Cowboy Cruiser Build

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.

GMC_YA_L8R

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 5, 2022
Messages
69
Reaction score
125
Location
Missouri
This thread will be detailing my build project on my 1990 GMC Sierra SLE RCSB K1500 that I've named Cowboy. I've owned a few GMT400 trucks over the years and I've **always** wanted a RCSB truck to putt around town in. Well, I got one last year and after a new Delphi fuel pump, fuel filter, battery, AC Delco 02 sensor, a new ICM, and some junkyard tires it now runs. It has a stumble and misfire when cold (I'm assuming coolant temperature sensor) but it comes out of it after a minute or so. Otherwise, it runs, drives, shifts, and stops pretty decently. I've started amassing parts for it and I'm about ready to start fixing it up.

First, some pictures of how it looked when I got it.
 

Attachments

  • PXL_20220804_170354539.jpg
    PXL_20220804_170354539.jpg
    330.3 KB · Views: 19
  • PXL_20220804_170340114.jpg
    PXL_20220804_170340114.jpg
    300 KB · Views: 19
  • PXL_20220804_170426783.jpg
    PXL_20220804_170426783.jpg
    323.3 KB · Views: 19

GMC_YA_L8R

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 5, 2022
Messages
69
Reaction score
125
Location
Missouri
Here's a few pictures of the truck as it sits now. I've got the bed ready for removal to clean up rear frame, install new U-bolts, plates, rebuild rear brakes, and shoot a coat of paint on everything I can while I'm in there. It's going to be a long road but I'm just going to take my time and enjoy the truck as I make improvements.
 

Attachments

  • 16846835602242453567799181204065.jpg
    16846835602242453567799181204065.jpg
    252.8 KB · Views: 17
  • 16846835770359212368629278807185.jpg
    16846835770359212368629278807185.jpg
    254.4 KB · Views: 17
  • 16846835921197982560246176757163.jpg
    16846835921197982560246176757163.jpg
    282.8 KB · Views: 17
  • 16846836063368607274957133920400.jpg
    16846836063368607274957133920400.jpg
    196.8 KB · Views: 17

GMC_YA_L8R

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 5, 2022
Messages
69
Reaction score
125
Location
Missouri
Oh, here's a question for y'all. While the bed is off I'll still need to be able to move the truck. It's not registered or tagged so just moving it around the yard so I can mow. To do that, I'll need to hook up the fuel pump ground wire somewhere. Does anyone have a good spot in mind to put it? My thought was to clean up a spot on the front leaf spring hanger and just vice grip it to that temporarily.
 

454cid

Sooper Pooper
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
8,009
Reaction score
8,891
Location
The 26th State
Oh, here's a question for y'all. While the bed is off I'll still need to be able to move the truck. It's not registered or tagged so just moving it around the yard so I can mow. To do that, I'll need to hook up the fuel pump ground wire somewhere. Does anyone have a good spot in mind to put it? My thought was to clean up a spot on the front leaf spring hanger and just vice grip it to that temporarily.

My pump grounds to the frame rail. It's a newer truck than yours, Though.
 

GMC_YA_L8R

OBS Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 5, 2022
Messages
69
Reaction score
125
Location
Missouri
My pump grounds to the frame rail. It's a newer truck than yours, Though.
Where at exactly? Now that I'm under there looking, there is a small nub sticking off the frame right in the front hanger area. That could be the factory ground location and someone may have moved the ground to the bed support channel in the past. This truck has had some questionable work done in the past so it wouldn't surprise me. Nothing majorly wrong but little things just done sloppily.
 

454cid

Sooper Pooper
Joined
Sep 5, 2010
Messages
8,009
Reaction score
8,891
Location
The 26th State
Where at exactly? Now that I'm under there looking, there is a small nub sticking off the frame right in the front hanger area. That could be the factory ground location and someone may have moved the ground to the bed support channel in the past. This truck has had some questionable work done in the past so it wouldn't surprise me. Nothing majorly wrong but little things just done sloppily.

The frame rail right next to the tank. The ground that I have on the box, is for the filler neck.
 

Supercharged111

Truly Awesome
Joined
Aug 20, 2015
Messages
12,617
Reaction score
15,245
If you're gonna vise grip it, anywhere will work, but use an eyelet terminal or something similar so you're not just mashing the individual wire strands. And don't forget about the ghetto rig either, or else you'll be back here in a year or 2 trying to troubleshoot a no start.
 
Top