Ugly Truck

Well here is my latest toy.... as if I don't have enough. This is one ugly truck, but therein lies its charm. I got this from a friend who just did not have time for it. Overall it is pretty decent but will need a full going over, cleaning and painting along with some repairs.

I like the long bed step side but I think I will lose the rear bumper in favor of an original style. Also I think the transplanted bucket seats will go and I will fit a newer style for better comfort.

It has a 305 V6 big block, a bit rare but a good engine.

It took me about 3 hours to take down the entire front end as some bolts were very rusty. Next the engine and tranny will be removed for cleaning and repair.

The fenders are pretty much not worth fixing, they have been repaired before and I think they are too far gone. All the other parts of the front end are savable. 

I'm thinking of shortening the steering column about 2-3 inches as it does not give you much room to the seat.

The engine, while running, was in need of disassembly, cleaning and new gaskets. And while in the process of that I replaced the timing chain, main bearings, connecting rod bearings and had the heads reworked to include hardened seats so I can run unleaded gas.

Amazing what some paint and hard work can get you. Very nice!

The frame was next, after a complete sandblasting, I sprayed POR to keep it looking good for many years. I was surprised to find that after all these years the truck had only one bad tie rod that needs to be replaced, everything else was still good.

Here the left rocker was removed and now we have to deal with the rust and replace parts. Some are not available and must be fabricated from scratch.

I did buy a replacement floor piece but was VERY disappointed as it was an awful fit. I think for what they charge and the fact that it is supposed to fit, they should buy a tape measure... not even close!

Now the floor section is in place and we made a piece to fix a rust hole in the door post area. The hole you see in the floor is because we need to move the body mount hole they provided as it was 4 inches out of where it belonged. Both sides of the truck are being repaired and I am only showing the drivers as it is pretty much all the same.

I mentioned that when a part is not available we fab up our own. Here is an example of a lower door post we made for this truck, fits perfectly and will replace the rusted lower area.

The firewall has been painted so I can reinstall the engine on the frame. This is much easier then with the fenders in place. I will reassemble as much of the engine compartment as I can before the body panels go back on. Yes I know it's dusty and yes I know the red and copper clash, but its the proper color of an old GMC motor.

Here is an example of a typical hood repair to this era truck, just a simple cut and paste. Both side and the inside brace were repaired.

The fenders had some very typical rust in areas and givin the price to replace them I decided to repair them instead.

After some fabricating effort the result is nice.

Here is a straight forward cut and paste patch.

My neighbor Doug is a Tinner by trade and is amazing with his ability to lay out a design and bend it with diminishing angles to match the original. I would have had a great deal more time invested into this repair without his help.

the door were also in need of some repair. They do not make the early style door shell, however, they do make the patch peices.