Project Grande Slam: Coley's Hot Rod Shop

[CC69Rat]

Here is a pretty nice 1970 GMC Sierra Grande SWB dad and I picked up over the weekend. Some of you may have seen this truck on another post but I thought I'd start a build thread to follow along with the progress.

We are currently in the process of putting this one back together to just be a good solid daily driver. We bought the truck off Craigslist. Picked it up on Saturday and drove it home, 312 miles. It never missed a beat. 350 / 3 OTT, matching numbers.

The rockers have been replaced at one point, I'm thinking maybe mid 80's? It looks like around that same time it had a decent paint job. It is the original color combo but has been re-sprayed. You can see overspray on it in places.

It's one of those you can say 'It's all there' and that's exactly what I wanted. A 99% unmolested truck to start a good dependable weekend driver, 4.5 / 6" drop and some 20's. I might put some Magnaflows on it just for the sound .. but that's about it. Just stock looking engine, no big cam, .. just a good looking driver. Anyway, here are some pictures of it. Check back from time to time,..

[CC69Rat]

More ..

[lolife99]

Subscribing to follow this thread.
Should be very cool!

[Newtz67]

I'm a big fan of this truck already, I'm in!

[CC69Rat]

Keith, I talked to Stan today. You were about right on the pricing. I have him on standby with an order to just go ahead with the 5 lug disc / drum conversion with 4.5 / 6" drop. .. should turn out pretty cool.

338's ? Coys? I think I'd like Coys a little better (just lighter gray?) Not sure yet. Nothing against 338's ..

[lolife99]

I think the Coys would be better,... due to the choices of different backspacings.
I like the new satin wheels (matte grey, but they look black to me),... that member Raull has on his white stepside.
I think these wheels would look good with a lighter colored spoke, and the satin rim.
I'm not a fan of "black centered" wheels,... because I think the design of the wheel gets lost in the black color.
But these wheels have peaked my interest more than any other new wheel from Coys.
Although,... your truck with all the trim might look better with a polished lip.

Go ahead and buy the satin Coys,... so I can see what they will look like on my red '69. Ha.
Plus Coys has their wheels marked down right now.
http://www.coyswheel.com/coys.html

[NoNeck]

Chad - Post the photoshop with the chrome wheels for comparison.

POP

[CC69Rat]

Chrome Coys C5 .. I think I like the Gray ones better, polished lip (?)

[Bennett68C10]

Wow nice buy Chad, truck looks really nice and solid. I would love to pick something like that up as a Daily. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

[CC69Rat]

Thanks Keith ! (both of you )

Was the dash bezel painted gold like the glove box lid at one time? It kinda has a goldish tint to it. Never seen one like that.

[lolife99]

GMC's painted the center of the dash bezel and the glovebox door the interior color.
That would be my reason to switch to a black interior.

[CC69Rat]

Keith - Would a 295/45/20 work on the back or is 295/40 the max you can stuff under a fleet with a 6" drop?

[Bennett68C10]

Lol wrong Keith answering your question Chad but i'm pretty sure Big Al had 295/45/20 on the Rear of his truck with a 4/6 drop before he switched the rims and bagged it. Check with him.

[shawno72]

Subscribed for sure!!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

Keith - Would a 295/45/20 work on the back or is 295/40 the max you can stuff under a fleet with a 6" drop?

Ha,... to many Keiths.
I personally, don't like the look of the 295/45.
In my opinion they are too tall,... but they will definitely fit.
I think the 295/40 better matches the profile of the 255/40 up front.
The Toyo Proxes are pretty reasonable on their price also.

Plus,... the taller the tire,... the more you have to lower it.
(unless you're thinking about bagging it).

[67cheby]

good looking truck cant wait for the progress !

[Bennett68C10]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Ha,... to many Keiths.
I personally, don't like the look of the 295/45.
In my opinion they are too tall,... but they will definitely fit.
I think the 295/40 better matches the profile of the 255/40 up front.
The Toyo Proxes are pretty reasonable on their price also.

Plus,... the taller the tire,... the more you have to lower it.
(unless you're thinking about bagging it).

Lol what is funny is that I don't know any other Keith's besides this forum. But I agree with Keith, I think 295/40/20 looks much better. That's whats on the rear of my truck.
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[trusty74]

wow nice truck man, cant wait to see how it turns out. nice find for sure!!

[LEX]

What a great looking truck. I'll be along for the ride.
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[CC69Rat]

Dad and I worked on the GMC all day yesterday, just pulling things apart, cleaning and detailing, oil change, plugs, checking belts, etc. It looks like a different engine already. I'll post up some pics asap.

When we bought the truck the lady told us it needed valve cover gaskets. It was a little wet around the bottoms, .. no big deal. Apparently it had been leaking for a while but it wasn't bad.

Dad pulled the valve covers off and noticed the gaskets were just smashed flat like they had kept tightening them down to try to stop the leak. They tightened them so much that it got the rocker arms too close and they touched the sides of the valve covers .. yes, little piholes in the side of the valve cover! That's why it was leaking. there were about 3 tiny holes in it where the rockers had worked through! Never seen that before.

.. Now, I'm in search of some good stock looking valve covers for it. The driver's side is good, the passenger side (with the oil cap) is the one I need.

We also measured and it is the later rear end housing. So, 71-72 5 lug swap will be much easier.

[m6z]

going to be watching this one. nice.

[N2TRUX]

You picked up a really sharp truck to build. Lets see more pics...

[shawno72]

I have a set of stock valve covers. Let me know what they are worth to you.

[CC69Rat]

Two holes, bottom and top straight across? I need the pass side more than anything (with the oil fill cap) but I'd buy the set too just to make sure they were matching.

Are they just stock DZ302 finned aluminum?

Got a picture? No rush ..

[CC69Rat]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

You picked up a really sharp truck to build. Lets see more pics...

$2,500 .. I feel pretty good about it.


Thanks for all the comments guys (I don't know how to do the multiple quote thing?) Just know I appreciate it. I'm honored to hear it coming from all the beautiful trucks / skilled talent on here.

This is just a driver truck, my 68 will be the shiney one. No plans to hack on this one too much. just a good static drop and some wheels and drive it ..