Yet another GMC build

[OKGMC4]

Also...the hand built rear pan is 90% done now. just filling some pin holes and doing minor work. I like it but it was a pain. This is where having the right tools would have been fantastic. Next time I'm going to buy one instead I think....

[blackdiesel]

updates??

[OKGMC4]

I've been roughing in the cowl once I got the louvers removed and smoothed. Got to tell you it sucks. It's still not where I want it after 4 hours of trying to finish it with bondo. It's curved on two different planes and hard to sand with any conventional sander. You get one area right and you've taken too much out somewhere else. I've also been reworking the dash some more. I don't want a full length console to the floor and needed a better spot to mount things in the dash so I cut it, moved it over 9.5 inches and filled the hole. Made some paper templates of vintage air louvers and controls and looks good. Still need to build something to hold a stereo (maybe like what CAL58GMC has). Also been working on making the bed at least sort of straight. The more I work on it the less I start to care. I mean it IS a truck bed...but I'm sure the perfectionist in me won't let me do that in the end. Bodywork just SUCKS.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

It's curved on two different planes and hard to sand with any conventional sander.

i learned very quick that to get anything straight you HAVE to do it by hand. 100% by hand. its best if you dont even rough it in with an air sander. that just makes waves. get you some long board 36, 80, 180, and 220 grit and several different blocks. buy a kit of the dura blocks, you'll need them all.

also you might pick up some stink rock. the longer the peices the better. its the blocks that is used to clean bbq grills with. you might ask why its called stink rock, but youll soon find out

[OrrieG]

Ditto on the hand sanding, especially on the multicurved places. In addition to the durablocks I got some hard rubber used for flooring in horse trailers (works great for cab and body mounts too). It is a little more flexible than the durablocks. I use push pins to hold the sandpaper it place. The pnuematic block and circular sanders are good for rough shaping but you don't get the feel like you do by hand.

[addicted2dunes]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

I've been roughing in the cowl once I got the louvers removed and smoothed. Got to tell you it sucks. It's still not where I want it after 4 hours of trying to finish it with bondo. It's curved on two different planes and hard to sand with any conventional sander. You get one area right and you've taken too much out somewhere else. I've also been reworking the dash some more. I don't want a full length console to the floor and needed a better spot to mount things in the dash so I cut it, moved it over 9.5 inches and filled the hole. Made some paper templates of vintage air louvers and controls and looks good. Still need to build something to hold a stereo (maybe like what CAL58GMC has). Also been working on making the bed at least sort of straight. The more I work on it the less I start to care. I mean it IS a truck bed...but I'm sure the perfectionist in me won't let me do that in the end. Bodywork just SUCKS.

I don't know about your placement of stuff there on the dash..... looks too much like a face to me!

[OKGMC4]

Ya...it looks like Mr. Bill...OH NOOOOO!!! It's not done just yet though, maybe I can make a beard too...lol
I could always reverse placement or maybe whan the radio box gets built it'll look different.

On the sanding I'm wondering if some stiff round foam would be good. It might work to keep the rounded shape of the cowl but be WAY more flexible than a board sander. I have a couple foam and rubber blocks that work great on flat/ semi-flat areas but nothing cylinder shaped as of yet.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

Ya...it looks like Mr. Bill...OH NOOOOO!!! It's not done just yet though, maybe I can make a beard too...lol
I could always reverse placement or maybe whan the radio box gets built it'll look different.

On the sanding I'm wondering if some stiff round foam would be good. It might work to keep the rounded shape of the cowl but be WAY more flexible than a board sander. I have a couple foam and rubber blocks that work great on flat/ semi-flat areas but nothing cylinder shaped as of yet.

in the dura block kit there is a cylinder block. Its one of my favorites, its good for nearly every curve

[hotrodrookie]

You could also use a Fun-oodle, you know those swimming pool floating devices. Wrap some sand paper around one of those to shape and bend to all kinds of contours.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

You could also use a Fun-oodle, you know those swimming pool floating devices. Wrap some sand paper around one of those to shape and bend to all kinds of contours.

My wife said the same thing! I'd have to look at walmart but I think they may be out of season at the moment.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Realy nice job on your build! I know what you mean about getting to that point when you keep working and working and it starts to feel like your never going to get it done, I know I've been there. Somtimes it helps to take a break for a few weeks then get back on it. Keep up the good work, from what I see it's paying off!

[OKGMC4]

Been working off an on with the bed and other body issues for several months inbetween side jobs and real life. It happens. I decided to take a break on the bodywork and do a couple other things. Got the frame painted and my suspension bolted in. I was told the black was semi gloss but it ended up being "holy crap get your sunglasses" gloss black instead. I got a gallon for free so what the heck, I'll use it! Only posting a rear pic because I found more sandpaper scratches than I liked on the firewall and I'm redoing it before stabbing the engine again and taking pics.

[OKGMC4]

Also modified the tank for a late model GM EFI pump module. It required cutting the bung off the tank in four parts without cutting the tank (very time intensive) and modifying the module to fit. It was too long so it had to be taken apart and the tubes and springs shortened 2.5", reclock the pump to the housing, and bend the float to reflect the new height. Alot of work but now I can repair this module with about any 5.3 truck pump from the parts house. If you break down 500 miles away you don't want to have to special order a pump from JEGS and wait for it to get there. The mounting system came from my father in law. Again, it helps to have genious help from a CNC operator. The c ring goes inside the tank, the middle ring has countersunk bolts to locate the inner ring and provide a seat for the pump O ring, and the upper ring holds the pump in. Couldn't have done it myself and truly appreciate help like this!

[OKGMC4]

The other thing that's been taking up time is my new girlfr...err..truck. Always wanted a 4x4 and now I've got one. 06 Dodge Big Horn 1500. I love this truck, HEMI and all. Takes some of the pressure off getting the GMC done. It already had a leveling kit, some nice Bridgestone AT Revo tires, and a Gale Banks catback. I've just built a front receiver mount for it and plan on that winch cradle and 10K winch along with building some rock slider style steps for it. 11 MPG sucks but still lovin it. And if Blackdiesel reads this...I like your new 06 Dodge project too but I think the driver side has a little scratch in the paint... Just kidding, hope to see it in one piece again!

[blackdiesel]

If I'm reading this... nothing gets past me. And I worked all day buffing and I got all the scratchs out on my new truck. LOL

[blackdiesel]

BTW, i'm almost done with my 06. painted today and got started on the interior. and some outside peices.

sorry for the crappy pic, cell phone. will back it out in the sun tomorrow and snap some good ones

[OKGMC4]

How are you so fast?!? If it wasn't for bodywork my truck might be done by now. BTW, I finally got the curved Durablock you suggested. Can't wait to try it out.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by OKGMC4

How are you so fast?!? If it wasn't for bodywork my truck might be done by now. BTW, I finally got the curved Durablock you suggested. Can't wait to try it out.

lol i get a little excited when it comes to new trucks, expecially a diesel. I've wanted an inferno red 3rd gen common rail dodge for years. She's all downhill from here, its coming along rather nicely. only thing at the moment that is slowing me up is they sent me manual mirrors instead of power tow mirrors like i'm setup for. need to line-x the inside of the bed too. and put in a gooseneck ball.

Those durablocks are awesome. it's the difference in getting one straight and making a very friendly truck (wavy)

[OKGMC4]

front end teasers...engine cover is sitting loose. Still trimming and fitting it.

[yukon ratrod]

trucks looking great! lots of hours invested, but forsure will be hot!

[OKGMC4]

I nabbed a set of tailgate links off an 80's model chevy gate that was going in the trash (mashed in BAD). I had to notch my tailgate, drill a couple holes, and shortened one end of the links by 1.5" but they are on now for a grand total of ZERO dollars. It just makes my day!

[yukon ratrod]

Great Idea for the straps. I was thinking of using tailgate cables off of a ford ranger or something along that line. would love to see what you did to your steering coloum to make it look like that. keep up the good work. Ive got a few jobs im trying to finish up, Im redoing a 48 chevy cab for a friend right now and in the middle of finishing a restoration on my dads 65 fastback mustang that the would like to be driving in the next month or so, so dont know how much time to play with my own. got a baby on the way as well so times running really short, just hope this truck doesnt have to take the back burner for to long! so one of us must keep working!lol if your willing to share I sure would like some imput on that steering coloum though.

[OKGMC4]

Originally Posted by yukon ratrod

if your willing to share I sure would like some imput on that steering coloum though.

I wish I knew more about that. My father in law the all knowing guru of hot rodding did almost all of that one. He made about 5 different tools to disassemble these columns and they come apart in a few dozen parts. I do know the body is 2.25 exhaust pipe and that shaving the keyhole was tricky. He used some kind of epoxy or panel adhesive or something to fill the hole once it was cut down. If you have a spare column to try it on and have the ability to fabricate the special tools to get it apart I'd say try it.

[OKGMC4]

Spent a week on mounting a sanden compressor. Lots of cardboard templates and measuring and then sending it to the machine to be replicated in aluminum. Only a few parts had to be made twice. Had to mount it high because the stock compressor won't clear the Vette steering.

[OKGMC4]

Picked up a set of 99 dodge ram seats and spent WAY too much time making brackets. I have some Sebring convertible seats that also have the built in seat belts but I wanted the bigger cushier seats. For those who don't know, if you do these kind of seats they require a seat belt controller and won't work without it.