My 2nd "New" Project

ccpfwr · 03-22-2009, 09:48 AM

Hey Everyone...

Been reading quite a lot here at Truck Forum over the last 6 to 8 months and gained a lot of good information from those in the know...

Here's what I'm planning to start within the next few Months and would like to hear any thoughts or ideas that would help along the way...

I had built a 1983 GMC K2500 4x4 "Fall Guy" Replica back in 1987 and always loved that Truck, but it got stolen in December, 1989 and was found "BURNED". So it's now 2009 and I'm now 54 years old and ready to once again try to build one more "Fall Guy" Replica, but it will not be as exact as the one I built in 1987.

For the past 3 or 4 months, I've been looking around for a 1983 thru 1985 GMC Sierra Grande/Classic K2500 4x4 Longbed Pickup with Automatic and Factory Air Conditioning and have found a few here and there. Doesn't really matter much about the Engine because as 75K30 has stated, bigger is better. So my thoughts at this time is going with the 454ci Engine. My original FGR had a TH400 Automatic Transmission and would like to stay with this if possible.

This is what I've got so far as some of the equipment for the Project:

Chevrolet 454 Big Block (Carburetor)
TH400 Automatic Transmission
SuperLift 6-Inch Suspension System with SuperRide Shocks
Pro Comp Steel Series 83 (8-Lug) 16x10 Chrome Wagon Style Wheels
Dick Cepek LT315/75R16 Radial F-C II 34.6 OWL Tires
Westin Black Power Coated Push Bar
Westin Chrome Grille Guards
Warn XD9000i Winch (Already have this item)
Custom Chrome Roll Bar (Already have this item)
Pro Comp 8-Inch Off-Road/Racing Lamps (130 Watt) (2 for the Roll Bar)
Pro Comp 8-Inch Off-Road/Racing Lamps (130 Watt) (2 for the Grille Guards)
Pro Comp 6 x 9 Off-Road/Racing Lamps (100 Watt) (2 for the Roll Bar)

This Truck will be driven occassionally. Me and my Wife enjoy going to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for the Rod Runs and may go out on the Trails every now and then, but nothing rough like Rock Climbing and such. I work as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic, so wanting to build a truck that I enjoyed (like my last one)...

Truck will be totally disassembled and will be built from the ground up. Like I said, been reading the Forums here for the past 6 to 8 months and have found quite a bit of excellent info here...

Looking forward to hearing any INPUT from the great folks here...

Thanks in advance...
ccpfwr

stumpuller454 · 03-22-2009, 09:57 AM

COOL have any pics of the truck you used to have?

ccpfwr · 03-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Use to have many Polaroids of my '83 throughout the build as well as the finished project, but lost my Wife, my Daughter she was carrying, and all the pictures when she was in an accident when we were moving from Savannah, Ga back to Tennessee in 1993. Also lost all my pictures of my Daughter growing up, but she's 26 years old now and will be helping Me with the project as well. I guess things just happen for a reason.

This project will have pictures taken from the very instant I start, so guess I better start looking at some of the Photo sites for storage...

ccpfwr · 03-22-2009, 10:38 AM

Here is what I hope to have (once again) when I'm finished...

stumpuller454 · 03-22-2009, 10:49 AM

cool, i had a 1980 about that big, those are good trucks.

Rago · 03-23-2009, 11:41 AM

Looks like it will be a nice build, but...

You might be a redneck if:

You've purchased all of the parts for a truck you don't own.

Sorry, it came out. Good luck on the build. Post pics as you do, I think it's gonna look cool. BTW, are ya gonna put the secret compartment in the bed

?

hotrodpc · 03-23-2009, 12:56 PM

Sorry to hear of your wife passing CC. Nice to see an older guy hanging out in the forum. I am a bit older than most here too I think at 43. You got me beat by a few years but I will be glad to have you around. I learned most of the stuff I know about vehicles from the old cooters when I was in my 20's then ran with it. With what little they taught me, it gave me the confidence to tear stuff apart and figure out how it worked and rebuild it and put it back together. If I ever got in a bind, I always had the old guys to fall back on and help me out. Now I take alot of what I learned for granted, and did not realize it was so valuable. Anyway, welcome to the forum, visit often. I am sure you will be able to provide many answers and I will certianly be doing some brain picking on you. Very cool to have your daughter involved. My daughter is 20 and a bit prissy, but still not afraid to get her hands dirty. She actually has more confidence working on her own vehicle and wants her husband to leave it alone. She says she will do it or she'll have me do it. LOL. My son is almost 13 and he is all into working on the vehicles. I have 2 projects working at the moment that I found cheap.

hotrodpc · 03-23-2009, 01:10 PM

OH and BTW, I find that you youngsters are more knowledgable on the later model stuff too, so don't think you aren't just as valuable or inferior to the forum. I think we have an awesome mix of knowledge here in this forum. Certainly one of the best I have found. And people that actually respond. I wish I had the interent when I was younger. The things I could have accomplished !!! So there, noone needs to feel left out or offended. Just passed out a little love for everyone. Oh dang, think I am getting teary eyed.

Its time for a group hug !!! I love you man !!!

All of you !!!

ccpfwr · 03-24-2009, 10:44 AM

stumpuller454: Always loved the '83 thru '87 Models of GMC...

Rago: The Chrome Rollbar was one that I had extra for the 1983 GMC (1st Project) I did. As for the Winch, I had bought it for my 2006 ****** H3, but sold the H3 last Month, so figured I would use it for this project. The 1st "Fall Guy" Replica I built was an exact copy of the Truck used on the Series. I was friends with Kim Kahuna, one of the Stunt Coordinators for the Fall Guy Series and He was able to take a lot of Pictures of Colt Seavers (Lee Major's) GMC in the Series and was able to duplicate my Replica (right down to the Fall Guy Stuntman Assoc. Decal on the Hood). And yes, it had the "Secret Compartment" as well, but don't think I'll do that with this one...

hotrodpc: Thanks for the kind words. I have learned a lot from many of the Posts here at Truck Forum and my Eyes and Ears are always open to new ideas. There's going to be many changes I will do with this project that I didn't do with the original, but overall it will be just about the same.

Possibly going with a Leather Bench Seat instead of the Western Cloth that was used in the original. Off Road Lights aren't available that I used in the original, so probably going with the Pro Comp's. My 1st Project had a 350ci with the TH400 Transmission, but thinking about going with either a 383 Stroker or a 454. Haven't made up my mind on which yet. Already have a "Fresh Built" TH400 Automatic Transmission, so that's taken care of for the moment...

I appreciate all the responses I've had and hoping to hear from many more...

Thanks again...

03-22-2009, 09:48 AM	#1
ccpfwr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Delano, TN Posts: 4	My 2nd "New" Project Hey Everyone... Been reading quite a lot here at Truck Forum over the last 6 to 8 months and gained a lot of good information from those in the know... Here's what I'm planning to start within the next few Months and would like to hear any thoughts or ideas that would help along the way... I had built a 1983 GMC K2500 4x4 "Fall Guy" Replica back in 1987 and always loved that Truck, but it got stolen in December, 1989 and was found "BURNED". So it's now 2009 and I'm now 54 years old and ready to once again try to build one more "Fall Guy" Replica, but it will not be as exact as the one I built in 1987. For the past 3 or 4 months, I've been looking around for a 1983 thru 1985 GMC Sierra Grande/Classic K2500 4x4 Longbed Pickup with Automatic and Factory Air Conditioning and have found a few here and there. Doesn't really matter much about the Engine because as 75K30 has stated, bigger is better. So my thoughts at this time is going with the 454ci Engine. My original FGR had a TH400 Automatic Transmission and would like to stay with this if possible. This is what I've got so far as some of the equipment for the Project: Chevrolet 454 Big Block (Carburetor) TH400 Automatic Transmission SuperLift 6-Inch Suspension System with SuperRide Shocks Pro Comp Steel Series 83 (8-Lug) 16x10 Chrome Wagon Style Wheels Dick Cepek LT315/75R16 Radial F-C II 34.6 OWL Tires Westin Black Power Coated Push Bar Westin Chrome Grille Guards Warn XD9000i Winch (Already have this item) Custom Chrome Roll Bar (Already have this item) Pro Comp 8-Inch Off-Road/Racing Lamps (130 Watt) (2 for the Roll Bar) Pro Comp 8-Inch Off-Road/Racing Lamps (130 Watt) (2 for the Grille Guards) Pro Comp 6 x 9 Off-Road/Racing Lamps (100 Watt) (2 for the Roll Bar) This Truck will be driven occassionally. Me and my Wife enjoy going to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg for the Rod Runs and may go out on the Trails every now and then, but nothing rough like Rock Climbing and such. I work as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic, so wanting to build a truck that I enjoyed (like my last one)... Truck will be totally disassembled and will be built from the ground up. Like I said, been reading the Forums here for the past 6 to 8 months and have found quite a bit of excellent info here... Looking forward to hearing any INPUT from the great folks here... Thanks in advance... ccpfwr

03-22-2009, 09:57 AM	#2
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,043	COOL have any pics of the truck you used to have? __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! 450hp and 600ft/lbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ27RJHfJKE "sailing with Captain Morgan often!"

03-22-2009, 10:21 AM	#3
ccpfwr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Delano, TN Posts: 4	Use to have many Polaroids of my '83 throughout the build as well as the finished project, but lost my Wife, my Daughter she was carrying, and all the pictures when she was in an accident when we were moving from Savannah, Ga back to Tennessee in 1993. Also lost all my pictures of my Daughter growing up, but she's 26 years old now and will be helping Me with the project as well. I guess things just happen for a reason. This project will have pictures taken from the very instant I start, so guess I better start looking at some of the Photo sites for storage... Last edited by ccpfwr; 03-22-2009 at 11:09 AM.

03-22-2009, 10:49 AM	#5
stumpuller454 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grande Prairie, AB Posts: 2,043	cool, i had a 1980 about that big, those are good trucks. __________________ SUPERCHARGED 454 K2500 GMC! 450hp and 600ft/lbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ27RJHfJKE "sailing with Captain Morgan often!"

03-24-2009, 10:44 AM	#9
ccpfwr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Delano, TN Posts: 4	stumpuller454: Always loved the '83 thru '87 Models of GMC... Rago: The Chrome Rollbar was one that I had extra for the 1983 GMC (1st Project) I did. As for the Winch, I had bought it for my 2006 **** H3, but sold the H3 last Month, so figured I would use it for this project. The 1st "Fall Guy" Replica I built was an exact copy of the Truck used on the Series. I was friends with Kim Kahuna, one of the Stunt Coordinators for the Fall Guy Series and He was able to take a lot of Pictures of Colt Seavers (Lee Major's) GMC in the Series and was able to duplicate my Replica (right down to the Fall Guy Stuntman Assoc. Decal on the Hood). And yes, it had the "Secret Compartment" as well, but don't think I'll do that with this one... hotrodpc*: Thanks for the kind words. I have learned a lot from many of the Posts here at Truck Forum and my Eyes and Ears are always open to new ideas. There's going to be many changes I will do with this project that I didn't do with the original, but overall it will be just about the same. Possibly going with a Leather Bench Seat instead of the Western Cloth that was used in the original. Off Road Lights aren't available that I used in the original, so probably going with the Pro Comp's. My 1st Project had a 350ci with the TH400 Transmission, but thinking about going with either a 383 Stroker or a 454. Haven't made up my mind on which yet. Already have a "Fresh Built" TH400 Automatic Transmission, so that's taken care of for the moment... I appreciate all the responses I've had and hoping to hear from many more... Thanks again... Last edited by ccpfwr; 03-25-2009 at 10:34 AM.*

03-22-2009, 10:38 AM	#4
ccpfwr Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Delano, TN Posts: 4	Here is what I hope to have (once again) when I'm finished...

03-23-2009, 11:41 AM	#6
Rago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 76	Looks like it will be a nice build, but... You might be a redneck if: You've purchased all of the parts for a truck you don't own. Sorry, it came out. Good luck on the build. Post pics as you do, I think it's gonna look cool. BTW, are ya gonna put the secret compartment in the bed ?

03-23-2009, 12:56 PM	#7
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,142	Sorry to hear of your wife passing CC. Nice to see an older guy hanging out in the forum. I am a bit older than most here too I think at 43. You got me beat by a few years but I will be glad to have you around. I learned most of the stuff I know about vehicles from the old cooters when I was in my 20's then ran with it. With what little they taught me, it gave me the confidence to tear stuff apart and figure out how it worked and rebuild it and put it back together. If I ever got in a bind, I always had the old guys to fall back on and help me out. Now I take alot of what I learned for granted, and did not realize it was so valuable. Anyway, welcome to the forum, visit often. I am sure you will be able to provide many answers and I will certianly be doing some brain picking on you. Very cool to have your daughter involved. My daughter is 20 and a bit prissy, but still not afraid to get her hands dirty. She actually has more confidence working on her own vehicle and wants her husband to leave it alone. She says she will do it or she'll have me do it. LOL. My son is almost 13 and he is all into working on the vehicles. I have 2 projects working at the moment that I found cheap.

03-23-2009, 01:10 PM	#8
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 3,142	OH and BTW, I find that you youngsters are more knowledgable on the later model stuff too, so don't think you aren't just as valuable or inferior to the forum. I think we have an awesome mix of knowledge here in this forum. Certainly one of the best I have found. And people that actually respond. I wish I had the interent when I was younger. The things I could have accomplished !!! So there, noone needs to feel left out or offended. Just passed out a little love for everyone. Oh dang, think I am getting teary eyed. Its time for a group hug !!! I love you man !!! All of you !!!

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