Svein
OBS Enthusiast
Hi!
My name is Svein, and I live in Norway. Since I got my drivers license, I`ve been driving Chevrolet vans. I´ve been trough a 1992, 1993 Starcraft conversions, and for the last 9 years I´ve been driving my Starcraft cargo van until the rust ate it all.
Now, I have finally treated myself after many years of saving and considering what would be the wise way to go. I bought a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K1500. It has 250000kms on it, but there was (almost) no rust, and it had an old webasto type diesel heater (that did not work).
I am so happy! I have several plans for upgrades for this car - I want it to be the perfect "do anything"-truck, and my aim is to treat it right from the start, and avoid all the mistakes I´ve made with my previous cars. And it´s still a 6.5 diesel, so I kind of know the beast - even though I´ve never been much of a mechanic.
My dreams and plans include:
installing a custom wvo system
headlights upgrade and new labeling and relays for the headlights
wiring upgrade from ptsolutions for the glow plugs and mains wiring, and a new glow plug controller
replace all door hinges and the barn door catches needs replacing.
new 2din radio with apple airplay
I got the truck this summer. This is my first sight of it:
The first things that turned out, was that the previous owner had been sloppy about the bulbs, so I had to swap all the turn signal and parking lamps in the front, and add bulbs to all the courtesy lights in the doors and under the dash. I am contemplating putting in red bulbs in these positions - I think that could look nice, plus some red led bulbs could be brighter than the 3w bulbs that I currently have in. I´ll have to have a think about that.
The next thing I did, was to put in a new 2din dab radio. I went for a pioneer ash-z3000dab, and added two pioneer backup cameras, and a dab antenna. I also ordered a metra dp-3003 dash kit bezel. I have to say that it sure wasn't a perfect fit. Next time I have to take it off for some other wiring, I will try to use the original metal fasteners from the original dash.
I hadn´t thought about the differences in the dash colours. I made a decision to just go a head and try the "easier version", so I used rubber spray to paint the ash tray and the air vents black. The air vents have lost some paint, because it is scrubbing the dash bezel a bit when you turn them. I´m thinking I would need to trim the holes a bit in the bezel at some point.
I had to chop out quite a bit of plastic to make it all fit together. I used a drill and some wire snips, not the most elegant solution, I have to say.
But having a 2din with proper dab radio and apple airplay? Amazing. Looking forward to getting the reverse camera installed as well. I am debating a bit where to put it, but I think the best place would be on the passenger side rear barn door, just next to the handle. I could make a hole for the wiring trough the handle and cable it trough the door, but it does sound like a lot of work!
I´ve been away for work for some weeks now, and I have the new wiring from ptsolution plus headlights and the who system waiting for me when I get home. Might have to build some big extra fuse/relay boxes, though.
I shall try to keep you posted, but there might be some time between the posts!
My name is Svein, and I live in Norway. Since I got my drivers license, I`ve been driving Chevrolet vans. I´ve been trough a 1992, 1993 Starcraft conversions, and for the last 9 years I´ve been driving my Starcraft cargo van until the rust ate it all.
Now, I have finally treated myself after many years of saving and considering what would be the wise way to go. I bought a 1999 Chevrolet Suburban K1500. It has 250000kms on it, but there was (almost) no rust, and it had an old webasto type diesel heater (that did not work).
I am so happy! I have several plans for upgrades for this car - I want it to be the perfect "do anything"-truck, and my aim is to treat it right from the start, and avoid all the mistakes I´ve made with my previous cars. And it´s still a 6.5 diesel, so I kind of know the beast - even though I´ve never been much of a mechanic.
My dreams and plans include:
installing a custom wvo system
headlights upgrade and new labeling and relays for the headlights
wiring upgrade from ptsolutions for the glow plugs and mains wiring, and a new glow plug controller
replace all door hinges and the barn door catches needs replacing.
new 2din radio with apple airplay
I got the truck this summer. This is my first sight of it:
You must be registered for see images attach
The first things that turned out, was that the previous owner had been sloppy about the bulbs, so I had to swap all the turn signal and parking lamps in the front, and add bulbs to all the courtesy lights in the doors and under the dash. I am contemplating putting in red bulbs in these positions - I think that could look nice, plus some red led bulbs could be brighter than the 3w bulbs that I currently have in. I´ll have to have a think about that.
The next thing I did, was to put in a new 2din dab radio. I went for a pioneer ash-z3000dab, and added two pioneer backup cameras, and a dab antenna. I also ordered a metra dp-3003 dash kit bezel. I have to say that it sure wasn't a perfect fit. Next time I have to take it off for some other wiring, I will try to use the original metal fasteners from the original dash.
You must be registered for see images attach
I hadn´t thought about the differences in the dash colours. I made a decision to just go a head and try the "easier version", so I used rubber spray to paint the ash tray and the air vents black. The air vents have lost some paint, because it is scrubbing the dash bezel a bit when you turn them. I´m thinking I would need to trim the holes a bit in the bezel at some point.
You must be registered for see images attach
I had to chop out quite a bit of plastic to make it all fit together. I used a drill and some wire snips, not the most elegant solution, I have to say.
But having a 2din with proper dab radio and apple airplay? Amazing. Looking forward to getting the reverse camera installed as well. I am debating a bit where to put it, but I think the best place would be on the passenger side rear barn door, just next to the handle. I could make a hole for the wiring trough the handle and cable it trough the door, but it does sound like a lot of work!
I´ve been away for work for some weeks now, and I have the new wiring from ptsolution plus headlights and the who system waiting for me when I get home. Might have to build some big extra fuse/relay boxes, though.
I shall try to keep you posted, but there might be some time between the posts!
