1988 GMC Back from the dead....

[kamori]

Well  heres my 2 year project. I paid $700.00 for it with a blown engine. The tranny was 2 years old on the rebuild. I put in a 1994 350, changed out the rear end and frontend. I have another front and rear end with Possies in them Ill redo them this winter. The rocker panels were rusted out. Replaced both rear doors. The only original paint is above the Blue stripe. I re-did the stripe on down. Painted the rims, rear doors, Rocker panels and stripe. All new Molding and pinstripes. Buffed out original black. I did back into a tree last year so I have to re-do the passenger lower corner sooner or later. This was never intended to be a full restore, so body work isnt perfect, but being I did this in the driveway(painting too) then It came out pretty good. enjoy guys. KAM







Here it is Memorial Day..Yes we found Snow..... 2009

[MachFly]

Looks great  

Just wondering how much time did it take you to do the whole restoration?

[Masherbrum]

Quick tip.   Those will easily fit 33" tires.   If you go that route, buy a Steering Box brace and know that your steering box will not come off of the frame.   

[kamori]

Quick tip.   Those will easily fit 33" tires.   If you go that route, buy a Steering Box brace and know that your steering box will not come off of the frame.   

Yeah I run the 30X9.5 for winter due to I have a set of chains for it. and run 31X10.5 in the summer. You see the 30's on it now..Hunting season coming soon. Plus this is snow country and Big wide tires are the worse to have in the snow. Ok for mud but not in the snow. there is an extra leaf spring in the suspension. That gave it a little lift about 2" or so.

KAM

[Getback]

Looks like a labor of love Kamori! Nice job.

Your backing into a tree reminds me of something I did many many years ago. I had a beat up old Ford F100. I was backing up while talking to a friend of mine. Looked in the mirror and saw a telephone post. Continuing to talk to my friend and then looked in the mirror. Thought, where is the telephone post. All the while backing up. So I stuck my head out the window. At the exact moment I hit the post with my cab about 6 inches from my head. Uhg.

[Masherbrum]

Yeah I run the 30X9.5 for winter due to I have a set of chains for it. and run 31X10.5 in the summer. You see the 30's on it now..Hunting season coming soon. Plus this is snow country and Big wide tires are the worse to have in the snow. Ok for mud but not in the snow. there is an extra leaf spring in the suspension. That gave it a little lift about 2" or so.

KAM

They make a 33 x 9.50 size   The problem with most folks is that they don't air down their tires to around 20 psi.   I'd still put that brace on regardless, it is a MAJOR flaw with the Suby's, Chevy/GMC pickups from around 68-91 IIRC.   What you need to look for are frame cracks right by the Steering Box.  

This is the one a few of my buddies use on their Tow Rigs and they only recommend this one:  http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm.   One of my buddies had to replace his brace, with that one.   This one is built, the others are flimsy.

Your frame is more than likely cracked, as street driving can induce it.   I'm just trying to keep you from......you know, because that would suck.  

 

PS - You should know I enjoy your mild resto of it.        Going with the 94 350 was a good choice.   F/R LSD's will be a nice feature.   

[Xasthur]

Quick tip.   Those will easily fit 33" tires.   If you go that route, buy a Steering Box brace and know that your steering box will not come off of the frame.   

I was going to say.....

What's with the skateboard wheels?

 

[Sabre]

Oh...I thought this was another zombie thread!

[kamori]

They make a 33 x 9.50 size   The problem with most folks is that they don't air down their tires to around 20 psi.   I'd still put that brace on regardless, it is a MAJOR flaw with the Suby's, Chevy/GMC pickups from around 68-91 IIRC.   What you need to look for are frame cracks right by the Steering Box.  

This is the one a few of my buddies use on their Tow Rigs and they only recommend this one:  http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm.   One of my buddies had to replace his brace, with that one.   This one is built, the others are flimsy.

Your frame is more than likely cracked, as street driving can induce it.   I'm just trying to keep you from......you know, because that would suck.  

 

PS - You should know I enjoy your mild resto of it.        Going with the 94 350 was a good choice.   F/R LSD's will be a nice feature.   

Thanks Ill check it out..havent seen any cracks yet...

Ty for the compliments...Other than The scateboard wheels..LOL

Kam

[redman555]

yeaaaa, you need some bigger wheels on that girl, those are bit small for its size


-BigBOBCH

[SFRT - Frenchy]

 

I love the color combo, clean look. Good taste. I'm painting in my driveway too. I'm batteling "fish eyes" lately, I guess I have to find a better "oil/water" separator. What u guys like to use?

[WWhiskey]

They make a 33 x 9.50 size   The problem with most folks is that they don't air down their tires to around 20 psi.   I'd still put that brace on regardless, it is a MAJOR flaw with the Suby's, Chevy/GMC pickups from around 68-91 IIRC.   What you need to look for are frame cracks right by the Steering Box.  
This is the one a few of my buddies use on their Tow Rigs and they only recommend this one:  http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm.   One of my buddies had to replace his brace, with that one.   This one is built, the others are flimsy.
Your frame is more than likely cracked, as street driving can induce it.   I'm just trying to keep you from......you know, because that would suck.  
 
PS - You should know I enjoy your mild resto of it.        Going with the 94 350 was a good choice.   F/R LSD's will be a nice feature.   

chances are you are not going to break the box out, even with 33's, and since you already have about two inches of lift they will clear easely

i didn't read what gears you had in the rear ends but 3.73's are a good gear for 33's or even the 31's, i could never understand why they had anything less!

[Masherbrum]

chances are you are not going to break the box out, even with 33's, and since you already have about two inches of lift they will clear easely

i didn't read what gears you had in the rear ends but 3.73's are a good gear for 33's or even the 31's, i could never understand why they had anything less!

Clearance isn't the issue bud.   It's the increase in weight of tires and the frame assembly from the factory.   Even if it didn't have a crack, I'd have the weld on bracket installed to make sure it is NEVER an issue.   You do not want to be driving when the Steering Box gives way.

Understand, that the frame area around the Steering box cracks on stock rollers and everyday driving.   It's similar to the CJ5/7 Passenger side, inner frame rail near the starter.   You will ALWAYS have a crack there, they welded two C-channels together and drilled a crapload of useless holes into it.   Water will get into the hole above the "bend", settle and crack.   They all do it and I have yet to see a "non-modified  CJ7 frame that came with the vehicle.   Also the Rear Drivers area on the outer frame develops cracks and you'll see "patches" on CJ5's, 7's and Full Size Cherokees and Waggies.  

Kam is a great guy in game and I'm just trying to keep him and his family safe.   Not everyone knows about that known issue with Full size Chevy's (K4's, Jimmy's, Pickups, Suburbans).  

[kamori]

Kam is a great guy in game and I'm just trying to keep him and his family safe.   Not everyone knows about that known issue with Full size Chevy's (K4's, Jimmy's, Pickups, Suburbans). 

I know you are..Im going to go over it this weekend. If there's a problem  Ill take care of it. You and I talked about this rig about 2 Years ago after  bent the Frame of my 89" a head-on colission w/ a new F-350...Thats how I got this to fix it up.. TY for the advise Mash  <S> Bro

Kam

[kamori]

I love the color combo, clean look. Good taste. I'm painting in my driveway too. I'm batteling "fish eyes" lately, I guess I have to find a better "oil/water" separator. What u guys like to use?

Im running my separator about 10' away from my compressor. I am shooting Old school acrylic enamel and conventional gun,,NO HVLP here.

Kam