'88 dually

Well, lots of cutting, grinding and welding got the hitch in. I couldn't pound the frame straight (not enough room to swing a big sledge) so I "relief cut" the frame and then pounded it. I used my head porting grinder to reach the "1st left rear area" to grind it away..I will get my welder friend to finish weld the frame or add additional bracing. He has a more powerful welder and much more welding skill..I will put the hitch and enormous 1 ton rear bumper into storage. If I left those pieces installed, it would reduce the size of my workspace in my smaller garage a lot! I will install the rear bumper etc in the spring..

I also installed the wiper motor (thanks for the wiring diagram Brandon of this webiste). The wiper motor runs but so far only on high speed easily. I can get it to run on low if I mess around with the switch settings. The wiper park function works as well.
I need to convert my TH-400 trans to a analogue speedo. To do this I need to change my digital drive gear. I have to remove the digital drive gear and put a 14 tooth one on. I also need to order the 14 tooth from gear vendors..
I will pick up a trans mount this week as well.
The next stages of this project will be to install the engine/trans and then over the winter "hook up" all the items associated with the engine/trans combo..
Here is wiper motor working--

I went to one of the u-pic yards nearby (Kenny's Ottawa) and got a new plastic windshield cowl (not cracked as much as the current one, seat tracks (for my driver side "40" seat) that actually slide properly, and a bunch of bolts etc for the trans crossmember etc. I also phoned GearVendors and it is too complicated to use the 14 tooth speedo drive gear. I will just use the "standard" 15 tooth one and eventually use a adjuster. I just didn't want to drop the trans in and have to pull it again to change the speedo drive gear. Here is also a my newest vid..

Big day at the garage! the engine/trans is in! I also figured out the wiper motor situation. If you are using a universal switch you need a non pulse board. I am going with a analog speedo so I needed to change over to a different speedo gear. I got a few items sandblasted and POR painted. The next step for the engine will probably be some headers. I just have to save up some $$..Are those china stainless steel ones any good? In the meantime, I will do some "cab wiring" more courtesy lights lol..

The speedo gear install was a struggle, the bolt to remove the yoke was on very tight. Once I got it off, I had to chisel the digital gear off. The 15 tooth analogue gear was hard to put on. The reinstall of the yoke was hard, the bolt is difficult to tighten.

Latest vid as well..

Hey guys, I bought some headers (Flowtech 11508FLT) They fit the chassis (I was concerned about the 1 ton header fitment). The headers don't link up to the semi- original exhaust. It appears someone already modified the exhaust "horn" etc..I am considering buying a used stainless exhaust instead of cutting and welding the one currently on the truck. The used stainless one is from a GMT-400 suburban so it should fit?
I also finished the dash and got all the little pieces to make the glove box complete..The newly installed courtesy lights look good lol..

more pics

I read (on here) that the 2 piece aluminum engine bracket system was much better so I retrieved one from a '94 Suburban. My original 1 piece steel engine bracket didn't have any cracks but I figure I should upgrade at this point. In 5 or 10 years we won't have the availability of parts for our GMT-400s at the yard. I figure that this is time to buy these parts ($17 per bracket piece) It fits well, I will need to add some small brackets for the bracing to work with Edelbrock intake. The right side bracket also came with the A/C compressor eliminator so that will save some money as well. I also picked up a Jeep steering shaft out of a '94 Jeep, so I will change out my original shaft. It will be easier to change the shaft(for access purposes) since there is no front sheetmetal etc..I am trying to do as much now so that less more will be required later. I am going to put a new water pump on (I don't trust the used ones I have), as well as replace my power steering pump. I will keep the power steering reservoir (it doesn't seem like these are available anyways) and just change the pump. For the exhaust I will just re-use the old one and use some of that cheap flexible piping to make the Y pipe "fit".

These are some pics of the donor suburban

newest vid