Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Ok I bought a bed. this looks so good I am doing it. thanks for the pictures.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Wow sweet build! Please post more updates soon!!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Loving this build. That bed looks great, like it could have been factory. Nice work on the body and running gear. Definitely keep posting pics.

To add to the fan info, the latest Car Craft mag has a good article about those Mk 8 and Thunderbird/Taurus/Cougar fans. They cautioned that the MK8 18 inch fan pulls 40 amps at high speed and 28 at low spd. They recommend a 100 amp alternator when running one.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I'd have to double check but I'm sure my 5.3l alternator is about 100A. It should work OK. The hard part for me will be to wire it to work with the ECT sensor AND the compressor.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I wish I were moving faster but I seem to be in the repetitive business of spraying and sanding, and spraying and sanding, and spraying and sanding. I know my bodywork won't be perfect but I'm trying not to embarass myself when it's done. I have the body in various stages of 2k primer and sealer. I count 23 pieces that need paint on them and that aint happenin' in a 2 car garage all in one day sooo...I'm having to do this several pieces at a time. I just ordered the paint and clear and I'm trying like crazy to get color on it before it's too cold. I didn't order a blue like I wanted. Since this is my first paint job I decided to avoid metallics and pearls so it will be easier to shoot and later, to repair. That meant (to me) that all the good blues just went out the window. Not telling what color just yet, though....

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Your alternator looks like 105 amp to me. Where did you get your taillight buckets? I like them.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I made them...I'm going with 48 Ford tail lights. Oops...I used the F word.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Not sure I picked a bright enough color. Trying to get everything painted before it gets cold but not sure how much longer the warm weather will last.

As a first paint job it seems to be OK so far. I have a couple runs I have to fix and I hate the 3 teeny bugs that landed in it. I did something wrong with the gun and it tried to blow the clear out dry for a second. I did something wrong with it again and it clogged and dripped on a small part and guess what?...you can't just wipe a clear splatter off a part without taking the base with it. Don't EVER try to paint at night. You just can't keep those teeny bugs out no matter how you tape everything. Add a little reducer to the last coat of clear to make it spray a little wetter/ smoother. The air hose is the devil. I think that's most of my new found paint wisdom for now. I have 8 pieces out of 23 coated, though 4 of them are major ones.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Man that looks good, how did you get the steps painted without hitting them as you did the interior?

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

wow! Its gonna be a sweet ride! I have a gmc as well I am building (57).....What are your plans for the main grille? Are you gonna try and match the grille design you made for the hood opening??

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

That's part of the " I hate the airhose". You have to step up careful and hold the hose careful and turning inside the cab is fun while holding the hose and balancing on one foot. I guess it would have been easier to just say " it sucked", huh?

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Yep. I am using a billet grill made for a 55-56 chevy but keeping the GMC mustache and hood. Sort of like this sweet GMC...

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Looks real nice.
Kim

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Somebody done been busy to-day, doodah doodah...

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

It looks great.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Don't ya just love that new paint smell.LOL can't wait to see it in the sun! looks great!!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Don't know, looks a little plain to me. Gives us all inspiration, looking good.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Pretty!!!!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Hot dam, that looks great man!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Starting to look more like a truck.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I really like that color!!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

wow does that have a volume control?
Just kidding I bet it looks good in the sunlight!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Its looking great man.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Man that does look great! Lucky to be so far in your build! "someday I will be"

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Lookin' Gooood !

Great idea for the bed.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

looks real nice. I like the dash bezel.
Kim

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

looking great, can't wait till mine is that far along:metal:

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Your truck is coming along very well.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

OK I've painted the grill twice and both times I slipped when polishing the face and burnt a little portion of paint with the buffer wheel. I simply don't care anymore and wanted to see it in the hood. Also, there are still some slight scratches in that hood but I get so darn afraid to burn through the clear with the rubbing compound and doing it by hand is no fun. I totally respect all you painters by trade. I don't think there is one panel without a little bug spot or bump spot or missed ding, etc. I have to fix three burn throughs at door jambs and one bang where I bumped it putting together the filler neck. Been painting and polishing for three weeks now and still have lots to do. This is tedious work!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Your truck looks really good. cant wait to see it completed. Keep up the good work.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

You got that right but you are doing a good job. Keep it going its worth it.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

That tedious work will pay off in the end, so enjoy all that hard work now. It does look sweet with the grill installed. Great job!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Making progress. More assembly, paint, and buffing. Two of my paint fixes didn't work so great so I may put 4 or 5 coats of clear on the whole back of the cab and sand it back to smooth. Means more work but it would be the right way to do it.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

That's looking real nice. I like the insert in the hood.
Kim

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I haven't checked in for a while, I was glad to see some paint!! Great color choice (along with all of your other great choices) This is the FUN PART!!!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

Ohhh man that looks good!

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I really appreciate all the positive words...I constantly worry I'm building the worst piece of junk on the road. I guess it's a first time build thing. I've had to learn to weld and paint, and more than likely will have to borrow a sewing machine and learn to stitch so I can put the interior together as well.

Making a little progress. I painted the mustache because it was fast and because it would save me $250 for spray chrome plus shipping to Dallas for an almost irreplaceable piece. Plus, I bet the spray chrome looks good but will it look good next to actual chrome parts? Now I can't decide whether to paint my old bumper or order a shiny chrome one from LMC. Tried repairing a bad spot in the paint this morning and ran the clear on the last coat in a place that I already sanded a run out of. If I havn't mentioned it...I almost hope I never paint another car in this lifetime but I know I probably will do it again anyway.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

how did you make a booth? Any suggestions on that note?

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I like what you did with the mustache, I'd put a chrome bumper on that bad boy.

Re: Yet another GMC build
 

I taped up a ton of plastic on the walls. The heavy 6 mil stuff from Lowes. Then I got some of the light duty plastic and covered whatever didn't need paint in the middle of the garage. I have 3 box fans. Two are taped up under the garage door with 20 x 20 filters to pull air out and 1 is taped up with a 20 x 20 air filter on the side door to help pull air in. I had to tape every hole, seam, anywhere where dirt could get in. Then I had to clean the garage very well, about three times. And there's still a couple spots in the paint where either dust or bugs found their way in. Most of those cut and buff out but it still aggravates you.

All in all, though, it's still been WAY cheaper than forking it out. One shop quoted me 10K to paint it. I've gone through three gallons of primer, 1.5 gallons of sealer, 2 gallons of color, 2.5 gallons of clear plus reducers, activators, rubbing and polishing compound, etc. Still only cost around 1K, maybe a hair more. I'm trying to cook a steak on a burger budget!