So, the story goes, once upon a time I owned a nice little 97 GMC short box regular cab with a 4.3 and standard transmission. I primarily used the truck for slow rolling down the gravel while enjoying all that sunday boozing had to offer. I ended up downshifting (like I would with an Eaton 18 Speed to get the jake-brake to start screaming) and the clutch detonated. This resulted in a prompt loss of forward momentum. A hole in the bell housing also appeared. Anyways, being at the ripe age of 19 and having far better things to do, I decided that changing out a clutch was far beyond my abilities when in reality it was only beyond my motivation because I come from a very extensive background of mechanics and what-not. Anyways, I sold the truck to a buddy and it sat in his yard derelict for years to come. Fast forward half a decade, I was browsing the classifieds and I stumbled upon a 1989 GMC Sierra (Extended Cab, Long Box, 2wd) - fully loaded - with a blown rear end for $300.00 CAD. I had nothing else to do that day so I loaded up my buddy, hitched onto the trailer, and went to pick up my new treasure. When i got there I fired it up (it ran OK) had the seller load it with a skid steer and I took it home. No more than two hours later I had a new differential in the back end and was slowly rolling down the gravel - enjoying all that Sunday boozing had to offer. (I in no way condone drinking and driving - this just makes for a better story). Anyways, I started looking around the interior of my new truck and realized it was in excellent shape for the year of the truck. Aside from a little wear here and there, it was almost in "mint" condition.
This drive got me feeling a little nostalgic for my old GMC, the one that I turned my back on and abandoned. I decided that I would try and track down my old truck and see how it was looking these days. After a little drive through the country, I came to my old friend's house and saw the little green shorty sitting in the EXACT same spot that it sat when it got there. Long story short I got a hold of my buddy's dad (who obtained in through some sort of horse trade I imagine) and bought the truck back for half of what I sold it for.
Now the fun began, I was going to take this beautiful blue interior from the 89 GMC and stuff it into this 97 GMC (which was a base model and the interior was in horrible shape by now - for whatever reason). While I was at it I might as well swap the engine, transmission, and everything else salvageable. About mid - way through tearing down the 97, we got to the Budweiser part of the night and a few of us were enjoying lawn chairs that take up residence in my shop. We were trying to decide on a color and saw a light bulb box on a shelf with a nice powder blue. Well, it's as good as any other color, so there we have it.
Now you are up to speed on the whole purpose of my project and the thought processes behind it. Since then I have also acquired another donor truck - an 88 Chevy extended cab long box - with a fresh engine and transmission (the stuff in the 89 was a little tired).
*I should have called the thread "Powder Blue". But what do I know.*
**Oh and also I'm not so much just swapping out the interior as I am converting a rusted out 89 extended cab long box into an 89 regular cab short box with a 350 and a perfect body. I will be swapping the VIN on the cab to reflect the blue 89.**
This drive got me feeling a little nostalgic for my old GMC, the one that I turned my back on and abandoned. I decided that I would try and track down my old truck and see how it was looking these days. After a little drive through the country, I came to my old friend's house and saw the little green shorty sitting in the EXACT same spot that it sat when it got there. Long story short I got a hold of my buddy's dad (who obtained in through some sort of horse trade I imagine) and bought the truck back for half of what I sold it for.
Now the fun began, I was going to take this beautiful blue interior from the 89 GMC and stuff it into this 97 GMC (which was a base model and the interior was in horrible shape by now - for whatever reason). While I was at it I might as well swap the engine, transmission, and everything else salvageable. About mid - way through tearing down the 97, we got to the Budweiser part of the night and a few of us were enjoying lawn chairs that take up residence in my shop. We were trying to decide on a color and saw a light bulb box on a shelf with a nice powder blue. Well, it's as good as any other color, so there we have it.
Now you are up to speed on the whole purpose of my project and the thought processes behind it. Since then I have also acquired another donor truck - an 88 Chevy extended cab long box - with a fresh engine and transmission (the stuff in the 89 was a little tired).
*I should have called the thread "Powder Blue". But what do I know.*
**Oh and also I'm not so much just swapping out the interior as I am converting a rusted out 89 extended cab long box into an 89 regular cab short box with a 350 and a perfect body. I will be swapping the VIN on the cab to reflect the blue 89.**
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