Addiction is bad, or is it?

[JCribb]

So on 12/19/22, I picked up yet another OBS, this time an 89 RCSB stepside C1500 w/ a 4.3 and a 5 speed. The dash is crack free, I couldn’t believe it. The trans has minimal synchros left, you need to double clutch to keep it happy, but it has 327k miles so I’d be janky too.

I have already started modifying it, and I’m not done yet.
I still have my 98 ECSB 5 speed 4x4 LS swap, I’m waiting on a few more parts and better weather to finish it.

 

[JCribb]

First mods, bench to buckets and console. LED taillight, I have smoked corners and parking lights installed but no fresh pics. I had to include my copilot since she’s always blessing me with her presence.

 

[JCribb]

I had to replace brakes and the rear brake lines, the rear section between tank and frame decided to leak after the union joint. Since I dropped the tank for access, I swapped in a new fuel pump w sending unit, and fuel filter. Sending unit was broken anyway, and it was hacked together by some unknown idiot (cut unit after threaded lines, spliced together with rubber hose). I’m glad I went ahead and fixed that hazard.

The brake lines we ordered from inline tube off eBay, and I am very pleased with the quality and product. It cost $85 for both rear sections. I also did the NBS master cylinder upgrade, and my goodness what a difference!! I don’t question the brakes now. Need to replace all the brake cables for the parking brake from the pedal to the drums, they’re way beyond gone.

 

[DeCaff2007]

HA! Meows! Did the cat come with the truck?

 

[RichLo]

5-speed in an 89? I didnt think the NV's came out until 91. Probably a swapped NV3500 from a later truck.

Nice progress BTW!!!

 

[Rock Hard Concrete]

5-speed in an 89? I didnt think the NV's came out until 91. Probably a swapped NV3500 from a later truck.

Nice progress BTW!!!

I had an 89 with a factory 5 speed.

 

[JCribb]

5-speed in an 89? I didnt think the NV's came out until 91. Probably a swapped NV3500 from a later truck.

Nice progress BTW!!!

HM290, technically a getrag transmission

 

[JCribb]

HA! Meows! Did the cat come with the truck?

Nah, she’s my shop cat. She hates everyone but me. In a pinch she will accept outside sources but she’s gotta be pretty desperate for attention. If I didn’t have house cats, she’d be inside too. Yet again she hates everyone, so she guards the shop, that’s why we get along we’re too much alike.

 

[JCribb]

I had an 89 with a factory 5 speed.

Yup 1/2 tons 88-93 had the getrag hm290. Starting in late 93 the NV3500 made its appearance, but in 93-94 you could have either one. I had a 94 with a leftover hm290.

 

[JCribb]

Exhaust work today, the muffler was well beyond useful, and it was at the back of the cab. The busted part was the top, therefore expelling fumes into the cab since the truck has a sliding back glass.

The job consisted of a new y-pipe, four feet of 3” pipe, 2.5” magnaflow muffler, and 18” turn down. It’s much quieter and less smelly now.

I goofed up and bought stainless steel pipe by accident, that was fun to weld. However, I figured it out and got it done.

Sprayed the wheels the same silver that’s on the red truck (GM ultra silver metallic). Bought center caps, the correct lug nuts and cap nuts to hold the center caps on. The center caps were chrome, they look better black.

Temporarily secured the sagging air dam with a zip tie, until a new one can be bought. It’s ripped and torn in several places.