1986 Blue Whale

[ssapach]

I just joined up here so I figure I will share some pics and info about my upcoming project.

I found this 1986 GMC 3500 4x4 for sale online and I had to jump on it for its condition.  You have a hard time finding this old of a truck in this shape in the area I live. 

131 000 original km's when I picked it up.  It was originally gas but was converted to propane in the early 90's.  Its a 454 with SM465/NP205, power windows, power locks, a/c, tilt steering, and luckily intermittent wipers.  The seats were like brand new as they've been covered all the time.

Of course nothing is perfect.  The truck could use repaint, needs some seals and bearings, probably some u-joints as well and definately park brake cables and possible brake pads.  The exhaust is pretty rotten and I noticed it needs a new cab corner.  The windows are also quite slow to move, but they do all roll down and up.  Also only my 2 front doors unlock with the power locks.

But this thing rides and handles like a dream considering its age and how it was built.  I personally thought it would be much harder riding considering its a leaf sprung 1 ton, but its rather smooth and has very tight steering.

I'm still undecided as to what I'm doing for an engine.  Being a GM product there are many options out there to replace my existing 454.  But I recently picked up a good used ZF-6 from a 2wd Chev and I have a divorced NP205 to go behind that.

I'm always looking for constructive ideas.  And don't be surprised to see me asking questions about my truck in the future.

[Laderhosen]

Nice truck, I really like it. Why are you replacing the 454???

[Canadian 4X4]

Welcome, That is a sweet looking truck!

[slammed79]

Nice truck, I really like it. Why are you replacing the 454???

Probably to haul all that welding gear and get more than a couple miles to the gallon.

As far as ideas, a popular one is to toss a cummins and a NV4500 in it, there are several guys on the forum that are either doing this currently or already have it done. This is a killer swap for our trucks. Another idea, depending on your budget would be a 6.6 duramax/ allison swap, unless you're heart is set on a stick.

[ssapach]

I don't necessarily need to get rid of the 454, but it currently runs on propane so at the very least I need to convert it to gasoline.  If I could find a good donor truck for the 454 TBI setup I might consider that, but they don't seem to be that common in wrecking yards around here.

I was looking at a fresh built 454 with about 425 ponies but it isn't exactly cheap, and a newer engine with wiring could be had for much less or possibly a Cummins swap. 

I like the thought of a Duramax, but again I need a good donor vehicle to get the pieces required for the swap.

Like I said, lots of options for GM trucks and engines.

For the time being it will stay as propane because I don't travel far from home with it yet and it does the job so far.

But I do have my heart set on keeping it a manual transmission, practically why I bought the ZF-6 when I found it for sale.

[bake74]

    Very nice truck, and welcome from California..

[thirsty]

Nice looking truck. I like the single cab dually in the background too!

[ssapach]

I rather loved that regular cab dually.  It was a 1985 GMC, 350, 4 speed 4x4.  Judging by the smell it either came from a pig farm or had mice beyond belief.

It started and ran, had new brakes and hubs on the front end.  But unfortunately it had 315000 km's and was quite the rust bucket.  You could put your feet through the floor on both sides.  I didn't have a suitable donor body lined up in time and the crew cab dually showed up for sale so the reg cab went to the scrapper and I brought home the crew cab.

[ssapach]

I figure I'll add a few more pictures for everyone's viewing pleasure.

[Grim 82]

Looks like a good workhorse. Too bad about the regular cab dually. You don't see alot of those around anymore.

[beastie_3]

That is such a great find!

[ssapach]

Well I've been waiting for 6 weeks and I finally got to see my pickup in a shiny new coat of paint.

Unfortunately, it wasn't ready to pick up today so it has to sit at the shop for 10 more days because I had to come back to work.  It should be all done with a box liner and all by the time I get home.

This is how it looked in the paint booth this afternoon, the guys were still working on putting everything back together.









I'll definitely need a for more things for it, like a new grill and new light covers all around.  But it looks 10x better than ever before!

About 4 weeks ago it looked like this:







And before that:





Wasn't too bad on the parts replacements required.  2 cab corners, front inner fenders and 2 dual fenders.  On that note I would like to express my absolute hatred towards United Products out of California.  I ordered the dual fenders through them and they were pretty trashy for brand new fenders that they claim were stronger than the stock.  I wonder if they ever saw a stock dual fender from one of these trucks?  Oh well, live and learn I guess.  By the time I had the fenders, it wouldn't have been worth my time and effort to try to return them because half the cost was in shipping alone.  They worked, but they are definately more delicate than the old fenders.

[starkey]

That is a sharp truck man! Good work!

[slammed79]

Looks great!

[Jason S]

Very nice.  From the photos, it looks like the paint shop did a great job.