53 GMC 5 window RestoMod Bagged

[WorkinWrenchs]

Here is my little project. I purchased this back on September 9 2015. This was my anniversary present.

Here is the day that we brought it home.


Unloaded






Got the donor S10 on 9-18-15


My wife said I have to many trucks now. I told her I just like diversity.


More to come.....

[reaper71]

Just tell her "you can't ever have too many toy's"

What engine/trans combo and direction you going besides bagged?

Mark...

[WorkinWrenchs]

Got some metal and started to learn tig welding







This is the teachers


Got the S10 Stripped down to what I am keeping



Got the body mounts cut out and welded to the frame. Big shout out to SkyMangs/Ole Sarge for the design.









I already have drop spindles, all the front end components to rebuild it, ie upper/lower ball joints, new control arm bushings upper and lower, got all new body mount bushings as well. Bags are on order and should be here Monday. I plan to have the cab mounted and front bagged by Christmas. Then I will move to the rear where I plan on 3-linking the rear and back halfing it as well to clean it up and build a custom fuel cell.

[WorkinWrenchs]

Originally Posted by reaper71

Just tell her "you can't ever have too many toy's"

What engine/trans combo and direction you going besides bagged?

Mark...

Right now I am going to put a small block in it with a 5 speed.
End goal is to have a 4bt (3.9L cummins) with 5 speed.

[aknovaman]

Some assembly required. Yikes !

[Chance48]

Lookin good! Welcome to the forum. The diesel will be sweet. Keep them pics comin.

Chance

[Sim6]

Good start. Welcome aboard.

[WorkinWrenchs]

Ordered some uca's tonight should be here on Tuesday then I can start tearing apart the front end. My bags should be here by then too.

[lower50's]

Cool!! MMM 4bt

[WorkinWrenchs]

Still waiting on the bags to get here. I was told they shipped last tuesday so hopefully Monday they will be here. Made some progress on the frame today. Pulled the motor and tranny then cleaned the frame. I was informed by my helper that I was helping him.





Also got the cab set on the frame. Need to pull the cab back off and move the mounts i made forward about an inch.

[iowaboynca]

Originally Posted by WorkinWrenchs

I was informed by my helper that I was helping him.

So what score did the boss give you on your performance review?

[Advanced Design]

He is so cute! My grandsons love going to the shop and helping. Great times and memories.

[WorkinWrenchs]

Originally Posted by iowaboynca

So what score did the boss give you on your performance review?

I wasnt good enough. He wanted all the dirt into 1 pile ans I wasnt following instructions.

Originally Posted by Advanced Design

He is so cute! My grandsons love going to the shop and helping. Great times and memories.

One day it will be his and hopefully when he is old enough he will remember this and build his own, so daddy can drive "his" truck.

[Coach529]

Looks like a great project- Subscribed!!

[lower50's]

I would think it was his already. LOL

[WorkinWrenchs]

Originally Posted by lower50's

I would think it was his already. LOL

Yea it is his. Hopefully in 10 years he will have an idea of what he wants to rebuild and we can start on that.

Did some work on the truck today. Pulled the cab back off and relocated the body mounts to where they need to be. During this process I noticed that I will be needing to do a lot more rust repair than I thought. I already figured the floor and rear cab corners. Once i was underneath I noticed that I will be needing to do some type of repair where the cowls meet the floor. Also will need to body work the driver side rocker panel, if not replace it. Also got the seat cut out since i will be going with a later model seat and all the guts underneath the dash since the dash will need to be cut out since the previous owner did a hack job on the dash.

Side note on the parts that I have been waiting for, it is now coming up on week 5 and still no airbags. Ordered them from a local shop who ordered them through ThorBros and man he is slow. I got a better price going through the local guy than ordering from ThorBros directly. The local guy sent me a text today saying that he got a shipment sent to his house so once he gets home he will let me know if my parts are in there. Fingers crossed that they are so I can get the suspension done by the first of the year.

Here is a pic of the dash and what the previous owner did. Also you will notice that the radio bezel says Chevrolet when it should say General Motor since this is a GMC.

[big_moss]

we for sure have very similar builds going on man. good luck on it. what are your plans for your back half?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by WorkinWrenchs

....I was informed by my helper that I was helping him....

Truer than you can know yet.

"From the mouths of babes"

[WorkinWrenchs]

Originally Posted by big_moss

we for sure have very similar builds going on man. good luck on it. what are your plans for your back half?

Bigmoss I am more than likely going to go with 2"x4" 1/4 wall tubing and start just above the stock leaf spring perches. I am going to go with 1/4 wall since it is cheaper than 3/16" for some odd reason.

Just ordered this Lotos Technology LTP5000D Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter today. I know it is chinese made but for the price of $299 cant beat it and all the reviews I have read are positive. Heck if it just gets me through this build than i will be grateful, the cut off discs are starting to add up.

[99 to Life]

I literally just got my Lotos today, where the heck did you find the 50amp for 300 bucks? Some things you can't beat, I understand supporting top name domestic brands. I luv to when I can, but yeah if Lotos is making decent stuff and offering 1 year warranties and its gonna make your life that much easier, go for it.

[WorkinWrenchs]

Originally Posted by 99 to Life

I literally just got my Lotos today, where the heck did you find the 50amp for 300 bucks? Some things you can't beat, I understand supporting top name domestic brands. I luv to when I can, but yeah if Lotos is making decent stuff and offering 1 year warranties and its gonna make your life that much easier, go for it.

Of all places I found it on a computer website NewEgg.com Lotos Technology LTP5000D and the best part is they are offering free shipping.

[99 to Life]

dang, I got mine off ebay, really though I only searched around for a little and made the move. I almost bought the eastwood one, then though I can look around. I got mine for 369 free ship, then they added sales tax. so annoying. but whatever. Good to know to look out for that site. thanks for the link.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by WorkinWrenchs

Of all places I found it on a computer website NewEgg.com Lotos Technology LTP5000D and the best part is they are offering free shipping.

That is a great deal. Thanks for the heads up.

[aknovaman]

I bought a Colossal Tech CUT50F for $299 off ebay about 2 years ago. Mine has a digital display that shows AMPS. Used the snot out of it. My only complaint is the ceramic gun shield cracks rather easy but I drop it on concrete which makes them crack. Guess that's why they call it consumable parts. The gun tips burn up if you crank up the amps too high and get impatient and want to cut fast. One feature I like is if I over-duty cycle it, it shuts off automatically. Just me not being patient.
One of th best tools for the $$ in my garage, next to my TIG.

[99 to Life]

just reread your prior post. ah yeah thorbros is great, but they need some help over there. No excuse for a 1 yr wait on tubular arms a fellow on here waited. You can get good bags from plenty of online dealers. Waiting on parts is very critical to the whole process of building a truck. Its a lot of juggling on time and money (most people never understand that aspect).

Been there done that on not expecting to do all types of metal work. tahhhh real buzz kill. I put about 150hrs alone in my last cab.