68’ GMC frame off build

[Getter-Done]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

Picked up my bolts today. I dropped these off for cad-plating. This was my third bucket worth, now I should have just about everything I need to assemble the truck.

Yellow cad-plated the control arm ubolts, wanted them to match the grade 8 hardware in the frame. I think they turned out cool.

I started cad-plating original bolts when I was building my k/5, it was suggested to me by an old timer buddy of mine. Said he loved how much easier it made reassembly as most bolt kits suck and this way they are all spotless. I agree.

Great job on that hardware.
Good choice.











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[cornerstone]

Looking back over your thread I noticed the incredible work done to your bedside. That has to be the least amount of paint removed for the shortening process I've ever seen. That is one patient and skilled dude. I say just throw some clear on it, it's too pretty to hide!

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Great job on that hardware.
Good choice.










.

Thanks, I think it’ll look pretty sharp.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Looking back over your thread I noticed the incredible work done to your bedside. That has to be the least amount of paint removed for the shortening process I've ever seen. That is one patient and skilled dude. I say just throw some clear on it, it's too pretty to hide!

Yeah, he does some great work. I’m pretty stoked to go pick them up. I’ll get some closeup pics when I get them home.

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Looking back over your thread I noticed the incredible work done to your bedside. That has to be the least amount of paint removed for the shortening process I've ever seen. That is one patient and skilled dude. I say just throw some clear on it, it's too pretty to hide!

I'll second that. That is true craftsmanship.

[mcm1209]

In for the ride!

[1971Stepside]

I couldn't grind the paint off that neat with taped lines...let alone weld it back together

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by mcm1209

In for the ride!

Currently a slow ride but it’s about to speed up.

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I couldn't grind the paint off that neat with taped lines...let alone weld it back together

Originally Posted by MDPotter

I'll second that. That is true craftsmanship.

There’s a few guys out there that have been perfecting this process. It’s amazing what they’ve been doing.

I’m just glad that there’s a guy local to me doing it.

[YBNORML]

Picked up another part of the puzzle.

Scored a nice running 327 from a buddy of mine. It’s not the forever engine busy it’ll do for now.
Putting the little man to work helping out. He’s sorta interested in working on them, he loves the idea but is pretty slow joining me. I’m just gonna let him join at his pace. Don’t want to push him away

[YBNORML]

Started on the brake line install tonight. I bought a kit from Inline Tube. I can’t complain about the fitment or quality. Every line required a little bit of tweaking but nothing more than I expected. I’d buy it again happily.

The only issue I have is that it didn’t come with any fittings to connect the lines where needed. Lucky for me I never throw anything out and all the original lines including unions were up in the attic.

[YBNORML]

Finally went and picked up my box sides. They’ve been ready since Xmas but I’ve just been too busy to make the 3 hour drive to get them.

I couldn’t be happier. Here’s some close ups.

[Getter-Done]

Fenders look great and you will be proud of that In line tube kit.
It saves time and looks good too.
I put a full set of stainless tubes on a truck of mine years ago.
It was the best looking part of the truck against a black painted frame.
But nobody but me crawled under there to look

Great Progress .
Will you clear coat those rear fenders or ???









.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Fenders look great and you will be proud of that In line tube kit.
It saves time and looks good too.
I put a full set of stainless tubes on a truck of mine years ago.
It was the best looking part of the truck against a black painted frame.
But nobody but me crawled under there to look

Great Progress .
Will you clear coat those rear fenders or ???









.

I’m very happy about the In-Line tube kit. I have zero complaints how it fit and you’re right, they look stellar, but only we will know

I’m on the fence about the bed scars. Part of me wants to just blend them since I’ll have to blend the the rockers and cab corners anyways.

But another, possibly bigger part of me wants to just blend the cab pieces and and then clear the whole truck.

Decisions decisions

[nlped]

I’m in! I love GMC’s. I kick myself all the time for selling mine.

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by nlped

I’m in! I love GMC’s. I kick myself all the time for selling mine.

Agreed! A 67-68 GMC has always been on my wish list.

[YBNORML]

Put together the 327 over the last few days.

Was at a swap meet this past weekend and scored some 461 cylinder heads. Completely rebuilt, complete with z/28 valve springs. This allowed me to comfortably install a Comp Cams 274. Complete with headers and the Black widow exhaust, she should sound pretty wicked.

The engine had a billet oil pan on it when I bought it, not my style but it’s really good quality. So scuff and paint works for me.

[YBNORML]

Engine and trans are in.

327/700r4

[cornerstone]

Now that's just eye candy there...

[YBNORML]

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Now that's just eye candy there...

Thanks.

That’s the plan, mostly original body, detailed everything else😁😃

[YBNORML]

Pulled the rear out of storage and got her all cleaned and painted.

It’s the factory 3:73, 5-bolt rear from my 72’ blazer. Had it rebuilt a few years before I pulled it from the truck.

[YBNORML]

Also pulled the parts truck in and removed and broke down the box. It had been disassembled at some time, and whomever reassembled it used 1/4’’ bolts instead of 5/16. What a pain in the ass.

The wood floor has some rot at the front and rear but nothing I can’t cut off for the shortbox conversion.

[YBNORML]

Remember these pics? Looks pretty good, nice original cab in good shape.

Very little rust, just needs some corner work

[YBNORML]

Well, let this be a lesson to the newbies.

Rust is like an iceberg, “if you’re lucky you can see 15% of it”

This is by no means a complaint as I new that there would be more repairs needed than what was visible. For a short time I even considered just putting it together and driving it as is.

But to me Patine is faded or damaged paint. NOT RUST THROUGH!!

[YBNORML]

An idea of what’s needed. Plus a few more parts.

In all honesty, probably should’ve just done the whole floor.

By the way, I’m not the one doing the work, farmed it out to a buddy with far better skills in this area.

[raggedjim]

Looks familiar! It'll be a better truck in the end.

Good luck, Rg