1968 GMC Shorty - Pearl

[Graham57a]

One more piece I’ve been working on for the 327

Next step on the truck: I need to finish body work on the firewall and prep for new paint. Then I can throw the cab back on the frame and drop the motor in the frame as well. Just need to get my other projects in a good place so I can focus on this one haha

[Graham57a]

Finally

[Kronald_70GMC]

That looks nice! All shiny on the bottom and patina on top.

[Graham57a]

Gaining on her. Hoping to drop the cab back on the frame tomorrow if my cab bushings show up.

[KMC3420]

Awesome updates. Keep at it.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by KMC3420

Awesome updates. Keep at it.

Thanks man, this quarantine has been good for truck progress

[gcburdic]

Looking good, Graham. Hope you are doing well! Looks like you've added several to the herd since i last saw you.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Looking good, Graham. Hope you are doing well! Looks like you've added several to the herd since i last saw you.

Hey Geoff, things are going great! Hope you are well, it's been a while man. Yea I've been pretty lucky to acquire a few of these old trucks, I figure they are only getting harder to find right? I picked up a blue K20 recently that I haven't posted on here yet but shes another one on the list. More than likely that is what I will be driving to the PTS cruise in June.

[Graham57a]

Slight change of plans... again. Gonna make this one lay frame, I’ve always wanted to build a bagged truck so here she is. A little mock up today and started pancaking the crossmember

[Kronald_70GMC]

Wow your gonna have it all man! Jealous over here

[gcburdic]

I like it! Did you say yet what you are doing for drivetrain?

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by Kronald_70GMC

Wow your gonna have it all man! Jealous over here

Thanks man, all I lack is finishing

Originally Posted by gcburdic

I like it! Did you say yet what you are doing for drivetrain?

I've been building a 327 for it, all painted and ready to drop in once the crossmember is done. Also keeping an eye out for a 700r to mate up to it

[gcburdic]

Well, heck...since you're revising the build, why not go ahead and put an LS in it

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Well, heck...since you're revising the build, why not go ahead and put an LS in it

Come on man I prefer old school, carbs and factory blocks

[preacher anthony]

I wish I knew you were changing up. I have a frame w/ front crossmember already pancaked, Porterbuilt control arms, Extreme rear, body drop mounts, custom trailing arms, fully rebuilt rear, 3.73, posi, etc.

[darkhorse970]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

One more piece I’ve been working on for the 327

Next step on the truck: I need to finish body work on the firewall and prep for new paint. Then I can throw the cab back on the frame and drop the motor in the frame as well. Just need to get my other projects in a good place so I can focus on this one haha

What is that GMC script section off of? I need to do that in a set of big block valve covers.

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by darkhorse970

What is that GMC script section off of? I need to do that in a set of big block valve covers.

Early 60s gmc v6 valve covers

[darkhorse970]

Originally Posted by Graham57a

Early 60s gmc v6 valve covers

Thanks, I need to find a set of those.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Graham57a]

Got a delivery of parts the other day for Pearl so progress should be picking up soon.

I did play around with a potential candidate for the dash paint today. I could not find any reproduction dash pads that are the correct dark aqua color so I had to dye my own. I bought a can of vinyl dye from The Parts Place color M04 Dark Aqua. I also used SEM vinyl dye prep before applying any of the actual dye. The first picture is the new dark olive green dash pad that I bought to dye. I think it turned out pretty good, once it all cures I’ll post a pic comparing to a sample from my old dash pad for reference. Last picture is the same dash pad in different lighting

[Graham57a]

Got to work on Pearl a little this afternoon. Between a 9 month old running around and about 6 other trucks it seems like this one keeps getting put on the back burner. Well I’m hoping to change that over the next little bit, we will see how well I can keep at it.

So my current to dos:

I really need to get the front crossmember complete and bolted in for the last time. I worked on metal finishing my welds today and I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. Hopefully gonna take it to work for a blast and powdercoat in the next couple weeks to call it 100% done and bolt to the frame for the last time. All in I’m pretty happy with how the 1 1/2” pancake turned out

Balance of front suspension. I was able to score a set or used porterbuilt tubular uppers and lowers. They are going to make my conversion to bags a million times easier and way cleaner. Mocked them up today with no issues, gonna put them on the list to powdercoat as well.

It looks like I have about 14” clear from “aired out” center of hub to ground. Based on eye balling my orange truck I think I can tuck 22s with really skinny tires or 20s with a fatter tire. That will probably make me go with a 20/22 setup long term but I’m still gonna get a set of steelies for now.

So I got everything mocked up in the front and I’m pretty happy with how it all fits and moves. I think next on my list is to figure out inner fenders so I can verify clearances and what else I have to modify under the hood. I really like the old hills rod and custom style of inners but I don’t think they make them anymore so I may have to do some searching.

After I get my inner fenders figured out I think I’ve got almost everything figured out up front. Gotta get some bags and run some lines but I feel like that will be straight forward (hopefully). Also figure out steering but I think I am gonna go with a rack n pinion to keep it simple.

Lastly I am on the search for rear kits. I’ve been looking at this kit my Chasis Fab https://chassisfabsuspension.com/col...suspension-kit but I’m not totally sold yet. Does anyone have any other opinions to insert here?

Lastly just a few interior pieces that I’ve been working on to show you guys. I’m gonna hold off on any more interior work for a while to avoid getting the cart before the horse. I’m 95% sure I’m gonna be welding and grinding on my firewall again before this is all said and done so I wanna keep that collateral damage to a minimum.

[Graham57a]

Last few pics:

[Grip]

Nice score on the Porterbuilt arms. Are they one inch sorter and one inch forward?

[Graham57a]

Originally Posted by Grip

Nice score on the Porterbuilt arms. Are they one inch sorter and one inch forward?

Yes they are

[SCHRUMGMC]

Beautiful truck, and excellent progress on the old gmc

Enjoying the photos of it all

[68bowtie]

Looking great!