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1974 Jimmy
- Thread starter texarback
- Start date
Here is the SPID for the truck if anyone wants to compare and contrast with their very own version of a '74 Jimmy.
Here are a few pictures of the truck...sorry, I don't know how to resize images. They were all taken with an iPhone and they seem big.
Where am I today? I have taken the entire vehicle apart.
I have the frame stripped and repainted.
I used KBS Coatings Rust stuff and Chassis stuff. Top coated it with Rustoleum Satin Black enamel for little added protection.
![GWNM7813[1].JPG](https://ck5.com/forums/data/attachments/432/432639-620ef5b61b8e2f73259b12c5e04ccbff.jpg "GWNM7813[1].JPG")
![IMG_7085[1].JPG](https://ck5.com/forums/data/attachments/432/432640-4010ae38930548c6ade619860e4f6892.jpg "IMG_7085[1].JPG")
I used KBS Coatings Rust stuff and Chassis stuff. Top coated it with Rustoleum Satin Black enamel for little added protection.
Lookin good! What's the long term goal?
Don't worry about the pics, they look fine. I think the forum software resizes down them automatically to fit.
Don't worry about the pics, they look fine. I think the forum software resizes down them automatically to fit.
Long term goal? A goin to town rig of course.
Seriously, I’d like to get it back to factory condition. Now, I’m not using all GM parts so I realize it will never be truly factory mint but as long as it looks like it did in 1974 then I’ll be satisfied.
This is also my hobby. Im not a car guy though. I can’t talk engines or specs and barley understand things like torque, horsepower and the like. I am just a simple guy who likes to tinker and learn things and have always wanted to do something like this. Plus, YouTube is all a guy needs for things like this. Right?
Seriously, I’d like to get it back to factory condition. Now, I’m not using all GM parts so I realize it will never be truly factory mint but as long as it looks like it did in 1974 then I’ll be satisfied.
This is also my hobby. Im not a car guy though. I can’t talk engines or specs and barley understand things like torque, horsepower and the like. I am just a simple guy who likes to tinker and learn things and have always wanted to do something like this. Plus, YouTube is all a guy needs for things like this. Right?
This is what I would like to end up with…
I started on this about 6 months ago so I have more to share. I’ve rebuilt the leafs, steering gear box and power steering pump. I’ve replaced all the fuel and brake lines. I’ve almost got the rear end buttoned up. I’ll post pictures of all that stuff soon.
I’ve also purchased everything I need to get the job done. So, I’m committed.
I’ve also purchased everything I need to get the job done. So, I’m committed.
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Here are the front and rear leaf springs. I took them all apart and grinded all the rust off. Treated them with KBR Rust stuff and then shot the KBR paint. Replaced the bushings and bolts. They turned out really good.
By the way, if anyone sees anything that I’ve done incorrectly, say something. I’ve got thick skin and I can’t stress enough how much I don’t know what I’m doing.
The color is Catalina Blue (Dark). I think the one in the pic above is the lighter blue GM offered back then.
I have decided I’m going to change the factory black top to white so I may change the body color to match something like the pic. Have not decided yet.
I have decided I’m going to change the factory black top to white so I may change the body color to match something like the pic. Have not decided yet.
K5Roughneck
Newbie
This is cool man. I'm probably in the same category knowledge wise. Inherited my 76' K5 from my dad who passed away in 2019. Definitely following along!
Nice Job so far! My biggest score was the missing "SIERRA" emblem for the rear quarter panel. Those are hard to find. @Chief Brody hooked me up big time with that.
I ended up doing a 3" tuff country springs and Bilstein shocks and 33" tires on mine. I will probably go a few shades darker than the Granada Beige color too.
Mine has some of the same rust spots but not too bad, California rig, I only wish I had the area to do the frame off job you're doing, maybe after retirement.
I ended up doing a 3" tuff country springs and Bilstein shocks and 33" tires on mine. I will probably go a few shades darker than the Granada Beige color too.
Mine has some of the same rust spots but not too bad, California rig, I only wish I had the area to do the frame off job you're doing, maybe after retirement.
Cool rig. Keep up the good work.
Interesting wheels on it.
Martin
Interesting wheels on it.
Martin
Nice Job so far! My biggest score was the missing "SIERRA" emblem for the rear quarter panel. Those are hard to find. @Chief Brody hooked me up big time with that.
I ended up doing a 3" tuff country springs and Bilstein shocks and 33" tires on mine. I will probably go a few shades darker than the Granada Beige color too.
Mine has some of the same rust spots but not too bad, California rig, I only wish I had the area to do the frame off job you're doing, maybe after retirement.
The emblems were the hardest for me too. I needed one rear backside "Sierra" emblem and the dash bezel "Sierra" emblem above the glove box. I was in Mississippi for a funeral back in May and before coming back to Houston found them on Marketplace. Guy in Natchez had one of each and only charged me $60.
I rebuilt the steering gear box and got it installed on the frame.
It is a Saginaw 808 box. The hardest part of the entire rebuild was getting the aluminum plug out of the piston end. I ended up having to drill it out and bought a new one from Lee Power Steering. Also, my gear box had 22 ball bearings (11 silver/11 black). The historical documents through the Googles always talk about 24 balls but I did find one website where a guy had rebuilt his and he mentioned having 22.
Here is is all cleaned up and put back together. The was prior to setting the preloads and such. I sandblasted the body and primed and painted.
The aluminum plug I was talking about. It was a bear to get out.
Final product...
It is a Saginaw 808 box. The hardest part of the entire rebuild was getting the aluminum plug out of the piston end. I ended up having to drill it out and bought a new one from Lee Power Steering. Also, my gear box had 22 ball bearings (11 silver/11 black). The historical documents through the Googles always talk about 24 balls but I did find one website where a guy had rebuilt his and he mentioned having 22.
Here is is all cleaned up and put back together. The was prior to setting the preloads and such. I sandblasted the body and primed and painted.
The aluminum plug I was talking about. It was a bear to get out.
Final product...
I also rebuilt the power steering pump. Hopefully someday it will go back on the engine.
By the way, I'm a terrible painter. I think it is 1 part "impatience" and 3 parts "don't know what I'm doing".
A couple months ago I restored the center console.
This is the only "before" picture I have.
Took it all apart and cleaned it as best I could with soap and warm water. Then let it dry really good.
One side has a crack which I decided not to fix.
Primed everything and then shot Slate Blue from a rattle can that was purchased from USA1Industries.
Reassembled...
The only thing missing is the GMC decal. I do have it but have to remember where I hid it.
A couple months ago I restored the center console.
This is the only "before" picture I have.
Took it all apart and cleaned it as best I could with soap and warm water. Then let it dry really good.
One side has a crack which I decided not to fix.
Primed everything and then shot Slate Blue from a rattle can that was purchased from USA1Industries.
Reassembled...
The only thing missing is the GMC decal. I do have it but have to remember where I hid it.
