Above 1200 Sq/FT Finally build my, long needed, shop

[captain14]

What’s your method for keeping track of all the parts you remove?

I’d forgot what went where or have “extra” parts left over.

I know I’ve seen people tag and bag parts and now with digital cameras more accessible to everyone it’s easier to shoot pictures.

 

[Michael B.]

What’s your method for keeping track of all the parts you remove?

I’d forgot what went where or have “extra” parts left over.

I know I’ve seen people tag and bag parts and now with digital cameras more accessible to everyone it’s easier to shoot pictures.

Cap when I built my Land Cruiser I used the methods you have listed. But with this truck, they are so simplistic and I have a lot of experience with them, so I just put the fasteners back into the holes they came out of and keep moving.

 

[Michael B.]

I finally got some QST today. Here’s the cliff notes version.

I started here this morning.



I finished here this evening.

 

[Michael B.]

And now for the rest of the story.

 

[Michael B.]

The other end of the mule.

 

[Michael B.]

The end!

 

[Kasal]

I really like their "DIESEL" sign. Could it have been from a gas station?

 

[Michael B.]

I really like their "DIESEL" sign. Could it have been from a gas station?

Thanks, it was from a Texaco station that was being rebranded. That’s also where the Texaco star came from.

 

[Michael B.]

More QST today.

 

[Michael B.]

I had some QST this afternoon. I think I’m happy with the front bumper.



A couple of silly pictures. The frame steps up at the rear axle.

 

[Michael B.]

Then it was time to start on the rear bumper.

 

[Clemson13]

Any updates on the highway project?

 

[Michael B.]

Any updates on the highway project?

No sir, not a peep. They are months behind their schedule for completing the assessment. State government, go figure

 

[Michael B.]

I was able to get some QST today and finished the rear bumper.

 

[Michael B.]

Here’s a before and after comparison showing how much metal was removed to make it fit my truck.

 

[Michael B.]

I bought a project table from marketplace today. This joker is heavy! It weighs at least 200 lbs. I unloaded it with the engine hoist.

 

[Michael B.]

I took care of a small job today, that I have been thinking about for awhile now. There was a gap between the stair rise and tread that had been allowing dirt to fall into the storage area below. It was also a good excuse to buy a new tool

 

[Michael B.]

Last weekend my best friend drove down from Virginia to bring me an 05’ Escalade that was hit in the front. It has a 6.0L LQ9 that I will use in my GMC. We unloaded it Saturday after breakfast and a car-show. On Sunday we removed all of the damaged front sheet metal.

Next I will attempt to start and run the motor before removing it.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Going to the Dark Side! I have a 65 C-10 Big Window Custom Cab that I would love to do a LS swap into, and then never open the hood! Just drive it and smile!

 

[Michael B.]

Going to the Dark Side! I have a 65 C-10 Big Window Custom Cab that I would love to do a LS swap into, and then never open the hood! Just drive it and smile!

Jimmy that’s the plan!

 

[SilverJimmy]

You ever check out the stuff from Dirty Dingo? Made in Arizona, some of my friends have used their stuff and said it was good and not really expensive.

 

[Michael B.]

You ever check out the stuff from Dirty Dingo? Made in Arizona, some of my friends have used their stuff and said it was good and not really expensive.

I haven’t heard about them before. I will check them out, thanks!

 

[Michael B.]

A little rearranging of the shop was needed before work on the Caddy could start in earnest.

 

[Michael B.]

I really don’t like working on newer vehicles (ie anything post 1980) and the last couple of weekends have only served to reinforce my opinion. I don’t know how these professional mechanics put up with these newer vehicles everyday.

I probably approached the LS removal incorrectly. First mistake was wanting to pull the entire drivetrain as a unit. My second mistake was not removing the intake before pulling the engine.

In order to accomplish my goals I had to remove the body bolts and lift the front of the body about 6”, to get the engine high enough to clear the front differential. But enough of this chatter, on to the pictures.

 

[SilverJimmy]

That there my friend is why God allowed us to invent the Plasma Cutter! It’s all going to the scrap yard anyhow, so who cares about a couple slices here and there….

 

[Ford52PU]

Can't wait to see you get this into the GMC!
Good luck I'll be watching.

 

[Michael B.]

That there my friend is why God allowed us to invent the Plasma Cutter! It’s all going to the scrap yard anyhow, so who cares about a couple slices here and there….

Well Jimmy since I don’t have a plasma cutter yet, I did the best I could

But to use one in this situation I would have had to remove more combustible fuel sources or start the first major fire in my shop.

 

[Michael B.]

Can't wait to see you get this into the GMC!
Good luck I'll be watching.

Thank you sir. It might be a minute at my current rate of speed.

 

[snackmix]

Great looking shop and some nice projects!

 

[Michael B.]

Great looking shop and some nice projects!

Thank you sir!

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

You my fine sir have reached my aspirations of some future day
Nice Shop and NICE project GMC!

My plan/dream is to build a 1961 Suburban with my 2005 2500HD CCSB Duramax as the frame and drivetrain.
I look forward to those frustrations

 

[Michael B.]

You my fine sir have reached my aspirations of some future day
Nice Shop and NICE project GMC!

My plan/dream is to build a 1961 Suburban with my 2005 2500HD CCSB Duramax as the frame and drivetrain.
I look forward to those frustrations

Thank you sir!

A 61’ Suburban is a terrific build. When I lived in Denver (many decades ago) there was 65’ Suburban 4x4 that has an Oldsmobile skliner roof grafted into it. It was an awesome truck!

 

[Michael B.]

I bought a new engine stand. The old one always made me nervous.

 

[Michael B.]

I sold the chassis from the 56’ GMC today.



Then I pulled the rear axle from the Caddy and loaded it on the trailer for next Saturdays scrap run.

 

[loganb]

Nice progress!

 

[captain14]

Good progress but now the shop will feel “empty”!

 

[Michael B.]

Good progress but now the shop will feel “empty”!

Not likely Cap! It would feel empty if I ever get the 68’ sold.

 

[Michael B.]

Since we are expecting 5”+ of rain between now and Saturday, I thought I would move the party closer to the concrete.

 

[captain14]

Michael B.,

If you sell the ‘68, do you have another truck to do real truck stuff?
I know the garage is “almost” done, but you know…

 

[Michael B.]

Michael B.,

If you sell the ‘68, do you have another truck to do real truck stuff?
I know the garage is “almost” done, but you know…

Cap the Land Cruiser will be able to handle the “real truck stuff “ until the GMC is finished. Technically I declared the shop “finished “ on 26 Dec 2023. In as much as any project is ever finished