Dad's 1979 GMC Heavy Half Transformation

[Dads79GMC]

Don't know why the pictures are not upright, they're correct on my Mac?

[Dads79GMC]

Changed out the truck exhaust manifold with a set off a GM Crate LSx, fit much better by far!!!!

[Dads79GMC]

Another pic of exhaust manifold

[gmachinz]

Lookin awesome!!

[Dads79GMC]

Thanks GM

[OutlawDrifter]

Details on the rear disc brake setup?

[Dads79GMC]

The disc brake set-up is at the following link:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=382633

Parts list:
-Purchased caliper "bracket" from the link above.
-93-97 Camaro F-Body rear brake calipers from local parts store.
-94-96 Impala SS/Malibu rear rotor from NAPA.
-E-Brake cable(s) for 93-97 Camaro F-Body from NAPA

Most calipers will not come with the E-Brake spring/bracket/damper. Not sure where I got the parts, may have been at "Hawks" Third Generation Camaro???

http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/page...ject-Cars.html

May have to give them a call.

Mike

[Dads79GMC]

Here are some close-ups of the rear brakes.

[Dads79GMC]

Some work done tonight.

[Dads79GMC]

Spent the evening putting together the front end. I still have to tighten the sleeves when I get the body on.

[gmachinz]

http://www.tsmmfg.net/

This company is one I've used many times with great success too. Skip runs the order desk and he has a TON of knowledge with disc brake swaps. They CNC brackets for use on our trucks too-TSM has recently managed to secure a company that reproduces the late 70's-early 80's WS6 and Caddy style rear calipers and they are 100% NEW parts!! Brand new castings, hardware and pistons!! No more rebuilt inferior calipers....they offer 100% new now. Also, www.controlcables.com will make any type of brake cable-you only need an overall length and pics of each end-they build to suit. If anybody wants a custom rear brake kit-these guys are a small outfit but have a lot of hands on knowledge-based out of Castle Rock, CO.

[Dads79GMC]

That's good stuff Machinz! I probably have about the same amount of money into my conversation as TSMMFG has theirs advertised for, maybe a little less. Much easier to buy it all at once!!!!!!!! Mike

[gmachinz]

I used TSM when I did my white 79 Monte which was more of a pro touring build. I found out TSM makes the majority of the brackets for companies like SSBC and others. At the time they couldn't get NEW caliper housings and pistons-now they have a source for NEW ones so their kits can be ordered as 100% new although with the slightly older designed calipers-notnthe PBR ones you have. Or, their kits can also use stock front calipers which bolt to the rear if ebrake cables is something a person wants to delete-that's what I did since I ran an automatic anyway.

I believe for our trucks, it would use a metric GM caliper (1978-88 Monte for example) and the corresponding D154 series pad and related hardware. So you'd end up with stock 1978-88 Monte front brakes but mounted on the rear. And they also have Dana rear pinion mounted ebrake kits too.

[Dads79GMC]

It's just a firewall, right!! I hate this stuff!

[bnoon]

Congrats on your soon-to-be retirement! Thanks for your service!

P.S., this doesn't mean Chris is in charge does it?

[Dads79GMC]

Thanks B. I've been on leave since last week. I go back to work on the 24th for a couple weeks then that should be about it. Need to burn a lot of leave after that!!

Mike

[Dads79GMC]

Had a set of 7" wheels sandblasted. Primed, painted sides and back with satin black, now I need to paint the fronts the appropriate color. I plan on putting two of these on the front.

Mike

[Dads79GMC]

Not the correct gray, but I like the silver better!!

[Dads79GMC]

Another Sunday night sanding away on an original bedside. Gonna need a little work. Mike

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Another Sunday night sanding away on an original bedside. Gonna need a little work. Mike

Time well spent to have proper fitting panels!

[gmachinz]

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Another Sunday night sanding away on an original bedside. Gonna need a little work. Mike

That's funny! I spent a few hours tonight myself putting some strategic tack welds in place on my bedside repair as well! I had to cut an access panel out to gain room to hammer/dolly a crease on the body line. I finished that and tacked the panel back in place....done for now until next weekend!

[Dads79GMC]

Hey, Jaysonb, won't be long before I'll have the shell of this truck in your driveway for a paint job. Hahahaha!

Mike

[l92powered77]

I knew this was gonna be a good journal when your first post was a picture . . Good thread and good pics!

Originally Posted by Dads79GMC

Attachment 1300640

Well, thought I'd start a build thread after nearly eight years!!

First off, my Dad purchased this truck in 79 and I've always loved it. I never quite liked that it was a LWB, However, loved everything else about it, even the oyster/cream interior. Dad was a Korean and Vietnam War veteran who finally retired in 1990. He gave me the truck in 2001 after being diagnosed with cancer, which got the best of him later that year. At the time, I had no room for it in town so I sent the truck into hibernation out at my cousins farm where it sat until November 2006.

Upon my return from Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2006, I traveled back to South Dakota to rescue the truck, which had been sitting in the elements for six years. All I did was inflate the tires, put a new battery in it, check the fluids and drove it to Des Moines, Iowa, 230 miles. It was so infested with mice dropping etc, that I had to drive with the windows down all the way home, yes, in November. Couldn't believe it made it, but it did. I immediately took it down to the frame, began to collect parts, and there it sat.......fast forward.

Upon my return from Afghanistan in 2011, I kind of started in again. I continued to collect parts, had a few things blasted and powder coated (rear end, front end components, cross member etc) and also found a 1979 heavy half SWB rolling chassis on craigslist for $100........Again, the project sat on and off since then.

I figured the only way that I was going to get serious about this project, is if I start a build thread so that I can get the old...."any updates"....."any pictures"...etc. I'm depending on all of you to keep me on my toes. This site is truly outstanding and an inspiration. Be patient, I'm in my 30th year in the Army Nat'l Guard, the last 20 years on active duty, which keeps me very busy.....but I'll find the time and make progress.

I'm missing most of the earlier pics from 2006. I'll slowly bring you up-to-speed over the next few posts.

[LT7A]

Hey Mike, this is a thing of beauty. Please keep us with you as you put it together. The pace doesn't matter to me, I just want the chance to watch this one go together. I like the attention to detail.

Thank you for all of your years (decades) of service. And I'm grateful for your Dad's as well. It's cool to get to watch the build that you are doing in his honor. Congratulations on your retirement. If you're willing to, keep us posted on that process too.

[Jaysonb]

Mike, have you decided on a color yet?