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

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Last one till after Christmas and I start working on it.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...man/truck3.jpg

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Looks like a good starting point! I love the srw crew cabs the best!

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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.

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Pictures can't do justice to how bad this ball joint was shot.http://i892.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/100_1077.jpg

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Here's an after shot of one I used a ton of soap water and elbow grease.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Classic country is awesome! Classic speakers suck! The Hag will never sing me back home through this, they'll have to be upgraded.

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The price tag on this baby just keeps going down!

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grab the kenwood 1665's off of amazon. great speakers for the money.

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:lol: :metal: :D

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I as well have used a pressure washer on the carpet. I think I have even taken them to the car wash a time or two as well. Whatever works. Lol.

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Thanks, I was wondering what would work. I'll bet the rear speakers are in the same shape.

Hang the old underwear on your rear view mirror. Gives the truck character. 😂
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Got the interior out today. Found a small area of surface rust, but I'll clean it up and por 15 it.

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Not sure about this carpet. May have to replace it and the headliner too.

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I have a truck that was in similar condition as yours. I power washed the carpet and it turned out much, much better looking. However, I wish now that I would've just spent a little on new carpet.

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Carpet is relatively cheap. I would recommend putting some sound deadening stuff in there now. I regret not putting it in mine when I redid my interior(color change).

Nice truck. Should be pretty nice when its all cleaned up.

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I've got samples headed my way now. I washed it at a car wash, but it just has to many stains. I have got it in my shop though to use it as a guide to cut holes in the new one when I get it in. When I get off nights this week the bed is coming off!

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Got my bed bolts out, wires off and such then saw the goose neck ball was welded to the nut, no way to screw it off. Had to go get the portable torch and cut it off and by that time all my help had left so I was forced to improvise. Thanks to a come along and a large pecan tree, I got her off.

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Mine looked the same way as yours except where my seat bolts down. The carpet had been wet and left rust stains and also a stain on the trans hump that I couldn't get out. I was going to replace mine but soaked it down with degreaser and then used my truck wash soap in my hot water pressure washer and it came out pretty good considering. I might just put it back in to buy me some time. I will post some pics later on my thread.

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Been busy with work, grandkids, and the hill farm, but still had time to get a little done. The windshield was broken and leaking on the passenger side so I got it replaced and the dually rear end out. Got rear shocks and an ac delco fuel pump on the way. Can't see not replacing it while the bed is off. I'm about ready to see things going back together.

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I'll have updated pics this week, but a safety lesson first. I was working in the shop last week and dropped a very heavy air header on my finger. I was in a hurry to get to work so I just wrapped it up and left. The next morning I realized I messed that thing up. I should have went to the Dr for sure, but it's healing and they aren't talking about cutting the tip off anymore. So, let's watch for those pinch points!

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Ouch! Glad the Doc is going to leave you intact!

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Back to the truck, I got a 4.10 geared rear end to replace the dually axle. I went ahead and took off the bumper and hitch and stated cleaning the frame up so I could paint it. Looks like I need a new spare winch so I can keep a spare in the right place too.