1998 K1500 Build

[ChristGilley]

If you're still thinking about the lighting, I'd say put a couple on the brush guard but still get a rack or basket for the topper


Sent while pulling out a Ford

 

[TrailBlazerZ71]

Well here goes nothing... Thomas (98ChevyZ71) twisted my arm into starting up my own build thread so I can share my truck with all of you. So if you like it, you can thank him, and if you don't, well, then it's definitely his fault..

First off, I'd like to point out that as a 17 year old who is still in highschool, there won't be a whole lot of daily (or even weekly/monthly) updates to this thread or to the truck.

I used to drive a '94 Ford Explorer (don't hate me!), but it eventually started to have one problem after another (not surprising; it is a ford..haha). So near the end of the summer, my dad and I were on the way back from a trip down to Sioux City Iowa and ran into a gentle man who was looking at purchasing a new truck but had this 1998. I went up to the man, talked to him about his truck, checked it out, got his contact information, and two weeks later my dad and I were on our way back down towards the border to go purchase the truck.

Here it is a few days after it was purchased. I was too excited to finally have a K1500 that I completely forgot to take pictures the day we picked it up.

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There used to be a fifth wheel plate in it by the previous owner and the only rust on the truck is the few little spots where the plate used to sit in the bed:

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After about a week of driving it stock I decided it was time to start modifying the truck. Who wants to drive a truck that looks like everyone elses, right? First, I purchased a used tool box for $30 and that same weekend I painted both bumpers, the rockers, and the grill:

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After that, things went silent except for me picking up some red touch up paint and outlining the bowtie on the grill, the door badges, and the tailgate badge. The next week I picked up an old backrack/bedrails custom built for an 8 foot bed. Took it home, cut it down to fit my truck, sanded it down, and painted it flat black. Three weeks or so later I went ahead and put dual thrush glasspacks, two inch keys, and one inch blocks in the truck. The following week I went and picked up my 18 inch MB TKO rims with optional center caps wrapped with 33.5 inch Goodyear Duratracs. I only have two pictures of the truck in this stage and both of them have my neighbor's sweet K1500 in it as well:

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Next I blacked out my corner markers and corner blinkers and compared my 1998 to my friends 1997. Little bit of a difference, no?

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And a few of my truck on its own:

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For the next few weeks the truck stayed like that until I finally got around to taking my KC lights off the bumper of my old explorer. Next I bought a piece of steel shelving from my dad's work and added onto my backrack so I have a second bar to attach my KCs to. Then the KCs were bolted on:

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Unfortunately, that is how the truck stayed for almost two months because I got grounded (don't forget that I am only 17! Haha). Over the time that I was grounded, I picked up a set of 3 foot cb whips and mounted them to the toolbox and also installed a Cobra 19 cb. This next picture was taken on Thursday. And if you are from Minnesota, you know that is the day that we were supposed to get anywhere from 6-12 inches of snow...

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This next picture was taken just yesterday. She definitely is my pride and joy:

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That is all that I have as of right now on my truck. There is definitely more to come though, so stay tuned!


Thanks again to Thomas and his expert photoshop skills, I am able to show you what it should look like in the future with a visor and tows on it:

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Thanks everyone for reading and tell me what you think!!

-Nick

I really dig the look!

 

[98MNChevy]

Thanks guys! One more small update, got one of my whips installed on the topper so I can use my cb again, but I think this is how the truck will sit for a while (famous last words). Sold my KCs so those are out of the question. Sounds like I have a buyer on my headache rack/bed rails so that might be gone in a few weeks. Better than sitting in my barn taking up space. Ha.

Eventually I'll be replacing my front bumper, fixing my fuel gauge, and maybe a body lift when I need new tires. Still deciding if I really want/need 35s or if I should stick with 33s. Good news, that is a ways away still. Duratracs are doing good. About 26k miles on them in about a year and a half..

One more picture from the other night.

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[Dmgmc]

Looks like a really clean truck! Must be in south western mn?

 

[98MNChevy]

Looks like a really clean truck! Must be in south western mn?

I'm from Maple Plain which is in central Minnesota, but I bought the truck from a farmer in Fulda which is near Worthington. I now live in Orange City, Iowa for school.


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[Dmgmc]

I see I'm on my last year of high school in ne sd

 

[98MNChevy]

I see I'm on my last year of high school in ne sd

Come down and visit!


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[Dmgmc]

well come one you've gotta get to Sioux falls sometime to hit nordstroms! That's probably close enough to halfway

 

[98MNChevy]

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Obviously Iowa is doing something Minnesota isn't..ha. Majority of the trucks in Minnesota are rusting out and Iowa ones seem to be mint.


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[98sierra4x4]

I just saw this on CL, Common man why are you selling your truck?!?!?! http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/4934931375.html


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