Dad's 1979 GMC Heavy Half Transformation

[Dads79GMC]

Well, got a text from Jayson Saturday saying that we needed to develop a course of action on getting my truck to his garage before the snow starts flying and things unpredictably get sloppy here in the great Midwest. So, yesterday my wife and I turned the truck on a dime inside the garage and my son and I pushed it on the trailer. Now, it wasn't as easy as that, there was a lot of other straightening and cleaning of tons of parts and debris before any movement of the truck could occur. I went out and rented a U-Haul trailer (great shape surprisingly), which was 30 miles away in the direction of Jayson, turned back around, headed home and then loaded the trailer. I had a quick supper and was on my way around 6:30PM. I arrived at Jayson's just around 10:00PM. After several discussions on how and where to unload the trailer, we pushed it off without damage to the truck and especially the truck he's working on. We swapped the original hood with an NOS one that I had in the back of my truck, and the two of us kind of lifted the SWB bed that had been sitting at Jayson's for some time onto the frame. Dads79GMC is now in the talented hands of Jayson. Oh, after two hours of work and discussion, I headed home, dropped off the trailer at 03:10AM and arrived home around 04:00AM. Talk about being hyper-alert.....seemed like every 5-10 miles there was either deer splatter/guts on the interstate or deer in the ditch....Terrible.

BTW, Jayson has to redo my handiwork from 9 years ago and replace my floor, cab corner, inners etc, the "correct way"! Sorry Jayson. What can i say.....I tried!

Take it from here Jayson!!!

[Jaysonb]

Here it is in its new home for the winter! It looks right at home! It is going to be a treat to work with all the NOS sheet metal.

[LT7A]

Hey Mike, I had read your thread awhile back and just got caught up. Cool line-up of projects! Jealousy doesn't look good on me but I've got some nonetheless, ha. Congratulations on the new job and thank you for how you've served our country. Your artwork is compelling. How did you get started doing that?

I look forward to seeing the progress that JaysonB makes on your truck. Couldn't hardly be in better hands. And don't feel badly that he is going to re-do some of your past work. I think one of the great things about these trucks is that they always look cool -- all the way from old and beat, to pristine. My approach to my trucks is the idea of improvement. Fix them to the level of my skill with what I can afford now, and then maybe take it to the next level next time around. The cool thing is that you are now at that next level. Keep us posted on all 3 trucks. Thanks! LT7A

[gmachinz]

Body shop rates:

Aftermarket sheetmetal installs $250/hr

NOS sheetmetal installs $60/hr


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[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Hey Mike, I had read your thread awhile back and just got caught up. Cool line-up of projects! Jealousy doesn't look good on me but I've got some nonetheless, ha. Congratulations on the new job and thank you for how you've served our country. Your artwork is compelling. How did you get started doing that?

I look forward to seeing the progress that JaysonB makes on your truck. Couldn't hardly be in better hands. And don't feel badly that he is going to re-do some of your past work. I think one of the great things about these trucks is that they always look cool -- all the way from old and beat, to pristine. My approach to my trucks is the idea of improvement. Fix them to the level of my skill with what I can afford now, and then maybe take it to the next level next time around. The cool thing is that you are now at that next level. Keep us posted on all 3 trucks. Thanks! LT7A

LT7A,

I went to school for graphic design (Bachelor of Fine Art) way back. However, didn't do a thing with it because I was too busy playing war games and war. I learned silkscreening in college, just recalled it for something to do. I have too many hobbies

The third truck will be a while since Jayson and I both have our additional projects that need done. We plan on building a true "Spare Parts" build when we get the chance. We believe we have everything to do it???????

As for my truck #2 (the one I paid $150 for), I'll start a build thread on that one soon.

Thanks Mike

[Jaysonb]

Originally Posted by gmachinz

Body shop rates:

Aftermarket sheetmetal installs $250/hr

NOS sheetmetal installs $60/hr


��

Not having to do a bunch of cutting and welding on new parts to make them fit is going to be a treat for sure! The next few weeks will be spent coming up with a plan of action, and gathering parts and supplies, while I finish up the current project. Having Mikes truck sitting here is a good motivator to get stuff done.😀

[gmachinz]

True-NOS is the only way to go! I'm building my father in laws 77 GMC and we have all NOS stuff on it as well....so much time saved its great!

[Dads79GMC]

gmachinz, those bedsides are just rotting away...you know....the ones you should sell me!!!!

[STOCKISH]

Looks amazing!

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by STOCKISH

Looks amazing!

Thanks STOCKISH. BTW, I can't get your build link to work. Thanks Mike

[Jaysonb]

I am going to be updating Mikes thread here as I make progress on Dads79gmc. We are starting out with a truck that is in nice shape, we have NOS hood, fenders, and doors, and we found a very nice box that just needs some minor dent repair. There is the standard rust repair to do on the cab, rockers, cab corners, and floors. I'm excited to get started on this truck, we are painting it up the factory 2 tone blue, not a combo you see alot. So I'm going to start off adjusting the doors and fenders to where they need to be, and start getting after the floors and rockers! Let the fun begin.

[Jaysonb]

I made some decent progress for the few hours that I had to work with. I adjusted the doors, and I can tell I'm going to get spoiled working with NOS parts! The stuff just fits with no messing around! After a quick tear down, I dove into the drivers side. Kick panel is in, and the inner rocker tacked in. I had a clean shop for almost a full day!

[Dads79GMC]

I'm exhausted!!!! Well, the stuff I put in lasted ten years! Lol. Looks great Jayson!!

[rusty76]

Awesome

[aggie91]

Nice start on the paint and body. Looking to see the paint combo when it gets to that point.

[MrFinland]

I wonder how fast but still a good work you can do! So great work!

[Low Elco]

Looking forward to more of Jayson's great work!

[Jaysonb]

The metal work on the drivers side is getting pretty close!

[427Carl]

wow! what a project! Your dad will be proud

Reminded me of my Dad . He had a light blue long box . He died in 1996

I just restored a stepside 99 . Your patience is unbelievable ...

Thanks for your service...

I am a Vet, but we don't say thanks in Canada lol

I have new toy

found a original paint and body 88 Suburban.. 29 years one owner

[Dads79GMC]

Originally Posted by 427Carl

wow! what a project! Your dad will be proud

Reminded me of my Dad . He had a light blue long box . He died in 1996

I just restored a stepside 99 . Your patience is unbelievable ...

Thanks for your service...

I am a Vet, but we don't say thanks in Canada lol

I have new toy

found a original paint and body 88 Suburban.. 29 years one owner

Thanks for the comments. I'm very excited that Dads79GMC is now in the hands of Jayson!!

Mike

[Jaysonb]

First round of body work is done on the drivers side. Waiting for some grinding discs to show up before I get after the other side, so I figured I would start making some dust. Working on the little dents and dings as well.

[Dads79GMC]

Nice

[4x4k30]

Originally Posted by dads79gmc

nice

very !!!!

[Jaysonb]

Now it's time to re-hang the door, and put the front fender on to see how things fit. The last 3 or 4 sets of rockers i have done, have been stamped kind of funny, sort of smiley face shaped when you look at the bottom door gap, and they have also left me with a big gap between the rocker and fender. I have bought them from diffrent vendors, ordered some in town here, and everything I find is the same. So this is what I have come up with to make the fit acceptable. The front edge of the rocker got a vertical slice, and the end moved forward about 1/4" to close up the big gap from the fender to rocker, and when you move the front forward, it also comes out a little, fixing the leading edge of the smiley face at the same time as closing the gap. To fix the rear end what I have done is sliced along the length of the rocker, and down next to the cab corner, closed the door, and moved it to make the bottom door gap even. It is a bunch of work, but worth it in the long run.

[Jaysonb]

I guess it's hard to tell the difference in the pictures! You'll just have to take my word for it.