My 86 build

[moregrip]

I vote first pic!

[TKCR]

Update on the Baster Project:

The adjustable table came, got it put together. Blaster sits on top nicely, and since it is adjustable, I can put it at a comfortable height . And the generator fits nicely underneath.

[86swb]

Did you have to have the whole fender repainted for that dent? I have one in my door and did not want the whole door repainted. Now I park where I know and hope no one will park next to me and slam their door into my truck. You have done a beautiful job on the truck. I had my longbed repainted Victory Red. Love that color.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by 86swb

Did you have to have the whole fender repainted for that dent? I have one in my door and did not want the whole door repainted. Now I park where I know and hope no one will park next to me and slam their door into my truck. You have done a beautiful job on the truck. I had my longbed repainted Victory Red. Love that color.

I have not taken the truck to get the hood or the dent/chip fixed yet. But i will get it all done at the same time. My guess is that they will paint the fender to blend.

[UKNOWME]

I like those! Wonder if they will work with my DBW pedal from my LS swap?

[TKCR]

Not much to report on Big Red. Still waiting to get the hood painted. The guy that is going to do the paint job, wants to wait until the weather breaks. He has been busy with all the weather related accidents.

We did make a change in vehicles, we retired(sold) the 2001 Honda CRV and got a new 2018 Honda HRV. I have an allegiance to Honda and GM (Chevy). I work at Honda MFG here in Ohio. And my Dad worked at GM for 35 yrs. So even though I have a Honda, I still have Big Red and the Chevy Colorado.

[TKCR]

I have been busy with my seat restoring. I have been restoring a set a bucket seats from a 1970 Pontiac GTO, for a friend. A bit different than the 1973-87 bench seats from our trucks.
These things are rusty and full of giant mice nests.

[TKCR]

Got everything torn down and started sandblasting

[TKCR]

Paint

[GMC Guy]

your work is outstanding, and i love the garage set up! any chance you have a link to the bench seat console? all i'm finding is the junky ebay ones.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

your work is outstanding, and i love the garage set up! any chance you have a link to the bench seat console? all i'm finding is the junky ebay ones.

Thank you!!

Here's the link: https://classicconsoles.com/bench-seat/

If I remember right, I got the Drinkster

[TKCR]

One of the things I talked about early in the thread, was about the fact that my Dad made the tailgate bands, when he worked at GM. So I came across a few decent ones. One was the earlier model, 70's style. And then a 81-87. I got them cleaned up and polished, I didn't but a whole lot of effort in them.

Well I got the first one hung up today. The 81-87, I'm going to get a new emblem for it. I broke all the studs off and all the black paint had worn off. So as soon as I get that one put back together, it will hang right below the other band.

[TKCR]

Got the other tailgate band hung

[MrFinland]

Originally Posted by TKCR

One of the things I talked about early in the thread, was about the fact that my Dad made the tailgate bands, when he worked at GM. So I came across a few decent ones. One was the earlier model, 70's style. And then a 81-87. I got them cleaned up and polished, I didn't but a whole lot of effort in them.

Well I got the first one hung up today. The 81-87, I'm going to get a new emblem for it. I broke all the studs off and all the black paint had worn off. So as soon as I get that one put back together, it will hang right below the other band.

Very nice job! What do you use of polishing to the tailgate band? I try to polish our own tailgate band but it won´t let shining!!! I don´t know why because other parts coming nicely shining. I use Autosol metal polish and felt wheels. Thanks Ilkka

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by MrFinland

Very nice job! What do you use of polishing to the tailgate band? I try to polish our own tailgate band but it won´t let shining!!! I don´t know why because other parts coming nicely shining. I use Autosol metal polish and felt wheels. Thanks Ilkka

I just use Brasso. But if you really want sanding & polishing advice on the bands, jkk has had a thread on the subject.

[Palf70Step]

I have been in the south here for so long I forgot ( and don't miss) seeing that kinda of corrosion that the Pennsylvania and NE area does to our stuff.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I have been in the south here for so long I forgot ( and don't miss) seeing that kinda of corrosion that the Pennsylvania and NE area does to our stuff.

Since I have owned Big Red, she hasn't been on the road with salt, and for that matter, rain. And it was for this reason, I didn't want the rust to get out of hand. But what was there, still did some damage.

[TKCR]

With Big Red off getting some repairs and the garage freed up with some room, I got my other truck in for some new brakes. My 06 Colorado needed brakes bad!! I don't believe it ever had a brake job on it!! I have only had it for about 3 yrs.
Total hours spend on this job, was 15hrs over the course of 3 days!!

My brother and I started on it, but we could not get the rotors off because they were pressed onto the hub & bearings. So the next day, my buddy from work came over, and he was able to remove the whole wheel assembly. Something beyond my ability & knowledge. He took them home and pressed the hub & bearings out. In the meantime, I went ahead and got new wheel bearings. Day #3, my brother came back and we got the rotor and pads back on. And we also did the rear drums, new drums & shoes.

[TKCR]

New radiator in and fuel lines fixed. So I picked her up and drove straight down to the paint shop. It was a 1 1/2 hr drive and Big Red did pretty good. First time I have had it out on the highway since having the vent windows rebuilt. I was pleased, wind noise was WAY down.
The only small issue was the idle at stop lights. The engine was stumbling a bit, so I put it N and just lightly kept my foot on the gas.

Now this part is something. One of the guys that works at the paint shop came out and said, "He knew this truck and painted it!!" My parents were like, "yeah right��". He asked before we popped the hood, if it had stainless steel tubs? He said the truck had hit a deer and when it got fixed, the owner had it painted. Well he was correct!!! When I bought the truck about 5 yrs ago, I did some reasearch on it. It was from the Chillicothe area, it was bought new from there, and it was involved in a deer accident. That was why I wanted the radiator replaced. It had some damage, but since it wasn't leaking when the accident happened, they just didn't replace it.

[TKCR]

My parents came over one last time, before heading back to Florida. So I got the bands down and had my Dad sign them. He signed the top one on the back along with his hire date, which was Oct 27, 1964. I was born in February of 1964. He retired after 29 years. I will retire in 6 months, from my Auto Factory job. I will have put 30 yrs in when I leave.

[TKCR]

Well Big Red is FINALLY getting some attention!!. The hood has been drilled, to get the new hood emblem. The fender dent has been removed. And when we swapped the hoods, the windshield cowl got scratched, so it's getting fixed too. It will be ready for paint here in a few day.

[gmachinz]

Gorgeous!

[TKCR]

Thanks guys!! And a big THANK YOU to gmachinz for the NOS hood. It only took a couple years to finally get it painted.

[TKCR]

Now it’s about time I get some new wheels & tires. I’ve been wanting to do that since I bought the truck. Got it narrowed down to Ridlers or Torq Thrust, but I can’t decide on the size. It’s got 20’s on there now, but I really don’t like the skinny tire look. And I don’t know anything about how to pick out sizes or where to get them.
Any suggestions are welcome

[Palf70Step]

I think I like the riddler look better than the Torgue's. I also agree I like rubber on my tires, so maybe some 17s with 60 series profile tires instaed of the normal 30 to 40 range you see on 20s.