88GMCtruck's 98 Silverado Towpig Build: "Black Fox"

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

88GMCtruck

I'm all 8-Luggy!
Joined
Apr 14, 2010
Messages
4,804
Reaction score
1,322
Location
Auburn, Wa: From Covington, Wa: Albion, Wa: Pullma
Well, for those of you who haven't heard elsewhere, I recently picked up another project: "Black Fox"

Anyway, here is the new towpig. It's a 1998 Silverado K3500, 454 NV4500 5-speed I bought with 135,000 miles.

Dealership Pictures.....

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach



So, The story goes like this: I've been looking for a new towpig awhile now. I was looking into duramax trucks but I still wanted a manual. After a few months of searching, etc I determined that the cost of owning one VS how much I would use it and the distances I would go just wasn't worth the money. I'd be buying it and wouldn't have any play money to customize it or anything either. So I started looking for GMT400 trucks again.... I ran across this truck about 3.5 hours from me. 1-owner trade in. The dealership listed it as an auto so I hadn't caught it prior. I called, got the pictures, etc etc.... Got the financing figured out. They were asking $9,000, I got them down to bluebook at $7,600 after pointing out some flaws I could see in the pictures. It also has 6 brand new Load E Toyo Open Country AT Tires.

I take the time to drive down there, with money in hand and a friend to drive my 02 back. I took it for a spin and after a few stoplights noticed a whining sound in gears 1 & 2. I later noticed it in Reverse too. The tech checks it, they check fluid. I know it's the bearings in the transmission.... Anyway they looked into it, while they did I grabbed some grub and figured out what I would still pay for it knowing I can' rebuild the transmission myself for a good deal less than they could and I'd have a great truck. So, after the last negotiations, I got the truck for $5,600. It made the 3.5 hour drive home no problems other than the hole in the gas tank :lol:

On the way home grabbing some grub. 21' long doesn't fit in many parking stalls.
You must be registered for see images attach


Or my garage.....
You must be registered for see images attach


My dog approved, although he was upset I wouldn't let him drive....
You must be registered for see images attach


And just for all you mid and east coast guys.... Here is what a 15 year old west coast truck looks like underneath.... Not a spec of rust anywhere :lol: Ok this truck is particularly clean underneath, even for this area.
You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach


So, with that said: Here is the start of my newest project truck, nicknamed "Black Fox". First order of business is to get the trans fixed up and go through the fluids and give it a tune up. Then on to a few towing items, such as removing the current power vision mirrors in favor of the GMT800 towing mirrors, getting a trailer plug wired in (they removed the wiring), and do some cleaning on the paint, wheels, repair the cracked dually fender.... Then eventually onto more "Fun" modifications like Kodiak door handles, Overhead console... etc.

Stay tuned!
 

SCOTTYINWV

si vis pacem, para bellum
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
12,976
Reaction score
110
Location
West Virginia
:lol: The truck needs a lot of things, and a diesel bumper is on the list.

You realized I pioneered that way back when on my 88. At that point nobody had used a diesel bumper like that, I wanted more light and decided to mimic the Z71 and Limited Tahoes.

Haha yeah I saw it, now I gotta find one.... Searching parking lots with a 1/2 inch drive 18mm socket and ratchet... :secret:

Quick ? though... Is it a direct swap onto my existing brackets or are new brackets needed?
 

JollyGreen

Metalworking Madman
Joined
Jun 21, 2011
Messages
4,339
Reaction score
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
Is it a direct swap onto my existing brackets or are new brackets needed?

Direct swap.



Dave, nice truck! Where you been mayne??? You got yours a lot cheaper than mine. That underside looks really familiar, as in mine looked that clean too. That's a great find and I'm sure the mod's will be good and tasteful.
 

phule

Back in a 400 again
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
2,358
Reaction score
145
Location
Southern nh
Wow at first I was just jealous of a dually with a stick.......god im lucky if I see 3 year old trucks with a frame that clean......good job man cant wait to see the biild!!!!

Adam
 

SCOTTYINWV

si vis pacem, para bellum
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
12,976
Reaction score
110
Location
West Virginia
That is truly awesome. Some trucks brand new on the lot aren't that clean underneath around here ... Can't wait to see the progress!
 

88GMCtruck

I'm all 8-Luggy!
Joined
Apr 14, 2010
Messages
4,804
Reaction score
1,322
Location
Auburn, Wa: From Covington, Wa: Albion, Wa: Pullma
Direct swap.



Dave, nice truck! Where you been mayne??? You got yours a lot cheaper than mine. That underside looks really familiar, as in mine looked that clean too. That's a great find and I'm sure the mod's will be good and tasteful.
Thanks Josh! It was cheaper but I still have to rebuild the transmission. After driving it 3.5 hours home it got considerably louder... But I know what it is and how to take it apart so it's a moot point.

As to where I've been.... Well after the move I honestly just got busy with doing things around the new house, and just didn't do anything to the trucks except drive them. I had a few big projects already, installed a new 200amp service panel (old one was out of space) and entirely re-wired the garage, built shelves and a workbench, cleaned up the yard some.... Those types of things. Now those have slowed down, I found a new truck.... so onward!

That is truly awesome. Some trucks brand new on the lot aren't that clean underneath around here ... Can't wait to see the progress!
I honestly couldn't live in a place like that.... Even my 88 is close to that clean underneath with 205,000 miles on it and I've driven this hell out of it.
 

JollyGreen

Metalworking Madman
Joined
Jun 21, 2011
Messages
4,339
Reaction score
68
Location
Tucson, AZ
Thanks Josh! It was cheaper but I still have to rebuild the transmission. After driving it 3.5 hours home it got considerably louder... But I know what it is and how to take it apart so it's a moot point.

As to where I've been.... Well after the move I honestly just got busy with doing things around the new house, and just didn't do anything to the trucks except drive them. I had a few big projects already, installed a new 200amp service panel (old one was out of space) and entirely re-wired the garage, built shelves and a workbench, cleaned up the yard some.... Those types of things. Now those have slowed down, I found a new truck.... so onward!


Well that thing is definitely clean all around and you got a smokin' deal on it, even with the tranny problem. So I asuume you're liking the new house??? Picked up a set of these about a week or so ago. The guy had them on Phoenix CL for a while and never sold them, so I was on Ebay one day and saw it was the same guy selling, bought them and had Danny (96k1500) pick them up for me. Still deciding on centers. The 400 and 900 caps are impossible to find in a set of 4 in good condition.

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 
Top