The Hillbilly Deluxe dually build

[Tx Firefighter]

Yes it does. I've about reached a stopping point on this dually. I just wanted it dead solid and reliable. Not worried about cosmetics really. I think I've about reached that milestone.

I need to spend a couple of days on the daily driver stepside before I dig into the 4x4. Nothing big, just address a couple of little nagging issues to make it more pleasant to drive.

The K2500 will be a bit different theme of build though. I'm gonna build it a little nicer. Pretty sure I'll paint it, replace body panels, etc. I'll do the mechanicals to the same level as the dually but step the cosmetics up to as good as I can do with paint and body. I'm hoping it will be an easy restoration since you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a GMT400 truck. Parts should be very easy and cheap to find.

I figure I'll be dug into the 4x4 by March 1.

[Jimbo0076]

I've sat here all last night and this afternoon and finished up reading your build thread and going to start looking at the 63 thread now Haha

Absolutely love the look of the dually and LOVE your level of detail and the fact that you don't credit card it and look for the best deals.

On the auto parts store note,I work at a locally owned parts store(that is actually owned by a auto parts warehouse that opened our store) We blow most of the chain stores out of the water on pricing but still try to have a gross profit of 25-30% to give people a idea of what mark up is most of the time I've figured its 70-80% mark up on chain store sale prices vs cost prices.

I'm looking forward to the K2500 build! You definitely build my kind of truck

Jimbo

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Jimbo0076

I've sat here all last night and this afternoon and finished up reading your build thread and going to start looking at the 63 thread now Haha

Absolutely love the look of the dually and LOVE your level of detail and the fact that you don't credit card it and look for the best deals.

On the auto parts store note,I work at a locally owned parts store(that is actually owned by a auto parts warehouse that opened our store) We blow most of the chain stores out of the water on pricing but still try to have a gross profit of 25-30% to give people a idea of what mark up is most of the time I've figured its 70-80% mark up on chain store sale prices vs cost prices.

I'm looking forward to the K2500 build! You definitely build my kind of truck

Jimbo

Wow Jimbo, thank you for the compliment. Its nice to hear my vision hits home with folks. I'm getting older and my idea of cool is far removed from the mainstream airbag and LS engine stuff that's so popular today.

On the dually front, I finally got some parts to make progress. My Unity order came in today. Valerie texts me pictures of my deliveries when I'm at the station.



This weekend I'll get the spot light rebuilt and installed.

[Jimbo0076]

Shoot yea I'm the same way

I'm fixing to start working on my '64 LWB,it has a 283 that is blown up so I'm looking for a 6cyl to replace it and make it look nice and original like most things you seem to do and everyone looks at me like I'm nuts cause I don't just toss a 350 in it and go on Haha

These trucks are really good looking from the factory and going all high tech and modding them with LS motors and all is neat and all but kills the "old truck" feel and vibe to me.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by Jimbo0076

These trucks are really good looking from the factory and going all high tech and modding them with LS motors and all is neat and all but kills the "old truck" feel and vibe to me.

That's how I've always felt... but then I saw a twin turbod square go screaming down the street...

[Tx Firefighter]

Spotlight is all rebuilt and installed. The parts from a Unity were priced right and good quality.

My bucket was kind of beat up so I sandblasted and powdercoated it after doing some bodywork to remove some dentage.





I guess I'll go get new stickers for the Tuesday, set the toe, and call it done.

I got the fever to get into 4 wheel drivesville soon. That K2500 stares at me every time I come into the driveway.

[TheBlueBomber]

Cool spotlight. My friend has one on his '63. I'm thinking about getting one myself.

[68Timber]

Have you replaced the bellhousing yet? I saw where it was restored and you got all the parts to adapt it to hydraulic. Side note, I drove a truck Thursday with a spotlight, first time so I had to play with it a minute to see how well it worked. Really cool, should be an option on everything with a tailgate. I read where you don't beat on your trucks, but can't help that I've started thinking of this one as your big block 4-speed truck.

[Low Elco]

Can't wait for a driving report.

Of course, we'll require a thread on the 4x4. We all need the inspiration.

[imjeff]

Great thread Kevin! I am a firefighter as well (recovering paramedic) who doesn't do credit and I have an incredible case of OCD. Your thread has allowed my wife to see that there are other OCD addled folks who enjoy doing their own work out there. I've picked up some great ideas and tips from your thread and will be following for inspiration! I am also entering my pre-retirement years and am assembling my final fleet. We are looking at places to move all over the states (nothing left coast) and Texas is definitely always one of the top contenders. Thanks again for your incredibly clear and clean explanations!

[Tx Firefighter]

Thanks for the kind words Jeff. I'm a Paramedic too, but like you, it's not really what I identify with. Its part of the job, but not really my main thing. I'm technically an engineer. I run an engine out of a single company non ambulance station in the poor end of the city.

My wife reads my thread every day or so to keep up. She says it helps her see what I do out in my shop in a simpler manner. She pointed out last night that my build thread is different than many in that no one ever says that I bought nice or exotic parts, they all compliment me on my work. That's what I try to achieve. I'm not into buying trick stuff anymore, I try to let my work ethic lead the way instead.

It's all icy and cold here but I'm going to register the truck tomorrow to get it legal. No matter what, I have to go get hay with it by Friday. If not, I'm gonna have some hungry livestock. So, hell or high water, its gonna be on the road this week.

[imjeff]

Great! I actually look forward to having a place where I need to get hay. I do miss being an engineer, now I'm a BC in the poor end of the city. I never felt right working in areas that were too clean, rich or slow. Don't forget to pass on your knowledge to those kids at work. We owe it to them and, as I'm sure you know, it's very rewarding. I'm sure your OCD is appreciated at work! I have a battalion full of it...to the mental illness level. Keep the shiny side up brother!

Jeff

[Zane M]

I can't wait to see what you do the the GMT400 4x4.
I use your builds and the videos from SWRNC on youtube as inspiration that doing it right the first time and not taking short cuts is the only way to go when I get that "screw it" attitude when crap starts to go wrong.

I also appreciate the fact that you stick to a budget, but take care of things with attention to detail and use of quality components.

[83GMCK2500]

I have followed this thread avidly and I am somewhat saddened to see it come to a close. Your attention to detail and workmanship are outstanding, we should all be as fortunate as you to have apprenticed under someone as meticulous as you have. (That is, I know I would have appreciated it.) I cannot think of any other truck or build on here that the owner can walk up to with the assurance that you can, that the truck will perform as intended.

Very much looking forward to your GMT-400 build.

[Stoney]

I have followed this thread as well. I went back and looked to see how long it has been. My how time flies, over a year. Can't wait till the next one gets started.

[Tx Firefighter]

I did get the truck registered yesterday. It's mostly legal now. Then last night Valerie helped me set the toe in. Tomorrow when I get off work, its time to go get hay. I haven't even driven it 100 feet since I did all the work either. I hope nothing pops up and bites me on the maiden voyage. You might see this hillbilly rolling a round bale of hay down the road from town if it does. If I don't get hay soon, the donkey is gonna burn the barn down.

[SCOTI]

I have 100% trust in your mechanics abilities

[Tx Firefighter]

Impressions after the first drive....

1) the swap from 4.56 to 4.10 was just what the truck needed. Its so much better to drive now.
2) I've got a hanging idle. It acts like the IAC is working slow. If you give it time, it will drop back down.

The results of the work and expense are pretty dramatic though.

[GCncsuHD]

Very nice!

[N2TRUX]

Truck art right there.

[aggie91]

Awsome!

[rusty76]

Looks good.

[83GMCK2500]

Oh yeaaaaaaaah! Good to hear that the gear swap was an improvement, sounds a lot more driveable.

[Stoney]

I bet the donkey is even happier....

[Troy Sr]

I used to make those bails out in Eastern Montana!!!