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'83 GMC K2500 Build Thread

gmac95

gmac95

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Location
Ohio
I’m new to the site but have been restoring and building my truck for a little over a year now. The project started out like most and has turned into a complete frame off restoration.

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After purchasing the truck I began looking for a replacement motor for the 2 bolt main 350 and found a 383 forged stroker with dart Pro 1 aluminum heads and complete comp roller valve train.

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I then began the tear down, I got crazy and completly disasembled the truck. At the time it sounded like a great idea.

This was my reason for purchasing the stroker the motor, as you can see the original motor had seen better days.
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Aside from surface rust the frame was still solid.
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After removing the bed I found the the rear crossmember was bent, so to fix the issue I removed a straight crossmember from my donor/parts truck.
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After I got the cab removed I began taking the grinder with cable wire wheels to the frame to remove the rust.
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I then decided that I wasn't getting all of the rust off like I wanted, so I grinded of every single rivet and used an air chisel to pop them out. After this I upgraded my method of removing rust to sandblasting. Very time consuming but the results where worth it...
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After blasting all of the frame parts I decided to use POR15 products of the frame. I applied three coats of POR15 and then applied another three coats of the their Chassis Coat. I am pleased with the result and will continue to use their products through out the build.

All of the parts hanging after being cleaned with Marine Clean and etched with Metal Ready.
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Here are some of the goodies from DIY4X including the shackle flip, B52 mounts and front shackle eye hanger.
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After first coat of POR15
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After the second coat was dry the frame was reasembled. For this part I used all Grade 8 bolts with lock washers and red lock tight. Every bolt was then torqued to spec. This part made me nervous, but the frame went together tightly and square.
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Wow I know how much work all that is, I didn't even remove all the rivets and all but damn it sucked sandblasting and using that wire wheel to clean my whole frame. Great work man it looks great. What are your plans for it?
 
So you are going to do mine next, right? I'll even drive to your place :D

Just curious, what is "spec" when it comes to torquing the frame bolts when they were originally rivets? How much POR did it take to do the frame parts?
 
:eek1::eek1::eek1::D

Holy cow!! I wanna get that indepth with my 79 so thanks for this build thread! Awesome job! Can't wait for more pics!
 
My plans for the truck is to make it a nice useable daily driver that can survive all of the winter salt.

It will be a long time before I take on another one, the amount of time that I have invested is unreal, and I found the specs on the bolts here:
http://www.engineershandbook.com/Tables/torque.htm
 
:bow:Damn brother! Talk about a lot of work!!! You must look at that frame now with pride. Looks great:bow: You gotta fortune in nuts and bolts alone
 
doonjumper said:
:bow:Damn brother! Talk about a lot of work!!! You must look at that frame now with pride. Looks great:bow: You gotta fortune in nuts and bolts alone
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Lot of work for sure but the finished product made it all worth it I think. As far as bolts I ended up with upwards of $300 for all of them, but removing the rivets sure made sandblasting much easier :D

George_Pimpdaddy said:
Hows it coming along?
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Between work and school right now I am just stock piling parts for when summer starts in 6 weeks. The next leg of the project includes rebuilding the axles and drive train.
 
nothing like a good old frame off resto. keep up the good work. once you go that deep, things get pretty expensive real fast.

a good majority of the people don't finish what they started.........so do your best to not become one of "those people".
 
Are you copying me? :D

B52's in the front. Shackle reversal in the rear. Drilled out out all the rivets. POR15. At least you have a small block and a mechanical fuel pump on there!

You said you're going to school? Please don't tell me your getting a business degree?

Just kidding though. Great minds think alike. :bow:

Don't leave us hanging here though.
 
Nice work I've been there to with my truck I it alot of work grinding those rivets but it pays off in the end nice work bro keep us posted.
 
I should be getting back to working on the truck in 2 weeks. First I have to finish the last 2 weeks of school. After that I can begin to rebuild the axles and drivetrain, I'll post updates throughout. I'll be glad to have the room back from the pile of parts in the garage for the axles and drivetrain.
 
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