'85 gmc swb

[kghtrdr272]

First of all let me introduce myself since I am new to the site. My name is Jeremy and I'm from Arlington, TN. I'm the proud owner of a '85 GMC SWB that I'm in the middle of doing a frame off resto-mod on. The truck belonged to my neighbor and sat at his house for the past 5 yrs or so because the engine ( six banger) kicked the bucket. I finally convinced him to sell it to me and immediately began to dissasemble it. I found some minor surface rust here and there but nothing serious. A couple of small dings and that was it. I currently have everything off the frame except for the suspension components and the cab. I plan on putting drop spindles and shackles to drop it 2 1/2 in the front and 4 in the back, then off to the body shop for paint. The new powerplant will be a 350 w/700r4 tranny. Here is a before and current picture of my rig.

[Restrorob]

Make sure you post plenty pics along the way !

[kghtrdr272]

You got it and keep me posted on the '74.

[kghtrdr272]

Here's a picture of that tired old six banger coming out ( making room for the crate 350 that will be replacing it ).

[kghtrdr272]

Here's some more pics. Today I plan on removing the front control arms and suspension components and getting them powder coated. I'll update the photos when I get done.

[Restrorob]

WOW, Your really stripping this thing down !

I suppose for a color change ? What color you have in mind ?

I see you have pwr windows-locks and tilt, All those luxuries I'm having to add to mine. Well not the locks but door poppers for the shaved doors.....

[kghtrdr272]

You guessed it . The plan right now is to paint it to match my Harley (Black Pearl). I got my work cut out for me but it'll be worth it in the end.

[kghtrdr272]

Here's a couple more pictures of the work today. Finally got a chance to work some more on the project. I got the cab and rearend off and the frame will be heading to powder coating next week. I'll be working on the suspension and brake upgrades in the meantime.

[kghtrdr272]

Still not much to look at but at least I'm at the turning point from tearing it down to finally being able to start putting it back together. I picked up the frame today from powder coating and man does it look good. I lalso had the the upper / lower control arms powder coated along with the radiator support mount brackets that I picked up from a junk yard ( the original ones were really pitted with rust). Here are some pics.

[kghtrdr272]

Here's another view of the frame.

[menace121978]

looks all too familiar my friend! good luck... at least now you have a starting point on which to build on. before you know it she'll be back to a rolling chassis and you'll be planning the interior

[kghtrdr272]

Thanks. I had checked out your build a while back. You've got a awesome project going on and even cooler that you're doing it all yourself. I will definately subscribe. Keep up the good work !

[kghtrdr272]

Here's some more pics of the work I did yesterday, getting the rearend cleaned up and ready to paint. It was originaly a 2.73 but I've got the parts waiting to go back in for a 3.42 with pos.

[kghtrdr272]

Here's the rear-end all cleaned up and painted. I used a wire brush and plenty of degreaser to get it all cleaned up then I applied a nice coat of rust reformer as a primer and came back the next day with Rust-Oleum "Hammer" paint for a nice textured look.