Wreck rebuild first GMT400

[Dantheman1540]

Hey everyone I’m new here but not new to forums or GM stuff, but really mostly GMT800 stuff.

Anyway I’m about to inherit a 1995 (I think) GMC2500, eclb, 4x4, with a 350, and a nice palm tree scar. I’m supposed to be picking it up Sunday and it hasn’t left the garage since my late uncle smacked a palm tree in his drive way 5 years ago.

My goal is fix the damaged stuff, mostly make it work as it should and have a decent tow truck to pull a single call hauler trailer with my Offroad Ranger, or whatever else I might come across to tow. Highly considering gearing the snot out of it to like 4.56/4.88 with tall and skinny 32/33”s. Also wouldn’t be opposed to hacking the ifs out and putting a leaf sprung 60 in it. Probably using all ORD parts because ORD rocks and leafs are for trees and this truck is basically brown like a tree.

Other trucks in my fleet currently are:

2004 Tahoe NV4500 swapped, 6.0 with mods, and lots of other stuff.

1994 ranger, well tuned midtravel kit, and some ugly fabbed stuff.

2011 taco, super basic 3/2lift, basically stock.

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[someotherguy]

That'll be a '96-up with the Vortec small block.

I'm not a 4x4 guy but I think most of the solid axle swaps seem to be done on RWD trucks, not sure what converting an IFS 4x4 to solid involves.

Richard

 

[Sean Buick 76]

Welcome! I like the idea of 4.56 gears for towing! For towing duty I would keep the IFS personally, you have enough off road trucks it seems.

When you can take a pic of the glovebox sticker it shows all the RPO codes. Oh and show us lots of pics of the other trucks too they sounds cool!

 

[454C2500Longbed]

That'll be a '96-up with the Vortec small block.

I'm not a 4x4 guy but I think most of the solid axle swaps seem to be done on RWD trucks, not sure what converting an IFS 4x4 to solid involves.

Richard

I've seen it done on here, all the IFS brackets 'n stuff got zapped off, then I believe it was an ORD kit used, like OP mentioned. Should see if I can find that thread. He did it with a bare frame though, completely blew the truck apart to restore it.

 

[GoToGuy]

Seems a waste of time and money. If your gonna use as Tow Beast, it is best as is. It's a full size heavy 2500. It's already built to tow. The only thing I might consider is converting it to Hydraboost.

 

[Dantheman1540]

I’m surprised the mention of a SAS didn’t moisten everyone’s panties more. Refreshing the IFS is definitely the easy option and yall are probably right about keeping it if as the best option, especially for turn radius.

Glad to hear it might be a 96+ that means it’s tuneable iirc and I’m already very familiar with HPTuners. As far as hydroboost goes I have a GMT800 unit on my shelf with pedal assembly already, not sure if that would fit or not. Hydroboost in the past has been the best brake upgrade I’ve ever done.

Here’s some pics of my other junk. I’m really bad about not saving pictures of stuff but I do have a build thread on my Tahoe on another forum. I think it’s close to 300 pages by now https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2004-6-0-nv4500-tahoe.117079/

 

[GoToGuy]

What's the " MFG Date. On the door jam? Or on the load and GVW tag on glove box door?

 

[Dantheman1540]

What's the " MFG Date. On the door jam? Or on the load and GVW tag on glove box door?

Not sure yet, I haven’t seen the truck in years. I’m picking it up Sunday tho.

 

[454C2500Longbed]

I’m surprised the mention of a SAS didn’t moisten everyone’s panties more. Refreshing the IFS is definitely the easy option and yall are probably right about keeping it if as the best option, especially for turn radius.

Glad to hear it might be a 96+ that means it’s tuneable iirc and I’m already very familiar with HPTuners. As far as hydroboost goes I have a GMT800 unit on my shelf with pedal assembly already, not sure if that would fit or not. Hydroboost in the past has been the best brake upgrade I’ve ever done.

Here’s some pics of my other junk. I’m really bad about not saving pictures of stuff but I do have a build thread on my Tahoe on another forum. I think it’s close to 300 pages by now https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/2004-6-0-nv4500-tahoe.117079/

As far as cost and time goes, I definitely agree with keeping the IFS, but grooviness factor goes up by 1000% with a solid axle swap.

If it's a 98+ it'll be compatible with HPTuners, otherwise 96 and 97 you're stuck with using JET DST or something similar.

Sweet rigs, I usually quite dislike the way the GMT800s look, but yours is pretty cool, especially considering it's manual swapped!

 

[l1lartur0]

Any temptation to swap the 350 for a 454 just because, you know... big block? Nothing wrong with a 5.7, though.