REBA

[Bojak]

Hey guys. I'm not new but have never really done an intro post or build thread yet. Pretty much just jumped in and started chiming in. Rude, i know. Many apologies for that so let me try and right that wrong now. This is going to be my build thread for my family getter doner. "Reba" is an 1989 V3500. I've had her for about 4 years now. We live in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. Goal of the rig is weekend escapes and 3/4 day weekends. I got 2 boys 5 and 10 so age wize they are finally both at a level where we can start going and getting into stuff. Before kids I liked to kayak fish in the flats alot. I would go about 10 times a year and was really in love with it. I also used to hunt a lot. Both with the kids have curtailed dramatically mostly due to there age. Now i believe we can start doing these things and more as a group. Sure, i will have to temper it a little but at least we can shutdown the tablets and go adventure. My truck is huge. I look at it as a wander wagon more than a trail rig. That being said i am not afraid to wheel it and will continue to push my luck. My reason for putting off a build thread this long is several things. I lost my first set of original before pics so the ones im using for this are probably at the 2 year mark. Mostly, Those are the interior before pics and engine bay stuff. Secondly i wanted enough after photos to have a thread that actually went some where a little faster than the 4 years it took to get to here. I will continue to add pics and content as we go but here is some to kick things off.

 

[jscusmcvet]

"wander wagon "

Haha - I love this description.

 

[Bojak]

Ok so I started this thread but I'm going to need some help right out of the gate. Question to other build threaders, what is the easiest way to type all of the content and post the pics?Currently I have all the pics in a desktop file and also a Dropbox account? Is it easier to to a word document with pics and then just upload that? Here is a pic from my phone of current status but need help showing the through the process pics. Thanks in advance.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Bojak]

More

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[Seabass]

I don't know if it will help you......I see you use tapatalk. I have an iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard. I take most of my pics with my pad (sometimes my iPhone and transfer them to my iPad) and then set to typing. Tapatalk is my method of posting. I'm thinking you don't use the iPad..... At any rate- I love your truck. I'm currently running Fords, but I'm a lover of all things 4x4 and find that I can usually find something to like on any brand. I have a soft spot for Chevys like yours. I grew up with them. Tanks. Very good trucks.

 

[Bojak]

i appreciate it Seabass. I love all old square things. Old fords,dodges, and chevy. i get a lot of good down time reading about the rigs on here (your 2 for sure). I feel like i have dodged the build thread long enough so i am going to try and contibute some to the site. i will figure out the most efficient way to do the pics eventually.

 

[NevadaLover]

More

That is one good looking truck!! Love square crews!!
Here's my Punkin heading to camp.
Here's camp.

And here it is where trucks this size should only go when wet and frozen!!
Keep that pretty truck and enjoy life!!

 

[Bushcoat]

Wow... Reba and punkin... Two solid, great looking contenders. Be proud of those trucks, guys!

 

[Bojak]

Great to see brother from another mother. I just got it back friday from paint shop so it's pretty. The whole time ive owned it the paint has been faded and flaking so now its almost too shiny for my taste. Its will settle in with time and miles.

 

[NevadaLover]

Man I know that flaking, peeling feeling! mine is an ex-NDOT truck and the paint is pretty dull and flaky, every time it goes offroad it leaves some orange to find its way back!
Can't bring myself to repaint yet, just enjoy exploring the sagebrush, juniper heaven that is northern Nevada too much! might go with some industrial white some day but as long as the rust stays away I will live with the paint!! Love those roof lights on yours, that is my project for march, all new LEDs through out and new roof lights!!!
Keep on truckin'

 

[Bojak]

OK, so from purchase to around the 2 year mark i managed to do the following repairs and improvement.
Seafoam engine
Full tune up
replaced exhaust manifold with header (mistake)
Install true duels with cat delete
Another tune up because headers suck
rebuilt D60 kingpins and that really sucked
Installed new receiver hitch - class5
refinished all interior panels - they were super faded
Installed sound deadener and new interior carpet kit
replaced all bulbs, sockets, and lenses on exterior
Did the headlight relay - best cheap improvement on this truck
scored some newer factory rims that got some bfg 285/75/r16
installed ORD lift 2.5"
New brakes all the way around
Complete new A/C system
Scored a craigs list camper shell for my year and truck so i thought that was fortunate.
That's how i ran her for a long time.

Thats how she was for along time

Then these showed up.

35 x 13.5 Toyo open country MT

 

[Bojak]

So the new tires and wheels went on

I did do a little fender trimming on front wheel wells both forward and aft to make them work. Good news was is that they work though.

 

[Bojak]

"reba" had come a long way and compared to where she started was pretty nice in my opinion. The radiator went so i replaced it with a champion all aluminum withe duel elec fans (thanks pappawheelie). I replaced alternator, starter, and all the power cables. Installed new rv morris throttle body and matched spacer. All that being said she was actually still pretty rough. The doors were sagging badly, The roof had a hole in it from the old fire dept lightbar that had been poorly welded for repair, The fenders where tremed needed sorting out, all my door and window gasket were rotten and allowed water to flow like a river, wind noise was so bad you couldn't hear the radio or talk, hood had a kink in it, bed had the worlds shoddiest DIY bed liner sprayed in, body mounts were collapsed, and paint was faded and flaking. So i met a guy who owned a body shop out in the sticks and we struck a deal.

the day i dropped it off

cab rot out

cab rot fixed

fenders reformed, welded back in.

completely disassembled

 

[Bojak]

Here are all the body shop pics.
While he was working on the body i was working on the bumpers front/rear. Rear bumper that came on truck was an aftermarket class 3 bumper all steel so i used it as a base and made some improvements. Added clevis brackets, moved trailer plug up into bumper instead of hanging under.
scored an old school "fall guy" style front grill guard. I added a winch trey for my warn 12k. Turned out a little crappy as we were taking measurements on the way out the door and then fabbing while the truck was torn apart.

it hangs too low so i will be doing something different. I'm either modifying it some more or getting a new bumper. That being said i was originally set on getting ORD winch style front bumper.
They suspended production the day before i went to order it so that was out. They are saying they intend to resume production soon. But since then i have found this one and like this style alot too.

So if i go the new bumper route, what are the opinions between the 2 styles for this truck?

 

[PlethoraOfGuns]

Love the red with the solid black wheels. Keep up the good work, and the old girl out on the road where she belongs!