My 1990 C1500 SWB Build - Daily Driver

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PolarBear

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Lets start out here, i've been on this site for a number of years. Originally registered when I had my 1998 Chevrolet K2500 ECLB. Never got around to actually posting a build thread, since that truck didn't need much.

Here's the run down on my 1990 Silverado from purchasing it 06/30/14 until now 11/22/14.

Truck was purchased 6/30/14 for $1900 including a .40 cal Sig Sauer P229R pistol I sold to my friend who owned the truck. So, basically $1100 was paid for the truck.

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At that point, it was a factory 4.3 / Automatic truck, manual crank windows, manual locks. Scottsdale package. The previous owner swapped in a 94 350 and a 91 700R4. Also adding a set of 2" drop shackles and the torque thrust wheels as pictured. The bed had been replaced, rockers and cab corners were rusty.

Quickly, I got to work. As I planned to make this truck a daily driver. I replaced the fuel pump and cab corners right off the bat.

Off with the bed!

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Mmmhmmm, less rust worm!

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While the bed was off, I added -2" drop spring hangers too.

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It was early July by this point, I had also swapped in a set of power 91 doors and a factory power harness. Which I don't have any pictures of those.

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Next, I was asked to use myself and the truck on the cover of the latest LMC 88-98 catalog, naturally.... the company wants to show their employee's work on their own projects as well. I'm sure some of you may have this catalog sitting near the throne.

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Not much happened for the remainder of July, just busy driving the truck...

I did swap the factory bench for a 95-98 60/40 somewhere near the end of July.

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The interior was so haggard upon purchasing this truck!

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Shortly after purchase of the 95-98 seat, I put my minions to work, my daughter handled the heavy work on the carpet cleaning and my wife redid the headliner in gray suede!

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I did decide to do a 1991 only needle gauge swap somewhere in the middle of august just for a newer look.

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On August 21st 2014, the truck was brought up to daily driver status. I believe my drive each week is about 330miles just to and from work.

In the beginning of September, the gears started turning again on what mods I wanted to do to the truck. So naturally a cowl hood was added. I also scabbed the grille off a 94 suburban I parted out.

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Totally unable to be content with anything vehicle wise, I decided it was time to do some interior updating!

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Not pictured is the 1995 column, which i've yet to install.

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The interior conversion was a pain in the ass, wiring wise. Since the HVAC wiring hasn't been correctly laid out in diagram form yet. The truck still uses the factory 1990 wiring harnesses, with the 1995 pigtails wired in. The dash swap took all day on a Saturday to install and wire.

At this point, I still had 88-94 doors, I needed to find a nice set of 95+ doors, so I wouldn't have to change much. I woundup finding a set off a 98 Tahoe for $100.

The truck has been mostly untouched between late September and now mid November. With the exception of addition of a roll pan. I removed the cowl hood and switched the torque thrust's out for rally wheels for winter duty.

Pictured with my 98 GMC, which is getting it's own build thread next.

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I've got a set of rocker panels, Edelbrock TBI intake manifold and Edelbrock TES shorty headers to install on the truck. Which should happen soon enough over the winter!
 
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PolarBear

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twomanymontes

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Nice project, like what your doing, but I don't think I would have the patience to perform the dash swap
 

PolarBear

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Here's the suburban that died to donate a ton of parts to the shortbed build.

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PolarBear

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Not too much to update with. Been driving the truck pretty painlessly for the past 6 months now.

Sadly its developed the typical TBI low oil pressure at idle (around 15psi hot at 675rpm, 45psi at 2000rpm). So i've began planning a cammed, carbureted 5.3 swap.

Did get the overhead console and compass / temp rear view installed. The wife also recovered the console to match the headliner. She did a good job!

Went with the Suburban console due to the enlarged space for the rear HVAC controls, which when coupled with a factory delete plate will make the perfect home for the tranny temp and wideband gauges.

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So far i've put 8,300 miles on the truck. Was averaging 19.48mpg in the summer, now we're down to 17.65 due to winter fuels.
 

PolarBear

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Switched out the rally wheels in the front from 15x8 to 15x6.5 with 215/60/15s in anticipation for the 5/8 drop. Truck definately drives much better now!

Also picked up a new aluminum radiator in preparation for the vortec head / carburetor swap.
 
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