Project Checkbook - 1971 Jimmy Custom

[Chulisohombre]

I'd also love to Make it to Carlisle truck. I usually don't drive mine more than 50 miles from home though anymore. Cost me half a tank just to go to Allentown. Lol

[tristan]

Now making continuous and substantial progress. Fine sanding and buffing is completed on the tub, rear wheel wells, doors, cowl, tailgate and front fenders. I paid for an upgrade to show-quality paint and it was definitely worth it. The parts to be hidden by carpeting and various panels got the basic grade 1 finish.

[tristan]

The hood, transmission hump cover and one of Rob from Canada's fiberglass windshield headers were shot yesterday and will be sanded and buffed out next week. Re-assembly will start on Monday. Now I am gunshy about issues that might emerge when things get put back together after several years apart, but I guess I will cross my bridges as I come to them.

[72 tigger]

Wow- looks great! Won't be long until you're putting things back together

[tristan]

My #*$^&% top is finally painted after requiring boo-coo time and $$$s to repair various sags, cracks, gaps and fissures. Even at that there is a swale on the left side, but at least it is not apparent when painted. The painter used a thinned-down U-POL for the outside to give it a little texture while the inside is smooth. The outside surface is less rough than original and has a light sheen that I hope will be attractive.

[tristan]

I couldn't resist this barn find that has just come into the shop as you don't see these every day.

[IronCanine]

Looks good. One step closer!

[NorCal]

Looks Beautiful!

[tristan]

Re-assembly of both large and small parts is proceeding nicely. My Jimmy is starting to look like a truck again. I joked with the guys at the shop that we have gone from having it in 5,000 pieces to merely 2,500. The fenders and tailgate are now mounted, as is the door innards and Hickey spare tire and jerry can mounting brackets.

[tristan]

This is the part of the job that makes GMC Paul and Wes Hepp rich. Although I get a lot of calls from the shop to hunt down stuff, it is now usually small parts that are readily available aftermarket rather than large or rare, and thus expensive, items. The offset is that there is lots of shop time in this detail work.

[72 tigger]

Wow, it does look like a real Jimmy again! Are they having many problems with reassembly? Keep the pics coming- nice vette too

[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.