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1978 GMC Build!
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This is the start of the very slow build of my 1978 GMC Sierra Grande.::new:
Picked this up from my dad. Total cost, $750= Cost of the tranny he just dropped into it. Score! The Good: Newer rebuilt 350, Fresh 700R4 Tranny, 4 brand new tires, Straight and solid frame. The Bad: Rust, Both side front wheel bearings welded to spindles, Rust, Leaking heater core, Rust, And did I mention Rust. |
Re: 1978 GMC Build!
welcome
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They all have some somewere. On my 76, the inner fender well under the battery has a port hole. Good luck on the build. Let us know what your looking to do.
and Keep the pics coming. |
Re: 1978 GMC Build!
First thing is 3in drop spindles, with 3in drop springs. And for the rear a flip kit. That should get it down to the earth more. But at the moment its cold and with my newborn son, money is tight. Little by little it will take shape
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Then I will slowly start replacing or fixing body parts 1 at a time. The cab and bed will be the worst of it. Trying to find a good bed in Hutchinson KS is not easy.
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Re: 1978 GMC Build!
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Here is the motor. Looks dirty and grimy:lol:, but runs like a champ. Clean up is in store as soon as it warms up a bit.
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Try looking for a good bed outside of Hutchinson Kansas like in smaller towns. I know there are several here in Abilene that are not to bad. I will keep my eyes open for ya... I have seen a few that just need minor work....I am on the look out for one for my 75 with dual tanks but has to have the round holes on both sides and those seem to be the one that hard to find....
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Thanks for the advice. I need one with the round hole on the passenger side. Mine could be fixed easily, But i am not a welder and have no garage for working. And no welder LOL!!!
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Thats why you make friends with people in the area that do....I am sure if you help them do something they will help you....Trust me I have been in your shoes...I helped one guy who helped me and the friends started coming and before you knew it I had many friends....
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Sweet. Everyone needs friends!:cool:
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Nothing new as of now. Drop spindles being ordered next week, well I hope so anyways. Will snap pictures of the before and after.
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Another quick question, I cant locate my book, but I need the torque specs for upper and lower ball joints for when i put the new spindles on. Thanks!!
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Got home from work to see this!!
Too bad its snowing like a big dog. |
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Not much new. My father unexpectedly passed away Tuesday morning, been a tough week. He was a loving father who touched a lot of peoples lives.
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Sorry for your loss thats a tough blow man. I hope you can really build this truck up and make it nice in memory of your dad good luck man
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Well i'm back. Hoping to get the drop spindles and rotors on in the coming weeks. Also wanting to do a flatbed, but dropped. the front is coming down 5 inches, the back 6. Need some pics of dropped trucks with flatbeds. Want to be different.:metal:
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Re: 1978 GMC Build!
nice..just like mine but blue
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BTW....Whats the condition of the bed? If your going flat bed i might be interested
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The bed is very rough. lots of rust and banged up pretty bad.
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Well gonna put the spindles on tomorrow morning. I need torque specs for upper and lower ball joints and tie rods for when i put it back together. Any ideas
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Re: 1978 GMC Build!
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Alright, Got the drop spindles on and cut 1 1/2 coils from springs.
before, then after. |
Re: 1978 GMC Build!
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And the front view. Looks like its leaning, but the front bumper is bent on drivers side.
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nice
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Got my spring perches for the rear flip, Will be installing on my next day off. Then its time to start the body work, Well if budget permits that is. :lol:
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Re: 1978 GMC Build!
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budget78gmc truck is awesome actually looks almost identical to the one I just bought myself just mine is a 77, look at the pic. I'm in your same shoes though man it has a rebuilt 350, and everything is awesome the people I bought mine from bypassed the heater core, how I don't know but they did. I'm first going to knock out the body work, and my bed is dreadful looking too rusted fully, and even has some holes in it, but its okay I either want to plexiglass my bed, or put a wooden bed then a 1/4in of plexiglass over it to help preserve it some.
Good luck on the truck can't wait to see the finished product, I'm attaching my truck below. |
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looking forward to see your flip kit
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mine wont be near as steep though I'm looking to probably do a 2front 4back just to get it a little closer to the ground but not slammed.
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Yea mine is gonna be low. Rear will be close to the bump stops, but it will never haul anything. It has the heavy duty leafs (8) so it shouldn't bottom out very often. The front has settled another half inch since putting her back together.
:metal: |
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yall are making me want to lower mine...but im doing the body work first...Almost there...Just rear cab and bed to go...well and im going to put new fenders on
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also in case you guys haven't seen it...For you audio i suggest getting these for rear speakers
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345494 I love them |
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The only thing that will be original will be the cab. Everything else will be replaced. fenders, doors, hood, and the entire bed. LOL cheaper to replace then to put the money into fixing the rot.:cool:
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Well I got the rear end out, that was a beast. Now using penetrating spray for leaf springs so i can get the axle on top of the leafs. I am using standard spring perches for my flip. they had 3 holes in them so I thought i would drill one of the side ones out so the axle sits back like a true flip. But after drilling and measuring, its more then the 1in that is typical for the kits. We will see if it pushes my wheels to far back. Friday is I hope the last day and it will be on the road.
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That is awesome keep us updated can't wait to see it. I got my 77 home Thursday with NO POWER STEERING at all, never thought I would miss it so much until I didn't have it so well of course I went and replaced the power steering pump this weekend and well now I got it back. I'm going to be building the inside out as well, starting to with a few new gauges first, and then little by little work on the way out, final things to be touched will be the motor. I found out what my drop will be though I'm going to do a 3/5 drop.
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Keep up the good work
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Yeah because that's probably one of the hardest to fix overall I would think or take the longest at least.
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Well getting the spring perches welded on today. While waiting i took a little trip to the salvage yard and picked up a dash bezel for 10 bucks with no cracks. Also got a set of rally's for $100 they have to pull them off the truck for me but still a hell of a deal. I think they are throwing in the trim rings and caps also. Will sand blast and paint the wheels, Not sure on color yet. truck will in time be painted blue metallic. Any thoughts guys, maybe white, truck color or black. ideas?
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Black with the Chrome Trim ring would look awesome IMO |
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