Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

I had one years ago
Sold it to guy that said it was his dream truck. He was going to fix it up.

Never heard if he did? Glad to see your progress and hear this story

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

I’ve pieced together the places it went after it left our family. It went to Maiden, Rural Hall/King and then Germanton/Pilot Mountain when I got it back

I drove it daily now and it just brings a big smile to my face every time

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Making more progress. New windshield wiper arms and blades, new sunvisor clips, new drivers side exterior mirror, new deluxe side marker, new shifter indicator lens, new window cranks(clear), soon to be all new dew wipes and felts etc for both doors. I’ve also got brand new GMC 1500 Sierra fender emblems as well. Having the new inner fenders put in soon as well


Almost 10,000 miles on it since April of this year


I’m very excited to see things be done to it

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Great to see you enjoying it and chipping away at refreshing it

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

She’s looking good so far.

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Attachment 2330601Counting down the days that pretty much everything but the engine is either going to be rebuilt, replaced and then painted. The transmission will be pulled and while everything else is being done like the brake and suspension systems. Replacing rear leaf springs. Putting the new inner fenders, new fender emblems, new grille area trim and of course a new chrome front bumper. Might as well put dynamat and new blue carpet down too. Having the doors done with the felts and have it sealed up pretty well.

What headlight setup do you recommend? I’m going to have to replace the headlight buckets etc


Going to replace the steering wheel with an oem one if I can find a good shaped blue one. Also going to replace the dash pad with Seth Doultons.

I can’t wait to show the progress here soon

She’s going to be nice. I can’t wait

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

It sure will be nice to see. I run halogens the same as I always have in my 67-72s ever since they came out. A major improvement to sealed beam while maintaining the same appearance

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

I’ve also got to eventually replace the core support as well. My main concern is the brakes, suspension and the leaking transmission. I am also going to be getting the front fender bottoms patched down the line sometime . The drivers side door only has two holes on the bottom. To a point, I think I could get away with just replacing the very bottom of it, now the passenger side doors bottom will need the same. Inside of can above the windshield and an outer rook skin etc as well

Thankfully my great grandfather had the undercoating put on the truck and it’s held up and saved a lot of things I believe

I’m just going to replace everything brake wise including the brake booster master cylinder combination.

My trucks got the original AC setup, what all do I have to replace to get it to work with modern day things. I know you can buy that one piece but what else?

Replacing the radiator and ac components too

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

You can get a POA valve calibrated for R134 if you're keeping the stock style compressor.
https://www.originalair.com/valves

I did it on my old 68 Cadillac and it worked great. You can also try to adjust it yourself, there are YT vids out there that show the procedure. It's worth it to get a parallel flow condenser. I did that on my 93. That will really help it cool, they are more efficient and 134 needs that.

If you take out the POA and do the eliminator kit, keep the valve and you can sell it as a core to original air for $$.

I got the Advance/Carquest replacement radiator for mine. It's plastic tank like everything is now. It fits into the 4 core supports fine.

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

What are the best carpet replacements companies out there?. I want a carpet that is high quality but looks even better. I drive it daily, and it’s only a matter of time that I get the things I’ve mentioned previously in other posts, replaced. Accidents clipped my tractors box blade with the bed. It’s not as bad as I thought it was after it happened. I was sitting near it and wasn’t thinking I was that close… well I was sadly

The main thing I’ll have to replace is the rear bumper. No big deal

I appreciate all of the support with the answers to my questions and some advice with the AC. Will update once things start rolling

I’m aiming for it to be back up to perfect in the brakes and suspension. Oh and most importantly the transmission that leaks like a nose bleed

I’m going on 88,000 miles. It had around 75,550 when I got it last April

Can ya tell I enjoy it haha

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

For OEM carpet, I used Stock Interiors 80-20 loop: https://www.stockinteriors.com/

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Summer will be here before you know it. Get after the ac. I did last summer. Should have started earlier. A vacuum pump and gauge will cost about the same as labor and you have the tools for future and the knowledge gained buy doing yourself. Replace all the orings, hoses and dryer. Clean remaining with flush. A a6 replacement compressor from Rock Auto. If the pully and clutch is good, swapping is simple with the correct tool to pull off shaft to save a few bucks. You tube the poa valve recalibration and compressor clutch swap.

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Thank you. I will look into their carpets. I’ve noticed that when I turn on the heat, there was a clicking from under the dash and it’s not blowing out air hardly at all now. Must been the fan relay? I haven’t looked into it yet

It’s going to have the stuff I’ve mentioned done to it. It should be back up to par safety wise.

I’ve enjoyed driving it daily

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Ordered over $2k worth of parts to redo the brake and suspension systems. The transmission will be rebuilt too

Everything you can think of, I’ve got.


New core support
New tailgate band
New front bumper

All brakes parts
All suspension parts

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Sweet! Keep track of it all, and maybe GM will publish another article talking about all the upgrades this time- first front suspension rebuild in 50+ years (if true)- that kind of stuff.

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

It’s got the original shocks on it. I believe the original rotors and nearly everything but the pads(of course)

It’s going to be a nice truck once things start taking off

Re: Got the message!!! Grandfathers 1971 GMC
 

Here in a few days. The entire brake and suspension system will replaced. The new inner fenders will be popped in, along with the fender emblems. Going to paint match the original medium blue and get the scotchbrite out to make the truck all one color. The transmission will be sent off to be fully rebuilt and have a new torque converter installed as well

Had the blue carpet fully cleaned as well. The interior looks great