New Project '78 GMC Jimmy

[orangeTJ]

View attachment 141237

That my friends is a full float 14 bolt with 4.10 gears from a suburban

It's also the version with a removable pinion support, which means it has a 10.5" ring gear instead of the smaller ring gear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10.5"_Corporate_14_Bolt_Differential

Look closely at the pics and you can see the bolts on the housing near the pinion shaft.

 

[orangeTJ]

Not many GM trucks I've ever seen had a tach in place of the fuel gauge. It seems to be a rare option.

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Especially in a truck with an automatic. They are a little more common in the late 70's but most did have the large fuel guage instead.

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Time for an update. I figured I throw up some more pictures of the camper so you all can see how the interior is laid out.









The plywood and MDF for the factory was super rotted out.





I replaced the pieces on the bedrails and pulled our the front panel which came out in 3 pieces.





Finally got it all buttoned up and back together. I'll eventually recarpet the front wall and side, put siding on the expolsed plywood and clean up the exterior but I have to drive the truck to work this week so one thing at a time.

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Life has been busy and I haven't had much time to work on the Jimmy recently. I had to drive her to work a few times which is 120 miles round trip and she blew a head gasket. I finally fixed it and now the exhaust leaks are gone too. Last night I pulled the cabinet out so I can start on a more custom and minimalist layout. Amazingly it was only held on by 3 screws. I also have been gathering the parts for the axle swap. I found a basic 4" lift in Craig, CO for $200 so I'll be taking a road trip in the next week to pick that up. I'll post a few pics up tonight.

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Got to do a little work on the Jimmy today. I started by taking out the front seats and pulling up the flooring. I found a fair amount of surface rust on the floor pan but am fortunate I could only find one small hole about 1/8" that is through. Guess I'll be grinding the rust out and seeing what it looks like after but hopefully I only have to put some neutralizer on it and then something like 10 coats of Herculiner to help deaden the road noise before I put in some new LMC vinyl flooring. My wife has decided it needs better seats so I'm looking for a set of tan buckets and third row seat out of a '95-'99 Suburban to put in. I also have a 4" lift I scored in Denver for $100 I'll be installing when I do the axle swap in the next few weeks. Well, enough talking and on to some pictures.







Here's one of the camper without the ugly old cabinet


Last but no least is my $100 lift, I hate blocks too but it will be getting an ORD shackle flip and 56" springs down the road. Also got a used set of 235/85/16 tires for $100 I'll be putting on a set of steel wheels with the factory hubcaps.

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Was cruising Craigslist the other day and found a guy parting out a 2003. I've always considered putting 99+ seats in the Jimmy but my funds were getting short from my allowance for the truck and those seats are usually around $300. I figured what the heck and shot the guy an offer. Well, I got the full front set including the jump seat for $100. I got them installed which was easier then I thought it would be and the difference is night and day. This is by far the best mod so far on the truck, now to find a matching 3rd row for the back

Out with the old


In with the new

 

[chilliwak]

Glad to see that there was not too much rust in your floorboards. The truck looks pretty clean for its age. Good score on the new seats. Cheers, Chilli...

 

[BeastlyJimmy]

I just aquired a 78 jimmy, and was playing around online and to my surprise there is my Jimmy! It is cool to see where it has been, and what the plans were! I figured I would give an update on the Jimmy as i have it now.

The lift is on, along with the dana front and rear axles.

I was able to get the radio working, pulled it out and re wired it essentially.
I adjusted the steering arm, the steering wheel was upside down. I could not take it!
I flex sealed the top of the camper, there was just a couple little leaks, that stuff is amazing!
I have gone through at least 2 of the bug cans of wd-40 so far and I think I am going to need more!

Pulled off the door panels and lubed the window tracks, now they feel like new!
Checked and topped off all the fluids.
New air filter
She runs like a champ, he really knew what he was doing when it came to engine work!

I have so many plans for it, but need to take care of a few things.
The axles limit my speed to around 65 if i am really pushing it, I have some 33s,that he threw in, I am going to put on when I get some extra cash, hopefully that will help with the speed issue.
There is a good amount of play in the rear axle, that worries me, I am going to pull it open over the 4th, and hopefilly it is as simple as a pinion adjustment.
It is going to need extended brake lines, if there is much flex I am pretty sure the ones that are on it will pop pretty bad...

This is my first project and I can not wait to get it into the mountains!

 

[gloriavoxdei]

She'll look better with the new tires too. I'm glad the Jimmy went to a good home. I look forward to seeing your progress on her.

 

[superbuickguy]

on the lift kits, brand new, they simply include longer brackets to move the brake lines down (front), rear they move the hard line up 2"... if the hoses are shot, yes, replace them... if not, just move the bracket down 2" and you'll be good to go.

 

[BeastlyJimmy]

Oh ok, this kit was used, so it did not come with it, but I will take a look at it before I head out to work today and see if there is anyway to move it down, that will be way cheeper than blowing 200 on brake lines only! Thanks for the advice!

 

[red EOD veteran]

How did you mount the seats?

 

[gloriavoxdei]

Grade 8 bolts through the floor and the stock floor brackets.

 

[BeastlyJimmy]

So this past weekend got some work done.
I pulled the rear diff checked everything out. It looked great inside, so now I know it is a pinion angle problem. Thank god!

I was able to get a couple of extra speakers my father in law gave me, that I was able to mount. I did not have any speaker spacers, so we ended up cutting a hole in the doors to mount the speakers. They are wired up and I now have stereo! I think it looks pretty good if I do not say so my self.

Went to get the tires mounted and they were a little too old, so I am now in the market for some 35s

Also 4 wheel is not engaging in front. So anouther thing to play around with. I am going to pull off the front diff cover this weekend and see what is going on up in there.