1976 GMC K15 Stepside Restoration (Lots Of Pics)

[76GMCSPORT]

Hello everyone, I apologize for not regularly updating this forum with pictures of my progress over the past year, between work, school and sports I have been quite busy.  However, I have been taking many, many pictures of my progress and uploading them to a Google Photos album.  Since last year, I have named the truck "Lucy" and have made significant progress in the restoration procedure.  I am nearly finished prepping my bed components, and have plans to get the remainder of the bed painted and finished by this time next week. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask!

Thank You for reading!

Google Photos Link:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/tli5hA8KPFxf84753

[77 Scottsdale]

It looks perfect!

[76GMCSPORT]

Thank you! I would have much rather posted individual pictures and describe each one, but apparently my picture file size is too large. 

[Rapid Roy]

   Lots of pics and work. Good job.

[76GMCSPORT]

Thank You Roy!  If you have any questions please feel free to ask

[AZ4X4SQBDY]

The photos really show how much work it really is to bring one back to life and you started with a really decent truck. Having done step side beds before, they are a pain in the .....  . At least you had a gently used one to start with and didn't have to replace anything other than the wood.

Nice work!
 

[76GMCSPORT]

The photos really show how much work it really is to bring one back to life and you started with a really decent truck. Having done step side beds before, they are a pain in the .....  . At least you had a gently used one to start with and didn't have to replace anything other than the wood.

Nice work!
 

You are 100% correct, they are a huge pain! Thank you for the kind words!

[mattevandavis]

Love the color.  Did you do new wood in the bed?

[76GMCSPORT]

Love the color.  Did you do new wood in the bed?

Not yet, I haven't made a decision on the route I want to go for bed wood.  My plan for the truck is for it to be my daily driver on nice days and I do plan on using it as a truck, so I have been thinking about using a synthetic wood like a decking material such as Trex.  I figure this would be more durable and if I decide to truly build it into a show truck later on, I can always swap out that material and install quality bed wood.  This idea is open to suggestions so if anyone has any ideas or has tried decking material in their bed, please let me know.

Thank You!

[roundhouse]

I used rough cut cedar planks from a big box hardware store

Cut a groove on the edge with a table saw or a router

I chose cedar because it’s a daily driver

The shiny oak beds look great at the car show but if you put any type of finish on the wood and let it get rained on it WILL peel off and look terrible

The biggest problem is that the sides of the bed actually sit on the wood
So you have to raise the bed up and support it somehow

For the bolts that actually hold the bed to the frame   We welded those to the metal support on the bed and carved  out the wood a little

I didn’t like the bolts going Thru the wood and depending on the wood to hold the entire bed on

We ordered the strips new but just bought the bolts and washers and nuts locally
There’s right at 100 bolts holding the wood strips

And then all the existing bolts will have to be cut off with a grinder because they will all be rusty

[76GMCSPORT]

Thank you for the suggestion roundhouse! Great Pics!

[rayjos_1]

I am impressed with your skills and perseverance for such a young person. That was hard work and dedication. I wish I had halfof what you've got! That is one beautiful truck. Hope you enjoy it for a long long time.

[JohnnyPopper]

Very Inspiring Bradley! I need to get back on my '80 and git her dunnn!

[SmokeShow]

Excellent job young man. You've built a really nice truck!