Some women think a dozen long-stemmed red ones are the ultimate devotion-proving gift from a suitor. Others are into diamonds and floor-length furs. Not Melissa Smith of Sandwich, Illinois. When her honey built up this red '80 GMC High Sierra for her, she knew he was hooked.
Mike Brown (the honey) of Plano, Illinois, restored the shortbed over three years. After having built more than a dozen trucks before, Mike decided to stick with the basics on this one and attempted to use all original parts. He works in parts sales for Coffman GMC, so the bits and pieces he needed to restore the tomato of love were literally at his fingertips. Through his company's database, he was able to track down parts at dealers across the nation.
No, those tires don't rub. Nowhere. No way. No how. Mike Brown of Plano, Illinois, has man
Mike was a little worried at first because shortbeds are becoming more rare and a lot of the GM parts he had in mind for the truck had been discontinued. However, he claims he had no trouble finding anything he needed. He dreamed up the perfect ride for Melissa, punched the needed parts into the computer, and, abracadabra, there they were.
Clearly, Mike's a company man: An original GM V-8 resides underhood. The ignition is GM, the steering box is GM, the transmission is GM, the transfer case is GM, and even the dash gauges and seat upholstery are GM.
Mike had a little help from the aftermarket underneath the truck, where an 8-inch Skyjacker suspension lift gives a clear view of the 3/4-ton Dana 44 front and Corporate 14-bolt rear axle. The extra inches also provide room for the giant 39.5-inch TSL Super Swampers around Weld Super Single wheels. Even without any body trimming, Mike swears that those tires do not rub thanks to a 2-inch body lift.
During the buildup, which he did himself, Mike was more than thankful that he works in sal
Mike and Michelle take the truck out on dates with them on weekends, and it has earned them a growing batch of trophies in show-'n'-shine competitions around Illinois-maybe it's the mostly original parts, maybe it's the obvious time and effort Mike put into the truck, maybe it's the warm glow of love...nah, it's gotta be that Mike-painted, tomato-red color.
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Mike stuck with the GM theme when working on the inside. He covered the '98 GM fullsize se
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Mike tightened up the front with an eight-lug 3/4-ton Dana 44 holding a limited slip. A 2-
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Bringing up the rear is a Corporate 14-bolt with 4.10 gears riding a GM Posi unit. The Sky