the visual resurrection of Kong my GMC dually
 

So I have had " kong " now for several years and she's racked up 169,600 miles and counting . She runs good and looks good but very plain . The recent thread about a white Tacoma pick up project gave me some ideas . So here is the canvas I am working with ......... just a plain Jane white truck :D I have already de-badged and recently added the vent visors on the doors/extended cab and a hood protector . And she has stainless steel step bars which will remain . I am open to suggestions or pics . Hopefully this will be entertaining :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551034535.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551034535.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551034535.jpg

This is my first addition a pair of vinyl graphics for the side of the hood . Cost me a whopping $12.00 shipped to my door . It was a very easy install .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551034764.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551034764.jpg

And here is a pic of the flat bed that will be replacing the truck bed . This diamond in the rough ;) only cost me $300.00 and it is 5/16 thick steel . I have some mods to do but nothing my welders can't handle .......... I'm sure I am quite rusty for welding metal this thick but it will come back to me I'm sure . It's currently sitting on my aluminum car trailer .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551035013.jpg

If you can blast the bed clean, you could spray it with bedliner for $100 or so. I did my pick up bed and it is really nice, not having stuff sliding around.

Then you give her a big black tip :o ........ hey watch it fella :D I mean an exhaust tip , my exhaust is 3 1/2 " from the factory with a muffler delete pipe added a few weeks ago . This tip is a 3 1/2 " in and a 5 " out . Not too big and not too small I think it's about right . That's all the updates for today , I have some custom graphics being designed locally that I hope to give the final approval on early next week . Hope to get them installed in the next 2 - 3 weeks . That's all I'm saying at the moment :D

I would love to have bedliner on the flatbed but it ain't cheap around here , I got a quote to do the rockers and part of the lower doors and it was $800.00 !!! I may have to do a home spray will have to see what the budget allows . I am retired and have many projects going so $$$ has to be spread around a bit :(

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1551042334.jpg

I'd leave it plain white - it's the best look for a truck, IMHO.

I love mine the way it came from the factory.......

https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...63&oe=5D1E81A0

Sorry Baz she's just too plain for me . Nice looking pup is that a heeler ?

Guys what are your opinions on these wheels ? I like both styles but I think I like the black better .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302281201348?ViewItem=&item=302281201348

https://www.ebay.com/i/302718372528?ul_noapp=true

Since all other trim is black I would go wirh the black

Which one are you asking about?

Typically I don't like the black rim look. But I do like that black rim.

Polished and dually are 2 words that have always gone hand in hand for me. I had a dually about 2 trucks ago and had chromed stock steelies. I didn't see a lot of alloy around then and certainly for that cheap. I think I paid $600 for the chrome jobs.

I had to go back and look as I only saw the one . So what are they ?

Milt I agree the polished wheels are a classic look for a dually . However with the " black theme " on this truck I am leaning towards the black wheels . And to be honest part of me is saying " I may be too lazy to keep polishing the wheels " :( The satin black should be much easier to keep decent looking with minimal care .

And I have not ruled out just keeping the steel wheels but have them powder coated black . Or maybe plast dip for the quick and dirty look :D

Blue Heelers. Both girls. The little one was a rescue we just picked up from Louisiana. You can tell who the alpha is.....

Pretty dogs.

Thanks! Smart too......more so than their human anyway......:p

https://scontent.ftpa1-2.fna.fbcdn.n...22&oe=5CDC97B8

Update: I have approved the design of the vinyl graphics and I am scheduled to drop off the truck this coming Wednesday . If all goes as planned Wed. afternoon I will be posting pics of the results . Still raining here :mad: but I hope to wash Kong off before bringing to the graphics shop . They will do a final cleaning/prep for the application of the graphics but I'm sure they would appreciate me knocking the major crud off :D

Question:

If both are female Blue Heelers, why did you ask which one?

Picked up Kong last night from the graphics place I think it came out great :D But it's obvious to me that my SS duallie wheel simulators have got to go they just look awful :( I think the wheels need to be black to continue that color theme . But I really like the graphics , may not be everyone's cup of tea and that's OK with me ;)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1552557942.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1552557942.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1552557942.jpg

Looking good

Thanks Byron . Next task will be to hit the front bumper top cap , front fender flares and the mirrors with some back to black . Need to do the door handles now that I think about it . She's slowly shaping up I'll just keep picking away at it :D

Wow how time flies ! Been doing some small upgrades to kong like cold air intake and a double Din Android install . A few weeks ago I spotted a CL ad for some dually wheels/tires . A few calls later they followed me home :D . Six wheels in total - two regular steel inners and then four aftermarket aluminum . They are not Alcoa's they are Ultra brand but for $800.00 for six wheels/tires with center caps and lug nuts I have nothing to complain about .OEM tire size was 215/85x16 these are 235/85x16 so a little bigger .

The tires are Michelin XPS Ribs they are 10 ply and HEAVY !!! The back four are in great shape the front two are wearing on the outside as the previous owner apparently needed a front end alignment badly :( . For now I will run them and replace the fronts in the spring . Anyway here are two pics from an hour ago , classic dually look I like them :D I haven't polished them yet but will soon .

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1603733967.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1603733967.jpg

Oh man, that really woke it up a lot . I like it !
I have the factory dually simulators, and I kind of like them, because, they retain the OE center caps, but nothing looks better than old school nugget alum dually wheels !
. I hate some of the new wheel styles . totally gay

Thanks . I actually thought I wanted this same style wheel but in satin black . I stumbled across these classic polished and now that I have them on I like them . Plus the price was too good to pass up 😁.

That looks good.

What happened to the flat bed? That and a headache bar and you got yerself a true coboy truck.

Hey Milt , the flat bed is in my man cave garage waiting it's turn in the project rotation . Too many projects not enough time 😡 ......... and I'm retired !!! As soon as I finish the second garage I will install the flatbed . The second garage should be done in the next few months .