84 GMC C2500, V12 powered

[cayoterun]

Little slow progress being made. At least now, we can gee, haw, and whoa. Maybe someday we'll be able to go.
Had to make all the mount brackets for ps pump, but came out ok. Used the existing steering rod from bottom of steering column to box. Cut it near the bottom, and a 1" piece of pipe slipped right over it. Spot welded, then drilled holes thru both ends and put a bolts thru it all for good measure. Was able to leave crush joints and everthing stock.
Extended the brake lines from master to valve on frame. Will clamp them to frame after fenders are put on. Been able to stay with all '84 parts so far, except for cab.
I think next I'll try to get all the wiring from the motor hooked up back in the cab, so can run it now and then.

Wife and I may head for the mountains for awhile. Heat is about to get us. Temps running 100-110 almost everyday, driest weather in history, no relief in site according to weathermen. Hate to gripe, because we'll probably wish for a little of it this winter.
That swamp (water) cooler on rollers in the back ground is a life saver. Coke cost has been running pretty high, too.

Cayoterun

[bluex]

Progress looks great! Just keep plugging away at and it will be finished before you know it....
Posted via Mobile Device

[dammitmitchell]

show off hahahah
looking good. hope the heat's treatin you well

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

show off hahahah
looking good. hope the heat's treatin you well

We ain't lucky like some folks. Down in sunny central Texas. Summer temps, days Mid-80s, nights low-60s. Plenty of rain. (grin). Seriously, this year is being tough one, ain't it?

Thanks, Mitch,
Cayoterun

[Dieselwrencher]

Man, it's really looking great! And yes this heat is getting a little old.

[cayoterun]

Need info and ideas:
Goal: Steering column with SHIFT INDICATOR on column, not in dash. Tilt would be nice, but not necessary. I've tried a van column, but too short to reach thru firewall enough. I like having turn signal and brake light switch on the column, too.

The '84 column fit pretty good, but the length from dash to steering wheel puts it real close to the driver, as well as indicator is located in dash.

Is there an older model of Chevy, Gmc pickup that has the indicator on column?

Right now, it looks like I have two options:
1: Use the '84 column and suck my gut in to drive.
2: Modify the '46 column and add the old time turn signal switch to the column and use a floor mounted gear shifter with indicator on it.

Thanks,
Cayoterun

[Palf70Step]

67-72 has the indicator on the column and a 71/72 came with tilt

[cayoterun]

Thanks a million. Now I know they're out there. Helps to know where to look. Will go shopping tomorrow.

Cayoterun

[cayoterun]

I struck out on the 71-72 column, so settled for the '84? van column, and it also had the indicator for the od.
By changing the mounting brackets, etc., was able to get it in. The wheel sits pretty low, but did get it away from the drivers belly. Now to get the shift linkage figured out.

Cayoterun

[cayoterun]

Summer heat has moved out, having mild weather, so nice to be back in shop.
Finally enjoyed an "aha" moment today, but sure wouldn't show in a pic for proof.
Been moving the wiring from the irrigation control panel to the truck. Got some gauges hooked up temporarily, and enough wires changed to fire it up from the cab. No fuel or cooling hooked up, so run a few seconds on starting fluid. Feels goood!

Cayoterun

[dammitmitchell]

ahem.. still showing off! good job brother cant wait to see it done.

[cayoterun]

Will Spray-on bed liner stick to plywood and make a good weather-proofing??

I'm cutting the bed down, and since I'm sure not close to being stock, I think I'll use a piece of 3/4 plywood for the floor or maybe expanded metal if I need to put a radiator back there.

Have a new 5-row radiator ordered for the front, Hope it will cool it, but ifffy.
Hope to see a front to back "rough-fit" sometime this week.

Thanks,
Cayoterun

[Dieselwrencher]

Yeah, we've used bed liner on plywood in pick up beds and it held up until the wood rotted out.

Good luck with the radiator as well.

[1985-GMC]

I think Id try to paint it real good with epoxy primer first.

[1985-GMC]

Looking good! I like the bed!

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Looking good! I like the bed!

Faint memories returned-----anyone else old enough to remember them?

When I looked at the bed with the long overhang, it kept reminding me of another pickup from a long time ago. I finally remembered the late '40s Hudson pickups. I was 6-7 yrs old when we had a Hudson dealership in town, and I always liked the looks of them. Hudson used straight 8 flatheads. When I'd mention them to my dad, He'd always say, "They sure wouldn't be any good feeding cattle in a snow storm".
El Caminos and Rancheros were about 10yrs behind Hudson.

I think I'll leave the long overhang, at least for awhile. It can always be changed later.

Thanks for the comments,
Cayoterun

[cayoterun]

Hello, I'm Thumper, and this is now Thumper's truck. Cayoterun thought he'd leave me sittin' over there on the dirty shop shelf when he hauled my '84 GMC cab he cut up to his junkpile. I fooled him, I watched 'til he was ready to crank this one up, then I commandeered it. I'll be around to supervise this mess from now on. We cranked it up today, never run it past an idle for about 1 1/2 hrs. Everything worked pretty good. Wow, what a ride and we didn't even move. He's still has lots of work to do. I'll let him do most of the posting, but I'll be watching. See ya'll around.
Thumper

[1985-GMC]

Good to hear you got it all fired up, before you know it you'll be driving it!

Is that bumper staying on the front?

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Good to hear you got it all fired up, before you know it you'll be driving it!

Is that bumper staying on the front?

The front and rear bumpers are still debatable. I have the stock '46 bumper I can use by redrilling the bracket holes. I have another GMC donor that has the turn signals in the bumper I considered using, but have changed my mind to use the old lights on the fenders.
I'd appreciate you guys thoughts anytime you want to chime in.

I have one salvage yard of any size within a 100 mi. radias from me, so am limited to what I can find in famers junkyards and make work.

Thermostat cover: I've been around these motors for a long time, and never noticed the shape from the side. There's 3 thermostats under there. Thanks for the chuckle.

Cayoterun

[Telecasterjoey]

Been watching this thing come together, so cool! One thing I noticed though, That thermostat cover is a little obscene looking lol!

[1985-GMC]

I think the '80s bumper looks a little out of place, so id have to say go with the '46 one.

Haha I see it now that you mention the thermostat housing...

[dammitmitchell]

YOU ARE A MEGA DORK! hahaha

hey if you want you can send me that grille and i can try polishing it up for you..
well if you have some good closeups so i can see how bad it is.. but i bet it can be super shiny again.

[dammitmitchell]

also.. have you checked the clearances behind that grille for a radiator? might have to be a expensive one.. but i bet you can fit one hell of an aluminum on behind there with a duel electric fan set up..

that grille combined with the open area below it (from the outside looks) seems like you can get some serious air through it. You could also tilt the bad boy like they in camaros..

[cayoterun]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

also.. have you checked the clearances behind that grille for a radiator? might have to be a expensive one.. but i bet you can fit one hell of an aluminum on behind there with a duel electric fan set up..

that grille combined with the open area below it (from the outside looks) seems like you can get some serious air through it. You could also tilt the bad boy like they in camaros..

Mitch:
I may take you up on the grille polish, but that's a long ways down the road.

Radiator: I was able to stuff a new 5 row radiator from a 5150 Case/IH tractor in it. That dude was pricey, too. I ran it three hrs today at an idle. Used a 14" elect, but wasn't enough, so set a high volumn shop fan in front of the grille too, then it held it's own at an idle, but turn the rpm up, and temp would start climbing. Still some things to try before adding another radiator in the bed. Add a surge tank and some bigger elect. fans might keep it's fever down.

You should have been here and help me break this new overhaul in.

Cayoterun

[72GMCK-2500]

save the 84 gmc!