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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
We've been working on this '71 C10 for about 8-1/2 years, in-between working on other projects, raising a family, working full-time careers, and running a part-time Hot Rod business. We are in the final assembly process now, but will post pics from beginning to present. Hope you enjoy!
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
The engine block was a pull-out from a '91 1-Ton with the factory 4 bolt bottom end, 1-piece rear seal and, best of all, a factory roller block. Performance Automotive in Hillsdale, Michigan performed the machine work, rebuilding the rods with ARP bolts and installing Speed Pro pistons, and balancing the rotating assembly. The engine specs out fairly similar to the ZZ430 that GM Performance had several years back, should be a fun little package for cruising and occasional Autocrossing.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Assembly was performed by Dewy Demerest, who previously worked in the engine room for the late Indy car racer Scotty Braighton from Coldwater, Micigan.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
The original intent of this build was to just make a comfortable cruiser.... A mild drop, some minor updating in the braking and throw in a 700R4 to help out on the highway. But as you will see later, many of the mild drop components will go to the wayside for much improved handling and breaking.
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Body work and trial fitting some of the Goodmark pieces...
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
The first attempt to get the body work done turned into a dead-end. Needless to say, the truck was pulled out of there when it was in mostly bare metal before any more half-a$$ed work could be done....
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
While we were on the hunt for a new painter, work continued on the build. Billet Specialties Anthem wheels were chosen (18" x 9.5" rear, and 18" x 8" front) and Nitto NT555 tires. Billet Specialties was kind enough to send us a pic of the wheels during the machining process.
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#8 |
State of Confusion!
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Gulfport, MS USA
Posts: 46,859
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Another one to keep track of for sure. Truck is coming together nicely!
__________________
Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
This is where we started turning more toward a Pro-touring flavor and started developing our G-TR Rear Coil-over suspension in the fall of 2011. Seeing that there were still many C10 owners that prefer a static drop, but are never really sure how low they want to go, we developed a kit that is adjustable from approximately 4"-6" in drop and incorporates a double adjustable Chrome-moly panhard bar with XM series heim joints.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
At the same time, we updated the rear axles to Dutchman Motorsports Forged units, a DTS T/A diff support cover and Wilwood 4 piston Dynalite brakes.
Last edited by GEARBOXGARAGE; 12-12-2013 at 10:04 PM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Great Bend
Posts: 134
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Looks awesome, can't wait to see more. I'll be subscribing to this, good luck!!
__________________
build thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478732 1948 5-Window:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478732 SOLD |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Thanks for the compliments, guys!
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Alliance, Oh
Posts: 77
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
So far so good
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
To further the handling department, several Hotchkis items were sourced. The rear blade style sway bar, front sway bar, upper A-arms, and 2" front drop springs were added. Eventually we'll add the lower A-arms to compliment the uppers.
Last edited by GEARBOXGARAGE; 12-13-2013 at 08:38 AM. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
At this point, we were back on track with getting the body work done. You will probably notice several shades of primer. This is where we used an Omni 2K primer to cover any bare steel and help protect it while we were waiting on a new painter. Finally, we found a reputable painter in Bronson, MI, Greg Fowler. He was a body shop owner in the Elkhart, IN area for 25+ years, said he was tired of dealing with lazy employees who wanted to cut too many corners, so he sold the business and semi-retired. Now he works out of a shop at his house restoring cars, taking on only one project at a time. These photos show the last mock-up before we sent it out for some real body work and paint.
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Greg wasted no time on getting a better fit with the panels. Everything is aftermarket, so there was definately some massaging that needed done, especially since there quite a bit of questionable work done by the previous body shop. He took quite a bit of it back down to bare metal and started fresh.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
More bodywork pics....
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Finishing up on getting things smoothed out. Starting the guide coat/block sanding process....
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
And more blocking/guide coat/blocking....
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Finally the paint goes on! Took forever to decide a color. I was originally gonna go with Medium Olive, a popular color when these trucks were new. Considering that the truck was originally Ocre, I also looked at some metallic yellows, but I thought maybe that after a while I would grow tired of the brighter colors... Looking at some of the new Silverados, I started favoring Graystone Metallic. It's a simple color but looks awesome in the sunlight and the grays and silvers seem to never go out of style.
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
A few more pics of the paint and getting it assembled. These are pics before it is buffed out...
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
And these are after buff...
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
So one of the "problems" I discovered while builder a truck over a lengthy period of time, is that sooner or later, new products come out and grab your attention. This time, it was the Holley Terminator EFI. This, of course also lead me to buying an electric fuel pump. With all of the buzz at SEMA about the new Aeromotive Phantom fuel system, I thought it would make a perfect compliment to the Terminator considering I have a fuel tank already mounted in the frame.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sturgis, Michigan
Posts: 509
|
Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Final Assembly has begun. We're starting off with some Hushmat for the interior of the cab to quiet it down. We'll finish that up and start on the wiring soon. We've also started putting on ods-and-ends around the truck...
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: longview,wa
Posts: 1,094
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Re: Project G-TR, Gearbox Garage Shop Truck
Very nice....awesome detail work.
__________________
1972 GMC (PROJECT LONG OVERDUE) ![]() 1998 SWB 4WD |
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