I had started this project in 2009. 1977 GMC step side K-15 4x4. 350 4 bolt main v-8, chain driven transfer case, 3.73 gears in 10 bolt rear ends, 5" lift, 35" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws..
We stripped it down to a raw frame that I could literally pick up with one hand which we carried to a media blaster and had blasted with Walnut shells down to raw metal. Frame was then coated with POR15. All rust was wire wheeled from any used component that was re-used. Completely new brake system with braided stainless brake lines.
350 V-8 was resprayed to Chevy Hugger Orange. Vintage Edelbrock Chrome valve covers, Edelbrock performer intake manifold, Holley 600 CFM carb, gear driven timing chain, and Hooker Ceramic Coated Longtube Headers with Cherry bomb oval mufflers (not Cherry bomb glass packs though). MSD billet aluminum high power distributor, wires etc. New aluminum high flow radiator and electric cooling fan. Column shifted automatic trans will be re-routed to a floor shifted B&M drag shifter.
New chrome pulleys, chrome 145 amp alternator, new Edelbrock water pump, new chrome fuel pump.
UPDATE: Checked casting numbers on the heads and they are 041 heads with a cast date of March 6 1970 The actual version of the heads is still a mystery for now. Nothing on the net or the gm bible about the number we pulled off the head. I will update this when/if I find out more
Interior-
I went through 3 donor trucks till I settled on the cab you see here. Even still the firewall was ate through with rust and of course the corners of the cab were as well. Those little triangle windows and sliding rear window glass leaked and rust ate the heck out of this cab. Every single donor cab suffered the same fate. The body shop did all this work over the course of 3 years. The cab has a full Billet aluminum steering column we'll be installing along with kick panel 6" speakers, new vinyl flooring, fresh upholstered bench seat and vintage gauges. Steering wheel is mahogany. Rich mahogany.
Front clip: 's dual cowl induction hood with hood reinforcement kit. Also in the gargae and to be installed-billet aluminum grill, new chrome headlight buckets, new blue l.e.d. side marker lights and I used rear taillights that are 31 ford t-bucket coupe hotrod that are chrome dipped.
Resto mod?
It's not a numbers matching truck. Far far from it. The chassis is '77, the cab is 78, the bed is early 80's.
I could have gone tacky on a lot of things especially interior and styling stuff but wanted the truck to have a bit of nostalgic hot rod feel to it. The 31 ford taillights are L.E.D reproductions but definitely not the OEM trailer type lights it came with. The engine is a mystery. I don't know the HP or the model year of it. It is not the original. The original only made an anemic 170 horsepower (the 70's as we know were not good to V-8's). I'm guessing it is only at most 250-275 hp even with the bolt on mods I made. I will use a modern but vintage appearing stereo head unit. I retained the classic 1977 bench seat and I also retained and upgraded the wood bed.
The wood bed was a massive under taking. I used cabinet grade oak planks with no knots. I had them clear coated with 2 quarts of Lacquer clear coat sprayed on in a paint booth by the body guy and all hardware for install is polished stainless steel.
The body and paint. What you see here is black paint layed down as only maybe only a few guys in the entire country could do. All rust repairs are completely flawless and there is absolutely zero orange peel and zero runs or hair or junk anywhere on this paint. It's beautiful beyond words. I've seen alot of show cars and I havent seen one with a cleaner paint job in any color let alone black.
PICS
in somewhat Chronological order
Retirement. The day I bought her
Frame back from media blaster, lift kit installed, rears reinstalled, new tires and rims, new fuel cell new bumper.
Engine, trans and transfer reinstalled with all upgrades and new coat of traditional Chevy hugger orange
Trans pan
Failed attempt at skipping wood bed and going with diamond plate..
Say goodbye. Bodyman Jody takes on the biggest headache of his career...
Fast forward about 3 years... And there she is.
When I say Jody Taylor is best painter on the East Coast I say this because I mean it.
Proper wood bed with 2 quarts of clear coat lacquer sprayed in a booth, all stainless hardware.
I love the rugged big shoulders of a short box stepside. Always have since I was a kid.
Get away from my truck lil guy!