1963 GMC C30 panel truck

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Hey thats got a nice sheen to it for marine vinyl! I like it paired with the G fabric, originally I liked the G or A fabric samples you had paired with the D vinyl, good call on the thread matching the seat belts to give contrast to the fabric\vinyl.

I know its not a big priority at this point but what are plans on steering wheel? I'm also going to be using a dodge column and had thought about trying to use a later model GMC wheel with it rather than the normal parts store grant wheel I have used in like 5 other trucks lol.

Hey 350! Thanks I’m happy and moving on with the fabric choices, I have them all ready to go, even though I really would prefer one of the SMS vinyls, just can’t justify the extra expense o well. I have decided to add headrests the the 2nd and 3rd rows as well. Just want the extra bit of neck protection for my passengers.

For the wheel, I would really like to get the stock GMC wheel on there. Just like the style best plus it all cleaned, repaired and ready to go. Project for the future. The Dodge wheel will do for now. If it doesn’t work with the Dodge column, i figure I will go with a nice tilt column later on.

Well Vancouver Island got a bunch of snow.... which has slowed down progreess a bit hahaha. But I have been back on it this last weekend. I have been getting the seat belts installed the brackets figured for the top of the back rest. Also picked up the foam for the 3rd row. Yesterday I started sandblasting the seat spring frame. I will have to get the frames blasted and painted, foam shaped and more on the brackets figured. Then the seats should be ready for fabric and vinyl.

[AJCK87]

Still have some figuring to do on the top brackets. Don’t want anything to bulky, trying to make it very strong and low profile so you don’t feel it with your shoulder through the back rest foam. I will have to fabricate the head rest mounts as well.

[AJCK87]

Little more progress on the 3rd row. Brackets are done for the seat belts then spent some time sand blasting the seat and spring frames. The spring frame is now in Por-15 and now I’m just waiting for the new seat springs to get here. The head rests came in with the guides so I started the layout and fab for the brackets for those. This will definitely make these seats a bit more comfortable not to mention safer hahaha. Need to make and install another set of brackets for the next head rest then onto shaping some foam.

[AJCK87]

Will be recovering the head rests

[350TacoZilla]

Cool deal man! I'm sure a ton of people were trying to figure out what the sound was then saw that thing coming down the rd lol.

Two quick questions, are the seat belts tied into the actual seat frame or just the board and can the retractor be moved up and out a bit? Just wondering if they will be real noticeable in the lower back lol.

[AJCK87]

For sure! It was a blast.

As for the seat, the belt reel, at the bottom, is just bolted to the 5/8 plywood and the same as the top bracket and this is in a fixed position. The anchor point for the buckle and end of the lap belt are off the seat frame. The test that I did with the old foam, the top bracket is high enough not to notice and the belt reel is to the outside of your your back. Fit pretty nice. I initially made the bracket at the top to bulky and you could feel it

Few more pictures

[350TacoZilla]

Ah ok it was hard to tell in pics but it looked like they would be right into your kidneys type area lol.

I was asking about the mounting just because of a worse case scenario where you actually need the belts. I'm not trying to tell you how to build your own truck or anything just wondering if maybe should make a support bracket that ties into the frame of seat, maybe even just set of small U-bolts that go around the frame bars and tie into the belt mounting points (both at shoulder and retractor). Keep up the good work man I cant wait to see interior done up with your new materials.

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Ah ok it was hard to tell in pics but it looked like they would be right into your kidneys type area lol.

I was asking about the mounting just because of a worse case scenario where you actually need the belts. I'm not trying to tell you how to build your own truck or anything just wondering if maybe should make a support bracket that ties into the frame of seat, maybe even just set of small U-bolts that go around the frame bars and tie into the belt mounting points (both at shoulder and retractor). Keep up the good work man I cant wait to see interior done up with your new materials.

Yeah I am wanting it to be comfortable for sure. I have a 4” foam for the back and a 6” for the seat. That is a good point, I was looking at it and the ply is pretty strong especially bolted to the frame, but it might not be a bad idea to tie the brackets in up at the top to. My Uncle, thanks Gary!, lent me his foam cutter so I’ll be shaping that this week.

[AJCK87]

Little bit of progress. But mostly just been driving it been three weeks now and little tweaks here and there, running really nice and so much fun!

Continuing on with the seats, foam is all cut and supplies all gathered, so I’m ready to go on the upholstery work for the third row. Will be nice and comfy

[350TacoZilla]

Cant wait to see it come together for you man! I would be driving that thing as much as possible too, on big projects that is a huge sense of accomplishment everytime it fires up.

[AJCK87]

Hey Guys,

Not much to report, still coordinating to get the seat reupholstered. Mostly driving this rig! The foreman here is keeping me in point ��

Put in a Skyjacker duel steering stabilizer kit and going to be replacing the 1/2 ton rancho shocks with some bilstiens. Just having fun mostly. O did the side glass as well, waiting on a set of sliders for the middle back windows. Will have a locking window and a sliding screen for camping out.

Been on a couple good adventures so far, camped up at Woss Lake, or what we lake to call “Woss Vegas” and camped out at Ida Lake. Was a pleasure to drive and easy to camp in. I’m sure glad I put the diesel in there! 13-14 litres per 100km average and with the 66 litre tank I’m getting 450-500km

[AJCK87]

Few more.

Cheers,

Anthony

[Captainfab]

Glad to see you are getting some good use out if it and enjoying life.

[350TacoZilla]

I agree completely! great to see it already getting used and you getting to enjoy it after all the work that went into it.

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Glad to see you are getting some good use out if it and enjoying life.

Thanks Captainfab! That’s what it’s all about

Cheers

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

I agree completely! great to see it already getting used and you getting to enjoy it after all the work that went into it.

Thank you Tacozilla!

Hey Guys,

Little bit of an update: I have the custom audio sound radio up and running. My connector plugs were the culprits in giving me a spot of trouble there. I also mounted my second 5” alpine speaker under the centre of the dash. Works and sounds great. Just need to quiet the road noise down a bit when up at highway speeds. That will be remedied when I tackle the doors.
Got the Bilstein shocks in, what a difference in the ride! Albeit the old Ranchos were for a 1/2 ton I figure. And last but not least! The custom slider windows for the sides finally came yesterday, and I just had to get them in there. Really happy with how they turned out. Hopefully get into getting that rear seat covered in the next few weeks. Stay tuned.

Cheers,

Anthony

[AJCK87]

..

[AJCK87]

,,

[350TacoZilla]

Cool deal man! I'm jealous of all the work your getting done lol. I was barely able to do struts and brakes on my DD due to this damn back of mine, still collecting parts here and there as money allows for the truck though.

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Cool deal man! I'm jealous of all the work your getting done lol. I was barely able to do struts and brakes on my DD due to this damn back of mine, still collecting parts here and there as money allows for the truck though.

Thanks Tacozilla! Yeah just keep doing what you can

Little progress! Onto the upholstery. Thanks Gary for all your help!!

[AJCK87]

One seat down! thank you Gary for all your help and guidance on this seat build. One down 2 rows to go

[Captainfab]

That looks great

[AJCK87]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That looks great

Thanks Captainfab! That fabric is awesome, tip of the hat to SMS fabrics

Out with the old! New steering gear and borgseon shaft, coupler and rag joint. What a difference!

Also got an oil change in, new thermostat and rad hose. I’m going on holiday, touring in the panel. Heading to one of the gulf islands for a spell and then out to the Okanagan. See yeah guys

Anthony

[350TacoZilla]

I know it will be awhile before you see this but the seat turned out great! hope all goes well on trip with it and happy motoring.