Help me plan the project. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

evan · 06-01-2009, 11:50 AM

Hey guys. I finally found the SWB that I'm going to build. It's a 1979 GMC C15. I don't have the money/time to do a complete frame-off this year so I'm looking at two different possibilities.

The first option is to strip everything down to the frame, have the frame blasted and re-coated and then rebuild the chassis with all the suspension/brake mods. Put the old body back on the new chassis this year drive it for a year or two and then strip it back down for a complete paint job.

The second option is to let the frame accumulate a little more surface rust for another year and just install all the suspension/brake mods I want with the truck still intact. I would drive it like that for probably a year before I could strip it all off and do the frame and body at the same time.

What do you think? Should I strip it down to do the frame now and then again for paint later, or should I just bolt on the parts now and strip it down just once a year from now?

Here's the truck if you missed it in the SWB sticky.

smashingchuck · 06-01-2009, 11:56 AM

You're only kidding yourself if you think you are going to tear it down to the frame and put it back together without fixing the things you'll find wrong with the body. I say do your suspension upgrades, spray bomb the undercarriage with some chassis black while you are in there. Then when it's time to do the body work paint the frame for real.

Driveway Dreams · 06-01-2009, 02:28 PM

the body doesn't look too bad, so I say do your mods. Fix anything you HAVE to and drive it with the body how it is.

69BBsuburban · 06-01-2009, 02:31 PM

Do NOT tear it down if your low on $$$ and time.....just add the parts you wish to upgrade. Many times a car/truck is torn down and $$$ becomes thin during the rebuild (stuff happens)....then your stuck with a half-built project you can't enjoy.
Keep it a runner. Looks like you've got a nice start!

JohnC · 06-01-2009, 02:32 PM

Yep I agree with the guys above.

jdurant · 06-01-2009, 04:13 PM

fo sho

evan · 06-01-2009, 04:23 PM

Looks like there is only one real choice. Thanks for the input guys.

**N2TRUX** · 06-01-2009, 05:42 PM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it till it is. Rent a pressure washer and gunk the engine and undercarriage as best as possible. Clean everything twice and blast it all with satin black, POR 15, or one of the many chassis paints available.

Take off anything that needs replaced, and clean and paint as you install new parts.

Unless you are building a show only trailer queen, that will get you buy just fine.

Your best bet is lower so no one can look under...

06-01-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
evan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 488	Help me plan the project. Hey guys. I finally found the SWB that I'm going to build. It's a 1979 GMC C15. I don't have the money/time to do a complete frame-off this year so I'm looking at two different possibilities. The first option is to strip everything down to the frame, have the frame blasted and re-coated and then rebuild the chassis with all the suspension/brake mods. Put the old body back on the new chassis this year drive it for a year or two and then strip it back down for a complete paint job. The second option is to let the frame accumulate a little more surface rust for another year and just install all the suspension/brake mods I want with the truck still intact. I would drive it like that for probably a year before I could strip it all off and do the frame and body at the same time. What do you think? Should I strip it down to do the frame now and then again for paint later, or should I just bolt on the parts now and strip it down just once a year from now? Here's the truck if you missed it in the SWB sticky. __________________ Evan B.

06-01-2009, 11:56 AM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Help me plan the project. You're only kidding yourself if you think you are going to tear it down to the frame and put it back together without fixing the things you'll find wrong with the body. I say do your suspension upgrades, spray bomb the undercarriage with some chassis black while you are in there. Then when it's time to do the body work paint the frame for real. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

06-01-2009, 02:28 PM	#3
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Help me plan the project. the body doesn't look too bad, so I say do your mods. Fix anything you HAVE to and drive it with the body how it is. __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

06-01-2009, 02:31 PM	#4
69BBsuburban Right in front of you. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Roy, Wa Posts: 584	Re: Help me plan the project. Do NOT tear it down if your low on $$$ and time.....just add the parts you wish to upgrade. Many times a car/truck is torn down and $$$ becomes thin during the rebuild (stuff happens)....then your stuck with a half-built project you can't enjoy. Keep it a runner. Looks like you've got a nice start! __________________ Pinstriping by Josh '78 Chevy Silverado SWB (lowered, 454) '90 Chevy Sport Truck '68 Dodge Charger R/T 1930 Ford Model A

06-01-2009, 02:32 PM	#5
JohnC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 7,461	Re: Help me plan the project. Yep I agree with the guys above.

06-01-2009, 04:13 PM	#6
jdurant Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 679	Re: Help me plan the project. fo sho __________________ Joseph 87 Turbo Buick 92 5.0 Mustang coupe 87 GMC Sierra SWB 82 Chevy K5 Blazer 2wd

06-01-2009, 04:23 PM	#7
evan Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SK, Canada Posts: 488	Re: Help me plan the project. Looks like there is only one real choice. Thanks for the input guys. __________________ Evan B.

06-01-2009, 05:42 PM	#8
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Help me plan the project. If it ain't broke, don't fix it till it is. Rent a pressure washer and gunk the engine and undercarriage as best as possible. Clean everything twice and blast it all with satin black, POR 15, or one of the many chassis paints available. Take off anything that needs replaced, and clean and paint as you install new parts. Unless you are building a show only trailer queen, that will get you buy just fine. Your best bet is lower so no one can look under... __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"



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