1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Here are some pictures of a new project I just picked up. It reminds me of a time capsule with that seat pattern. No big plans as of now.:smoke: My plan is to just clean it up and see if it will run. It was a one owner vehicle but has been just sitting for about 6 years. Enjoy.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

More photos.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Some more....

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I like the brush guard and the interior looks in real good shape. Have fun.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Thanks. The PO made it himself.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

That's great, I was diggin on the pinstriping on it, now even more.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

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Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Looks like a nice rig, I would leave it as is and fix it up mechanically. If you plan on doing any off road action I would remove those side step as they would snag on stuff. Though hold on to the side steps if you remove them, since they look original. Sweet rig, and nice find.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Thanks for the compliment. I agree with just getting it running for now and more than likely will just be a DD.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I cleaned the inside of the Jimmy out about a month ago and finally got it registered. I decided to keep it as a daily driver but I will be going in a different direction. The photos attached will help fill you in. It is a 5.3 liter.

The last 300 miles headed back home was scary and you haven't had a good adrenaline rush until you find yourself in a condition where the trailer wants to take the lead. :lol:

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

What a drive home huh? Glad you made it ok! So have you driven the Tahoe yet?

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Definitely had a few scary moments getting home Mike. No, I haven't had a chance to drive it yet because the steering gear box shaft got sheared off in the accident. I ordered one up the other day and it showed up Tuesday. Wednesday we had an away football game and today I took my boy deer hunting. The plan is to have it going early next week. It has good oil pressure but I noticed an oil leak that will need some attention.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

following along for this one

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Very cool brush guard- the person who made it is GOOD.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Yeah no doubt. Wonder what it weighs.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I got the steering gearbox mounted in the Tahoe and took it for a short drive this evening. It runs great and has very good oil pressure. The four wheel drive and transmission seem to operate properly as well. Not a bad deal for what I paid for the Tahoe. :metal:

Thanks for the compliments on the brush guard. I haven't decided if it will stay or not but I have some time before I come to that bridge. :lol: Thanks for following along.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Digging the Jimmy :metal: Had the kids up for fall break during this storm.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Thanks. I bet they weren't used to the cold. :lol: Let me know when your coming back up this way. My barber is just a few buildings over from your Dad's place.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Just curious but, if the Vortec is a 5.3l, why the 6.0 in Sharpie on the intake?

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I think that maybe it holds 6 quarts of oil, but I may be wrong.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Well, here's a 5.3L, and a 6.0. They look damn near identical but I'm sure there are some minute differences.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Hewfil1 - I will definitely be verifying whether it is a 5.3 or 6.0 once I get it pulled.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Nothing done on the project for a couple of reasons: 1.) We got done with my son's Football season (made it to the second round of play offs this year) and then rolled right into Basketball. 2.) My plan was to shorten the Tahoe frame and put the Jimmy body on it but there is a slight chance the frame got tweaked in the wreck. I talked to a friend that does body work and he said he may be able to straighten it. So my dilemma is whether I should continue with the body swap or or just re-power it. Your thoughts?

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Powerplant swap for sure.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Hey everyone,

Just a small update to let you know that Jimmy frame will be staying but not the 305 engine. I finally got the engine and transmission pulled from the Tahoe and got it out of my garage so that I could pull the Jimmy inside. So far I have removed the remains of the dual exhaust, rear shocks, grill guard, and radiator support. Here are a few pictures for you.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Did you find out if it was a 6.0 of a 5.3?

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Yes, it is a 5.3 block.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

This evening I removed the engine and transmission. I slipped the Tahoe transfer case from the Tahoe onto the TH350 and it fit like a glove. Next on the list is to drop the fuel tank and when it warms up I will pull it outside and pressure wash the frame in order to prep it for paint.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Not sure how I missed this beauty, subscribed. Get that motor swapped!!!

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I got around to dropping the fuel tank but I had to remove the receiver hitch and then the bumper first. No pictures of the Jimmy but here are a few of my "Rescue Vehicle." :lol: The second pic is what he had to do to fix his window motor. The third is a fix for a loose mirror, which didn't work. The fourth is the wire that feeds the electric fuel pump that he added after removing and discarding the RH tank. The last is how to install a trailer plug when you don't have access to the right size drill bit.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I question the window motor repair story because of what the other side of the door looks like. :metal: Second pic is the home made gooseneck hitch and the last picture is a nice view of Flat Head lake.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Sorry for not posting updates but the vehicle is running great. Here is the engine compartment.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

I put the wrong fuel pump in the tank and didn't want to drop the tank so I cut a hole above the tank, installed the correct pump, located and modified another tailgate cover to patch the floor, and now if the pump should go out its a quick fix.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

In the last couple of months I have managed to find yet another project vehicle or two. :metal:

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

That engine swap looks good, I was considering installing a late model radiator in Goldy, but the stock stuff fit my fan set up better. For me there is never enough money for 1 project but always seem to keep adding them. Keep the updates coming!

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Why did you go with the t350 instead of the 4l60?

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Sorry for not giving too many details but I did install the 4L60E in it. It seems to shift okay but it doesn't stay in O/D very long. As soon as you hit a hill or get some wind fighting you then it comes out of O/D. I'm sure a gear change and some tuning would help but I'm happy with it for now. I'm working on a few other projects right now.

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Here is a pic of my cab swap project. One day I will take the time to repair the rust in the black cab and get it back on the road but that's for another day and another time. :lol::lol:

Re: 1981 GMC Jimmy
 

Happy and sad to report that I sold the Jimmy. It went to a good home and the owner is already planning to have it painted and it will only be down the road from the original owner. :metal::metal::metal:

Time to work on all my other projects. :smoke: