Project: Just Keep it Nice

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98chevy2500SS

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The dash swap will be interesting, I had the same thoughts about swapping my 98's dash to the pre-94 style a few years ago. Ended up just switching to the 95-96 dash since I didn't want the pass. airbag.
 

AK49BWL

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I don't care about the airbags, could do with or without. I just like the 88-94 style - imo, it's more fitting to these trucks than the 95+ rounded styling. Reminds me too much of my 99 and 03 Blazers, which ARE more rounded than boxy-ish on the outside. I did take some time to do a side-by-side comparison of the hardware mounting behind the dash, and determined everything that isn't removable is essentially identical from 88-99. This really helps, because I was a little worried the mounting for the steering wheels would be different. It isn't :D

Did a little something today... Ground down the ends of the tailgate drop-stop bars to fit the bolts because I don't feel like going back to the JY lol. Might paint them... Might not.

Finally got around to pulling off the distributor cap, because I got that oh-so-lovely P0300 ... As I knew I would because she's running like utter dog crap. Well I'm pretty sure now, it's not the distributor gear. There's not enough play in the rotor for me to believe that to be the case.. But I think I do know what the problem IS now.

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Compared to my Blazer's old rotor...

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Seriously? BROKEN center button on the rotor?! This set does not even have 5000 miles on it yet, in the year it's been installed!!! :flame: This one was a BraveX brass-terminal cap/rotor set from Amazon, not the cheap aluminum junk.. But it would appear the terminals on this one are corroding just as much as the POS aluminum ones.

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I am beyond SICK of these stupid distributors, NONE of them last worth a crap. I get to replace the set, AGAIN, for the 3rd time since I bought the truck in 2015. I'm just SO done with the system after this one, the only long-term viable solution is total eradication of the cap and rotor. I should probably be done with the mfer right now, but I'm just not ready for a complete engine rebuild yet..... However I think I'm about to start gathering parts, starting with that 24x Reluctor.

Edit: Aaaaaaaaand I just bought it. Here we go.......
 
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AK49BWL

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What am I doing here.... :evillol:

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Wheeee, something happened today! .... It was a tiny something, but hey....lol

Before:

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After:

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FINALLY.

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I love the way it makes my LEDs look.

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I had corners to go on too, but evidently I don't know something of dire importance, because the ones I got definitely are not for my truck.

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What gives???

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Is there a difference in these between the Chevy and GMC grilles? Or did I end up with corners for an older truck?
 

Curt

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I had corners to go on too, but evidently I don't know something of dire importance, because the ones I got definitely are not for my truck.

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What gives???

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Is there a difference in these between the Chevy and GMC grilles? Or did I end up with corners for an older truck?

Looks good! FYI, the chevy corner lights are different than GMC.
 

AK49BWL

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Great... Guess I'm off to go find the right ones now. I was really looking forward to going all clears this weekend. I can't use these because they get in the way of the headlight and blinker housings.

EDIT: Sigh. Yep, I failed. The ones I bought clearly say for Chevy. But in my defense, it doesn't say NOT for GMC :p lol
 
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Curt

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AK49BWL

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HotWheelsBurban

Gotta have 4 doors..... Rawhide, TOTY 2023!
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Ah, I didn't realize they were sealed beams for 88-89, interesting. Mostly I'm just tired of the plastic clouding up over time and glass doesn't do that, or at least not nearly to the same extent lol. I would love to do the H4 housings, those look like they do a good job on yours! But I'm also looking at the LMC ones now, and they look pretty good too, and not as expensive as I thought they'd be. Think I might pick up a set and go grab some brackets at the pick-n-pull.. There's quite a few early model GMT400s there so I'm sure to find at least one of each side. Thanks for the info!

Okay, this is a long shot I know but... I've been mulling over a dash swap in my truck. I LOVE the 88-94 dash style, always have, and it's probably the only thing I miss about my old 93 RCSB lol. I like the older digital HVAC, for one thing, and the boxy style. I know it's an involved process to do the swap but the biggest thing is, FINDING the parts in decent enough shape to even want them. And get them in the right color. I don't care about having to re-wire stuff, I think I've pretty much proven my worth there :rofl:

So what I'll need (in green is stuff I already have):

--- The complete dash itself, cluster, HVAC controller, 3-piece stereo, switches, vents, and other parts...

--- Left and Right door internals and panels with door/window switches

--- Manual transmission steering column, wheel, multifunction switch, etc...

Feel free to add anything I may have forgotten to the list. From what I've seen of guys who have done this swap the other way (old to new), it's not hard at all because everything lines up fine. The wiring will be a mess but like I said, I'm good with that.

PS, if anyone needs an 88-94 digital HVAC controller, I have 8 of them :roflsquared: they all work, most of them still have working lights, buuuuut, most of them also have broken mounting tabs lol. Six of them will run 4-speed systems with the dual-plug resistor, two will only do 3-speed systems.

I also have four working radio amps for the same era, two work with the 5-band equalizer systems, two only work with radio heads with the built-in Bass/Treble buttons.

My 88-94 electronics junk pile :rofl:

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Also found this gem while digging around in a 94 Burb... It still plays too!

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Just saw this post, you still have that tape? Love your truck, the color is gorgeous and I like all the electronic work you've done. Thanks
 

AK49BWL

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Yup, still have the tape and one other from an Olds now lol.

I hit the junkyard again yesterday and came out with another pair of 88-89 headlights and a pair of 88-89 stereos, also got a clean burgundy 89 tape deck bezel, that thing with the vents in it that goes over the deck, all tabs intact and looks great (actually the whole dash looked great).. Also grabbed a 2000 OBS Escalade BCM to play with :D gonna wire that sucker into the truck eventually when I start on my rewire project.
 
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