My 1985 Chevy SWB

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Here is my latest truck I have acquired, a 1985 Chevy. It's had one recent re paint and hardly any metal work. I had the painter go back and remove the big mirrors and the fender emblems. Picking her up tomorrow. Parts are arriving daily from Classic Industries, U.S. Mags, Yokohama, Magnaflow, Summit Racing, and Suspension is getting ordered tomorrow from Switch Suspension. I'll post updates as I make changes....
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[vht]

Sharp!

[TKCR]

That is nice!! Love the color.

[aggie91]

Nice truck!

[bustin dailey]

Any updates on this? You said more parts coming, don't leave us hanging!

[HarrisonsRodShop]

So I have neglected to post updates on the truck's progress. I have installed McGaughy's spindles and a flip kit from Switch suspension. The truck had drop coils and drop hangers already so I ended up with approximately 5/7 drop. I am a US Mags dealer so I installed 18/8 and 20/9.5 U102's and 225/50/18 and 295/45/20 Yokohama tires. I also restored the grille and trim using Beige vinyl, that I had a sign shop cut, to replace the aged Gold in the trim. Now it matches the roof perfectly. I also replaced all the lenses on the truck with new ones from Classic Industries. I am gonna take time to get this post up to date tonight.... more progress pics coming. BH

[HarrisonsRodShop]

The interior of the truck had a really nicely done tweed dash pad but I preferred stock so I got a new dash pad, trim, and vents from Dave's Truck parts in NC. I then prepped and painted the original gauge cluster satin black. Then I applied 3M DiNoc wood grain to the bezel and dash pad trim. I still plan on doing the door panel inserts later. Also, I re sprayed all the interior trim and recovered the headliner.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Got some time outside one day and cleaned the under carriage area and rear frame, springs, diff, etc. and paint detailed them. It was relatively clean underneath and I just want a nice driver so paint freshening and some U Pol under coating on the inner fenders did the trick. Also did some painting to the core support as well.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

When I bought the truck it had some minor smoke from the tailpipe at idle. The previous owner said he had no idea how many miles were on the motor so I had David's Engine Shop, here in East TN, build a four bolt main 355 with an Erson Roller cam and Speed Pro pistons. We used a one piece main block that he had and once the rotating assembly was ready and in the block, I pulled my engine, took it to him and we used these center bolt heads on the new four bolt long block. We used roller tip rockers, a Cloyes Double Roller timing chain and completely reworked the heads. The engine bay was fairly clean. The truck was only showing a little over a hundred thousand miles.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Once the engine was out and gone to David's for rebuild, I did a good cleaning and some further paint detail in the engine bay. I decided to leave the firewall sealer and paint alone since again this is a driver and gonna be enjoyed. I painted the engine block once it returned with VHT Gloss black and installed an Edelbrock intake. I had planned to reuse the Holley Spread Bore but elected to go with a Quick Fuel 650 instead. I also picked up some Mid Length headers with 3" collectors that I'll be connecting to 3" Magnaflows. I painted a Powermaster Alternator to match the engine and installed a polished aluminum fan assembly on it. I had Black Label Coatings, Jonesboro, TN, powder coat all of my engine accessory brackets a textured grey to match my wheel centers. He also did the valve covers and air cleaner in a high gloss Kingsport Grey to match. I then machined an air cleaner nut to match my valve cover breathers. I will be using an MSD Street Fire HEI distributor (thats a junk mock-up distributor in the pic) and wires and ARP stainless fasteners where possible.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Here are some pics now that the motor is in and parts are going back on..... I plumbed the carb and heater hose to the intake with Fragola AN fittings in Black. I use their push lock ends and put a Gates heat shrink clamp on them basically to make them look finished since no clamp is really necessary with Push Lock. I prefer the look of rubber line on the clamps personally. I just like the idea of no screw clamps. I put the motor back in with a B&M 2200 stall converter and SFI Flexplate. I also installed a trans cooler in front of the radiator and split the trans off on its own cooler. The truck had a fresh old style TH-350 with a shift kit so I left it alone. Hopefully the starter arrives tomorrow and we can make noise Thursday morning. Later folks! BH

[phillipm]

Great looking truck! Nice job!

[trixter99]

I had a 85 long box in the same colour in the eighties.

[bustin dailey]

Now that's service!

Truck is beautiful! You did some killer work!

Thanks for the update!

[3drburb]

Very clean truck and nice work.

[daddyjeep]

The truck looks great. I hate to be that guy.... but I really wish you would have painted the firewall.

[HarrisonsRodShop]

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

The truck looks great. I hate to be that guy.... but I really wish you would have painted the firewall.

It looks way worse in that pic. I took that pic four times trying to get it to look better and finally gave up. We have a frame off K5 to worry about keeping clean. I plan on driving this one and wasn't worried about it being perfect., but yeah, Id slicked it up if I was goin the super nice route.

[cooperhw]

Man I know what you mean. I am in the latter stages of a 72 El Camino build that I also decided against painting the firewall as it is intended to be used as my daily driver. I regret it now & plan to "carefully " paint it when I install my Vintage Air unit in the next couple weeks. Your truck looks great.

[jimboh247]

Following for inspiration!

I am slowly gathering parts for my 85 resurrection.

Always not enough time or money!

Love your truck!

[Big Block]

I just bought an 86 GMC Short Bed. Planning to lower it and new wheel and tires. Any tire rub with your current set up? How is the ride and handling? How much backspacing are your wheels. I really like the look of your truck. Good call on the small mirrors.

[Low Elco]

Sharp little truck! How much would that wheel and tire setup ballpark for polished? Love those wheels.

[gearheadwelder]

Very nice looking truck, great choices of color combs.

[lolife99]

Love this truck.
I follow your builds on Instagram.