Okay, so I've owned this truck for a while, but i wasn't a member when i first bought it. The build is still technically in progress, almost done, but in progress nonetheless. Intially after my C2500 was out of commission for a while, i wanted a 4x4, preferably a crew cab. Since i pelted a deer and only had limited funding, my cap was $3000. So i started searching for a new truck..
Looked at a few
96 K2500 Extended Cab LB 6.5TD/5spd -168k miles - $2300
Too late, guy called the day before me, we both looked at the truck, and he got first dibs.
93 K2500 Regular Cab LB 6.5TD/Automatic 148k miles- $2100
Rust Free One Owner. Such a nice truck, just got there to late. Same as before someone else had called him first.
93 K3500 Crew Cab LB single axle 350/5spd 390k miles - $3000
Nice rust free truck, interior was mint, clear was peeling but the price just wasn't right for the mileage.
Everything else i found was a rust bucket or they wanted $4-5000 for them.
So i ended up shelling out $2300 for this. It's a 94 C3500 Crew Cab Long Bed 2WD, 6.5 Turbo Diesel w/ 4L80E Automatic. 360k miles on a rebuilt transmission w/ less than 3000 miles. Since I have a extra 6.5 motor at the shop, i felt the risk was worth it. It's the Cheyenne package, but came with the Silverado grill. Vinyl interior double bench, rubber floors, crank windows. Rust free Arizona truck.
The motor come to find out wasn't the greatest. It has some issues with the starter which the starter shop said the block was warped. I later found out these motors need the front starter bracket, and since this didn't which had broke the bolts many times over. We drilled out the bolts but after that the starter never really set right. It's loud and cranky but it works for now. I plan on stuffing our rebuilt 93 DB2 6.5 in there soon, ditching the electronic injection.
One of the first things she got was cab lights. On a 22 ft crew cab it was a must. These are the GMT400 style LED bulb cab lights. I cant stand when people have the GMT800-900 cab lights on these, it just doesn't look right.
Also found a OE style 6.5 Turbo Diesel decal off ebay. With this truck i wanted to turn it from a cheyenne to silverado so it was a must for looks. And i <3 stickers.
The next thing the truck got was fender flares off ebay. If anyone is questioning fender flares for your GMT400, i've had bushwackers and these premium flares of ebay, and they are excellent. Thicker, and i like the way they stick with double sided adhesive. (Bushwackers - $400 / Ebay - $139)
Then came the interior swap. The vinyl seats are cold in the winter, and hot in the summer, and the rubber floors smelled horrible from years of abuse. I've always been fond of the red interior, so nothing changed there. I found some seats off craigslist. $150 for the buckets, bench $30. Console off ebay $50. And the carpet from stockinteriors.com. ($170 i believe)
I began ripping out the back bench, then the front and followed by the vinyl flooring.
Lots of room in here!
The finished product,
Next came with the tailgate for the "stock silverado" look. I swapped tailgates off my 97, wanting the 97's tailgate to be smooth. Also the badge at the end of this added to the OEM style. The only problem is, the silver flaked off so i had painted it black/red. Next came out the paint and the tape.
I also put some LED's below the tailgate rather than the bar that is on my 97.
Finished product, i accidentally bumped the paint while it was drying, hence the mark in the middle.. but the truck's gonna see some work so i left it.
Now the controversial part, the Tow Mirrors. Since my other truck has the GMT800 style i went a little different on this. The dodge ones look good and since this isn't the truck i'll pull with mostly i wanted to be able to flip the mirrors in for city driving..
My dog Kobalt made sure i was distracted the whole time...
And here she is now,
Currently the truck is having some starter issues, and it is just parked at our shop. Since my 97 was fixed last fall, this thing sat for the winter. But now that it's spring time I'm going to start turning wrenches on iit again. Like i said i will be swapping in our PMD-Less 93 DB2 6.5 motor in for this and using a transmission controller. (for now until i change my mind again) I hate the PMD it's unreliable and kind of erratic. I plan to use this truck as a toy so i want something reliable..
Looked at a few
96 K2500 Extended Cab LB 6.5TD/5spd -168k miles - $2300
Too late, guy called the day before me, we both looked at the truck, and he got first dibs.
93 K2500 Regular Cab LB 6.5TD/Automatic 148k miles- $2100
Rust Free One Owner. Such a nice truck, just got there to late. Same as before someone else had called him first.
93 K3500 Crew Cab LB single axle 350/5spd 390k miles - $3000
Nice rust free truck, interior was mint, clear was peeling but the price just wasn't right for the mileage.
Everything else i found was a rust bucket or they wanted $4-5000 for them.
So i ended up shelling out $2300 for this. It's a 94 C3500 Crew Cab Long Bed 2WD, 6.5 Turbo Diesel w/ 4L80E Automatic. 360k miles on a rebuilt transmission w/ less than 3000 miles. Since I have a extra 6.5 motor at the shop, i felt the risk was worth it. It's the Cheyenne package, but came with the Silverado grill. Vinyl interior double bench, rubber floors, crank windows. Rust free Arizona truck.
You must be registered for see images attach
The motor come to find out wasn't the greatest. It has some issues with the starter which the starter shop said the block was warped. I later found out these motors need the front starter bracket, and since this didn't which had broke the bolts many times over. We drilled out the bolts but after that the starter never really set right. It's loud and cranky but it works for now. I plan on stuffing our rebuilt 93 DB2 6.5 in there soon, ditching the electronic injection.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
One of the first things she got was cab lights. On a 22 ft crew cab it was a must. These are the GMT400 style LED bulb cab lights. I cant stand when people have the GMT800-900 cab lights on these, it just doesn't look right.
You must be registered for see images attach
Also found a OE style 6.5 Turbo Diesel decal off ebay. With this truck i wanted to turn it from a cheyenne to silverado so it was a must for looks. And i <3 stickers.
You must be registered for see images attach
The next thing the truck got was fender flares off ebay. If anyone is questioning fender flares for your GMT400, i've had bushwackers and these premium flares of ebay, and they are excellent. Thicker, and i like the way they stick with double sided adhesive. (Bushwackers - $400 / Ebay - $139)
You must be registered for see images attach
Then came the interior swap. The vinyl seats are cold in the winter, and hot in the summer, and the rubber floors smelled horrible from years of abuse. I've always been fond of the red interior, so nothing changed there. I found some seats off craigslist. $150 for the buckets, bench $30. Console off ebay $50. And the carpet from stockinteriors.com. ($170 i believe)
I began ripping out the back bench, then the front and followed by the vinyl flooring.
You must be registered for see images attach
Lots of room in here!
You must be registered for see images attach
The finished product,
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Next came with the tailgate for the "stock silverado" look. I swapped tailgates off my 97, wanting the 97's tailgate to be smooth. Also the badge at the end of this added to the OEM style. The only problem is, the silver flaked off so i had painted it black/red. Next came out the paint and the tape.
I also put some LED's below the tailgate rather than the bar that is on my 97.
You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
Finished product, i accidentally bumped the paint while it was drying, hence the mark in the middle.. but the truck's gonna see some work so i left it.
You must be registered for see images attach
Now the controversial part, the Tow Mirrors. Since my other truck has the GMT800 style i went a little different on this. The dodge ones look good and since this isn't the truck i'll pull with mostly i wanted to be able to flip the mirrors in for city driving..
You must be registered for see images attach
My dog Kobalt made sure i was distracted the whole time...
You must be registered for see images attach
And here she is now,
You must be registered for see images attach
Currently the truck is having some starter issues, and it is just parked at our shop. Since my 97 was fixed last fall, this thing sat for the winter. But now that it's spring time I'm going to start turning wrenches on iit again. Like i said i will be swapping in our PMD-Less 93 DB2 6.5 motor in for this and using a transmission controller. (for now until i change my mind again) I hate the PMD it's unreliable and kind of erratic. I plan to use this truck as a toy so i want something reliable..
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