SMason's 78 GMC K25 4x4 Build Thread

[Scott M]

So im on to the latest little project for this truck....

I had a buddy hit me up today asking if i was interested in a ranchhand full replacement bumper for my f350. the condition is about a 3 to 4 out of 10 the powdercoating peeling off everywhere and some rust cause it came from a truck up north.  i then immediatly realized i didnt want to spend the money to make it nice enough to put it on my f350 and started dreaming about putting it on the gmc...

so we talked it all out and i convinced myself of what all i would have to do in order to make it look good and mount up to the gmc.

the first priority is to get all the paint off and either get it media blasted or sanding and grinding it.  Prolly sand and grind cause I would have to pay to get the other option.  Then I am going to measure it all out and mock it up and start trimming and cutting it to the look that i have in my head. make the brackets needed to mount it to the frame.  then coat it with a bedliner and call it a day.

I think it might turn out looking good and i plan on beefing it up in the middle in order to mount a winch.  has anybody else done anything similar? Also I was told to ask if there are already a generic type bracket that somebody makes? In my head I know about what its going to take to make a bracket hopefully it all works out.

What yall think? I know its going to be work and alot of it but I think it will be worth it especially what little i will have in it.  I have a pic of it but will have to post it later.

[Scott M]

Its a little hard to imagine but i have a really good idea i guess ill just have to go with it. Im going to cut the wrap around parts off and make it where it sits flat across the front.  The bars that wrap around to protect headlights will be cut and i will either weld a pipe the same size that cuts them off similiar to almost a bull bar look but still let them come down at an angle haha its hard to talk about so ill just post pics and be detailed as i do the work.

If your interested how this just check on the thread every once in awhile.  It wont be a fast build im hoping to get it done in the next month or so but i know how that goes.

ill keep yall posted...

[Scott M]

Anybody? lol

[Don5]

I say go for it. These trucks really look good lifted with a winch and brushguard mounted on the front bumper. You would be giving some us ideas which is never a bad thing with these trucks.

[Scott M]

Don5,

Im thinking it will look good and I cant wait to get it on there and post pics up for everyone to see.  I started grinding it down with a gator wheel and flap disk.  Hope to work on it an hr or so everyday till its done during the week.  I will keep this updated and post pics through the progression and snags!

Thanks for the input!

[Scott M]

Alright I want to give an update....

I got the bumper on.  it is still not painted and it is not completely finished welding wise.  The tubes that cover the lights and are suppose to wrap around I cut those.  I am going to re weld the end so that extends just inside the dimensions of the front of the truck.  its hard to explain.  Also going to have to take it back down to fully prep and paint with bedliner.  over all im satisfied with the way it turned out.  took all weekend pretty much to get it on. the custom brackets were sorta a pain to do be cause it was picking up the bumper with the engine hoist look at it measure put it dow move it then do it all over again about 10 times or so.  the front turn signals are not on along with the cowl? maybe that what its called still got to figure those out.

anyways here are a couple of pics with it on the truck.  like i said still needs alot of work but its on there.....

[Don5]

I have to say that bumper looks mean as heck. It should put the fear of God into anyone thinking about pulling out in front of you. You can pull the look off since you have a 3/4 ton with 38's. If it were mine I would cut off the two small bottom pieces and run a tube around the headlights. Just a thought...Looking pretty good tho.

[Scott M]

I have to say that bumper looks mean as heck. It should put the fear of God into anyone thinking about pulling out in front of you. You can pull the look off since you have a 3/4 ton with 38's. If it were mine I would cut off the two small bottom pieces and run a tube around the headlights. Just a thought...Looking pretty good tho.

Yea man i was hoping you would check it out since you were interested! yea im not completely set on the headlight bars but im up for anything! Im pittle around and take everybodys considerations into finalizing it.  The first thing me and my buddy said after we stepped back and looked was we joked "Welp now ready for the zombie apocalypse" but im really glad how the lower part of the bumper turned out and looks, i was worried it would hang too low and stuff but we were really able to mount it wherever we wanted since we made custom brackets.  i wanted to go about 1 to 2 inches higher but we decided on that spot due to the headlights and the bars.  but in the end that might not even matter...oh well im ok with where it sits.

thanks for looking and anyone else who wants to leave feed back negative or positive im ok with that.  just keep in mind its still a work in progress any ideas would be appreciated to...

[Don5]

LOL. You are not ready for the zombie apocalypse. You need to take a grinder to all of the edges and sharpen them up. THEN you are ready for the zombies. Just sayin...

[Scott M]

Ill post an update after i get it all completed. after paint and finish welding it and also ima put some led spots in the two square holes and weld support so i can put a winch on it. 

[enaberif]

I say cut off those 3 vertical bars and that thing will be meannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

[Don5]

I would be a little nervous right now if he was behind me in traffic. I bet everyone sitting in front of you hopes you get stopped in time! My thinking is this " This is going to hurt if he doesn't get stopped". LOL.

[Scott M]

I say cut off those 3 vertical bars and that thing will be meannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

Im really contemplating just cutting them....

[LTZ C20]

The truck looks like you stole it off the set of the new Mad Max movie. Pretty mean looking.

[Don5]

I would cut the top bar flush where the hood bar comes down and keep the hood bar on it. Remove the other two bars. You need to put a flat bug shield on the hood with the words MOVE OVER NOW spelled backwards. THAT ought to put the fear of God into any prius' out there.