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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Members Rides => Topic started by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:02:31 pm

Title: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:02:31 pm

rebuilt over the last 2ish years, my 79 was falling apart from the salt and rust, and being daily driven for 8 years, so decided to go for it and do a full rebuild:

started with a solid frame, resurfaced and painted black,  you can see the shine on the crossmember. had a buddy with a hi-ab crane lift the cab to go back on the frame, saved a lot of effort.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:06:05 pm

dad made a bed lift frame for the engine hoist, worked great to get it off the front edge and back on the frame, the bed is rust free- was a great find up here. also shown is the electric fans from a windstar van that i now have on toggle switches in the ashtray, for on/off with temp, and both on. also realized how hard it is to replace the front header panel with the bed mounted, was a bad choice..... will do it off the truck if i have to again lol.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:09:17 pm

made some brackets for a 75 grill to fit the 78 rad support, they work great. Also nabbed a set of 68-72 gmc fender badges to out on, love the look of them. also pictured is the interior from the 79 truck from before.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:12:05 pm

here is the tach/fuel combo gauge installed, works perfect and allows for a trans temp gauge in the dummy spot on the side,.

then i found the cab rust.... from tar paper sound deadener and paint, i didn't find until i started sanding for paint, so back on the grinder to get rid of the cancer. took way longer then i wanted, as i can only work on it on saturdays.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:14:21 pm

Started final sprint for painting, sealer primer and high build, and alot of sanding, as expected, the last 10% takes the longest...
also stirring up the light quasar blue metallic, mesmerizing

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:15:56 pm

final taping off before going into the portable garage/paint booth, last pics are after first clear coat.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:17:45 pm

right after the last coats, about to button up for the weekend to cure/no touchie.
the filter shows what lungs would look like. please wear a mask when painting!

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:23:02 pm

fresh out of the booth and getting ready for reassembly. also decided way too late to not use some bed holes, so i used red fender washers and stainless bolts, they look good enough and will serve as a reminder to make up my mind before the paint hits a gun....

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:25:54 pm

finally, trim attachment, 3d printed some tailgate band brackets, after refreshing the trim and cab trim. super happy with the truck, now i have to replace the transmission (700r thats slipping) and its good to go again! just need some fender trim, painted to match the 77 yellow, and its all set.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: VileZambonie on February 21, 2017, 12:33:33 pm

Nice job!

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:47:20 pm

thanks Vile, not pictued here is the Vintage air AC install, went pretty easily, I've lost the pictures, and of course, by the time i got it all back together, it was cool enough for no AC.... figures lol.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: Irish_Alley on February 23, 2017, 09:00:45 am

good job. nice looking truck

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: blazer74 on February 23, 2017, 06:37:46 pm

Nice!

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: harcorshe on February 24, 2017, 09:42:31 am

Very nice! That's a great color choice.

Title: Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
Post by: MrFats on March 05, 2017, 02:07:22 pm

Quote from: Armor on February 21, 2017, 12:23:02 pm

fresh out of the booth and getting ready for reassembly. also decided way too late to not use some bed holes, so i used red fender washers and stainless bolts, they look good enough and will serve as a reminder to make up my mind before the paint hits a gun....

Love it man!!!


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