My 86 build
 

I bought this truck in 2014. The exterior had already been done by the previous owner. The inside was clean, but I can't handle that Burgandy color in a red truck, so I've been working on some projects over the last year. So here's the dash project.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

After dismanteling the dash, I repainted the lower portion. The red on the ashtray & glovebox didn't match with the rest of the dash.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Painted the dash pad Charcoal after removing the burgundy paint. Cleaned all the old dye off with lacquer thinner. I made a little makeshift paint tent in the garage.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Installed a new radio & speakers, temp control and a clock. My truck didn't have one. So since I had an empty spot on the meter face, I added an original working clock i found on eBay. I also added led lights in the meter and more courtesy lights along with the BowTie door sills

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

And the finished project. New Billet dash molding & emblem. New dash Bezel, I have the Billet overlay for the dash bezel, but I can't bring myself to cover the new bezel just yet.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

looks real good, are those the door sills from lmc?

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Yes the door sills are from LMC.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=73

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Looks great. What other plans do you have for it?

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

I've already painted the doors panels and all the interior trim parts.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Recovered the headliner & installed new carpet

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Here's the headliner pic

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

To complete the interior, recover the bench seat & install the new seatbelts. When the finances are there, I would like to get a new steering column, steering wheel and replace all the column levers.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Looking good. I like the color combo you have.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

You did an awesome job! What did you use for the lower dash?

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Why do you want a new column? Yours appears to be in decent shape, and is tilt.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

LOL!

That's exactly the same thing the women at my house said. Looked fine to me...

:lol:

Anyway, in deference to their opinion(s) I changed over to a black interior when I went back together. You can see the results in my build/intro thread below if you are interested.

Having given it further thought - it's even funnier since the red/burgandy '87 was a direct result of their complaints about my red/tan '86 Suburban. They called it the "Rotten Tomato".

I can't win...

K

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

I actually forgot about starting this thread and thought I'd better update some of the changes over the last year.

I opted out of the new steering column, but did install a new steering wheel & turn signal/wiper w/ cruise control stalk.

Re: 86 Dash & Interior Project
 

Other interior changes:

New seatbelts because of the color change. Ran into a bit of a snag there. The PO had broke the weld nut off one of the belts and cut a hole in the floor to be able to put a nut on the bolt. I wondered why I was having such a hard time getting that bolt out, which I ended up breaking. So I had to do the same, I used the hole to install a nut the bolt for the new bolt. Patched up the hole.

Re: 86 Dash & Interior Project
 

The seat went through a few stages. The truck came with a 90's seat. I had it re-upholstered, but the guy didn't do it right. He did the whole seat with the one material, so I wasn't happy with that. I then searched for a period correct seat, which I found at a local yard for $50 and had someone else re-upholster the seat like the original seats were for the time. This time I got all the material myself and had a pic in hand, so there would be no question on how it was to look.

I had some left over vinyl from the seat and sent it to CruisinCupholders, they made my console with my material. Perfect color match!!

Re: 86 Dash & Interior Project
 

This one is a bit out of order. I did this back when I changed the carpet. I put FatMat down on the floor and re-used the tar mat that was installed at the factory. I followed that up new jute material before installing the new carpet.

Re: 86 Dash & Interior Project
 

Then behind the seat, I got a new storage tray like the original trucks had.

http://www.usa1industries.com/1973-8...tool-tray.html

I put speaker carpet on it.

Since then, I have carpeted the metal speaker brackets and painted the grille covers. I'll have to get photos and post later.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Nice work!
Do you mind sharing your radio and speaker set up?

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

My stereo is a Custom Autosound, got it from LMC. The only thing I didn't like about the stereo, was the cheap black plastic knobs. The original knobs on the old factory stereo would not fit on the shaft. so I found some later model chrome knobs that did fit. I like those a lot better. They are nice and heavy, and not the plastic.

I also did the A-pillar tweeters. The pillar garnishes come in black, so I dyed/painted to match my interior.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=85


The dash speakers are Kenwood, got them from Brother's.
http://www.brotherstrucks.com/85-87-...tinfo/UDDSA87/

The 6x9's in the rear cab were already there from the PO. They work & sound good, so I didn't replace them.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

Here is some exterior updates:

Had my vent windows restored by Precision.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

All my exterior trim was in great shape, but it needed a good cleaning. Used Brasso Polish, and it came out great.

The paint was peeling and faded on the corner trim, so I cleaned all the paint off and repainted the Bowties black.

I was able to find a NOS Chevrolet emblem for the tailgate trim. And to add a bit of a cool note ( at least to me ), my dad worked at GM for over 30 yrs. One of his jobs was stamping the tailgate trim. So I like to think that I actually have one on my truck that my dad made.

Re: 86 Dash Project
 

I had a 3d rendering done of my truck. When the funds add up again, I would like new wheels for Big Red. I like the Ridlers and the American Racing Torq Thrusts.

Re: My 86 build
 

Great looking truck! Really like the interior updates.

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks Robbie

Re: My 86 build
 

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X2!

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Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks!!

Re: My 86 build
 

very nice

Re: My 86 build
 

Did some changes on the interior again. Got some new door panels from LMC and new armrests. I like the light gray better than the darker that I had. Here's the before & after on the door panels.

Re: My 86 build
 

One of the things I really disliked about my truck ever since I bought it 3yrs. ago, is the aftermarket hood with the cowl induction scoop. To me it just doesn't look right. So I happened across a NOS hood. So that will be the next changes to come, is to get my new hood painted and find a Hood Ornament.

Re: My 86 build
 

Very nice truck you got there......I wanted to know did add leds under the dash....on mine I have just one place to install led bulb under the dash like how well lighted yours is in that area.......again nice truck.....

Re: My 86 build
 

Yeh, I added a courtesy light kit from LMC. It's a set that I spliced into the one that we already have under the dash. So that added 3 total. And put LED's in all of them. So yeh, I t really lights up at night. And these are the led bulbs I used, got them from O'Rilley's.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=191

Re: My 86 build
 

That is really a nice truck. What did you think of your new LMC door panels?

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks!!

I really like the LMC panels. They say they are "Direct Replacement". These are not "Reproduction". They fit really nice. I can't be happier with them!!

Re: My 86 build
 

You have done a great job on your interior re-do. I wish that I had your good taste on what shades of color match what. I am near the point on my build where I have to do the interior mostly from scratch and don't have a clue where to start other than brown or tan.

Re: My 86 build
 

Thanks, it was time consuming, but it was a fun challege. I researched just about every part and got samples when I could. I got something from just about every truck site out there. I would write down what I wanted and where I could get it, so I could keep track of everything. And certain parts did go thru several stages of changes because of money.

The truck is getting ready to go thru some more changes during the downtime this winter. I found a NOS Hood to replace the aftermarket cowl induction hood.

And also my seat belts will go thru a change also. I'll post pics and an explanation of the changes.

Re: My 86 build
 

Is your cowl hood metal or fiberglass? I'm really curious about the seatbelt changes.