Here is where I started.

Then we did this and that.

Are you gonna put a GMC clip on it? I hope so.:D

Yes. I have a 69 gmc clip I putting on the front of it. I will take another picture tomorrow if the engine and tranny mounted with the frame painted. You can see my two donor vehicles in the background of the second pucture and the one in back is the GMC Custom.

Cool... Can't wait to see more

:agree: Love a GMC grill in the air.:D

Here are some pictures of where I am at.

Here are some more.

Looking good!

I received my new ouput shaft yesterday for my 700r4 now I have to figure out if I am going to replace it or take it to someone. Any thoughts?

Last night I took the plunge a removed the tranny 700r4 so I could replace the output shaft. It wasn't as bad as it would seem. But I was working with a fresh rebuild and everything was right to begin with. I have to button it up tonight with the installation of the pressure regs and get it back into the truck. I am then ready for the transfer case 205 and then the rest of the drivetrain. I am moving the motor and tranny forward an inch and a half to help clear the distributor. This will allow the transfer case to bolt right in and then a few holes to drill for the engine cross member. How exciting.

I got it done! Tranny is back together and ready to install. This was a good night.

looks like some good progress, keep us updated

This weekend is it. I hope to have the transmission and transfer case installed. I need to remove the the shifer for the transfer case to set the cab and have the shifter modified a little. I want to shorten it so it isn't that tall. Man I can almost start the truck. Then I go to the body.

did you pick up the cab and clip, when it was all bolted together?

Red: As for the original yes. But for the 69 GMC we pieced it out before removal so not to damage any of the rust.

I did get the tranny and transfer case in tonight. I need an extra set of hands. Theat thing was heavy. I unbolted the cross member and slid the engine forward the 1.5" to match the tranny mounts for the 700r4. Maybe I'll clean the garage tomorrow and get ready for the next step. Na, I will probably sandblast afew marts and get them painted.

Pictures tomorrow...

Here are the latest pics. i know I should have waited to get the cab on just because it would be easier to work on a few of those hard to get places. But I needed some room in the garage.

I also needed to get the motor started and check out the tranny which was just rebuilt. I am highly motivated by a running vehicle. This project was meant to clean up a daily driver not make a show truck. i can see the copper poly now.

A lot of things have happened since I wrote last.

cut hole in cab floor for transfer case. Using a 2wd body with future access panel.

connected driveshafts.

working on linkage. I have read all of the posts regarding linkage and I am going to modify mine to see if I can make it work good. If not i will switch it out for a Lokar. Remember 700r4 is installed and I moved the motor forward 1.5"

Installed dual electric fans to radiator. I will wire later. One with temp switch or toggle in cab the other off a sensor.

The last picture is what I want the truck to look like but a lwb.

Any questions would help to make sure I am thinking of everything.


Thanks:crazy: :confused:

I started wiring. I bought a Centech Kit and have installed the fuse box on the firewall and ran a few of the wires. I was concerned with the look of the connections. Not from Centech but my own doing. I think they turned out okay. I am installing two electric fans so two relays. One will be controlled by a 185 thermo and the other an adjustable so they do not come on at the same time. The hardest part is where to run it all...

So I spent the day yesterday getting everything rady to turn the motor over. i can't install everything permanent since we are painting the inside of the cab. I hooke up the tranny lines to the new cooler. Installed or set in the gase tank and the fuel line and hooked up the carb. Installed the ignition switch and got it wired up. I am using the Cretex wiring harness ans so far everything is going well. Of course this is just the first stage.

I am still looking for a top radiator hose and I can hook up the heater hoses until the cab is painted since I am using a vintage air system and I have to alleviate some rust. I am thing of switching cabs.

So last night about 8:30 I called a buddy of mine to help walk through the start to make sure I did not forget anything. Since it would not start right up. We had spark and fuel and the timing was good or close enough.

It seems that when I adjusted the valves before they had oil in them. so my valves were open a little. not too bad though. So we loosened them up and compression the last key to the equation. It ran. This may not be a huge deal for most guys but I don't get to this that often and with a re-wire and a whole new motor which I finished from the short block... I am one happy man...

Now I can move onto the finer things like tightening and adjusting. Oh yeah an exhaust system would be nice and linkage for the tranny.

Then it is ready for the body work. Notice I said it is. I am cheating... I am going to have brother and his father-in-law take care of this. I too imapteint to paint. As an Engineer I like the mechanical aspect. Now to work.

Looking good! I'm doing a similar project. I have a bigger engine hoist than yours, but no concrete :whine:

Thanks for the reply Jeff. It is nice to have the concrete especially with all of the rain we are having and a garage too. I still want to get the shed though so I can store everything. Made a hard decision though this weekend I am switching cabs again. The one I found is in much better shape and will take less time to do the body work.

So I have decided to switch cabs. I am cleaning this one up. As much as it looks worse it is so much better. This cab also had a few more bells and whistles. Such as a rear cargo light, vacuum activated fresh air, cab dimmer and A/C. So I don't have to do any cutting to get my Vintage air into my dash. I will still have a GMC front clip from a 69. I like the dual headlight look and I may out a 67-68 GMC grill on it and no GMC letters on the hood. Just to clean it up a little. Here are a few pictures of the cab clean up process. Sand blasting of the rust is next.

Here are the rest of the pictures and I included a proud moment for dad. This is Kati catching for machine pitch league for the first time. She has the Johny Bench style like Dad. She did a great job and didn't flinch at all.

As for the cab I thought the stock A/C marks on the firewall were cool. I may leave the firewall unpainted just for that since I am going to paint it back the same color. Someone else decided to change the rest to the, excuse me for those who like it but, crappy brown color. This cab was originally white, bronze and then white again on the bottom. I plan to paint it all bronze and maybe put the trim back on. I do like a clean look though. Let me know your thoughts.

:but:

So last night and today i finished tear down and the sandblast process on the cab. As you can see the body isn't bad but I can not find a cab with a decent piece of sheet metal near the edge of the gas tank. I'll post that separately. I decided not to keep the A/C symbols once I got started. now just a little primer tonight and I am ready ready to set the cab... again.

A few more pics. I found a few place they tried to fix some areas with some thin aluminum but really not that bad overall. The last picture shows the rust.:ww:

i just fixed the same thing pain in but. i took my cab back and roof off though to fix both side now im ready to put the cab back together

Where did you find the parts Deer slayer or did you just have to make them?

Nice project ya got going it should look killer when done..

So I did my first welding on the firewall for the clutch linkage hole and the wiring harness hole. Was'nt pretty to begin with but it ended up okay. I hope to have the firewall and the dash painted this weekend so I can get to wiring. Pictures later.

Here is what I got done today. I had a local body shop spray it for me. Primer so I can keep it from rusting and I had him paint the firewall and dash so we don't have to do it later.

Here are a few more pics. I have another post about the body mounts and the alignment and I also have to fine the rubber mount/grommet for the mc plinger through the firewall. If you read this and know where I can get one please let me know.

Mane's truck parts east of KC has the brake pushrod boot. Nice progress!

I hope everyone else has a great week planned. I had planned to do a family vacation and we just have too many things going on around here so I decided to stay at home and work on the truck for a few days and get it ready to go to the body man. I am going to pick up some new fenders and any other parts the beginning of next week. I will get all the body panels on and take it in for exhaust. I have a lot of work I want to do but can't until I get it painted. But it starts and linkage and steering is ready to temp install for a quick test drive one I get the brake lines in. I have to do a temp on the fuel cell in the cab and the spare seat. I am going to take the other seat over to the upholsterer one I get it cleaned up while the truck is gone. I will also accumulate all of the other parts needed to make this truck really driveable. This is a long worded post but it helps me put together what needs to be done. I assume parts will hold me up but I am just a short drive to KC which I will be there on Monday to pick up other parts. I am debating on brake lines and I need to get Manes to send me a brake booster seal? I spoke with them today and the shipping costs twice as much as the part. But it is only a $5 part. I can't drive to KC for that. I am looking to see what else I can get from them to make the trip worth while.

I will have to make the list. I am sure if my wife saw it whe would'nt like it so I am not going to show her. Some more tomorrow for sure.

Ready for the body man and some exhaust. Need to take it to the tranny guy to check it out. For some reason no reverse.

Dropped the truck off this weekend to get the body work done. It was like leaving one of my kids off for an extended stay. Out of everything that has been done with this truck it was the hardest thing to give up control of daily activities. My wife said she could believe my concern sonce I had spent more time with that truck than I have with them lately.

Reminds of the joke when the wife says "You go fishing one more time I am going to leave" and the man replies " I am going to miss her"

What I am going to do for the next few months...

I thought I would bump my thread and put the new pictures on tomorrow. As everyone has said the body work takes a while. I dropped my truck off in August so I am lucky it is getting worked on. I hope to have it back in the next month or so. We'll see how he does.


I do however have a line on a 70 1 ton with a dump bed. Like I need another project. I am tired of working on the house.

Here are some updated pictures of the body work that is going on.

And one more...

So I talked to my body guy yesterday. They had a few questions about what trim was going to be kept and what is going to be done away with. The picture on the first page will show you what i am going for. No trim except a piece that says custom over the door handle. I know not to get too excited about getting it back but i can't help it.

Some updated pictures. I heard seam sealer and paint next week. I will believe it when I see it.

and a few more...

Lookin good!!!!!!!!!!

Good looking build cant wait to see it done. what part of kansas are you in? Im out in Carbondale KS bout 10 minutes south of topeka,

Did some racing in Carbondale and plan to do some more. I am just down in Emporia.

What body shop is doing the work? i sell auto parts to many shops down there. Im in Emporia almost every other day dropping off parts at John North Ford Payless Auto Sales and a handful of other shops mechanical and body shops

The truck is in Colorado at my brothers father-in-laws place. He has retired and has a great shop at his farm. So he works on cars still. He continues to stay busy.

I got the call on Christmas Day that the truck can be pickedup in about two weeks. So we are planning to go the 18th to Colorado to get it. While I am there I will pick up my 2004 Dodge Ram with the HO Diesel. So I will drive out the Tacoma and bring back two trucks. I should have new pictures added soon from my brother. Then again once I get the truck back. The Diesel will be nice to bring the truck back. The Tacoma although good power just isn't heavy enough for the things I do.

So the next thing is to get the tranny figured out. For some reason we have 1st and 2cd but no third and fourth. Someone said something about the servo but I will take it to the guy that rebuilt it for me.
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year. It has only taken a year to get it to this point.

What a great project. I like the color a little differant from the norm. Your truck is going to be a very nice daily driver and I can't wait to see the next set of pics.

So this is what I picked up this weekend. I finally got it back and everything looks great except the hood. i have another hood but it is a Chevy and i don't know if they are the same. i am going to have him use that one because this one looks like hell.

and one more

Nice looking paint! It's getting closer to being done. Nice build post.

That thing is sweet !!!

I didn't see if you said if it's lifted or not, so if it is how much ???

It had a 6" on it when I got it with 36's. I changed it to a 2" and 285's I'll post a new picture when I get the tires on it.

Back in the garage and got my tires back on. Had some issues with the plugs in the new motor and the truck would not start. Not she is purring. I will do a few things tonight but it is about 15 degrees outside. BRRRRRRRRRRRR.

You got me hooked! Keep the information coming.

say what did you paint the ram horns with?? Did you also paint the motor or was that before you. Looks cool!

As for the Ram Horns I used one of the POR products I will get you the name. They are supposed to stay that way. So far so good.

This weekend I got the A/C unit started. I installed a Vintage Air unit under the dash with a new Factory style control panel. This was about $1200 but in Kansas it will be worth it. Here are a few of the pics. Sorry for all of the dust but you have to look forward to cleaning sometime and it has been too cold for that.

Here is one more

Yes. I know the motor is dirty. I will take care of that soon enough.

A little update. I have been trying to put things together. I have the lights wired and the front grill put in plus a few other things. I took the truck in today to have the windshield put in and the reatr window. Tomorrow I will have the brakes checked and then bring it home for door windows and a test drive. I have to take it to the tranny guy one more time to take a look at it so we can make sure everything is okay. I will get some more pics soon with the mirrors and door handles on.

Oh yeh. I am waiting on my dash cluster from Cheyenn Superman too. Hope to be driving it soon.

Just a few updated pictures. I still have the interior to do and the dash cluster. Cheyenne Super-Man has been having some issues with one of the lenses.

Lookin good! :metal:

Just a little update. I have been busy with work and I have not had much time. I got my A/C ready to charge and fixed an oil leak. I also got my lockup installed for the 700r4. I spoke to a shop in Wichita about the interior that I was looking for and I am waiting for a call back. Now is the fun part of making sure everything is done before a big trip.. Ya know the fine details. I will get a couple of pictures up this week but you can't tell much from the above ones.

Man time flies when you get busy as you all know. I have finalized my 700r4 with a lockup kit and drove it a couple of weeks ago to find out I need to replace the front brake hoses. So I ponied up and bought the entire brake lines in SS and the steel braided lines for the front and one for the rear. I am doing a brake job on the front and I am using P.O.R on all of the parts. This weekend I hope to get the left side completed along with the brake lines and then start in on the right side. It takes some time just because I am using the P.O.R. but in the long run it will be worth it.

I was planning on hacing my interior done by now but I have changed focus. I have decided to do power locks and power windows and I want to get these done prior to installing the interior. So I will get those installed and then start from the doors in.

I have also been working with an upholstery shop in Wichita where I am working now to get the original fabric for a 69 GMC Custom Cloth. He has a supplier and he has quoted me a fair price to rebuild the seat etc. I will post some pictures tonight of the backing plate etc with the P.O.R on it. It looks so much better. The kids and I are still working on a good nick name for her. If you any good suggestions that would be great.

looking very nice!!

i haven't decided what color my truck will be yet, but mine is on the way now; still have some more body work to do.

Man I can not believe it has been as long as it has since I posted on this build. I am closer than ever. I had some issues with a rebuilt 700r4. I get it back on Monday and I am stoked.

Finally got the tranny and transfer case in and drove it last night and today. I still have a lot of little parts and the interior to do. But as I said before a running vehicle is so much motivation.

I was looking for a GM part number that edelbrock calls for on their AVS setup. 352279 and it is discontinued. I will have to call edelbrock on Monday and find out what they plan to do. This is for the 7004r4 detent cable.

Hopefully some more tomorrow.

I drove it again yesterday and how fun. I have actually have started making the to do list to make sure everything is tightened down and adjusted. One of the things is the steering pump pulley. I read the alignment posts but it seems that the pulley is bent.

Been looking for a power steering pump pulley since the one on it is bent or been struck. Front turn signals are needed too. I bought some stock valve covers and plan to change the alternator back to stock location and can do that with the stock covers.

Found a few more items such as visors, seat belts, trasfer case boot and front turn signals. I hope to start on the seat and floor sound proofing soon. Man I am finally getting close.

Finally getting a little soundproofing in.

Some more pictures