Dad's 1979 GMC Heavy Half Transformation

[aggie91]

Very nice work Jayson. Mike will be proud to have this one!

[Dads79GMC]

Wow!!!! Getting close!

[LT7A]

It's really fun to watch this come together. Great job guys!

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by aggie91

Very nice work Jayson. Mike will be proud to have this one!

Yes, I'll be very proud to have this one in the garage.

Originally Posted by LT7A

It's really fun to watch this come together. Great job guys!

Thanks LT7A

[Dads79GMC]

While I'm at it tonight, thought I'd update this site with some pictures Jayson sent me yesterday and this morning. He's doing one hell of an awesome job (understatement)!!

He was able to get the fuel, ashtray and glove box doors painted. Jayson was also able to install the cab trim as well.

During his next two nights off he said he's gonna be able to spray in the color-matched bed liner; that's if the epoxy I ordered him gets there?????? We should be able to call it a wrap in a couple weeks. Then I get to take over and install the interior.

Thanks Mike

[Jaysonb]

Tailgate turned out nice! I have tried to talk Mike into letting me drive this old girl for a couple months, to make sure all the bugs are worked out, but for some reason he's anxious to get it back home!

[Dads79GMC]

I am!!

[Jaysonb]

I prepared the bed for the bedliner, shot some epoxy down, and sprayed the liner. It turned out great! All I have left are a few small odds and ends, and a final polish and inspection. I will be done with my portion of the project tomorrow night!

[Jaysonb]

Before I shot the epoxy in the bed, I chipped, and cleaned out all of the old seam sealer, and put down some modern seam sealer that won't shrink, and crack.

[Low Elco]

Very nice work! Whose liner did you use?

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Very nice work! Whose liner did you use?

Thanks! I use raptor liner. I have used it on 4 trucks now, and like how it works.

[OutlawDrifter]

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

Thanks! I use raptor liner. I have used it on 4 trucks now, and like how it works.

I have had great results with Raptor as well. Easy to spray and very durable.

[Dads79GMC]

Fantastic!

[Low Elco]

Can't wait to try it myself. I used Al's last time, kind of a pain. I've also heard good things about USC Defender Pro.

[MrFinland]

Awesome work! So nice truck!

[rusty76]

So is the bed liner pre tinted or do you have to mix the color you want? Looks awesome. I like it.

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by rusty76

So is the bed liner pre tinted or do you have to mix the color you want? Looks awesome. I like it.

Thanks, the bedliner comes black, or tintable. You have to buy a pint of the color paint that you want, but you have to have it mixed with no binders.

[BigDooley77]

I used raptor on my bed as well very simple to use.

love this build

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by BigDooley77

I used raptor on my bed as well very simple to use.

love this build

Thanks BigDooley! Bringing it home Sunday. Mike

[Dads79GMC]

Getting ready to head north. I’m gonna need to find a good weather window to pull this off!!!! Wish this trailer was mine!!

[Jaysonb]

So much for a good weather window.

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

So much for a good weather window.

Yep, the weather didn't pan out and the window did close!! Well, it was quite nerve wracking on the drive home, but it never got icy, just wet. At least now it's in the my garage 203 miles south and I can now start the interior work. All I can say is that Jayson does outstanding work!!!!!!! I want to say, on behalf of myself and Jayson, thanks for tracking along during this portion of the build. There was a lot that we didn't let you in on.....i.e. my engine work and how Jayson came to the rescue after the break-in process went south; I'll let him tell that drawn-out story.....

I look forward to the next chapter of the this build. Again, thanks Jayson!!!!

Mike

[Dads79GMC]

This afternoon I started the process of reconditioning the mystic seat belts. Tomorrow I will use "Mystic" rattle-can plastic paint (mixed by USA1) to re-coat the seat belt covers. I asked JaysonB what he used to clean the belt fabric, he said he used OxiClean and Joy Dish Soap. So, I mixed up some OxiClean in a couple gallons of hot water and let the seat belts (extracted and clamped) soak for about four hours. I then rinsed the seat belts off and brought them to the bathtub and scrubbed them with Joy Dish Soap then rinsed. As of now, the seat belts are hanging in the garage to dry. Maybe it's the age of the belts, but it looks like GM used light gray on the lower belt and mystic (light color) on the part of the belt that hung and went across your chest?? Turned out pretty good. Should lighten up when the belts are dry.

I also gathered all the plastic pieces that need sprayed and cleaned and will prep for paint tomorrow. Thanks Mike

[Dads79GMC]

And.......I have to deal with this. Looks like age got the best of the belt covers. I ordered some generic brand 12" covers. I'll have to paint them from gray to mystic. Mike

[Dads79GMC]

Last night I installed the grille and the 1” wheel spacers on the rear. I’m liking the look much better both the grille and back wheels. On Friday I have a wheel alignment appointment. Hopefully I have the interior complete by then. Thanks Mike