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#201 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Clay City, KY
Posts: 40
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Looks good! After I figured out I seen you out driving it, I have to say that blue is beautiful pictures don't do it justice!
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And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln Last edited by Country705; 09-06-2018 at 11:35 AM. |
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#202 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Hunter's 1978 GMC Build FORGIVE ME for the lack of updates. I have had a lot going on for the last couple of months and have struggled to find time, or energy really, to update the post with my new job. I still have a lot of content to update, but not much progress has been made on the truck. So, when I posted last SEPTEMBER. (i'm so sorry) I had just posted about taking the truck on it's first test drive. I had an array of wiring problems. The passenger side tank's walbro wasn't working, there was a loose ground wire under the dash, and more importantly.. the battery wasn't charging. THE SOLUTION, was to beat the walbro with a hammer. It worked. The ground wire that lost contact on left turns was reconnected, it worked. We added a small light that lights up my gauges in a warm yellow while the fuel is priming. If this light is present, it means the battery will charge and I won't be on the side of the road again. Being dead on the side of the road gets old quick. ![]()
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#203 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Hunter's 1978 GMC Build So, Blue was sitting a little low. Some may say lower is better, but Blue was TOO low.. and riding like crap with the mcgaughy's drop coils and the big block. We found out why pretty quick. ![]() I was now riding on the bumpstops and my control arms were banging on driveways and curbs. We did some research, and we decided to go with the MOOG 454 springs for a big block truck. I don't quite recall the part # but it does have 454 in it. We swapped out the drop coils for the stock big block coils. IT LIFTED ME UP LIKE 6 INCHES IN THE FRONT. Soooo... we took it back apart and cut off a coil. Truck sat exactly where I wanted it to, so my setup is now 2.5" drop spindles and a stock big block spring with 1 coil cut. Picture order here is the mcgaughy 2" drop coil next to a stock replacement 454 coil(1), the 454 spring installed with no cut coils(2), and the 454 springs with 1 coil cut(3.) ![]() ![]() ![]()
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#204 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Hunter's 1978 GMC Build At this point, it was piddle a little there.. piddle a little here and everywhere. We slowly chiseled away at the air conditioning over the course of multiple days. The vintage air system was a good idea, and I'll have to thank mom for pushing me towards doing AC later. I wasn't going to. ![]() ![]() ![]()
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#205 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Here's a picture of the boy enjoying the AC on a hot day.
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#206 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,930
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Looking good!! It looks like your passenger approves.
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FB Page for my Seats Belts https://www.facebook.com/73-87-Chevy...9439407476735/ Restoring Seatbelts: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809750 SOLD My 86 Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654972 Past Restored Bench Seats:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=715398 PayPal link to pay for your items: https://www.paypal.me/TKCR |
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#207 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Posts: 1,237
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Very very nice! Love the blue and the stance is just right. Mike
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Instagram @HomeBuiltC10s Dads 79 GMC Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=642929 1978 Silverado Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=756016 |
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#208 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Penngrove, CA
Posts: 697
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Love the truck, love the build...
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"Sweet Pea" 1975 Cheyenne 20 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...00#post8477900 "Bourbon" 1975 Suburban ScottsdaleSOLD https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...49#post8769049 ”Otis” 1970 C10 SWB -SOLD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=762766 ”Chebby” 1962 Impala LS/TKO-500 http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/1...2-Impala-Build |
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#209 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Bend Oregon
Posts: 163
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
my gosh i love your truck. My very first truck, or vehicle for that matter, was a Hawaii Blue 79 2wd long bed GMC. I was the second owner, we keep that pickup in the family after i left and moved to Minnesota to finish school, but that truck stayed in the family for total of 18 years. It's long gone now....but some day hope to find another
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#210 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Thanks for all the kind words!
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#211 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California
Posts: 521
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Great build and thanks for posting it. I’m on the fence for buying a Vintage Air setup and I think this is going to make me pull the trigger. Looks so clean!
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‘53 GMC COE stock ‘53 Chevy 3100 LSA/TR6060 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=805949‘ '70 Chevy C10 LWB 350/sm465 ‘74 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3/4L80e, Vintage Air, Dakota Digital, US Mags |
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#212 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 220
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Neat truck.
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1979 Pontiac LeMans 231/Th350 1982 Chevrolet Silverado K10 6.2 Diesel/700r4 1984 Buick Regal Limited Sedan 4.3 V6 Diesel/200r4 (Hens teeth rare) 1991 Chevrolet Silverado K2500 5.7/700r4 1999 Chevrolet Base LS K2500 6.5TD/4L80e |
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#213 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California
Posts: 521
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Could you possible post a few pics of how the lines for the a/c are ran in the engine bay? Curious how Vintage Air runs them. Thank you
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‘53 GMC COE stock ‘53 Chevy 3100 LSA/TR6060 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=805949‘ '70 Chevy C10 LWB 350/sm465 ‘74 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3/4L80e, Vintage Air, Dakota Digital, US Mags |
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#214 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
I'll get some pictures for you, mine's going to be a little different than typical because I am using the aluminum serpentine brackets off of a 1990 model Chevy V6, which moves the AC compressor to the passenger side. It's typically on the driver side. I also crimped my own lines with a mastercool line crimper I purchased second hand on eBay.
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#215 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California
Posts: 521
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Quote:
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‘53 GMC COE stock ‘53 Chevy 3100 LSA/TR6060 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=805949‘ '70 Chevy C10 LWB 350/sm465 ‘74 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3/4L80e, Vintage Air, Dakota Digital, US Mags |
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#216 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Quote:
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#217 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#218 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Hunter's 1978 GMC Build So, one of the things I decided to do was install a wamrod kit. I have my original hood hinges which are a bit sloppy and worn out. I also didn't want to worry about bending my hood when I got the freshly painted repop put on there. So, those of you who aren't familiar with the wamrod kit, it's a simple kit that allows you to install struts on your original hinges. They lower the hood quite a bit when opened, so forewarning. You'll hit your head on it a few times before you learn. The struts easily pop off and the hood can be propped if needed. I personally think they're a little expensive for what comes in the kit, but it does save you a lot of time and can be done with basic tools in your garage in an hour. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#219 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#220 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: California
Posts: 521
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
The pic is exactly what I wanted. Thanks!
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‘53 GMC COE stock ‘53 Chevy 3100 LSA/TR6060 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?t=805949‘ '70 Chevy C10 LWB 350/sm465 ‘74 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3/4L80e, Vintage Air, Dakota Digital, US Mags |
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#221 |
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Just curious, any news ? Impressive built !
Ron |
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#222 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
A couple of smalls, I was laid off due to covid-19 so I will probably post an update here soon. I was diagnosed with cancer early 2019 and hit pause on the truck. I then later bought my first house and now I'm engaged. The truck runs and drives great but is temporarily not priority, and is not done... yet. I'm unable to allocate the funds to finish it right now.
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#223 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Ohio
Posts: 6,930
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
I wondered where you’ve been. So sorry about the C news, hopefully they can take care of it. But the good news!! Engaged and bought a house, wow! That’s awesome news.
Keep you chin up, everything will get better and turn out ok. Looking forward to the updates. ![]()
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FB Page for my Seats Belts https://www.facebook.com/73-87-Chevy...9439407476735/ Restoring Seatbelts: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809750 SOLD My 86 Build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654972 Past Restored Bench Seats:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=715398 PayPal link to pay for your items: https://www.paypal.me/TKCR |
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#224 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 385
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Quote:
I sold the subaru and picked up a Jeep XJ as well. It was from Cincinnati and super rusty and I've done a lot of work to get it back on the road as my new daily driver. It's been the best cheap vehicle ever. Picked up a trailer to haul all my accumulated debris from home demo for $100 too. I think the squarebody guys will like it! ![]() ![]()
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1978 Hawaiian Blue GMC 454/Tremec TKO 500 BUILD THREAD |
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#225 |
Just here to tinker
![]() Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 3,692
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Re: The Hawaiian Blue 1978 GMC.
Just read through this whole thread. Great work! I know how much work goes into a frame off like that and it is no easy feat. Everything looks beautiful and detailed. Very nice.
Sorry to hear about the bad news, but glad to hear about your new home and soon to be wife! Good luck in the future!
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78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725 |
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1978, c15, gmc, project, sierra |
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