The GSFMech Build

[GSFMECH]

Then I mounted the cab and core support back on the frame using all new rubber mounts. Then I reinstalled the doors, and fenders and aligned everything.

[msgross]

wow, nice work...

are you a body guy or just good at your hobby?

I was also wondering about that bucket seat bracket, My 68 K-10 had one on it whe I pulled the floor out. But the truck had a bench and 68's didn't have real buckets so i'm puzzled as to why it was there.

Oh well, nice work by the way...

[GSFMECH]

Kevin and I shot the bottom of the bed and cut in all the edges where it bolts together. Then I undercoated the insides before I bolted them in.

[GSFMECH]

Thanks Mike, no it's just a hobby, my buddy Kevin is a body guy and works for a local rod shop. We have been building trucks and cars together for years and I've picked up a lot.

[GSFMECH]

A few more shots. If you take a look at the photos you can see where I used 3M strip caulk to seal them. The factory used a plastic cement or something according to the assembly manual but this stuff works real good. Also a shot of the front bed panel.

[GSFMECH]

I then bolted the bed together. I thought long and hard about using stainless bolts but in the end I decided to keep it stock. The bed looks so good as it is I thought it would make it too "busy" if you know what I mean. Sometimes less is more, and the body is completly stock anyway with no mods. Anyway I don't have a shot of it but I used all new carriage bolts and she's bolted together. All that's left is to make the tack welds at the rear

[GSFMECH]

Before I put the bed on I taped cardboard where the bed sits on the frame so while I was scooting it around bolting it together and such I wouldn't scratch the paint. Here a few shots from the bottom. LOL I see a place on the rear end where the jack stands were that I need to touch up

[GSFMECH]

I reinstalled all the hardware inside the tailgate and bolted it on to check the fit before I make the tacks. I had to make a few adjustments but it looks OK.

[GSFMECH]

Also I put the hood and cowl on to check the fit. Here a few shots under the hood. Those are NOS hood hinges. Also couple of shots of the truck pretty much put together to check the fit.

[GSFMECH]

I assembled my grill using NOS bezels, a new clip set and emblem. I also put new adjustable bumpers to set the height. I reused my original insert, it was a good original one I picked up at the Pate swap meet. My old outer grill is getting handed down to my youngest brother. It was repop but has seen better days but it looks good in the photos. Then I installed the grill to adjust the fenders and hood to get the fit right. If you can't tell already I'm an NOS junky.

[GSFMECH]

My doors had no trim holes and the fenders I used only had the lower holes. I drilled the holes using my old doors and fenders as a pattern and also using the assembly manual. I mounted the trim minus the double stick tape just to check the fit and alignment. You almost always find some of them drilled wrong from the factory so this was a good chance to check it and fix it. Better to do it now in primer than after I paint it. I can see me slipping with the drill and scratching it. This is all NOS trim. This is where I'm at now. I've pulled the trim back off and am getting ready to do some more painting. I'll update again as soon as I make some more progress. I hope everyone likes these pics and hope I'm not boring ya'll.

[HuggerCST]

Looks great Mike, but it's gonna be too nice to drive.

[Riveted1]

Haha just kidding. I'm following along intently...

[GSFMECH]

Thanks guys. Wynne I'm gonna drive the wheels off it, It's been 2 1/2 years since I drove it and that's the longest I've went without an old truck in 20 years LOL. I seriously need a 67-72 fix. Hey you know the next one I do I think I'll not do the shiny paint and just primer it or something. This is a lot of work and this one has taken longer than any one I've ever done.

[killer71]

hard work beginning to pay off!

[big_al_71]

Looking great,, love the blue!!!

[LEEVON]

Looking good! I've been wondering if you were still on track for awhile...that's going to be a sweet truck.

[GSFMECH]

Yep I'm hanging in there Leevon, thanks for the compliments everyone.

[powell72]

Mike, I'm glad to see the truck progressing nicely. That thing is going to be amazing when your done. Good work. After trim mockup, how far away from shooting the color are you?

[GSFMECH]

Thanks Chris,

Well I'm not too far away. All it needs is watersanding and spraying but I am going to try and paint the inside of the cab and the bottom of the hood at my shop. This way I can put the steering column and brake pedal and stuff back in to make it a little easier to move around. We are hauling it up to where my buddy Kevin works as they have 2 full blown paint booths. I am pulling the bed back off, the hood and the cowl to paint it but I'm leaving the front fenders and doors on to paint it. Everything is cut in. I'm at work now and will be home in 2 weeks and will have 4 weeks off so I'm hoping to get it painted then. The fun part will be putting it back together. If everything goes like I plan I'll be driving it late December or early January. I am stoked. Man that was too cool getting your trucks shot for Classic trucks, I can't wait to see it in print.

[nicolas72gmc]

I think I speak for all of us here, this is gonna be one top notch truck. I really like the colors. hehehe

[powell72]

Thanks Mike, I'm sure I'll see you truck in print one day. I hope to have mine looking close to as nice as your's sometime.
Your time frame sounds like you'll be giving yourself a pretty nice Christmas gift.

[GSFMECH]

Time for another update. We got started on painting the inside of the cab. Here are some shots of it papered up ready to shoot. And a couple after we shot it. We did not paint the inside of the doors and waited until we shot the outside to do them.

[GSFMECH]

A few more shots and under the hood and glove box door.

[GSFMECH]

Next I water sanded it and got ready to paint on the outside. We loaded it up and took it to Kevin’s boss’s shop to paint the outside.. Here it is loaded up.