Re: My 86 build
 

Paint

Re: My 86 build
 

My friend had already bought everything new:
Covers
Springs
Foam
New garnishes

Re: My 86 build
 

Got the springs installed on the frames, along with the burlap & felt and lifting wire. At this point I'm following along with a video from Legendary Auto, on how to rebuild these buckets

Re: My 86 build
 

Not much to report on Big Red. I did spend some time on the buckets today.

Re: My 86 build
 

your work is outstanding, and i love the garage set up! any chance you have a link to the bench seat console? all i'm finding is the junky ebay ones.

Re: My 86 build
 

Thank you!!

Here's the link: https://classicconsoles.com/bench-seat/

If I remember right, I got the Drinkster

Re: My 86 build
 

One of the things I talked about early in the thread, was about the fact that my Dad made the tailgate bands, when he worked at GM. So I came across a few decent ones. One was the earlier model, 70's style. And then a 81-87. I got them cleaned up and polished, I didn't but a whole lot of effort in them.

Well I got the first one hung up today. The 81-87, I'm going to get a new emblem for it. I broke all the studs off and all the black paint had worn off. So as soon as I get that one put back together, it will hang right below the other band.

Re: My 86 build
 

Got the other tailgate band hung

Re: My 86 build
 

Very nice job! What do you use of polishing to the tailgate band? I try to polish our own tailgate band but it won´t let shining!!! I don´t know why because other parts coming nicely shining. I use Autosol metal polish and felt wheels. Thanks Ilkka

Re: My 86 build
 

I just use Brasso. But if you really want sanding & polishing advice on the bands, jkk has had a thread on the subject.

Re: My 86 build
 

Well the truck didn't make it in for paint at the beginning of the year. They guy I use, was really busy. Now that he is slowing down, the truck will go in at the end of the month.
In the meantime, I got Big Red out and did some adjusting on the hood. It was not even close to being flush. The 1st pic, you can see where the hood sits higher than the fender. And in the front, the hood sits further in, not even close to being flush to the front of the fender. But after a few tries at adjusting, I got it.

Re: My 86 build
 

Big Red also started leaking fuel from one of the fuel lines. So she's in getting all new lines. It looks pretty rusty up there. This is where it was leaking on the passenger side. I'm sure all the rubber is bad too. While its in the shop, they are going to replace the radiator, it was seeping close to the top.
Still on course for paint at the end of the month.

Re: My 86 build
 

I have been in the south here for so long I forgot ( and don't miss) seeing that kinda of corrosion that the Pennsylvania and NE area does to our stuff.

Re: My 86 build
 

This connection was meant to be. I am always wary of just letting anyone work on the truck. But the same day, and I mean the same day, I got Big Red out and found she was leaking fuel. I was wondering who I was going to get to work on the truck. But that evening, I got a FaceBook friends request from someone I knew when we were kids, we lived next door to each other. We grew up together, from the time we were born, up until we were old enough to move out after graduating from high school. We both moved on with life. Neither of us live in the city were we grew up, which is Columbus Ohio. Well he now lives close by (which we both are now in small towns) and he has his own shop AND he is into classic cars. I have seen the shop, but never knew it was him that owned it. I was always eyeballing some of the old trucks that were sitting out there, whenever we went to Tim Hortons, his shop sat behind.
Now I feel at ease, knowing Big Red is in good hands. He has quite a collection too!!

Re: My 86 build
 

Since I have owned Big Red, she hasn't been on the road with salt, and for that matter, rain. And it was for this reason, I didn't want the rust to get out of hand. But what was there, still did some damage.

Re: My 86 build
 

With Big Red off getting some repairs and the garage freed up with some room, I got my other truck in for some new brakes. My 06 Colorado needed brakes bad!! I don't believe it ever had a brake job on it!! I have only had it for about 3 yrs.
Total hours spend on this job, was 15hrs over the course of 3 days!!

My brother and I started on it, but we could not get the rotors off because they were pressed onto the hub & bearings. So the next day, my buddy from work came over, and he was able to remove the whole wheel assembly. Something beyond my ability & knowledge. He took them home and pressed the hub & bearings out. In the meantime, I went ahead and got new wheel bearings. Day #3, my brother came back and we got the rotor and pads back on. And we also did the rear drums, new drums & shoes.

Re: My 86 build
 

New radiator in and fuel lines fixed. So I picked her up and drove straight down to the paint shop. It was a 1 1/2 hr drive and Big Red did pretty good. First time I have had it out on the highway since having the vent windows rebuilt. I was pleased, wind noise was WAY down.
The only small issue was the idle at stop lights. The engine was stumbling a bit, so I put it N and just lightly kept my foot on the gas.

Now this part is something. One of the guys that works at the paint shop came out and said, "He knew this truck and painted it!!" My parents were like, "yeah right��". He asked before we popped the hood, if it had stainless steel tubs? He said the truck had hit a deer and when it got fixed, the owner had it painted. Well he was correct!!! When I bought the truck about 5 yrs ago, I did some reasearch on it. It was from the Chillicothe area, it was bought new from there, and it was involved in a deer accident. That was why I wanted the radiator replaced. It had some damage, but since it wasn't leaking when the accident happened, they just didn't replace it.

Re: My 86 build
 

My parents came over one last time, before heading back to Florida. So I got the bands down and had my Dad sign them. He signed the top one on the back along with his hire date, which was Oct 27, 1964. I was born in February of 1964. He retired after 29 years. I will retire in 6 months, from my Auto Factory job. I will have put 30 yrs in when I leave.

Re: My 86 build
 

Well Big Red is FINALLY getting some attention!!. The hood has been drilled, to get the new hood emblem. The fender dent has been removed. And when we swapped the hoods, the windshield cowl got scratched, so it's getting fixed too. It will be ready for paint here in a few day.

Re: My 86 build
 

Finally got the truck back tonight. The bad part was, it poured the whole way down and back. It was only sprinkling when we stopped for gas, so I took a few pics real quick.
NOS Hood painted and new Hood Emblem. New Bowtie and hood Insulator. Dent & chip fixed on the fender. The windshield cowl was painted also.

Re: My 86 build
 

Keeps getting better, wow!

Re: My 86 build
 

Gorgeous!

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks guys!! And a big THANK YOU to gmachinz for the NOS hood. It only took a couple years to finally get it painted.

Re: My 86 build
 

Now it’s about time I get some new wheels & tires. I’ve been wanting to do that since I bought the truck. Got it narrowed down to Ridlers or Torq Thrust, but I can’t decide on the size. It’s got 20’s on there now, but I really don’t like the skinny tire look. And I don’t know anything about how to pick out sizes or where to get them.
Any suggestions are welcome

Re: My 86 build
 

I think I like the riddler look better than the Torgue's. I also agree I like rubber on my tires, so maybe some 17s with 60 series profile tires instaed of the normal 30 to 40 range you see on 20s.

Re: My 86 build
 

You'll want to decide on either a square or staggered setup once you decide on a wheel. If you like the height of the truck you should find a tire that has a similar diameter to what you have now.

If I was going with a 17" wheel I personally would want something in like a 255/50r17. That would keep you in the 27" tall tire neighborhood. Or if you were in an 18" then like a 255/45r18. This is all assuming you wanted a normal 8" wide wheel.

The only problem with these 17's and 18's is you are very limited on tire variety. There just aren't many manufactures that makes these "sport truck" sizes. There are a few more tires in 18 than 17 from the research I did on my truck (even though I decided on 15's).

Re: My 86 build
 

This is what I currently have:
Front 20x8 255/45/20
Rear 20x10 285/50/20

This is an area where I could use my brothers help, but he's being a punk. He wants to see 20's on MY truck. But he also wants me to "bag/slam" my truck. No way in H$LL would I do that. That is not my thing!! I like the height that it is now.

Re: My 86 build
 

Since we are practically neighbors, is there a place in Columbus that you would recommend for wheels & tires. Or is buying online the way to go? and then take them to have them mounted?

Re: My 86 build
 

I personally buy my tires from TireRack and mount them at my work. I don't know of many places that carry wheels locally. There are quite a few places that could probably order what you want but I typically shop online regardless. I will say I did buy the Coopers for my truck from Amazon as they were cheaper than TireRack.

I would shop for the wheel you want and see if anybody can sell and mount tires on the wheels you choose. If not buy the tires from TR or wherever and take them and the wheels to a local tire shop to be mounted.

I'm not an expert but Ive been around the industry for about 15 years so just let me know if you have questions.

Re: My 86 build
 

That's a pretty tall tire setup. If you want something like what you have you could go with something like what was mentioned earlier. a 255/60r17 or something similar if you like that big sidewall. I personally think it makes the wheel look a lot smaller when you put a big sidewall tire on it. But to each their own. Just search around in the wheel and tire threads and see what looks good to you.

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks, I'll look around. That's the thing about what I have now, I don't like the what I call, the skinny tire look. If I want to achieve a tad bit more tire, then the wheel is going to have downsize from 20"? Or is it possible to keep a 20" wheel and get a different series of tires. I'm sorry if I'm asking dumb questions. I really am trying to understand how to choose sizes.

Re: My 86 build
 

I understand what you're saying. Downsizing wheels is probably the way to go for what you are trying to achieve. Technically you could probably go to a larger diameter tire which would have a taller sidewall on your 20's, but then you raise the truck up which could affect the look as well. You would also want to make sure you have plenty of clearance in the fender wheels, etc. Probably not an issue but something that has to be considered. Lots of options, nothing really right or wrong just depends on what look you want.

Re: My 86 build
 

Finally!!
Ridler 645 Chrome 18x8 up front & 18x9.5 in the rear
Perilli Tires 265/65/18 all around

Ill get some better pics this weekend. I was in a hurry when I got home.

Re: My 86 build
 

Looks great :metal:

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks

Re: My 86 build
 

Took Big Red out, it was a nice day for a drive and a trip to the ice cream shop.

Re: My 86 build
 

Looks great! Any change in your speedometer reading?

Rick

Re: My 86 build
 

Yes, with the 20's it was 10mph off. So speedometer said 55, I was really going 65
With these new wheels & tires, it was more like 15mph, at faster speeds. I will have to check it again, but when the speedometer read 60, I was going 75. I was getting some vibration too, I didn't like it. When I dropped the speedo back to 55, it was smoother and was running 65-67 mph.
So if I'm ever on the highway, the cruise gets set to 55. Everyone is blowing bast me, but that's ok.

Re: My 86 build
 

Well I found a calculator online and this is what it says. It's saying it should only be off about 5 mph. But I put in the original factory size. Is there a way of recalibrating our speedos?


Tire Size and Conversion Calculator

Original Factory size 235/75/15
New size 265/65/18

Original. New Difference
Sidewall Height: 6.94'' 6.78'' -0.16''
Section Width: 9.25'' 10.43'' 1.18''
Tire Height: 28.88'' 31.56'' 2.68''
Tire Circum: 90.73'' 99.15'' 8.42''
Rev. / Mile: 698.34 639.03 -59.31

If your speedometer reads 55, you are going about 60.1mph
If your speedometer reads 60, you are going about 65.6mph

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Great build! Are you saying you sent the entire assemblies to Precision??