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Author Topic: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth  (Read 7301 times)

Offline Armor

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78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« 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.
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #1 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.
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #2 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.
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #4 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
« Last Edit: February 21, 2017, 12:20:31 pm by Armor »
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #5 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.
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #6 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!
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #7 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....
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #8 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.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2017, 12:33:33 pm »
Nice job!
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Offline Armor

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #10 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.
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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2017, 09:00:45 am »
good job. nice looking truck
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Offline blazer74

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2017, 06:37:46 pm »
Nice!
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Offline harcorshe

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2017, 09:42:31 am »
Very nice! That's a great color choice.
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'78 K20
454
TH400
14 Bolt
205 Transfer Case

Offline MrFats

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Re: 78 gmc Heavy Half - rebirth
« Reply #14 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!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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