My 78 K15 High Sierra build - Fish Tremble

[19silverado77]

I don't have much of the later so its a slow process, could you give my thread a look you might be able to help me.

[Bomp]

Wow, you've made amazing progress. That truck is straight

[y5mgisi]

Hooray for blocking!

[Greenlee]

Nice work! Looks like you are over the hump. She will start going back together pretty quick once you get paint on.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by Bomp

Wow, you've made amazing progress. That truck is straight

Thanks Bomp! To be totally honest, I am purposely avoiding guide coat this round of 2K and blocking because if it isn't straight, I don't want to know

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Hooray for blocking!

You betcha! Got most of the truck blocked with 120 last weekend. Should finish that and maybe 220 grit as well next weekend if I don't get too many honey-do's.

Originally Posted by Greenlee

Nice work! Looks like you are over the hump. She will start going back together pretty quick once you get paint on.

Thanks Greenlee! I hope it will, but there will still be a LOT to do after paint, and I take a LOT of breaks

[mjensen]

Good work Rick!

[boynton]

I can't wait.

[rgunlock]

Originally Posted by Thebrownturd

Nice work, makes me excited for my truck. I am going to start priming next weekend. I have ben slinging mud and blocking for almost two years on and off and it will be nice to see it all in one color again.

Thanks tbd (sound better than calling you brown turd ) Just checked out your build and looks like you are doing a top-rate job on what you've tackled so far.

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Nice!

Thanks y5mgisi! You need to get back after it and update your thread with pictures of your truck in primer!

Originally Posted by boynton

I can't wait.

I can't either. Still got to come up with a paint booth, and buy paint but shouldn't be too long. When are we going to see an update on your thread saying you've worked out the bugs and are driving the green machine? Sorry, can't remember if you gave her a name

[boynton]

The update is the only thing that needs to be done. I've been driving it (Gina) everyday for the last three weeks. Turned out to just be an alignment issue with the column and the transmission. It still isn't completely done but it's close.

[y5mgisi]

I have been working on it during the week but my weekends have been tied up. I have my fingers crossed to do primer on Monday. We'll see. Either way, should be epoxyed next week some time!

[rgunlock]

Getting closer...

[rgunlock]

I'm kind of torn, and would like your feedback. Years ago, I thought that this 59 Apache (actually the cab in front of it, but that's another story) was going to be my first project and I wanted to make it a 4wd. Through a couple of donor purchases, I ended up with 76 Blazer axles that I had built with 4.10 gears and limited slip diff. I also got a NV4500 that I had rebuilt and got the Advanced Adapters NV4500-to-NP205 adapter. I've been saving these items for the Apache while building this GMC.

Now that I've got the GMC back down to bare chassis, I'm strongly considering swapping these out with the SM465 and 3.07 axles currently on the GMC and just start with a clean slate on the Apache. Another part of me just wants to push on and finish, but I'm worried that the truck may be a dog with the 3.07s when I go up to 33 or 35" tires. Decisions, decisions... What do y'all think?

[y5mgisi]

Do you have any kids?

[boynton]

My 3.07 work well with a 6.0 2x4 but I would imagine the 4.10 would be more "fun" but may take the practicality out of driving it every day.

[y5mgisi]

Geesh that's a tough one. What would be perfect is the nv4500 and a set of 3.73s and 33s. I kinda think if it was me I would just stick with the 3.07s and 465 in the gmc and do the 4.10s and nv4500 in the other truck as long as you are for sure going to get to the other truck project fairly soon. If the other truck won't be on the road for a few years still, I would stick the nv4500 in the gmc with the 3.07s and save up for a 3.73 gear swap. Or even just a used set of 3.73 axles that you could freshen up and toss under it.

[y5mgisi]

I guess I'm kinda thinking of it this way, the nv4500 in od with the 4.10 will be roughly the same as the 465 and 3.07s for highway cruising. The difference being the around town stop and go kind of stuff. Taking off with the 3.07s will be a lame lug fest from every light. The flip side is with the nv4500 and 4.10s, I don't know that there will be a perfect "1st" gear for taking off from stop lights with it either.

[rgunlock]

Appreciate the feedback guys. you've hit on my dilemna. I have had a truck with 4.10 but auto and it was great in town or on the road. But I think I am leaning toward just sticking with what's in there until I have a chance to drive it a while. But I know I will kick myself later if I decide I'd rather have the overdrive and could have swapped now when it would be much easier.

Next dilemna. Need to put chassis on stands, pull wheels, remove tires and paint rims. Chassis would be in the way of setting up paint booth while on stands. Do that before or after painting the rest of the truck? Will be a disappointing look to see those maroon rims when i reassemble the painted truck, but a couple week delay (at my rate of progress) on getting started with painting the truck if I do wheels first. I'd hate to have a "meh" reaction to seeing my truck going together with color, so I'm thinking I'll take the delay and do the rims first.

[y5mgisi]

I have the same problem with the wheels. But I have decided to just accept that it will look a little poopy until I get the new wheels and tires after the first of the year. Also saves me from having to worry about getting any paint on them in the mean time!

[DWilbur]

The wheels look really good. The hard part is mounting tires on painted wheels. Hope you have a good shop near you. I thinking about painting my wheel too.

[rgunlock]

Thanks dwilber. These had already been painted before. I liked having the body color on the wheels, so that's what I'm doing here. I am hoping that mounting the tires doesn't cause any damage that the chrome beauty rings won't hide.

[19silverado77]

The beauty rings should hide any damage that may occur!

[cmabolt]

Loving that color. What did you ultimately choose? It's a lot easier to see than mine.

Chris

[y5mgisi]

Looks nice!

[rgunlock]

Thanks guys. Chris, this is the 1980 GM Dark Camel color, but I asked the guy mixing the paint to add a little more of the copper flecks to make it a bit brighter. Hoping that it will pop in the sunlight.

[cmabolt]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Thanks guys. Chris, this is the 1980 GM Dark Camel color, but I asked the guy mixing the paint to add a little more of the copper flecks to make it a bit brighter. Hoping that it will pop in the sunlight.

Well, if the wheels are any indication, you have hit the mark my friend. That is going to be one nice rich color. Leaves room for contrast either direction. You could accent with a darker color/interior or lighter if you choose. You could also go lighter or darker with a two tone-setup or pinstriping at a later date of so desired.

Chris