Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Progress is looking good. Why the desire to loose the training wheels? You mentioned it in you initial post but I forgot about it until seeing the SRW axle.

Does your truck have a hot start issue? The original design injectors on our motors are AWFUL and notorious for causing long crank/no start conditions. I'm starting to develop it again on mine and was wondering how yours was doing.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I like the looks of the fleet side trucks is the only reason I wanted to make the change really. As far as hard starting, I've not had any problems, but the longest drive was about 40 miles home when I bought it. Since then just to move it from the shop and back a few times. I'll keep an eye out when I get it back on the road as a daily driver.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Got the rear end cleaned up, painted and put in. Used ac delco hd shocks on the rear just like the front. Have a new ac fuel pump to put I while the bed is off too. The 409's? So many projects so little time.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

holy smokes! three of them, very cool. now you just need some dual quad intakes.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I have a 65 impala coup that was a 396 car originally I planned on putting one in. Maybe one day lol.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

i guess a 3 dueces manifold would be awesome too!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Not a lot of pics, but got a lot done. Put in the new fuel pump and put the new hyd brake like 4wd on then started on the doors. I took the latch out of every door, cleaned and lightly lubed them. The roller pins were broke so l knocked them out. Have to get new ones and change the pins and bushings out in the front doors. The latches all looked about like the one pictured, but they open nicely now.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Got off today and drained the transfer case, there was very little fluid in it and it looked about the same color as what was in the trans. They were both due a change a while back I'd say. Tomorrow, finish up the trans filter change then finish up the doors. Have to bolt up the actuators that broke from the door frame. Hopefully I'll be ready to get her painted up soon.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Ghah! ...those latches. :exit: I really appreciate the level of detail you're putting into going through this truck.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Thanks, when I got it I thought I'd be done by spring, but I want it reliable and the more I get into it the more I find that needs to be done so I'm in no hurry. I keep telling myself the end result will be worth it!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Before I get this painted I still have a few things to do. Replacing the pins and hinges today and putting in the new roller pins. I couldn't get the roller pin to drive in to save my life so we had to improvise once again. I used total automotive's hinge kit after seeing so many issues with doormans.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Got the doors done and the old dash ready to pull. I'm calling it a day, it's hot out there!:devil:

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Looking good, back around post 22, you mentioned the door speakers. What did you do about the rears. Also how do the rear covers come off, I am looking to do mine and don't want to break them.
Are you removing the rear upper overloads?
Thanks

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

man you are killing it in this heat in our part of the world!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

To get to the rear 4x6s you have to remove the whole rear pillar trim. The rear door speaker grilles are aesthetic only, nothing there. To remove the grille, remove the door panel and you will see that it is held in by tabs of itself that are folded over, straighten them and the grill pops off.

Example:
http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/n...B4F614296A.jpg

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/n...2DD0A54E45.jpg

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

LOL, if it doesn't kill me first. I've worked two 72 hour work weeks back to back so I've not done much on the truck, but I'll be back on it Monday. Hope the humidity gives me a break.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

The rear pillars have a few screws and clips that hold them on. Just go slow and you'll be fine with the clips. I was sweating bullets with mine, but thankfully didn't break anything. And I'm keeping the overloads too.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

If we had a like button on this forum that pic would get one! Did you add door speakers and keep the smaller pillar speakers or do away with them?
I like the idea of bigger speakers in the rear doors.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

That is a friend of mine's truck, he's the one I do most of my wrenching with, his truck or mine. If you want to burn up a couple hours his build thread (link) is on a couple other forums. At first he mounted the tweeter portion of those components in the rear pillar but found that to be harsh on the rear passengers. I think he was going to put a set of 4x6 plates in the pillar and move the tweeter forward... I'll find out, I'll be riding in that truck a while today.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Thanks,I may do that if it worked out for him and thanks for the link too.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Old dash out. Had to put the defrost and air doors back in place since they were out on one side. The defrost door wasn't even hooked to the control arm. Took the air box apart so I could clean it out while i was there too.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Took the better part of the day, but the new dash is in and plugged up. I've got the rest of the components cleaned and bagged so it should go pretty quick from here.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Oh, crap, I forgot to mention...that dash pocket, you have to swap the airbag for the pocket while the dash is out. There are two (pretty much unreachable) fasteners at the top that require either Subaru spark plug hands or dash out.

Nice and clean looking dash!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

The square on the transmission tunnel for manual transmissions...Is it just a raised stamped area or is it a removable plate from the factory?

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I thought about it, but decided to leave the air bag in even though it's not functional. I wouldn't use the pocket and I like the looks without it better too.
I took the original dash' s harness out and placed it in the new dash. I washed all the duct work out when I did that as well.
Oh, and my wife's car is a subaru legacy. The 454 in my truck has loads of room to work compared to that for sure!

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

When I get in from work tomorrow I'll check for you. I have a factory auto and manual so I can check both and see if there's a difference.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Cool thanks! I've had some of both in the past but never tore into any of them.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Looking at the auto truck I'm gonna say no. It has a place for the shifter stamped in the hump, but it's not bolted on or cut out.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Gotcha, I can understand the aesthetic preference. It isn't as useful as it could be but I do like the pocket in mine.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

OK thanks. That's what it looked like but I couldn't tell for sure.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

I've been searching relentlessly for a leak on my passenger side. Took the cowl cover off and all ran water all through it with no water in the cab. Went to my windshield, same result.
Finally looked at my cab lights saw a crack in 1 and wala! Water in the cab!
Also found the plug in back of my compressor off so i hooked it up and I've got air now too.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Two easy fixes. Can't beat that.
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Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Got my parking brake cables swapped out, they were different lengths than the crew cab, and the luggage rack off the roof. I want a clean roof other than the clearance lamps. Last pic before paint is on and the bed too. The bed is already there and the truck will be in just a bit. Have a great labor day weekend all.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

what's the condition under the clearance lights?
Looking good so far.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

They weren't bad at all really, just a few minor spots of pitting. I've already ordered new lamps and seals for it as well.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Just found this thread today! Loving the effort and detail you're putting into this beast. It's coming along great! Reminds me I need to get my project back together...

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Been a while since we've had an update. How progresses the truck?

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Devin,
He put the primer on this morning. The guy doing it has a body shop and I told him not to turn down any business, just get to my truck as he could so it's been a little slow. I'll see if I can get him to send me a pic of it in primer and post it later.

Re: 97 3500 454 4x4 project
 

Well, still no truck, but I did say I wasn't in a hurry. I did pick up new cab lights and head light adjusters for it the other day.
Thanks for reading my thread and I'll be back on It soon.
A very Merry Christmas to everyone too!

Bummer!
Merry Christmas!
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