My 85 GMC Project

[Turbo85GMC]

Here a couple of more pictures!!!

Junkyard Sports Bumper cleaned up and installed:


Ready for a cruise:

[Turbo85GMC]

As you can see in the pic from the last post, I finally got the new wheels on my truck. They are (if you didn't know) '94-'96 Impala SS wheels. I bought them from fellow board member (and good guy) smh292 back in... man, was it really a year ago?!

When I originally dropped the front, I put the rally wheels back on which required trimming of the lower a-arm and some other grinding for clearance. (you can read about that earlier in this thread) With the new larger wheels there is more clearance, but I did find out (the hard way) that there was still a clearance issue.

Turns out I have plenty of turn in the steering wheel (about 1-3/4x each way), a bit too much. From the looks of it, the steering stops on the el-cheapo drop spindles are a little too short. That allows the wheels to contact the a-arm, even thought they have been cut for clearance!

I didn't want to cut the a-arms any more and risk the chance of weakening them. So instead I made some custom adjustable steering stop extenders. I drilled and tapped a 1/4-20 hole in the end of the steering stop on the spindles. Inserted a stainless 1/4-20 bolt with a jam nut and, bingo-bango, no more lathe action on my new wheels!

(I'll try to remember to grab a picture next time I have one of the wheels off.)

[Turbo85GMC]

I had an appointment this past Friday at Midas to get the truck aligned. Took a day off from work and everything. When I rolled in they guy says "We can't align that, it's lowered." No $hit Sherlock, that's why I need it aligned! Now I have to find a real alignment shop.

Another delay. Damn it.

Progress Report:

• Install bed bolts. DONE!
• Bleed brake lines. DONE!
• Adjust brake shoes. DONE!
• Adjust parking brake cables. DONE!
• Get new battery. DONE!
• Order & Install new rear shocks. DONE!
• Install "sport" rear bumper. DONE!
• Bleed/Adjust brakes again. DONE!
• Swap out original wheels to new wheels. DONE!
• Alignment shop. Need to find a new shop!
• Exhaust shop. Postponed, it's good enough for now.
• Inspection.
• Drive it!

[Turbo85GMC]

As promised, here's a pic of the homemade steering stop.

[lnwlfbsktbll]

I was a little unsure about how those wheels would look, but I think you made a great choice now that I can see it. Awesome truck man and great progress.

[silvereagle07]

Looks really good. I like the Impala wheels with the trim and color. Are you going to take that step off?

[Turbo85GMC]

Thanks for the feedback guys!
I've got the steps off now. I think it looks way better with them gone.

Got my inspection sticker, so I'm street legal now!!!

Still have to get it aligned, trim/shorten/remove the front bumb stops, and get new tailpipes bent up with more clearance.

[Turbo85GMC]

Originally Posted by Turbo85GMC

As promised, here's a pic of the homemade steering stop.

Poked my head under the truck yesterday, saw that the steering stop bolts I put in were all bent up. Dang it, guess I need something a little stonger.
Oh well.

[team39763]

The truck looks good bro. I especially like the way it sits on those wheels/tires.

[Turbo85GMC]

Well it's been almost a year since my last update, so I thought I'd bring this thread back from the dead! Like everyone, life gets in the way sometimes and the truck takes a back burner. But now I'm back to it again!

My current goal is to make the truck more of a daily driver. Not that I'll drive it every day, but I want to be able to take it to work for fun and not worry about making it there. I want to be able to jump in and go when I find a "can't-pass-it-up" deal on Craig's List. I want to be able to cruize down to get ice cream without having to do a 1000 point checkup on it. So, that's the direction I'm heading.

I had previously dropped the front suspension with 2.5" spindles and 2" (I think) springs. I love the look, but I'm tearing up my rims and tires. This weekend I swapped out the 2" spings for a set of 1" spings. I haven't road tested it yet, but the clearance looks better now.

I also replaced the final piece of the e-brake cable, the piece that goes from the pedal to under the cab. I had previously replaced everything from there back when I did the rear suspension work. But it would still stick when the pedal was released. I'd have to climb half under the truck and pull on the cable to get it to loosen. Not only embarrasing, but not really that safe either. Now it works awesome!

I've noticed a couple of electrical gremlins have taken up residence since the truck has been sitting so long. The headlights don't seem to want to work, and the right blinker is stuck permenantly on. Thanks wet New England weather!

[85/Silverado]

What is causing the " tearing up my rims and tires."? I want to do my 85 Silverado about the same drop.