1989 K1500 ECLB 4x4 Build...

[Darkrider]

looking good man ill be following this,hope your feel in better. That really sucks about the 900 makes me lose faith in chevy's new stuff.

Agreed....def has me seriously considering going no newer then an 800.

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[BlK89EXLB]

.. Yeah, before I bought the '09 I originally was looking for a 01-06 2500 c/c Dmax or a 73-87 K20 to put some $$ into and make bulletproof.
However my job requiring me to travel 60-75k a year meant a rolling project wasnt an option, plus with the Old GM going out of business sale I picked up the '09 for a fire sale price. Unfortunately it was the most unreliable and fragile FS truck I've ever owned.... in 135,000 miles I did U/L ball joints, tie rods, lower control arms (x2) both rear wheel cylinders, trans cooler lines, both wheel bearings, D/S window regulator, D/S door lock switch.
At 102k the trans started slipping, and at 103k a lifter turned in the block (AFM system = Fail) ate the cam lobe, bearing, and finally a main bearing I put a take out '09 2500 6.0 and 6spd in it and it was a beast until it tried to kill me.

in 3 years and 135k of ownership I had over $9500 in non-routine maint repairs..... No more... sticking with my simple old stuff. When I outgrow the TBI It'll be a carb'd 383... nothing fancier than that... my '89 has wind up windows, floor shift tcase, and a 5.7, cheap, simple, and easy to fix.

 

[BlK89EXLB]

Almost forgot, got a little done today...


added an OEM set of flares to all but the crunched P/S front fender (replacement in the works) wire wheel'd, por-15 under the mounting spots, and fender lips to keep rust at bay..

Before and After ... added on some -900 style Z71 stickers my buddy gave me... not sure how I feel about it, maybe should have moved them down some more...

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thats the P.O.s exhaust.... soon to be in the scrap bin

Other minor stuff - fixed glove box door, replaced worn out sunvisors, new side mirror glass, lube'd locks, doors, hood, tgate

 

[93SierraWT]

Welcome to the site!

Hell of an accident you had. Sorry to hear about your injuries, but you're lucky to still be here today! Looks like you've got some great plans for the truck, make sure to keep us all updated.

Best of luck on the road to recovery.

 

[Darkrider]

Nice progress! Sucks about your luck with the 900 though

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[BlK89EXLB]

93SierraWT - Thanks! I've always liked the look of the later composite light GMC grill and a cowl hood.... is that a 2" or 4" cowl?

Are there any write ups out there / kits to install a DIN cd player into the center dash pocket?
I kinda want to relocate it there, remove the OEM unit, and install a switch panel / storage pocket.

 

[Darkrider]

93SierraWT - Thanks! I've always liked the look of the later composite light GMC grill and a cowl hood.... is that a 2" or 4" cowl?

Are there any write ups out there / kits to install a DIN cd player into the center dash pocket?
I kinda want to relocate it there, remove the OEM unit, and install a switch panel / storage pocket.

You mean something like this?

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[TylerZ281500]

speaking of failed gear boxes i recall a zl1 doing the same thing.

 

[93SierraWT]

93SierraWT - Thanks! I've always liked the look of the later composite light GMC grill and a cowl hood.... is that a 2" or 4" cowl?

Are there any write ups out there / kits to install a DIN cd player into the center dash pocket?
I kinda want to relocate it there, remove the OEM unit, and install a switch panel / storage pocket.

It's a 2" cowl. And yes they make a kit, it comes with a new dash piece for the center and a pocket to go where the old unit was. I got mine from my local audio place.

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[Darkrider]

Yea, your local audio place should have a dash kit for your truck. Some of them come with a cd pocket to replace the original head unit. I currently have this setup, but in the spring im installing a switch panel in that placement.

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