1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 Full Convertible

[79diesel]

too cool! looking good

[Mike Phillips]

Big thanks to everyone on this forum for all the help I've received in getting the Jimmy to where it is today. 


THANK YOU!

My first post here related to the Jimmy Project was asking for help converting this truck from a manual 4-speed to an automatic and it's now sporting a 700R4 from 1985/1986 with no computer controls.  I had Dana Sniff rebuild it and install a real shift kit into it and when you floor it and go through the gears the front end jerks up hard from 1st gear to second gear and I like it that way.

Converting a 4 speed to an automatic
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6977.msg39577

The top has been off since about 1 week after finishing the conversion to an automatic and it's likely never going on again, I've already removed all the carpet so when it rains the water can find it's own way out and what doesn't will evaporate.

I have a 454 sitting on an engine stand waiting to be installed in place of the 350 small block Chevy, just need some time and a few components for the engine swap.

Until then this Jimmy is a BLAST! to drive, even though it has a stock small block, it does have Doug Thorely Headers that dump out to Flowmasters with 2" pipe throughout so it sounds good.  4-Wheel disc brakes so it stops on a dish plate, (not a dime but close).

Basic stereo system which is more than enough and seat belts for 5 people... what more could you want?

Best of all is my son, who is 9 and is also a car guy like his dad, absolutely loves driving around with me in the Jimmy.

We do try to be practical about it as this is our "toy" and to make up for the gas mileage I'm fixing up a 1974 Datsun Truck for a parts chaser and long distance commuter to work.   I chose a 1974 because here in California you don't have to smog anything from 1975 and older and it will get about 20 mpg if I keep my foot out of it.  Just to note, this is an automatic model too...


Before





Side-by-side



After





Anyway... just thought I would share the surf board picture and say thanks to everyone on the forum...

 

[79diesel]

nice datsun..and boat! it would look cool behind the jimmy

[Bowtie4004x4]

 The Datsun comes with that parking brake or was it special ordered? Seriously the blazer is awesome and looks like a bunch of fun. Boats and Blazers seem to go together especially with the top dropped and surf board. Great ride.

[Mike Phillips]

I've only taken the boat out twice since buying it but so far it's been a blast...

This one is after the Father/Son Campout back in August,

 

The boat is an all original 1967 Starline DeVille



Seats fold down into beds so we camped inside the boat and off the ground... (Desert is fully of all kinds of creepy, crawling things)



Boat has a 120 hp 4 cylinder Iron Duke, runs out at 45 miles per hour, only paid $2000.00 for it...





Jimmy needs and is getting a big block for a little more power pulling the boat down the road...


 

[JRConnieK10]

Man, thanks for the mini vacation sitting at my desk busy with paper work I just looked at those pics and stepped out to the lake for a minute. That was very relaxing. I feel so much better now.

[Blazin]

My father had three of those Datsun pickups. Cant kill them, they all rusted away, but still ran cherry.

[DnStClr]

That's a great looking Jimmy, Mike. Nice job! I'll bet that boy of yours has his sights set on it. AND the boat,er- camper Ha!

[Mike Phillips]

Maiden Voyage - Took the Jimmy 4-Wheeling to Johnson Valley Dry Lake Beds

After trimming the fenders  so the 35" Boggers would fit with plenty of travel clearance while travelling over rough terrain, my son Rand and I took our 1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 on her maiden voyage to Johnson Valley Dry Lake Beds to test her out.  We bought this truck just about 1 year ago as a Father/Son project truck and weekend toy as well as boat puller.

Here's our first post on 73-87ChevyTrucks.com for this project
Time Stamp:  January 20, 2008, 10:44:27 PM
Thread: Converting a 4 speed to an automatic


Since purchasing the truck off eBay it's underwent a number of changes and there are a few more to go, for example we're going to install a 454 Big Block Chevy starting sometime in March or April of this year.  After that some rollbar and rollcage work on the interior, a new hood, some better seats, a suspension upgrade, probably an 8" lift kit with new front and rear springs, a shackle flip and then a new stereo system and CB radio with a PA Speaker, (Son wants the PA Speaker)

We would like to thank everyone on this forum for all their help in answering all the multitude of questions we've posted and seeing us through to the success we've experienced so far.

Thank you!


Without futher ado....

Eat my dust...
This is what it looked like following us in on the State Park dirt road. 



Johnson Valley Dry Lake Beds is about 15 miles out of a small desert town called Lucurne which is a small town on the way to Big Bear Lake in the high California Desert.







This is my son Rand





Real men, (and real boys),  don't use doors; they climb up the tread lugs on the tire and swing in by holding onto the rollbar



This is Daphne The Dark Overlord, Destroyer of Planets and Civilizations



This is me (Son took picture)



First Test - This trail going up this bluff is actually a lot steeper than it looks in the picture
(Rand opted to stay at the bottom of the hill and take pictures) 














Going back down



If you get too far right, chances are good you'll rollover





Safe and sound...



Parting Shots...




Summary
Didn't get any flat tires, didn't roll the truck and didn't break anything so all-and-all it was a great first 4-Wheeling experience!

[zieg85]

Thank you for sharing

[JRConnieK10]

Looks liike you had an awesome time. Thanks for sharing with us. Great pictures also.

[Captkaos]

Thanks for sharing.  Awesome pics.  What did you do to the original rollbar in the back?  It looks like you already added one to the truck.

[Mike Phillips]

 What did you do to the original rollbar in the back?  It looks like you already added one to the truck.

I found a factory full roll bar for sale from a 1972 Blazer.  Bought it, removed the rear roll bar and replaced it with the full roll bar.  I still have the rear roll bar in storage but like the safety of the full roll bar.  I'm also going to add some more bar to the front up to the windshield and then down to the floor.  Then add a handle on both sides to hold onto and the components between Batman and Robin you see here,



Thinking about painting the Jimmy black and creating the "Bat Truck".  One of my friends owns a Batmobile recreation, I've buffed it out a few times and it's pretty cool.  He said he could help me to obtain the parts I need to create my own version of a Bat Truck.  (Just in the thinking stage right now)

This is my son going for a ride,

[JRConnieK10]

Thats cool.

[choptop]

I like the Batmobile!