Full restoration - 84 Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed

[BigBrother-84]

Hi there!

About me:  Architect living in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.  I also take care of my small farm with my wife, where our kids have grown (all adults now).

About BigBrother:  I bought this truck from my wife's father 25 years ago, who had it from an outfitter based on Anticosti Island around 10 years before.  Nickname «Big Brother 1984» describes well this sooo loooong '84 Crew Cab. Also a nod to George Orwell's famous novel.

This project was supposed to be a simple "paint refresh" job.  It became a full restoration project (in which I invested probably too much money) but I am very glad to make it.  I made a lot of research to offer BigBro the most original parts as I could, including new bumpers, dog dish caps and 1984 official paint colours.  When the re-building will end (before next Christmas, I hope), BigBro will be almost "new".

Here are couple of pictures about the restoration process, which started in 2015 for the motor rebuild and in December 2019 for the body:

[kramttocs]

Welcome and the truck looks fantastic!
Bet it has a turning radius like a semi

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[BigBrother-84]

Haha!  Yep, it takes good driver skills to turn this machine!  Which also requires wide parking lots for the grocery!

[Machspeed]

That's awesome! Love these types of stories. Can I ask how much of the restoration that you were part of? Also, can you tell me about the rear bumper? Good looking truck!

[Gary Lewis]

Good intro!  And nice looking restoration.  

Would you like to be on our map?  You can see it at Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu, and we can add you if you'd like.

[FuzzFace2]

Welcome to the forum.
Nice looking truck I like the colors

When going over the pictures I get down to the one of it taped up and painted red / white and was like "WTH thats my truck"! then looked closer and it had too many doors LOL

I like the color combo and the little red pin stripe on the bottom color line.
I was thinking of doing the same thing top & bottom but after 4 years of the body off frame rebuild I just wanted it painted!


Someone asked who did all the work on your truck and I am guessing you did?
If so you should get a plate like this

People dont believe me when I say I did all the work, even the paint, I now carry a photo book showing the work start to finish.
Dave ----

[BigBrother-84]

For the body work, I hired a pro (a friend of mine), who accepted to restore BigBrother-1984 at "part time".  This is one of the reasons the project started December 2019 and is still going (Covid is another one).  BigBro was really often in-and-out of the garage.  Hood, front doors and bed sides are new.  Rear doors were repaired.

For the rest of the job (electricity, windows, handles, bezels, grills, bumpers, instruments, dash, carpets, interior, etc), I am doing it myself.  Mechanical (motor, transmission, 4WD, breaks) was already in perfect shape, I always maintained BigBrother A-1.

About the chrome rear bumper:  BigBro had its original bumper in good shape, no serious rust but... it was black painted.  I wanted the project to be more "shinny" and "classy", so I bought a new one at LMC (Diamond Tread Bumper-Chrome #38-9731 + Rear Bumper Mounting Kit #30-2098-F).  I am very satisfied of it, although it seems a bit less "strong" than the original one (it seems slightly lighter, maybe the steel gauge is a bit thinner, but really not a lot).  I had some difficulty to install it with its new brackets.  LMC does not offer good diagrams nor explanation about this.  But the final result is almost perfect.
I also bought a new front chrome bumper, since the original one was too rusted and the used one available around my area were not enough clean.  Will install it soon.

I admit I was probably a bit too maniac...  All lights (turning, rear, beams, parking) are new.  Same for grill and bezels.

I also equipped BigBro with new LED light beams.  They look pretty identical than the original rectangle H4 ones.

I wanted to incorporate a bit of "modern features" in the project (hands free phone and rear camera), but I wanted them to be less visible as possible.  On backup moves, the rear camera turns on and appears in the windshield mirror, so no external display on the dash.  For the phone hands free feature, I found a shop which takes the original radio and installs new technology in it, so I keep the vintage radio look with modern technology and power features (I changed the 3 speakers for new ones and will be able to add a sub-woofer under the front seat).

[Gary Lewis]

Which backup camera did you choose?  I ask because I'm looking for a system for Big Blue (Camera System For Big Blue), but I need both a front and rear camera and they need to be weatherproof.

So, what system did you use and how do you like it?  How easy is it to view things in the mirror?

[Gary Lewis]

Oh yes, you are now on the map.  

[BigBrother-84]

Hi Dave!

Your license plate is very original, and I LOVE the colors of your truck!

BigBrother had its own plate couple of years after I acquired it.  I just refreshed it with a new one, to inaugurate its new front bumper, I installed today.

Now, it's time to rebuild the cabin.  

Cheers!