REAL MAN TRUCKWORKS & SURVIVAL

VEHICLES, CAMPERS, and BOATS => Build Threads => Topic started by: Higher Caliber on September 24, 2021, 06:31:34 PM

Title: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 24, 2021, 06:31:34 PM
This won’t be a “build” as much as it will be just a -fix- 200k miles worth of wear and tear.

1999 CCSB K2500 4x4 454
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210924/1e1f94f63fb88683dee7b62edc2d07f8.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210924/c2a8ce86dadc6e7e3e3f08e5eb2546ef.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210924/b11fb7315b44011b34d2029aae9e412e.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210924/45d6e49732cf78aab6cd145f6351864e.jpg)

List of to do’s

Exhaust leak,
Fix door locks
Gas smell??
Rear tires
Grille, headlights, turn signal housings
Fix reverse lights
Led Conversion on white bulbs
Door pins, bushings
External door handle
Deep clean and detail interior
Driver’s Door window seal
Front LP
Paint receiver hitch
Spray in bed liner
Tint windows
Front seat


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on September 24, 2021, 07:12:42 PM
Nice truck, Don was just discussing one of those the other day I believe
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: TexasRedNeck on September 24, 2021, 09:15:12 PM
Glad you got the whole truck (longbed) pretty nice truck there.

Hope you are well Blaine.  Nice to see you pop in.


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 24, 2021, 09:35:36 PM
Glad you got the whole truck (longbed) pretty nice truck there.

Hope you are well Blaine.  Nice to see you pop in.


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It’s actually a short bed! Just the perspective of the picture. Lol


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Bigdave_185 on September 25, 2021, 12:15:25 AM
Hands down one of the best looking Gm pickups ever built! Love that rig in ex or four door!

The sound that truck makes stock with a 3” exhaust is one of the most happy sounds I can remember as a youth with a 40 series flow master !!


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Flyin6 on September 26, 2021, 08:06:39 PM
I was indeed!

Can't beat those dual rectangle headlights IMHO

Love a 454

(A 454 with edelbrock heads, cam, tune, headers...)
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on September 26, 2021, 10:26:26 PM
Nice rig, 8.1 is it? Though the 454 is long gone?
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Nate on September 26, 2021, 11:01:38 PM
Jr, i believe 99 was the last year they offered the 454 in pickup's and 01 was the last year they offered it in their commercial and rv platforms?
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 27, 2021, 02:34:53 AM
Yes sir. It’s a MPFI Vortec 454. I can almost make it from one gas station to the next!


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on September 27, 2021, 11:02:12 AM
Yes sir. It’s a MPFI Vortec 454. I can almost make it from one gas station to the next!


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So I hear too, and they pull like a beast. Acually, I believe the 454 and 8.1 are still based on the same block.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on September 27, 2021, 12:11:41 PM
Yes sir. It’s a MPFI Vortec 454. I can almost make it from one gas station to the next!


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Well, if it’s like my v10 excursion those gas stations must be close together……
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: EL TATE on September 27, 2021, 12:12:57 PM
Yes sir. It’s a MPFI Vortec 454. I can almost make it from one gas station to the next!


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So I hear too, and they pull like a beast. Acually, I believe the 454 and 8.1 are still based on the same block.

same block different heads i believe. nice rig there. Gpa had the 98 ext long bed, loved that truck.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 29, 2021, 02:18:41 AM
6 nuts and 6 hours later, I can check exhaust leak off the list! I really just took my time and can’t hardly believe I was able to get the exhaust flanges broke loose.

L for… LOOSE
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210929/c188d876e6dfaa87e51ff5df384b4fb1.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210929/f5b56a3f70dc8ba11970fa2ba0ee7971.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 29, 2021, 02:32:05 AM
Oh… and the first hand calculated mpg, mostly city driving was 10.5!! Happy for double digits!!!


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Bigdave_185 on September 29, 2021, 08:12:20 AM
It’s the little things that bring  happiness


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Sammconn on September 29, 2021, 10:26:04 AM
6 nuts and 6 hours later, I can check exhaust leak off the list! I really just took my time and can’t hardly believe I was able to get the exhaust flanges broke loose.

L for… LOOSE
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210929/c188d876e6dfaa87e51ff5df384b4fb1.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210929/f5b56a3f70dc8ba11970fa2ba0ee7971.jpg)


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I too have been shocked with all the stuff I’ve been in with my motor job. I lost one exhaust bolt on a manifold to up-pipe. It just comes apart somehow.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 29, 2021, 11:48:04 AM
Rear tires today. I’ve never heard of Pathfinder A/T’s. I know they are made by Kumho and that’s what we used to sell at the farmers co-op. Don’t know anything about them other than that, but the front ones were same as new, so rather than buy 4 new tried and true BFG KO2’s, I opted to go with two of the Pathfinders to match the front.

Plus, Discount Tire went ahead and warrantied my front tires to tie up the deal.

Note- never buy anything from discount tire at their listed price. They have lots of room to wiggle and they will generally eat the tire disposal and throw in a warranty to seal your business. Plus, flat repairs are always free. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210929/4a42afccdce20145c52f36d8df973fb8.jpg)


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210929/33700edcfa3f3e1de640af60a390ac0a.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on September 29, 2021, 06:12:32 PM
Yes, had great luck with DT.

Just be glad fuel isn't in the high $4 where you are.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Flyin6 on September 29, 2021, 10:05:01 PM
Your mileage matches my supercharged 6.0L Suburban...Ouch!
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 29, 2021, 10:45:09 PM
New external door handle. #chevythings

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210930/36386b5d82fffd9e999fb2328b1c35ae.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210930/ecebd74774afdc5dc6e0b04fe957c25c.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 29, 2021, 11:50:12 PM
That’s as far as we are going tonight. Going to get a new door lock actuator tomorrow before I put her all back together. This thing is a money pit, but she ought to be a swell rig when all said and done.


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on September 30, 2021, 12:18:42 AM
FYI, the door handles will pop off with just a screwdriver. They make a plate to prevent that if it is a concern.

They are such clean trucks, wish they had the LS motor in them. The 5.7 was OK, 4L60 was the weak link. 150k and boom (ask me how I know)
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 30, 2021, 02:48:26 AM
I didn’t put her back together tonight. Need to replace the door lock actuator and do not have that part on hand. I did however have an old grill and some turn signal housings on hand to clean the front end up a little! This grill is a Chinese aftermarket type from a discount auto parts store. I had it for the white 98 ECSB. It doesn’t fit right. But looks better than the busted up one that came with the truck.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210930/1c35d52810ce9508a8f10ff03b7ca90b.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 30, 2021, 02:51:15 AM
FYI, the door handles will pop off with just a screwdriver. They make a plate to prevent that if it is a concern.

They are such clean trucks, wish they had the LS motor in them. The 5.7 was OK, 4L60 was the weak link. 150k and boom (ask me how I know)
I’m not concerned. If they try the handle they will find it’s probably unlocked! As far as the 150k trans failure…. Lookie what I found in the glove box!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210930/3268f8eb68451fda2c1fa077440195b7.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 30, 2021, 02:52:29 AM
Also found this!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210930/fb3a734de202d162ad93dece38c4e255.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210930/2875cf11efd6fc7d7615f7ee78201ea9.jpg)

My favorite part is “Been a good truck”


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on September 30, 2021, 03:31:45 AM
With the big block you should have a 4L80 anyway, but knowing its sound is great.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: TexasRedNeck on September 30, 2021, 06:00:21 AM
Looking good. Don’t think we got the back story on how/where you picked it up


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 30, 2021, 01:02:15 PM
Looking good. Don’t think we got the back story on how/where you picked it up


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Facebook marketplace find. Since I traded my tundra off for the Subaru, I wanted to get an older truck from the “late 1900’s” to kind of fix up and tinker with. I really like the OBS and I miss my old white 98. The things I didn’t like was that it was only a 305, extended cab. It was way under powered for anything other than putting around in.

I found this money pit and decided it was a solid foundation to start from! I’m not going to modify it too much. Mainly I just want everything to work!

Has anyone ever pressure washed this kind of carpet? The more I clean on it, the dirtier it looks. It’s as if it just re-distributes the stains. I would like to try and salvage it.


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on September 30, 2021, 01:43:38 PM
I’ve never pressure washed it (I have home rugs) but nothing beats a commercial cleaner. I’d call a small local mom and pop company and offer to be flexible and see what they could do in their way home from another job etc.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on September 30, 2021, 06:27:53 PM
I’ve never pressure washed it (I have home rugs) but nothing beats a commercial cleaner. I’d call a small local mom and pop company and offer to be flexible and see what they could do in their way home from another job etc.
I may do that. I have to take the driver’s seat out to get it re-done and we need our carpets cleaned at the house anyway so I might see if they will do my truck while they are here. Solid plan!


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on September 30, 2021, 06:54:27 PM
I’ve never pressure washed it (I have home rugs) but nothing beats a commercial cleaner. I’d call a small local mom and pop company and offer to be flexible and see what they could do in their way home from another job etc.
I may do that. I have to take the driver’s seat out to get it re-done and we need our carpets cleaned at the house anyway so I might see if they will do my truck while they are here. Solid plan!


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Yup, I’ve had them do vehicles (jeeps mainly) while they were there doing house carpets and vehicles were no charge.  :likebutton:
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on September 30, 2021, 07:54:07 PM
Just have it detailed!
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on October 01, 2021, 02:20:19 PM
Got all the door lock actuators swapped out. Next mechanical project will be getting a couple of the windows to roll up and down like they are supposed to. Then moving on to front brakes and new center caps, lug nuts, polish wheels. I’m thinking about spacers for the back wheels so it doesn’t look so bow legged up front.


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on October 01, 2021, 02:38:38 PM
99-10 gm 2500hd w/ the 6.0 ls 10.5” ring gear 14 bolt rear axle should be a direct swap. It’s a disc brake axle and will gain you roughly 2” wider. Same one I built for Dons burb project
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: KensAuto on October 01, 2021, 07:59:33 PM
Taking the carpet out to pressure wash is the only way to clean a nasty one. Well worth it imo. When a detailer does it, it pushes a lot of the funk down in to the insulation.
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Bigdave_185 on October 01, 2021, 10:22:32 PM
Taking the carpet out to pressure wash is the only way to clean a nasty one. Well worth it imo. When a detailer does it, it pushes a lot of the funk down in to the insulation.
I’m with Ken on this one, only way to wash out H is a pressure washer!

All jokes aside I’d say pull it and hang it up and pressured wash both sides then you can clean the candy out from behind the seats also


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Flyin6 on October 01, 2021, 10:51:50 PM
99-10 gm 2500hd w/ the 6.0 ls 10.5” ring gear 14 bolt rear axle should be a direct swap. It’s a disc brake axle and will gain you roughly 2” wider. Same one I built for Dons burb project
I'll vouch for that one. It's been trouble free (Great job S!)
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on October 02, 2021, 09:40:58 AM
Taking the carpet out to pressure wash is the only way to clean a nasty one. Well worth it imo. When a detailer does it, it pushes a lot of the funk down in to the insulation.
I’m with Ken on this one, only way to wash out H is a pressure washer!

All jokes aside I’d say pull it and hang it up and pressured wash both sides then you can clean the candy out from behind the seats also


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Pressure washer on H? Meh, double oo buck might be a better choice……..
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on October 03, 2021, 12:08:38 PM
Do the spring perches match on the 90-99 with the 00-10. Great axle though.

When I took the front seat out of the Dmax it amazed me what I found, and I tried not to drop stuff!
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on October 09, 2021, 01:44:03 PM
Was feeling pretty decent this morning so I pulled the seats…. Don’t feel so decent now
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211009/4886e9c72181d921c480c591fea85d8b.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on October 09, 2021, 05:18:37 PM
How do you watch motor trend TV all day and not tinker… I figure my quarantine time will definitely be a lot of tinkering around. I’m happy enough with how the carpet turned out without pulling it. I just used commercial topical stain lifter and a rotary brush chucked in to my drill. This is only after two rounds of vacuuming, treating, brushing and vacuuming again.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211009/8854d1cbbb165055de71159d57f38609.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: stlaser on October 09, 2021, 07:53:52 PM
Do the spring perches match on the 90-99 with the 00-10. Great axle though.

When I took the front seat out of the Dmax it amazed me what I found, and I tried not to drop stuff!

I believe so
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Flyin6 on October 11, 2021, 04:43:44 PM
Spray it with some carpet dye, color of your choice and it will look great again. Good base to work with
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on October 11, 2021, 06:09:41 PM
You know, I have seen worse. Find someone to clean where it is or drive it to them.

Is new carpet that much?
Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on October 12, 2021, 06:23:52 PM
You know, I have seen worse. Find someone to clean where it is or drive it to them.

Is new carpet that much?
More than I really want to spend right now I suppose.


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: Higher Caliber on October 12, 2021, 06:27:21 PM
So I ended up taking the side of the seat apart and I stuck my vacuum hose in there to clean out all the deteriorating foam. I then just used some poly pillow stuffing material and packed it in to the void. I spent a lot of quarantine hours cleaning 22 years of history out of this old girl. The wife and kids say she smells pretty decent now, so we will call the interior project complete!

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211012/2e96f91216b23dba54fc959680a5d379.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211012/98980d9d6baaecf6b42c9dbc48c049ce.jpg)


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: TexasRedNeck on October 12, 2021, 07:09:46 PM
Pretty nice.


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Title: Re: The Grandpa Truck
Post by: JR on October 12, 2021, 09:24:40 PM
Looks good. Sprinkle baking soda in there and let it sit for a day or so, it will help with the smell.
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