Project Checkbook - 1971 Jimmy Custom

[tristan]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

Are they having many problems with reassembly?

I'll find out when I get this month's labor bill.

[tristan]

Hood now dry fit and here is a better view of the tailgate and Hickey spare tire carrier fittings. I sent the hood hinges and door striker plates out to be powder coated satin black and am curious to see how they came out. The rebuilt vent windows are installed along with the door innards and the glass should be back in soon. They are edging closer to getting the grille and bumpers back on which should put me into the home stretch.

[Chulisohombre]

Looking good
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[tristan]

I'm heading over for a visit tomorrow but got a preview pic today. Another big milestone attained - the GMC has been transferred from the restoration shop to the mechanical shop. They are completing the wiring, AC and exhaust system before it goes back to the restoration shop for final assembly prior to installation of the interior.

Gotta have a word with them tomorrow about those black headlight bezels though.

[72 tigger]

Should be running soon!

[tristan]

Much to my relief, the headlight bezels aren't installed yet. I took over a tailgate seal strip bought off the board years ago, a jack set and the mounting boxes for my Hickey steps. The latter need to have their sides straightened.

It sounds strange, but after all of the major work that has gone on it makes me feel good to see all of the small stuff going back on the truck - door and tailgate stop bumpers, tailgate seal strips, mirrors, etc. Looks like it may be roadworthy soon.

[Chulisohombre]

Originally Posted by tristan

Much to my relief, the headlight bezels aren't installed yet. I took over a tailgate seal strip bought off the board years ago, a jack set and the mounting boxes for my Hickey steps. The latter need to have their sides straightened.

It sounds strange, but after all of the major work that has gone on it makes me feel good to see all of the small stuff going back on the truck - door and tailgate stop bumpers, tailgate seal strips, mirrors, etc. Looks like it may be roadworthy soon.

That’s looking awesome.
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[tristan]

There is steady daily progress now. Stainless steel Heartthrob dual exhaust now installed, along with my long-awaited front HE differential cover. Yes, it is a real NOS one. They even sent me a video of the truck running with the exhaust system completed and it sounds awesome! They are installing the windshield as I am writing this so I may have additional pictures to post later on today. I rarely get to post pics of the undercarriage of the truck so today you get to see some of the hidden parts of the build, and the quality of it also.

[tristan]

I have an unexpected but welcome development to report: the completion of Project Checkbook.

Several weeks ago my restoration shop decided to mount a full-blown offensive to finish the truck in time to enter it into the Pittsburgh World of Wheels show on January 19-21. Doing this required completion of final re-assembly and installation of the interior. It was touch-and-go all the way to the show delivery deadline last night but they made it.

I got one teaser picture taken during the show setup but still have not seen the finished truck myself. That will have to wait until tonight so it is going to be a long day at work. I will post some more detailed pictures later today or tomorrow AM. If any of you are in the Pittsburgh area and are looking to escape cabin fever this weekend then come on down to the Convention Center.

[72 tigger]

Looks great! Hope your day goes quick- that would be rough. Looking forward to more pics

[IronCanine]

Outstanding! Congratulations...can't wait for the pics.

[Chulisohombre]

Originally Posted by tristan

I have an unexpected but welcome development to report: the completion of Project Checkbook.

Several weeks ago my restoration shop decided to mount a full-blown offensive to finish the truck in time to enter it into the Pittsburgh World of Wheels show on January 19-21. Doing this required completion of final re-assembly and installation of the interior. It was touch-and-go all the way to the show delivery deadline last night but they made it.

I got one teaser picture taken during the show setup but still have not seen the finished truck myself. That will have to wait until tonight so it is going to be a long day at work. I will post some more detailed pictures later today or tomorrow AM. If any of you are in the Pittsburgh area and are looking to escape cabin fever this weekend then come on down to the Convention Center.

That’s awesome
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[tristan]

Here are some pictures from the show last night. While the sharp-eyed among you will readily see some items for the punch list, the Jimmy is a light year ahead of where it stood when last I saw it. It was getting lots of attention from the crowd too.

[tristan]

Here are some interior shots.

[72 tigger]

Wow- looks awesome! Congrats on almost being done

[lks dcvn]

Very Nice!

[tristan]

I babysat the truck at the show all day yesterday. If you ever need some validation on the time and money you spent on a 1969-72 K5 restoration, enter yours in a large mixed-make show and watch what happens. I am the only vintage 4X4 in a show that probably has 500 cars and bikes in it. I had people clustered around the Jimmy all day with lots of compliments, conversations and pictures taken. I apparently have been Instagrammed, whatever that means.

The most frequent questions were about the color, engine and the absent top, along with how long I have had the truck and what I have had done to it. I also had many persons who have family C-10s or 20s to sort out. I let a couple of kids sit behind the wheel if they showed interest in the truck, and I have to admit that several attractive ladies were granted the same courtesy.

[tristan]

Also looming is a decision regarding Project Checkbook 2, which I have had in storage for a few years. A great and desirable rarity in the C-10 world, and with the advance in collectible truck prices it is a lot easier to rationalize moving forward with a full-blown frame-off restoration and its costs.

[Chulisohombre]

Originally Posted by tristan

I babysat the truck at the show all day yesterday. If you ever need some validation on the time and money you spent on a 1969-72 K5 restoration, enter yours in a large mixed-make show and watch what happens. I am the only vintage 4X4 in a show that probably has 500 cars and bikes in it. I had people clustered around the Jimmy all day with lots of compliments, conversations and pictures taken. I apparently have been Instagrammed, whatever that means.

The most frequent questions were about the color, engine and the absent top, along with how long I have had the truck and what I have had done to it. I also had many persons who have family C-10s or 20s to sort out. I let a couple of kids sit behind the wheel if they showed interest in the truck, and I have to admit that several attractive ladies were granted the same courtesy.

That’s what happens with my 72 blazer as well. Im not even in the car show in most cases, just parked out to go to car shows, and every time I come back out to leave there’s a crowd around my truck. Haha. It’s a great feeling.
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[tristan]

I had a visit today to check on progress of the punch list items that I identified while the Jimmy was at the auto show. I was also supposed to test drive the truck but there are some minor mechanical issues to resolve before I can do that.

Most of the punch list items are completed, and as you can see the top has been re-installed. They still need to install the bolt covers on the top and lift gate as well as a few other things but it is nearly done. I had them yank the roll bar and repaint it parchment to better match the upholstery. The top looks good and it should given how much I have paid to get it straightened out.

[tristan]

Here are some of my HE accessories either newly installed or renewed. My life is now complete since my rear HE differential cover has been returned to the right color.

[lks dcvn]

Looks incredible - very nice truck!

[IronCanine]

Looks great with the top. Tough not to be able to drive it as good as it looks. Here’s to some road pics soon!

[72 tigger]

HE goodies look great. How much will you drive it when it's complete?

[tristan]

Originally Posted by 72 tigger

HE goodies look great. How much will you drive it when it's complete?

Thanks Kirk. The Jimmy also has HE transfer case and gas tank skid plates installed as well as the HE swing-away spare/jerry can carrier. The roll bar isn't Hickey.

I am conflicted about driving the truck at all and am going to have to sort it out. When fully complete it will be in something close to concours condition and driving it is going to degrade its value. Restoring a vehicle to new condition brings its own set of considerations.