1979 GMC Heavy Half - One Owner

[Grit dog]

Looks awesome!

 

[cstew47]

I assume you won't be doing any rock crawling

 

[78C10BigTen]

I finally had time to get my 5/7 lowering kit installed. I ordered the Squarebody Syndicate Drop Kit from Switch Suspension. They provided 3in drop spindles, 2in lowering springs, c notch and flip kit, new shocks all around, and all reqd hw. Spindles and springs were belltech and the shocks all McGaughys.

I had a small rub on my stock ralley wheels so had to add a spacer (for now). I really want to keep running these stock wheels but dont like having the small spacer. I got went ahead and updated the leaf springs to new 1/2 ton as well. The truck now looks and drives great. It now has all new springs, shocks, and leafs.

Next up are new tubular control arms with new ball joints and sway bars.

What do you all think of the lowered long bed? Im driving it regular again now. I love it. And im just getting started.

I love a long bed in any form!!!

 

[jthomas151981]

I assume you won't be doing any rock crawling

No rock crawling. Its a 2wd Long Bed. I dont think rock crawling was ever an option. Im restoring the interior, body, and paint to original form. Just looking to have a reliable cruiser.

 

[jthomas151981]

@jthomas151981 , Nice Truck!
And the "rust issues" look to be super minor. Man, as much as I'm not really a "patina" guy, that truck is a perfect candidate to keep original paint, at least for a while, unless you don't like patina paint jobs more than me, lol.
A half day with a polisher and that thing would be transformed.

I would prefer to keep this original paint and patina but the rust is worse than it looks. With the number of body panels I am replacing it will be half in Primer.

 

[jthomas151981]

I finally had time to get my 5/7 lowering kit installed. I ordered the Squarebody Syndicate Drop Kit from Switch Suspension. They provided 3in drop spindles, 2in lowering springs, c notch and flip kit, new shocks all around, and all reqd hw. Spindles and springs were belltech and the shocks all McGaughys.

I had a small rub on my stock ralley wheels so had to add a spacer (for now). I really want to keep running these stock wheels but dont like having the small spacer. I got went ahead and updated the leaf springs to new 1/2 ton as well. The truck now looks and drives great. It now has all new springs, shocks, and leafs.

Next up are new tubular control arms with new ball joints and sway bars.

What do you all think of the lowered long bed? Im driving it regular again now. I love it. And im just getting started.

 

[jthomas151981]

Just received parts for my next phase. I have new control arms with sway bar and new ball joints. The control arms are POL and supposed to be paired with their sway bar. These are said to be specific for lowered trucks and add some caster, help w ball joint angles, and clearance. I have all new Moog ball joints to go with them.

I had found a little play in my idler arm when putting the drop kit together so figure Ill do that as well. I had considered getting all new steering arms and tie rods etc but all the original stuff seemed to be in really good shape. I am no expert or mechanic.

Would you guys recommend replacing all the steering arms, tie rods, etc? Or just run the original until something needs replaced?

 

[peats]

IMHO a 2-4 drop would be cheaper and still use the truck as it was intended. The lower you go the more issues you will have, but that's just me

 

[cstew47]

No rock crawling. Its a 2wd Long Bed. I dont think rock crawling was ever an option. Im restoring the interior, body, and paint to original form. Just looking to have a reliable cruiser.

I was joking

 

[shinkle]

I finally had time to get my 5/7 lowering kit installed. I ordered the Squarebody Syndicate Drop Kit from Switch Suspension. They provided 3in drop spindles, 2in lowering springs, c notch and flip kit, new shocks all around, and all reqd hw. Spindles and springs were belltech and the shocks all McGaughys.

I had a small rub on my stock ralley wheels so had to add a spacer (for now). I really want to keep running these stock wheels but dont like having the small spacer. I got went ahead and updated the leaf springs to new 1/2 ton as well. The truck now looks and drives great. It now has all new springs, shocks, and leafs.

Next up are new tubular control arms with new ball joints and sway bars.

What do you all think of the lowered long bed? Im driving it regular again now. I love it. And im just getting started.

It looks like you could have the paint buffed/cut and it would shine up nice with some patina spots remaining. Maybe not.

If you don't mind sharing, what do you think it will cost to paint?

 

[jthomas151981]

It looks like you could have the paint buffed/cut and it would shine up nice with some patina spots remaining. Maybe not.

If you don't mind sharing, what do you think it will cost to paint?

I have a quote from a local body shop who takes on one restore at s time. Total is just under $9k. Approx Half of that is body and the other half paint. So $4.5k....
I am supplying the body panels. I have a complete long bed in primer, and purchased inner outer fenders, rockers, cab corners, floors, and door shells although likely not needed. I have a cpl grand in the parts.

 

[jthomas151981]

The time has finally come. Ive been collecting body panels, rubber, and other items for my body and paint. They took the bed last week and I will be dropping truck this week. Sad to see it go as ive been driving it regular. It runs even better in the heay we have had here. But when I get it back it will look like a new old truck!

 

[jthomas151981]

Rust repaired!

Hello square folks. I am in Indiana and just inherited my grandfathers 79 GMC Heavy Half. He ordered/bought it new in Michigan. I have all the original order and delivery paperwork. It runs and drives without any known issues. I drive it a little every week.

Its a 5.7 2wd long bed and has some rust issues. Luckily I have already found a resto body shop to put all the body panels back together and get it painted this spring.

In the meantime I have ordered a 5/7 drop kit from Switch and hope to have it i stalled over christmas break. My only concern is the stock rallies rubbing after the drop. I want to keep the original wheels. Anyone know if I will have issues with geometry or rubbing steering arms etc after I get it dropped?

Its been a while. The truck has changed a lot. Its been lowered and all the steering and suspension is new. I started rust repair which took a bit longer than anticipated. But at this time it has no more rust anywhere. Its time for paint!

 

[jthomas151981]

Rust repairs.

 

[jthomas151981]

Paint