51 GMC 'Project Why Wait'

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Originally Posted by Kevin_C

Looks great!

Thanks! So much sanding haha.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Nice progress...

Marc

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Mains52

Sometimes a hiatus is all you need to relight that fire. Great work man keep going.

Garage has been a great escape. Don't tell the wife.

Originally Posted by lower50's

If this lock down thing eases up this year I'll have to get my butt over and see this thing in person.

It should be at Jeff's shop in Woodstock in the spring which will be closer.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Still chipping away.

A few non visible things, I re-ran all my fuel line this time with rubber around the lines as they pass through the frame.

I also ran my rear body harness through the frame as well, again through rubber, and did the same to my air lines.

I've also made a list



This list is of things that I need to do before it goes to my friends shop for the rest of the wiring and plumbing. If all goes well it should leave by Father's Day.

I've also been running around getting things ready for 'final' assembly including getting my tanks coated in Cerakote by a local company Called Red Tower Armoury.



I went with a ceramic coating because I didn't think they'd look great done in powdercoat (too thick/glossy)





I'll drop a few more updates here as I push to finish that list (which is already out of date).

Excited to hopefully have the truck make noise soonish, but so much to do and spend!

As always more photos are on my site as well.

[youngrodder]

That chassis is looking great. I follow along on IG as well..

Marc

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Thanks! Yeah I update IG a little bit more should do some videos again soon, but I lose track of time once I get the music going and wrenches turning.

[BC Toy chest]

OOH WOW !! Sweet ride keep the pics flowing....need more pics

[Gregski]

the pics on this thread are AMAZING !

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Larger updates very soon, but the cab is at the body shop (has been for about a month)

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Escape from paint is a success!

The white is a Mazda color, and the roof has very subtle flake in it. Going to head to my friends shop soon for wiring etc then I'll bring the bed in and work on it over the winter.

[youngrodder]

Looking great.

Marc

[8man]

Looks good.

[oldman3]

Sweet...Jim

[GreasyLikeaBurger]

I like the contrast between the fresh clean paint and the old faded patina. Makes for a different look. Ive seen where people have painted the interior and engine compartment, but left the exterior rough. But your combo is got me thinking about how mine would look with some mixed paint styles.

[lower50's]

Greasy You beat me to it. Loving the contrast Dave!!

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Originally Posted by GreasyLikeaBurger

I like the contrast between the fresh clean paint and the old faded patina. Makes for a different look. Ive seen where people have painted the interior and engine compartment, but left the exterior rough. But your combo is got me thinking about how mine would look with some mixed paint styles.

I've always wanted a flaked roof and didn't want to wait until I could afford to paint the whole thing, so the roof was going white no matter what.

Then the doors, back wall, dash, jambs etc evolved from that. I was going to stop at the jambs but wife wanted the doors too so here we are!

Thanks for the compliments all. More updates soon!

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Couple more updates. A large missing piece of my puzzle was figuring out the radiator. My local speed shop (Performance Improvements) recommended that I look into a Pro Form 1-2-3 setup.

After a few measurements, I selected their 17" core model.




It comes with the fan/shroud already together and temperature controller, bung. All the stuff you need.

Of course, with any new part it doesn't fit a custom application without cutting



I ended up trimming the front of my rad support out and notching for the inlet and outlets.

I also added some L brackets to the bottom as well. I am going to get my fabricator to add a few brackets to the radiator as well for extra support



Don't worry about things looking a little off-kilter, most of the front end is "tight enough" until we get a little further along fabrication-wise.

Also as you can see the front end is back on so I had to see how the Astros looked tucking



This will be a great switch up with my Detroit Steel wheels.

Also, I got a stripe run between the blue and white, just to clean things up a little bit.



A couple here's and there's left before it goes off and I bring the bed into the garage!

[youngrodder]

Looks good. Hopefully that radiator offers sufficient cooling. That steering box/frame set up really reduces the height of the radiator. I had a similar set up in my last truck and I always fought it running hotter than I would have liked.

Well done......

Marc

[olcarguy]

Looks Bro.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Looks good. Hopefully that radiator offers sufficient cooling. That steering box/frame set up really reduces the height of the radiator. I had a similar set up in my last truck and I always fought it running hotter than I would have liked.

Well done......

Marc

Thanks Marc, I think it should work they rate it up to 500 HP if I recall correctly. I'll be around 3 or so.

Fingers crossed. Not a lot of space as you mentioned!

[Tempest67]

that fan shroud looks good, but you may want to add some more 'vents' (cut outs) to the other side as well, as the area that has no vents will not provide any cooling.

also, may want to add an air deflector on the lower part to direct the air through the rad.

that is a really cool looking truck,

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by Dave_The_BMXER

Thanks Marc, I think it should work they rate it up to 500 HP if I recall correctly. I'll be around 3 or so.

Fingers crossed. Not a lot of space as you mentioned!

Sounds good. Airflow can be the concern since so much of the radiator is covered by the cowl/hood. You might need to add some ducting between the bottom of the radiator forward to the grill (think of the stock setup with the lower splash pan and you will know what I mean). This way it directs the air coming into the grill up into the radiator. This was one of the improvements I made to mine to help with cooling.

Not trying to cast doom and gloom just offering somethings I ran into incase you have similar challenges. That is a good problem to have tho as it means its driving and on the road.

Marc

[lower50's]

That is a really nice rad/fan combo. I can't wait to see this thing in person.

[oldman3]

Really like the radiator/fan combo, nice looking unit...Jim

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

that fan shroud looks good, but you may want to add some more 'vents' (cut outs) to the other side as well, as the area that has no vents will not provide any cooling.

also, may want to add an air deflector on the lower part to direct the air through the rad.

that is a really cool looking truck,

Thanks! I don't think I'll cut the shroud, but I might find the lower deflector.

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Sounds good. Airflow can be the concern since so much of the radiator is covered by the cowl/hood. You might need to add some ducting between the bottom of the radiator forward to the grill (think of the stock setup with the lower splash pan and you will know what I mean). This way it directs the air coming into the grill up into the radiator. This was one of the improvements I made to mine to help with cooling.

Not trying to cast doom and gloom just offering somethings I ran into incase you have similar challenges. That is a good problem to have tho as it means its driving and on the road.

Marc

Yes, good problems to have in motion. I think I have the stock splash pan to modify. I just need to find it... I feel like I came across it a year ago wondering where it fit lol.

Originally Posted by lower50's

That is a really nice rad/fan combo. I can't wait to see this thing in person.

Hopefully this year!

Originally Posted by oldman3

Really like the radiator/fan combo, nice looking unit...Jim

It's solid. They make a really slim model too but it's more money. Super slick looking though.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Quick update, my truck is now at a local shop called Issyfab. The shop is run by a buddy of mine (he made the frame probably mentioned) and he's a real stickler when it comes to wiring and plumbing.

So far the chassis harness is done, a kill switch has been added, footwell lighting, dome light (factory one) Electric wipers and provisions for a stereo.

He's also added some hardlines and made an intake. Yes the intake doesn't exit the engine bay, no I am not worried about heat soak robbing power (cruiser not drag car).

We're waiting on a harness and I have to get a few more dollars together but it should run in the not so distance future

In the meantime, I've been toiling away with metal work on the bed. I'll have some pictures of that soon.

[youngrodder]

The progress is looking good.

Marc