81 K10 Build

[Mike81K10]

Thanks 80K20! A little rough doing everything alone to include lifting and putting on the hood and other parts without scratching them, kinda of feels good to do it all myself though. Got started installing my fenders. Got the passenger side on and still need a little adjustments. I buffed it outa bit more prior to install it. Had to cut the half circle out above the top shock on the wheel well with a jig saw and touch it up, it was a replacement years ago and it never did fit right until now (I think for 4WD it was supposed to be cut out from the beginning). Will try to get the DS Fender on tomorrow. I am happy the pin stripe lines appear to be lining up, I had used measurements to paint them and never did put the fender and doors together until now.

[VileZambonie]

Looks like your door to fender gap is tight. Make sure your radiator support is loose so you can adjust the gaps good. It's lookin real good and having a helper can make things worse because you might settle vs power through the struggle. 

[Mike81K10]

Thanks VZ, always appreciate advice from you. I do have the radiator support loose and all the bolts are not tight yet, to include the wheel well bolts. I left them loose to try and work the gaps tomorrow to get them right. Does feel good to start getting more done though and I was happy the lines are looking OK because I was actually concerned about how they would work out. The hood will need some adjustments as well.

[JohnnyPopper]

I'm not there on my '80, but imaging using my cherry picker to assist on some things.

Great job, reaching 'critical mass' !!

[Mike81K10]

Got back on the truck today. Got the gaps straight and happy with them. Door opens and closes fine. All bolts are in both the fender and wheel well and a couple of Wheel Well bolts had an attitude but they finally played nice. Went ahead and installed the battery tray. The fender where it mounts to the cowl is where the alignment problems was. Thought I might need to use a shim. However, I though about things over night and decided to remove the fender and hit that flat area of the fender a few times that lays on the cowl with a rubber mallet to bend it down a little and it worked perfect, no shims needed.

Will need to adjust the hood to fix the gaps and make them even.

[VileZambonie]

Nice!

[mrghostwalker]

Looking good!

[Mike81K10]

Thanks all! Now have both fenders on. Been a long time since the truck had its fenders. Still need to adjust the hood gap a bit and some of the wheel well bolts on the drivers side. The door gap seems OK and it opens and closes well. Much more to put together and have to finish the A/C install. It seems the body lines are lining up well, which is a relief.

[1980K20]

That's nice work, looking good!

[Mike81K10]

Been awhile since I was able to work on my truck and have not been on line much. Been raining quite a bit and finally got some work done today. I got my hood aligned and gaps fixed today. Was a big relief! I also started installing items back under my hood such as the Washer bottle, Vacuum Canister, Hooked up my horn, and installed most of the front lighting harness. I also sanded my wheels down and repainted them (epoxy primer, argent, and 2k clear). Will get the tires swapped off the wheels they are one and install the new ones before long.

[Mike81K10]

Finally installing my wire harness and got the fuse box in. Had to get a couple of new small bolts with nuts to replace the two screws that where stripped out. The center bot was fine. I also got a need new jack (Green - One of my favorite Colors) so I can remove my wheels and get the tires put on the new rally wheels that I refinished. In the evening and during bad weather when could not work on my truck I built a plastic model truck. The only one I could find was a 1984 GMC model. I used the same paint on my truck to do the model to look like my truck, the best I could.

[1980K20]

Great progress, and I especially love the model!

[mrghostwalker]

I like the matching wagon wheels!
By the way, where did you find the model?

[Mike81K10]

Found the model at Hobby Lobby. It was labeled 1984 GMC Pickup/Camion 1/25 Scale name of truck was Deserter, model by MPC. I painted the under carriage and the shocks to look like Bilsteins. Been raining quite a bit lately and it gave me something to do when I could not work on my truck. The model is done now and I am sure my wife will ensure I have much to do when I can't work on my truck.

[Mike81K10]

My Fuel Tank Selector Valve did not want to work. I got it cleaned up and lubricated the internal springs and such and got it working good. Mounted it on my truck. Prior to fixing it I looked around and was going to buy a new one but I do not like the new ones out there. Has anyone seen a Selector Valve that looks like mine? It says McCord WINN on it. It seems to be a bit larger and it appears to have a larger motor on it than the new ones. Just look better built and I am glad I was able to get it working.