73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: VileZambonie on November 11, 2022, 08:31:00 AM
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Here's one I've been after for years, tucked in a barn peaking out at the world and teasing me every time I drove by. I reached out to the owner and he responded. Original owner, 58K miles, gave me the whole back story on it which I will post here later. We went back and forth a bit and turns out we had a lot in common beyond the truck, he was also an automotive teacher. Unfortunately he got sick and passed away before I got to meet him in person. His wife emailed me and I bought the truck and got it home. I power washed it a few times and pulled the spark plugs, shot pb blaster in the cylinders and got it to turn over. I'm going to throw some plugs in it and see if it will run. From what he told me, it hasn't ran since about 1989 so I'm sure the gas looks like tree sap, but we will see. I'm just happy to have it here now at its new home.
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That's a big fear of mine, getting into a big project, then die, and leave my wife (who is clueless when it comes to vehicle worth) in a mess.
I'm IN! for progress pics though. :D
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Well luckily for me my cousin is a wicked gearhead like me and would know what to do with all of my possessions.
I put a few gallons of gas in after changing the plugs and it started to pour out faster than I poured it in. Tank is rotted so no need to worry about bad fuel, it self-drained 8). I have a tank and sender in stock so once I get it on the lift, that will be going in. After I cleaned up the spillage, I rigged up a small feeder tank and got it started. It runs REALLY good! I mean after never running for at least 33 years, I am impressed. The brake pedal would not budge but with a little force it popped and there is no pedal. I picked up a new master, hoses, calipers, wheel cylinders, pads, shoes and rotors. One of my vendors sells AC Delco so most of it is all AC Delco, which sort of matters since my intent with this truck is a stock restoration. I mean what's an unmolested, original owner, 58k mile 1975 Jimmy worth 8) Time will tell ...
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Looking forward to seeing the pictures of your 75 Jimmy parked next to your 75 Blazer.
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Happy for you VZ! Patience paid off. Sorry you didn't get to hand the man his cash...maybe you'll get a chance to discuss it later.
Just me, but I notice that Jimmy's are not has hot as Chevy's in most categories, judging from auction sites like BaT.
A late 70's Blazer went for 80K yesterday, when a 77 GMC did not do so well- AT ALL!
For some, it's just adding to the family of cousins that results in the joy of bringing these trucks back to life.
Look forward to seeing the fruit of your labor!
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73-75 Jimmy's and Blazers are hot and in their own league altogether, so a 77 isn't a good comparison if you are looking at values. One just sold for $127K https://www.classic.com/m/gmc/jimmy/2nd-gen/year-1975/ This one being a one owner low mileage unit unmolested and original adds a lot to its value. I guess we'll see if and when I sell it.
I got a lot done this weekend, pulled the rear bumper and gas tank out. Replaced all of the fuel lines and brake lines/hoses. All new brakes, master, calipers, cylinders, rotors, drums etc. Ordered new brake cables, fuel tank and a bunch of other parts. Put a muffler on it and will do all of the fluids this week. I need to get it in good starting/stopping condition so I can move it around with ease.
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73-75 Jimmy's and Blazers are hot and in their own league altogether, so a 77 isn't a good comparison if you are looking at values. One just sold for $127K https://www.classic.com/m/gmc/jimmy/2nd-gen/year-1975/ This one being a one owner low mileage unit unmolested and original adds a lot to its value. I guess we'll see if and when I sell it.
Yes, they are in their own league. Highly sought after and top dollar on the auction block.
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I did a ton of work to this thing to get it in good mechanical order and then I ordered another $3k in parts for it. Update on things that were done:
Spark plugs, new battery, cables and starter. Replaced fuel tank, sending unit, made all new lines and installed vapor canister. Rebuilt the gauge cluster so all of the gauges work like new. Replaced the heater core and coolant. Fixed all of the wiring issues and lighting. New master cylinder, lines, brake cables, hoses, calipers, pads, rotors, wheel cylinders, drums, hardware & shoes. Changed the 35 year old oil. I cleaned out the interior really good so it's now just waiting for me to start the body work.
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VZ you've confirmed what we all suspected-
You're an ANIMAL!!
What a solid specimen! Cleanest firewall I have seen ever!
Question: did the Original owner have to move the lefts speaker up so he could hear it? ;D
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There was all sorts of weird stuff going on in this thing. The speakers as you see, a once upon a time CB radio carcass, an old alarm that you armed with a key switch, a war of the worlds map light, some kind of cable driven doohickey that I didn't figure out, and there is an old school tach and wiper delay that I fixed the wiring in and kept. Considering how bad these trucks get molested, this was nothing and he didn't butcher the factory wiring at all. All of this stuff was tapped at the fuse panel so I was able to just hit the "undo" button.
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What's the "bed" length?
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Nice, sounds like the old guy was the inventive type.
What I would give for a wiper delay. I think you can buy them, or go old school with a UT-1.
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Yes there are options for delay. Stewart, there really is no bed once the seat is in.
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Very cool. More photos, please!
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I got a large order in of body parts and tucked the Jimmy away for now. I am back on the 74 and am going to use the bed as an organ donor for the Jimmy. I am going to build another new bed for the 74. Between the roll pan which I no longer want, the cadillac taillights that I undid, the flying hub that hit it, it just made sense to start over and use the bed to repair the Jimmy since rear quarters are still unobtainium. It pains me to undo all of that work but, oh well. Git r done.
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That is a sweetheart looking K5.
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VZ, nice score ! I think we all dream of finding the unmolested '73-'75 Blazer/Jimmy, and now you're livin' the dream for us! You made reference to the body work. The floor looked pretty decent. Are the bedsides and other exterior panels in similar condition or rust in the typical locations? I think I am one or two more flips away from beginning to look for a '73-'75 project of my own. Your photos just added fuel to the fire! Keep us posted!
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There's one spot in the passenger rear near the tailgate that's blown out. The tailpan is shot, the exterior rear quarters are toast. The floor supports are toast, body mounts are shot, some front floor areas are crisp and blown out. The door bottoms are shot, the fenders are shot, the front valance is toast and the front fenders are done. I'll post more pix once I start the repairs.
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Geeez! Everything is either toast or shot!! How’s the ash tray?
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Hardly