Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

amazing fabrication skills. simply AMAZING!!

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

If I remember correctly, this was your first real welding project. You've come a long way. NICE WORK!

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Looking really good! What did you ever decide to do about the front wheel centering?

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Thanks very much for the compliments everyone!

Yes this is my first. I am getting better - I'm in the "15-foot" league now. The truck looks OK from 15 feet away. With some more time on the MIG and the dolly I hope to get into the 5-foot league soon!

I still plan to do the nose job. But I need to re-direct my time and feeble cash into making the thing run reliably first. So next up is getting the glass (with new rubber) into it and find out what's wrong with the tranny and why the intermittent starting troubles.

I want to get some driving time in on her and make sure that I am really going to enjoy the truck before I keep throwing hours at the body work.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

I thought I would digress a moment and talk about my first few experiences trying to explain my truck to bystanders. Basically - I haven't ever succeeded!:uhmk:

Obviously people who don't care about hot-rods and such don't get it - but I'm talking about otherwise qualified guys who know about these things. So far I am about 0 for 5 on getting it to sink in.

Last week I was in Castaic, CA at a McDonalds and when I came out there were two guys standing at the truck. Both guys knew rodding and sheet metal and one guy knew a lot about IH trucks. But even as they stared at the engine bay and listened to me go though it 2 times and nod their heads they were still asking me about which IH motor that was and was it hard to adapt the steering to the IH frame.

It's kind of funny - I should realize that this is what I get for doing the transplant onto the modern chassis. I guess it's a sign I'm doing something unusual.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Sweet project! Your front wheels need to be a little more forward though, like this.

http://www.azcarsandtrucks.com/frankm1lg2.jpg

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Hi, thanks for the suggestions! That's what posts #62-#75 were all about. I intentionally chose not to center the front wheels in the wheel well. Give me about 6 more months and it will look different when I shorten the nose.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Can't wait ! love this build :metal:

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

nice work...looks great.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

This build is AWESOME! If I had a TENTH of the skills this truck taught you, Id never have a boring car again! My question is, is it titled and insured as a GMC pickup? Doesnt Cali still have those stupid emissions and roadworthy checks? Betcha get some funky looks from the techs.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

A quick update. Yesterday I did some mods to the PS kick panel to clearance the GM HVAC unit better and now the HVAC unit is in for (what I hope is) good - along with the GM firewall sound/heat mat.

I also pulled the tranny pan and as you can see... the evidence is pretty strong that I have to rebuild/swap out the tranny. So today I did all of the prep work for pulling the tranny and am down to the 6 mount bolts on the bell housing.

Now I just have to figure out where to find the scratch to pay for the tranny repairs!

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Cha Ching!!! I just realized I have two obscure (yes even more obscure than the truck) toys left that I can liquidate and round up some Benjamins.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Is that a buggy motor on the left? That boat looks fun....

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

I'm not yet through reading page 2 and I am hooked. Very cool project from what I read. I've got to leave my computer so I'm subscribing and bookmarking so I don't forget to finish when I get back around.:thumbs:

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Thanks! Hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

The tranny is out and on the floor. No dents, no blood and no bruises! But I am too old for all that crawling around on the ground.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Finally made it through the rest of the story. I can't imagine all of the time and thought put into the build to make the outcome so smooth. Very impressive build in and of it's own, but to add to that your first big welding project makes it outstanding. I will anxiously be looking forward to the future updates and following along to see the finished product. The antisipation for your front end restructure is gonna be killing me.

BTW: I'm kinda wishing I had a little extra cash to toss around too; I would love to trade it for that boat of yours, that thing would be a blast on the lakes around here.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Is that boat in CA or OR?

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Oregon

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Well, and hour and a half and three beers later I've read each and every post from the beginning and I'm thoroughly impressed! You have a gift not many posses, the ability to visualize something then actually put it together. Your motivation is incredible.
Well done! :clap:

and I'm looking forward to more....

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

just read the whole thing....what he said^^^^^ X2

doug

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

The DMV was a funny story with a happy ending - but I can't post it on the web.

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

Thanks Northern dudes!

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

PM then? Inquiring minds ya know. ;)

Re: Halfbreed - GMC Z71 + IH Extd Cab
 

+1...What if a member follows in your footsteps with his own build and needs to know what to expect from the DMV? ;)