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-   -   97 3500 454 4x4 project (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=691478)

mingoman 12-13-2015 03:36 PM

97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
I just picked up this 97 gmc 3500 454 4x4 yesterday. It's dirty, the bed is trash, but everything works except the air as far as I can tell and it's rust free. The front end will need a complete rebuild I'm certain. I'm planning on making this my daily driver, I live 3 miles from work thankfully, and use it when I go up to the farm. My ideas now are to go through it over the winter so I can depend on it. It's a dually now, but I want to change over to a fleetside bed when I'm finished. I only gave 1200 for it so as of now I'm happy with it. Anyone with ideas feel free to throw em at me. this will be a work truck, but I plan on it being a nice one.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck1.jpg

mingoman 12-13-2015 03:40 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck2.jpg

mingoman 12-13-2015 03:42 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck4.jpg

mingoman 12-13-2015 03:45 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck5.jpg

mingoman 12-13-2015 03:48 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck6.jpg

mingoman 12-13-2015 03:51 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Last one till after Christmas and I start working on it.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck3.jpg

Dieselburb86 12-13-2015 04:02 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Looks like a good starting point! I love the srw crew cabs the best!

mingoman 12-26-2015 02:58 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Quick update. Started tearing down the front-end today and the pitman, idler arm, ball joints, and bushings are shot. The tie rods look ok, but there may be so much slop in the rest of the components it's hard to tell. Going to go back with moon everything.

mingoman 02-13-2016 04:58 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Pictures can't do justice to how bad this ball joint was shot.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/100_1077.jpg

mingoman 02-13-2016 05:08 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
This is the first time I've ran into forged lower control arms and solid rubber bushings.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/100_1076.jpg

mingoman 02-13-2016 05:13 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
My ball joint kit wasn't big enough to install the longer bushing so I had to use all thread to pull the bushings in. It worked. Hopefully I'll get the front end back together in the next few weeks then move to the interior.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/100_1078.jpg

83GMCK2500 02-15-2016 02:53 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Good looking project. I drive a 3500 w/454 for a daily as well, but 80+ miles a day. While you've got the front end torn apart, I would recommend a brake upgrade, it takes some parts scrounging, but it's sooooo worth it. My 7,400# truck stops WAY better. I've got it in my thread if you're curious, see signature.

When I did bushings & ball joints I had to get creative with the bench vise and the press to get everything seated/installed properly. The struggle is real when you work on fullsize stuff. :D

mingoman 02-15-2016 05:05 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by 83GMCK2500 (Post 7486981)
Good looking project. I drive a 3500 w/454 for a daily as well, but 80+ miles a day. While you've got the front end torn apart, I would recommend a brake upgrade, it takes some parts scrounging, but it's sooooo worth it. My 7,400# truck stops WAY better. I've got it in my thread if you're curious, see signature.

When I did bushings & ball joints I had to get creative with the bench vise and the press to get everything seated/installed properly. The struggle is real when you work on fullsize stuff. :D

Just read your thread and loved what you did with your truck, though I hate it got wrecked. You almost make me want to keep this a dually. I like the standard trans too. My work truck now is a 93 k2500 454 with a manual trans. We'll see how I do with the auto lol.

mingoman 04-01-2016 09:52 AM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
Here's before pic. I ended up changing everything except the drive axles and hub bearings though I gave the later a good shot of grease. Went with new rotors as well since the old ones are shot too.

mingoman 04-02-2016 01:12 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
Here's a pic with it together again. Took about two seconds to find my oil leak, I need new oil cooler lines, and I drained the front gear box today, going with synthetic.

Cobalt964ruf 04-07-2016 03:23 AM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
looking good, i just replaced the front balljoints, tierods, wheel bearings, and suspension bushings in the front of my k3500... i feel your pain lol

mingoman 04-11-2016 09:01 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
2 Attachment(s)
Got the oil cooler lines changed out, oil changed, and stated on the doors. None of them opened from the inside and one wouldn't open at all. Got them all open and started cleaning year's of dirt off the panels. I picked up a bed that's behind them and a set of rims. I plan on getting those powder coated semi gloss black.

mingoman 04-11-2016 09:03 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
Here's an after shot of one I used a ton of soap water and elbow grease.

mingoman 04-13-2016 01:52 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
I'm on nights, but woke up and wanted to make sure of the lights I needed to change this over to led. I brought parts in to clean up in the house. Looked to have years of maybe tobacco spit covering everything.

83GMCK2500 04-13-2016 03:06 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
Looking good, slowly getting it cleaned up and presentable. :thumbs:

I've gone so far as to strip everything seat/fixture/trim necessary to get the carpet out of a 1999 Suburban to hang up and pressure wash. Pressure washing worked great on the carpet too.

mingoman 04-24-2016 12:02 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
Still doing tons of cleaning. Found my dash had a crack under the grime so I went on a hunt for a replacement. Finally found one not cracked and my color though I'll most likely have to dye everything to match anyway.

mingoman 05-03-2016 08:11 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
Got the seats out and the old underwear that was stuffed behind them out as well today. Pulled it out for the first time since I brought it home too. The air should help!

mingoman 05-03-2016 08:14 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
Classic country is awesome! Classic speakers suck! The Hag will never sing me back home through this, they'll have to be upgraded.

mingoman 05-03-2016 08:17 PM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
1 Attachment(s)
The price tag on this baby just keeps going down!

OutlawDrifter 05-04-2016 09:57 AM

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 
grab the kenwood 1665's off of amazon. great speakers for the money.


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