Rebuilding grandpa's 1990 C1500

[1990C1500]

I inherited my grandpa's 1990 GMC C1500. I used it to move across the country breaking the transmission in the process. I took it to a shop that "upgraded" it for me. It runs great but I have now Idea what they did to it. Since then I've started slowly restoring it and driving it. I got the truck with 140k miles and it now has 165k.

 

[1990C1500]

Since getting the truck I have done things like replace the door hinges and bushings, replace the valve covers, replaced the entire AC system, cleaned under the hood, repair the retractable work light, replace vacuum / pcv lines, rebuild the TBI unit and repaint the air cleaner. I've started buying suspension parts since the front passenger wheel tilts in a bit I decided to replace it all and started buying parts. I work at Oriellys auto parts so I get a great discount but don't get paid very much. My wife pays all the household bills and I get to spend half of all my pay checks on the truck.

 

[Drunkcanuk]

Nice. Looks good, a few war wounds but not trashed.
What's your ultimate goal? Stock as possible, repaint, slam it, big stereo, LS swap etc?

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Nice truck, glad to see it stayed in the family!

 

[1990C1500]

Nice. Looks good, a few war wounds but not trashed.
What's your ultimate goal? Stock as possible, repaint, slam it, big stereo, LS swap etc?

Thanks. The terrible paint makes it look worse than it really is but the truck has always been in Washington and California so there is only small amounts of surface rust on some suspension etc but none on the body.

 

[1990C1500]

Nice truck, glad to see it stayed in the family!

Thanks! Grandpa bought it new then It sat parked in my grandma's driveway for 8 years after my grandpa died. My grandma thought it made people think someone was home until people kept coming to the door thinking it was broke down and wanted to buy it. I told her I would match whatever the highest offer was if she was going to sell it so she told me to come get it free!

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

I think the family I got my crew cab from ( it was grandpa's, he bought it new) just didn't have a place or use for it anymore. The grandson wanted to see it go to a good home....I hope my family can be that. We really like this truck (except for the hydro boost going out, $700 for that replacement and the tow to the shop). It has plenty of room and the AC works, and it has a good bit of power with the way it's geared. Just need a good "hole" in traffic,to come out of a parking lot....

 

[1990C1500]

The factory paint was so bad the base coat just separates from the primer. Luckily the primer stayed and protected the metal but a razor blade takes it right off so I don't have a dusty mess. Going to do a bit of paint scraping every night until it's done.

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White 1992 chevy k1500 extended cab paint is fine.

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[1990C1500]

Removed the wheel well chrome trim, chipped away some more paint and sanded down the areas that were peeling to expose any rust to be sanded away. Primered the spots I sanded just for protection until I get the rest done. The frame and wheel wells look great after 32 years and 160k miles.

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[1990C1500]

Decided to replace the headliner. Brushed off all the old foam and used 3m headliner spray to attach some fabric. Not a perfect job but much better than foam falling on me. Reinstall tomorrow evening.

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