keep in mind this is duct tape so the edges are a bit rough.

[STOCKISH]

That actually looks really cool!

[N2TRUX]

Before I committed, I went one step further. I reached out to Chad canning with Rendered Rides and commissioned a rendering with the new look. Chad came through quickly and made several adjustments till he got it just right.

[N2TRUX]

With the changes dialed in, I let Chad work his magic. He put together several angles and backgrounds that help with perspective.

[N2TRUX]

And the final product with a background for dimension.

[aggie91]

Very nice. I like the idea of adding some color for the time being until final paint. Are you going to use some vinyl striping tape or actually spray some paint on it for the stripes?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Very nice. I like the idea of adding some color for the time being until final paint. Are you going to use some vinyl striping tape or actually spray some paint on it for the stripes?

Karl I'm going to use 3M vinyl tape from Low Sierra Company.

[Hammered 77]

GMC grille with a bowtie? I've always liked that grille! Nice stripping also.

Rick

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Hammered 77

GMC grille with a bowtie? I've always liked that grille! Nice stripping also.Rick

I have always felt the 73-74 Chevrolet grill was the best looking grill made for the squarebody trucks. The 73-74 GMC is a close second. Since the Chevrolet grill is being reproduced again, that conversion has become very common.

I decided to combine the two and see if I liked it. I borrowed the GMC grill from a friend and used masking tape to hold the bowtie in place. So far I'm digging it.

[rodstored-72]

ken,
very nice.... well for duct tape!! !! It kinda has a feel between Yezzi's Crew & the infamous SS02!.. I like your thought process. If my '86 had anything special related to it I would try to accentuate it too... keep up the thought process.

rodstored-72 "Jake"

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

ken,
very nice.... well for duct tape!! !! It kinda has a feel between Yezzi's Crew & the infamous SS02!.. I like your thought process. If my '86 had anything special related to it I would try to accentuate it too... keep up the thought process.rodstored-72 "Jake"

I like to watch the trends and try to stay a step ahead. As mentioned I "LOVE" two tones, but there are a lot of high quality builds about to hit with two tone paint. I decided to pull up an idea I have been keeping in my back pocket for a while.

[N2TRUX]

My progress came to a screeching halt around Christmas. I woke up with 60% vision loss in my right eye. I wentto an optometrist who diagnosed a detached retina. She sent me to an opthamalagist who confirmed.
I was scheduled for emergency eye surgery on the 2and. My new insurance company required me to change plans. I finally had the surgery last week.
The good news is the surgery was successful. The bad news was I had to lay face down for 2 weeks to assure proper healing. I recovered in a week and got a doctor's release.

I worked this week to squeeze 10 days into 5. I managed to be 98% successful work with partial vision.
It's time to start thrashing on #crewcabjake

[beasst]

Sorry to hear about the eye issues. That explains the being behind on Jake. Glad you're back to feeling better.

[N2TRUX]

Before surgery I delivered Jake to Aaron's new body shop.
The plan is to get the panel gaps dialed in. Once that's accomplished he will block sand and top with Tamco 2k sealer.
Heres the results so far

[LT7A]

Ken, that's a rough go with the eyeball. Take good care of yourself. The truck just keeps getting sharper.

[superdav]

feeling horribly envious right now

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Ken, that's a rough go with the eyeball. Take good care of yourself. The truck just keeps getting sharper.

The surgery was a bit uncomfortable, but the recovery was a test in my patience. Haveing to remain face down for such an extended period was no easy task.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by superdav

feeling horribly envious right now

Dont be envious, be motivated. If a one eyed old man can do it, I'm sure you can too.